Top 10 Best Netflix Shows in a Language Other Than English
#10: “Call My Agent!” (2015-)
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Titled “Ten Percent” in its native France, “Call My Agent!” is a tantalizing comedy-drama about the employees of a talent agency. Like any workplace comedy, they must balance their personal and professional lives, only their professional lives are filled with vain, popular, and often difficult celebrities. Series producer Dominique Besnehard worked as a talent manager and casting director for nearly 20 years, and he lends the series a uniquely realistic glimpse into the world of celebrity and the troubles that occur behind the scenes. It’s must watch TV for anyone with an interest in the movie biz.
#9: “Cable Girls” (2017-20)
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A wonderful period drama, “Cable Girls” uses its setting to explore themes of feminism and Spanish history. The series begins in 1928, when a phone company sets up shop in Madrid. Four women with their own distinctive personalities and histories begin working at the company for different reasons and quickly form a friendship through their personal trials and lowly status within the workplace hierarchy. The feminist themes are both invigorating and powerful, and the show’s period detail is simply outstanding. Everything from the costumes and production design to the technological workings of 1920s landlines make for fascinating viewing. An anachronistic modern soundtrack may also prove divisive, but it lends the series an air of stylish originality.
#8: “Lupin” (2021-)
Released in January of 2021, “Lupin” is a French mystery thriller with its roots in early 20th century literature. The story follows an experienced thief named Assane Diop, who seeks revenge against the wealthy and powerful man who framed his father for a crime 25 years earlier. Diop is inspired by the fictional thief Arsène Lupin, the subject of numerous novels and short stories from the early 1900s. The show was instantly popular with worldwide Netflix users, reaching 70 million households in its first month of release. Omar Sy earned widespread praise for his lead performance as Diop, and the story moves at an exceptional pace that is sure to thrill even the most judgmental of mystery fans.
#7: “Borgen” (2010-13)
Picked up by Netflix in September of 2020, “Borgen” is a political drama centered around the inner workings of the Danish government. In Denmark, “Borgen” is the informal name for the country’s primary governmental building, Christiansborg Palace. The story spans many subjects and characters but primarily focuses on Birgitte Nyborg Christensen, the first female Prime Minister of Denmark. The series has earned comparisons to “The West Wing” for its thrilling political writing and praise for its strong female characters, winning both a BAFTA and a Peabody Award. It was announced in 2020 that Netflix is partnering with the original broadcaster, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, to release a fourth season in 2022.
#6: “Kingdom” (2019-)
One of Netflix’s most famous international dramas and their first Korean program, “Kingdom” is a distinctive blend of political drama and zombie show. The story follows Crown Prince Lee Chang as he simultaneously investigates a political conspiracy regarding the death of the King while battling a new plague that brings the dead back to life. It’s sort of like “Game of Thrones”, if the White Walkers were a bigger deal than they actually were! By fusing in political drama and entertaining sword fights with the traditional undead action, “Kingdom” treads new ground and enlivens a tired genre, proving to be the most refreshing zombie story in years.
#5: “Sacred Games” (2018-19)
Netflix’s first Indian series, “Sacred Games” was adapted from Vikram Chandra’s novel of the same name, which received a National Book Critics Circle Award nomination in 2007. The series chronicles the dangerous adventures of Mumbai police inspector Sartaj Singh, who ventures into the city’s underworld after being contacted by a long-missing drug lord. The series received praise for its performances, production values, and themes. “Sacred Games”, while being a tense race-against-the-clock thriller, also has a lot to say about its native country, commenting on the likes of its caste system, political corruption, and religious struggles. It’s a classic thriller with lofty ambitions, and it often makes for great viewing.
#4: “Shtisel” (2013-21)
An Israeli television drama, “Shtisel” has a lot to say about the religious fundamentalism that can be found throughout Israel. The series follows the Shtisels, a strictly Orthodox Jewish family who live without the internet and unwaveringly adhere to Jewish traditions. These characters must often battle their own fundamentalism with their more secular neighbors, with most of the action taking place between the Jerusalem neighborhoods of strict Mea Shearim and modern Geula. The series has earned praise for its realistic portrayal of Haredi Judaism and its themes regarding religion’s place in the 21st century. “Shtisel” is the quintessential television program regarding the Jewish faith.
#3: “Ragnarok” (2020-)
This is a very quirky show that’s both a reimagining of North mythology and an allegory for climate change. It takes place in a fictional Norwegian village that has been decimated by the pollution caused by local factories. These factories are owned by a family of entities known as jötunn, and it’s up to a teenage boy (who is actually the reincarnation of Thor) to stop the jötunn and save the world from their harmful pollution. The concept definitely has its place in the 21st century, mixing topical climate concerns with the fun and wicked imagination of Norse mythology. “Ragnarok” is the result of blending “Percy Jackson”, “Twilight”, and the nostalgic WB programs of the 2000s, and it makes for great young adult fare.
#2: “Money Heist” (2017-)
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Known as “The House of Paper” in its native Spain, “Money Heist” became Netflix’s most-watched non-English program in the spring of 2018. It tells a winding and often convoluted story involving the heists of both the Bank of Spain and the Royal Mint. Included are a number of serpentine storytelling devices like flashbacks and time jumps that keep viewers on their toes. The series employs a number of tones and has often been labelled as a telenovela and a black comedy. It’s also an atypical heist story that subverts the genre by focusing on aspects of love, gender issues, and the Spanish identity. Of course, it also works extraordinarily well as a straightforward crime caper with complex antiheroes and fun plot twists to spare. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Norsemen” (2016-20) A Norwegian Comedy About Vikings “Bordertown” (2016-19) Finnish Crime Noir About a Sherlock Holmes-Type Detective on the Border With Russia “The House of Flowers” (2018-20) Mexican Black Comedy About an Upper Middle Class Family That Satirizes Telenovelas “Elite” (2018-) A Very Unique Teen Drama Featuring Class Issues, Sexual Themes, and Dual Timelines “Giri/Haji” (2019) Crime Thriller About a Japanese Detective Finding His Presumed Dead Brother in London
#1: “Dark” (2017-20)
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Netflix’s first German series, “Dark” is nearly impossible to describe. It begins with the tragic disappearances of children and soon unravels into a labyrinthine story involving time travel, generational families in a small German town, and the dark history of the location. It’s one of those shows that requires a notepad to keep track of, but those willing to invest the time and mental energy into its story will find more than enough rewards. A mix of “Twin Peaks”, “Lost”, and “Stranger Things”, “Dark” weaves a rich tapestry of intriguing plot elements and a detailed mythos to craft one of the most engaging science fiction stories of the 2010s.