10 Lesser-Known Mini-Series You Can Binge in One Weekend

1. Godless (2017)

Western fans (and, first of all, Yellowstone fans), this one's for you. Godless is a gritty tale set in a small mining town—get this—mostly populated by women, thanks to a mining disaster that wiped out nearly all the men. Roy Goode, a former outlaw, is on the run from his old gang led by the menacing Frank Griffin. There are shootouts, moral dilemmas, and a final epic showdown in the streets.

2. Years and Years (2019)

Imagine fast-forwarding through the next 15 years, but in a more dystopian, chaotic fashion. That's Years and Years for you. The Lyons family in the UK navigates through a myriad of changes: politics gone haywire, economic collapse, and even a Trump second term that ends with a nuclear bang. Each episode jumps forward a bit, keeping you on your toes as you see this family adapt, survive, and cope.

3. The Night Of (2016)

This one starts with a classic worst-nightmare scenario. Nasir, a college student, borrows his dad's taxi, picks up a mysterious girl, and wakes up to find her brutally murdered. Yikes! Arrested and charged, Nasir finds himself entangled in a complex legal battle. His lawyer, a down-and-out but shrewd guy named Jack, works to untangle the mess.

4. Maniac (2018)

Ever wondered what it's like inside someone else's mind? Maniac tries to answer that in the quirkiest way. Owen and Annie enroll in a pharmaceutical trial that promises to fix all their mental issues. Except, things go hilariously and disturbingly awry. The drug makes them experience alternate realities where they're sometimes connected, sometimes not, but always trying to resolve their real-world issues. It's a trippy ride and a real hidden gem with a star-studded cast to boot: the 10-episode series stars Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, Sally Field.

5. Unbelievable (2019)

Based on real events, this series pulls no punches. A teen, Marie, reports being raped but recants her story under police pressure. Meanwhile, two detectives in another state start connecting the dots on a serial rapist case. It's a frustrating yet satisfying journey as the detectives work tirelessly to solve the case, eventually leading them back to Marie's disregarded report.

6. Chernobyl (2019)

This isn't just a historical retelling; it's a visceral experience brought to you by HBO's prestige programming. The series kicks off with the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant in 1986. Plant officials are in denial, while Valery Legasov, a chemist, warns of catastrophic consequences. Legasov teams up with Boris Shcherbina, a government official, to manage the crisis, including a deadly mission to release trapped air from beneath the reactor. Meanwhile, a firefighter's wife, Lyudmilla, exposes herself to lethal doses of radiation while caring for her dying husband. This series is harrowing but essential viewing.

7. The Outsider (2020)

This Stephen King adaptation starts with a gruesome murder of a young boy. All evidence, including DNA and surveillance footage, points to Terry Maitland, a well-liked local teacher and coach. The catch? He has an ironclad alibi, with witnesses. As the plot unfolds, detective Ralph Anderson grapples with the impossible and teams up with Holly Gibney, an eccentric investigator. They discover a malevolent shape-shifting entity that feeds off grief, framing others for its heinous crimes.

8. Sharp Objects (2018)

Reporter Camille Preaker is sent back to her hometown to cover the murder of two young girls. It's the last place she wants to be, given her estranged relationship with her overbearing mother Adora and half-sister Amma. While investigating, Camille realizes the murders are eerily similar to the death of her childhood friend. Battling her own demons and self-harm tendencies, Camille digs deeper, unveiling shocking family secrets.

9. Show Me a Hero (2015)

A political drama based on true events, this series takes us to Yonkers, New York, in the late '80s. Nick Wasicsko becomes the youngest mayor in America but faces a city in crisis. A federal court orders Yonkers to desegregate by building public housing in white neighborhoods. Nick initially opposes it, but his hand is forced. Residents are outraged, and Nick's political life hangs by a thread. There's enough chaos and the backdoor politics to keep you entertained all weekend.

10. Top of the Lake (2013-2017)

In a remote New Zealand town, 12-year-old Tui is found standing in a freezing lake, and she's pregnant. Detective Robin Griffin returns to her hometown to investigate but uncovers layers of secrets. Tui's father, Matt, a local drug lord, becomes a suspect but proves evasive. As Robin digs, she faces the grim realities of small-town life, including her own past trauma.