In the ever-evolving landscape of streaming services, Paramount+ has emerged as a powerhouse, offering a diverse range of shows that cater to various tastes. From thrilling spy dramas to animated adventures and historical Westerns, Paramount+ has something for every viewer. Among its extensive library, these 10 shows stand out as the best, each offering a unique blend of storytelling, character development, and entertainment value. Personally, I think that Paramount+ has truly hit its stride with these original productions, and I'm excited to explore the diverse range of stories they've crafted. Let's dive into the top 10 shows that have captivated audiences and critics alike.
10. Rabbit Hole
Rabbit Hole is an ambitious spy thriller that, unfortunately, only lasted a single season. Kiefer Sutherland stars as John Weir, a corporate spy who finds himself framed for murder and on the run. The show offers a lot of interesting territory to cover, with its corporate espionage and backroom double-dealing ripe for further stories. However, with the eight episodes that we did get, the show was crackling with intrigue and clandestine energy, powered by Sutherland, Meta Golding, and Charles Dance. In my opinion, Rabbit Hole is a fantastic thriller with Sutherland in the spotlight, and it's a shame that it was canceled before it could truly shine.
9. Star Trek: Lower Decks
Star Trek: Lower Decks is the first animated series as part of the new wave of programming on Paramount+. The show centers on the USS Cerritos, a starship that handles the more menial Starfleet tasks around the galaxy. Within that under-appreciated crew, the series focuses on the ship's junior officers, primarily Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome) and Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid). In my perspective, Star Trek: Lower Decks isn't just great comedy but also great "Star Trek." The show lovingly calls out and parodies elements of the property for laughs but also while celebrating them in its own kooky way. This penchant for parody subtly gives way to audiences genuinely getting invested in the Cerritos crew, including the side characters, as it ups the story's stakes.
8. Joe Pickett
Joe Pickett is a refreshing counterpoint to the spat of more self-serious television neo-Westerns led by shows like Yellowstone. The show is named for its game warden protagonist, who relocates with his family to Wyoming to help tend Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding area. Joe's life is changed forever when he discovers a murdered poacher on his property, prompting him to launch an investigation. This leads Joe to discover the killing is linked to one of the most powerful families in the region while, oddly, tied to Joe's wildlife protection duties. Personally, I think Joe Pickett is an enjoyable neo-Western with a strong performance from lead actor Michael Dorman, and it's perfect to binge over a long weekend.
7. 1883
Before Taylor Sheridan left Paramount for NBCUniversal, he created some of Paramount's best and most popular original television programming. Among these is the period piece Western limited series 1883, a prequel to Sheridan's juggernaut broadcast television neo-Western series Yellowstone. The show reveals the origins of the Dutton family relocating from Tennessee to put down roots in Montana, founding what would become their enduring ranching empire. Leading the wagon train across the grueling cross-country journey is Civil War veteran Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott), who lost his family to disease shortly before hitting the trail. In my opinion, 1883 is arguably the most grounded entry in the Yellowstone franchise to date, leaning more into hardships along the frontier and emotional stakes than overt spectacle. A lot of that effective pathos comes from a masterclass performance by Elliott, reliably good as Brennan, maintaining a brave face despite suffering such a tragic loss.
6. Dexter: Resurrection
Dexter: Resurrection is considerably better than its predecessor, Dexter: Original Sin, revealing that serial killer Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) survived the events of the preceding series, Dexter: New Blood. Tracking his son to New York City, Dexter becomes entangled with a secret society of fellow serial killers headed by billionaire Leon Prater (Peter Dinklage). Personally, I think that Paramount had huge plans for Dexter before cancelling Original Sin, and that's probably for the best, with Hall playing opposite an impressive cast, including Dinklage, Uma Thurman, and Krysten Ritter. Hall, in particular, hasn't lost a step in his portrayal of the fan-favorite murderer, not letting something like his character's apparent death slow him down. A bloody shot in the arm for the long-running and increasingly expansive thriller franchise, Dexter: Resurrection leans into the ridiculously entertaining possibilities of its premise.
5. Mayor of Kingstown
Mayor of Kingstown was a decade in the making for creators Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan, drawing from both of their pasts in towns with prominent prison systems. The show is set in a fictional Michigan town where the community's primary industry is its corrupt prison system. Maintaining the fragile balance between the local gangs and crime syndicates with the prison officials is the McLusky family. Heading the family throughout the series is Mike McLusky (Jeremy Renner), whose role places him in a constantly precarious position with crooks and authorities alike. In my opinion, Taylor Sheridan and Jeremy Renner have struck a strong creative simpatico since Wind River, with Mayor of Kingstown giving Renner one of the best roles of his career. Given its subject matter, the show is on the bleaker side of Sheridan's shows, but the dramatic storytelling remains top-notch.
4. The Good Fight
The Good Fight is one of the best original legal dramas on any streaming service. The long-running legal drama The Good Wife has quietly spawned its own television empire, starting with the spin-off series The Good Fight. Premiering in 2017, this series focuses on legal mastermind Diane Lockhart (Christine Baranski) who loses her prestigious job and life savings from a devastating scam. Joined by her protege and goddaughter Maia Rindell (Rose Leslie), Diane joins another law firm in the Chicago area to rebuild her life. True to its title and premise, there is a real anger about unchecked injustice that fuels the show and it doesn't lose steam over its six seasons. Personally, I think that The Good Fight is a show that doesn't shy away from social commentary but embraces it without making each episode feel like a thinly veiled sermon.
3. 1923
1923 is another prequel spin-off as part of Taylor Sheridan's expansive Yellowstone franchise. The two-season limited series chronicles the Dutton family's struggles as Montana is beset by financial and social upheaval. The ancestral ranch is targeted by sadistic businessman Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton), clashing with Cara (Helen Mirren) and Jacob Dutton (Harrison Ford). The Duttons are pushed to their breaking point as they rally against Donald's calculated schemes to retake what's rightfully theirs. In my opinion, with an additional season to breathe compared to 1883, 1923 provides a more sweeping historical tale within the ongoing Dutton family saga. Mirren and Ford expertly bring all due gravitas to their roles, matched by Dalton playing the most villainous character in the veteran actor's career. But Brandon Sklenar gives an absolutely star-making performance as the heroic Spencer Dutton, positioned as the family's savior from enemies on all sides.
2. Evil
Evil is the type of cross-genre procedural that doesn't really get made much anymore, blending crime-solving with paranormal scares. The show benefited tremendously from making the leap to Paramount+, getting weirder and more intense with the additional creative freedom on streaming compared to broadcast television. But between all the self-contained demonic investigations, the show really leans into its core cast well, elevated by its emotional character arcs. Counting Stephen King among its most prominent fans, Evil is the most underrated Paramount+ original. Personally, I think that Evil is a fantastic show that satisfies that supernatural horror itch, and it's a shame that it's often overlooked.
1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds made the legendary sci-fi franchise no longer feel lost in space. Spinning out of the events of Star Trek: Discovery Season 2, the show follows the crew of the USS Enterprise under the command of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). As the starship explores the cosmos, Pike is joined by several familiar faces from throughout the franchise's history, including Spock (Ethan Peck) and James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley). Beyond uncovering the unknown, the crew faces threats like the resurgent Gorn and the otherworldly Vezda. Shortly after its premiere in 2022, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds became the top-rated Star Trek series on Rotten Tomatoes, a distinction well-earned. The show strikes the right balance between one-off stories and overarching narratives, bolstered by a likable cast carrying the series. Moreover, the show remembers that, at its core, Star Trek can and should be fun, while also regularly delivering more serious and thoughtful tales too.
In conclusion, these 10 shows represent the pinnacle of Paramount+'s original programming, offering a diverse range of stories that have captivated audiences and critics alike. From thrilling spy dramas to animated adventures and historical Westerns, Paramount+ has something for every viewer. Personally, I think that these shows showcase the service's commitment to storytelling and its ability to produce high-quality, original content. I'm excited to see what Paramount+ has in store for the future, and I encourage you to explore these shows and discover your new favorites.
