The lockdown was the perfect opportunity for all the platforms to release new series and movies to hook the audience and increase viewership. There is not a single release on OTT platforms that we have missed while sitting at home to pass our time.
Trust us when we say that it was difficult to choose some of the best international series released in 2020. But after a lot of thought and consideration, here is a list of the top international series of 2020 to watch.
Upload
Cast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Allegra Edwards, Zainab Johnson, Kevin Bigley
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Watch the trailer here:
Premiered on Amazon Prime Video in May 2020, Upload is a science fiction comedy drama series that narrates a man’s life after his death. It is produced by some of the well-known production houses like Amazon Studios, Deedle-Dee Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.
Unorthodox
Cast: Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbusch
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch the trailer here:
The Netflix miniseries premiered in March 2020, traces the life of a woman who broke free from an unhappy marriage and the ultra-orthodox community she lives in. The miniseries is adapted by the autobiography Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots by Deborah Feldman. Directed by Maria Schrader, the miniseries won several accolades such as the German Television Awards for Best Production and Costume Design, Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special and APRA Screen Music Awards for Best Television Theme and Best Music for a Mini-Series or Telemovie.
I May Destroy You
Cast: Michaela Coel, Weruche Opia, Paapa Essiedu
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Watch the trailer here:
I May Destroy You narrates the life of a young woman whose life changes irreversibly after an unfortunate event at the nightclub. Directed by Sam Miller and Michaela Coel, the series is emotional as well as hilarious.
The Queen’s Gambit
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Patrick Kennedy, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Marcin Doroci?ski.
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch the trailer here:
Released on 23 October 2020, Queen’s Gambit became Netflix’s most-watched miniseries after four weeks of release. The period drama miniseries was very well-received by the audience and piqued everyone’s interest in the game again. Directed by Scott Frank, it is based on the American novel of the same name written by Walter Tevis.
Ted Lasso
Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Watch the trailer here:
Based on the book by the same name, Ted Lasso narrates the story of a small-time coach appointed to coach an English Premier League team. The show is backed by some of the popular production houses like Universal Television, Warner Bros. Television Studios, Ruby's Tuna Inc. and Doozer.
Paranormal
Cast: Ahmed Amin, Reem Abd El Kader, Samma Ibrahim, Razane Jammal, Aya Samaha
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch the trailer here:
The Eqyptian web series Paranormal, is based on a supernatural book series Ma Waraa Al Tabiaa written by Ahmed Khaled Tawfik. Set in the late 1960s, the series narrates the story of a hematologist who becomes an unwilling expert of paranormal activities.
Hunters
Cast: Logan Lerman, Jerrika Hinton, Lena Olin, Saul Rubinek, Carol Kane, Josh Radnor, Greg Austin, Tiffany Boone, Louis Ozawa, Kate Mulvany, Dylan Baker, Al Pacino
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Watch the trailer here:
Created by David Well, Hunters follows the story of Nazi Hunters trying to stop high-ranking Nazi officials from carrying out their genocidal plans. The series marked Al Pacino’s first television series since 2003.
Ratched
Cast: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon, Jon Jon Briones, Charlie Carver, Judy Davis, Sharon Stone
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch the trailer here:
If you want to be hooked till the very end of a series, then Ratched is a must-watch for you. Sometimes thrilling and sometimes utterly dull then engaging at one point and puzzling at the other, this series will keep you guessing till the very end. Drawing inspiration from the character ‘Nurse Mildred Ratched’, from the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest written by Ken Kasey, the series is made as a prequel to the book.
Schitt’s Creek
Cast: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, Emily Hampshire, Jennifer Robertson, Chris Elliott, Tim Rozon, Sarah Levy, John Hemphill, Karen Robinson, Dustin Milligan, Noah Reid
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch the trailer here:
Running for 5 years now, Schitt’s Creek bagged 7 major awards at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards breaking last year’s Marvellous Mrs. Maisel’s records. The series released in 2015 is critically acclaimed for its writing, cast performance and humour. With witty dialogues and amazing acting, we guarantee that Schitt’s Creek will take you on an emotional, humourous and learning ride.
Little Fires Everywhere
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Joshua Jackson, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jade Pettyjohn, Lexi Underwood, Megan Stott, Gavin Lewis, Jordan Elsass
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
Watch the trailer here:
A Hulu original, Little Fires Everywhere, streams in India on Disney+ Hotstar. The series is about motherhood and the challenges, ups and downs that come with it. It is based on the best selling novel of the same name written by Celeste Ng. The series also premiered on Amazon Prime Video in Europe, Latin America, Canada and Australia. The miniseries was nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards under the category Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and Outstanding Limited Series.
Defending Jacob
Cast: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, Cherry Jones, Pablo Schreiber, Betty Gabriel, Sakina Jaffrey
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Watch the trailer here:
Based on the book by the same name written by William Landay, Defending Jacob is emotional and intriguing. It traces the story of a family dealing with the accusation that their teenage son is a murderer. The series along with the cast performances were appreciated by the critics as well as the audience alike. The miniseries was also nominated for the Primetime Emmy Awards under two categories namely Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music.
Euphoria
Cast: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith, Sydney Sweeney, Colman Domingo
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Watch the trailer here:
An ongoing series since 2019, Euphoria narrates the story of teenage high school students entangled in love, drugs, social media and money while trying to make their own identity as adults. The critics praised the series for its cinematography, story, score and cast performances. The show has also won several accolades such as People’s Choice Award for Favorite Drama TV Star, Satellite Award for Best Actress - Television Series Drama, Guild Of Music Supervisors Award for Best Music Supervision - Television Drama, Prime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic) and Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.
