We have decided: These are the best mini-series on Netflix
The miniseriesare perfect for our fast-paced everyday lives: the plot doesn't drag on as long as other series (17 seasonsyou have to grab it first!), they are still more productive than conventional films and our ever-shortening attention span is better suited to crisp four-part series than to sprawling plots that drag on for years. But which ones are the best?Series on Netflix? We'll show you which onesMiniseriesreally worth it.
What are miniseries actually?
The miniseriestell stories that are designed from the outset as a self-contained plot. TheThe seriesinclude one eachSquadronbetween three and ten episodes, are often produced in one set and since the stories are written from the beginning to the end, real events are best suited for the entertaining streaming format. But that also means that many of our favorite productions will definitely not be continued and it will really remain just one season.
The best Netflix mini-series at a glance
"Das Damengambit"
One of the best Netflix productions of 2020: The RetroMiniseries“Das Damengambit” beiNetflixtells the story of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) in the 50s and 60s, who spends several years of her childhood in an orphanage. There she becomes addicted - to the sedatives that are given to the children and to the game of chess that the caretaker secretly teaches her. Beth Harmon evolves from a withdrawn child into a self-confident woman who conquers the male-dominated world of chess - but always has to fight against the demons of her past.. No wonder: the setting of the seven-part season alone is so detailed and aesthetic that the viewer is tempted to start all over again after the series finale.
“When They See Us”
The shocking oneTrue-Crime-Miniserie“When They See Us” beiNetflixis based on true events and shows the dramatic fate of the so-called “Central Park Five”: Five black teenagers were wrongly accused of raping a woman in Central Park in New York in 1989. They have to go to prison - a few years later the actual perpetrator confesses. The story shows racist structures of the US justice system, illustrates shocking interrogation methods and makes the individual, tragic fates of those wrongly accused tangible. Extremely gripping because, as a person who is not affected by racism, you cannot imagine the burden that people who are under general suspicion because of their skin color have to deal with in their everyday lives. Must watch!
“Unbelievable”
TheNetflix Miniseries-Drama“Unbelievable” tells the true story of Marie (Kaitlyn Dever), who becomes a victim of sexual violence. The perpetrator breaks into her apartment at night and rapes the young woman, who, disturbed and traumatized, goes to the police the next day - where an incredible number of mistakes happen. Marie is treated so badly there that at some point she no longer believes her own story. The drama raises questions about how to properly deal with victims and shows how ailing the system is in such cases. And focuses on the hard work of police officers Karen Duvall (Merritt Wever) and Grace Rasmussen (Toni Collette), who have to show an incredible amount of perseverance to ensure justice is served.
“Alias Grace”
We have known for at least since then that the books by best-selling author Margaret Atwood are good series material.Netflixhas followed up and told the story with the historical dramathe true story of Irish-Canadian maid Grace (Sarah Gadon), who is sentenced to life in prison for allegedly killing her employer. She meets the American doctor Dr. Jordan (Edward Holcroft), whose interest she arouses: He wants to find out whether she really committed the crime. Just like with “The Handmaid's Tale”, Atwood also addresses the seemingly never-ending struggle of women against patriarchal oppression in “Alias Grace”, woven into a historical, horror-esque drama that immediately captivates viewers in front of the screen.
“Bodyguard”
The series surprise successNetflix: In theThriller-Serie“Bodyguard” is about police officer David Budd (Richard Madden), who, as a war veteran, suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. His private life is also crumbling, but professionally things are going quite well - Budd is even promoted to bodyguard for Interior Minister Julia Montague (Keely Hawes). The two could hardly be more different - Montague is a conservative security hardliner, defends war operations and calls for stricter measures. What follows are violent plot twists where you would never expect them, tension until the last episode. Great streaming recommendation!
“Unorthodox”
The German oneNetflix-Miniserie is based on the book of the same name by Deborah Feldman, who tells of her escape from the ultra-Orthodox community in New York. In theSerieEsty Shapiro (Shira Haas) flees from Williamsburg to Berlin and tries to build a new life for herself outside the Hasidic corset imposed on her. TheSeriedelivers authentic insights into a completely insular community in which women play a subordinate role, and shows Esty's struggle between self-determination and the fear of turning her back on her family. No wonder director Maria Schrader won an Emmy for it in 2020. Four episodes of pure emotion!
“Self Made: The Life of Madame CJ Walker”
The grippingNetflix-Drama“Self Made: The Life of Madame CJ Walker” is based on the biography of Madam CJ Walker. Walker (played by Octavia Spencer in the series) is the first of her family to be born after the end of slavery. Her path begins as a laundress, then she invents the “Magical Hair Grower”: The hair remedy helps women who suffer from a scalp disease that was widespread at the time and causes hair loss. The Hair Grower makes CJ Walker the first self-made millionaire in the USA. TheMiniseriesshows her story from her first job offer through some bitter setbacks to mega economic success - and is so entertaining and emotional that you're tempted to binge the four episodes straight away.
“Anatomy of a Scandal”
An aspiring politician caught up in a sex scandal and a wife who no longer knows who she can actually trust. Plus a judge who wants to uncover the truth somewhere between the law and her personal feelings. This is roughly the starting point of “Anatomy of a Scandal” on Netflix. The political thriller stars Rupert Friend (“Homeland”) as a member of parliament,as his wife and Michelle Dockery () as a judge with a personal agenda. An extremely exciting marriage drama - with a surprising twist.
“Inventing Anna”
An impostor who is fooling the entire New York society: Netflix has filmed the life of the German-Russian impostor Anna Sorokin/Delvy as a miniseries - and with “Inventing Anna” she is giving us amusing, disbelieving evenings thanks to a truly incredible story of lies. And mercilessly shows how Anna was able to fool everyone from Wall Street dudes to employees of a luxury hotel in Marrakesh. The report is, among other things, from the perspective of a journalist who suspects more to Anna's imprisonment than can be seen at first glance. She should be right.
“Maid”
Dieon Netflix tells the story of Alex, who escapes an abusive relationship and suddenly has to fend for herself and her daughter alone. She wants to earn a living as a cleaner, but in this job the working days are long and the pay is poor. On top of that, her mother and her ex-boyfriend only put obstacles in her way. “Maid” shows a realistic picture of a young woman who wants to make it on her own – and does so. Oneempowering, captivating miniseries that exposes what's wrong with the US welfare system. And in society in general.
Critics have particularly praised Margaret Qualley as Alex in “Maid”, the 2021 miniseries was extremely well received by viewers.
“American Primeval”
No prisoners are taken here: The miniseries on Netflix tells of settlers in the 19th century in what is now the US state of Utah. The series shows a perhaps quite realistic, but nevertheless brutal picture of the settlement of the USA and how different groups clash there: Native Americans,whiteSettlers, religious fanatics.
In the middle of it all, the single mother Sara, the Mormon Abish and the indigenous Two Moons try to survive in the absolute patriarchy that was the so-called Wild West and find a better future. How their paths cross and the suffering that befalls them can be seen in six visually stunning, brutal episodes.
was at the top of the Netflix charts just four days after its release - and not without good reason.
