Have you ever wanted to start a new TV show but haven’t, because the thought of committing to 3 or 5 or 10 seasons is just too daunting? You’re certainly not alone. Sometimes you just want to put something on, binge a few episodes and be done with it by the end of the weekend! And that’s exactly what you can do with limited series, also known as mini-series. This list will go over the best limited series to stream right now.
This list will be continuously updated as new limited series air to ensure you’re the first to know about the best content to watch.
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WHAT IS A LIMITED SERIES?
A limited series, also called a miniseries or mini-series, is a TV show with a predetermined number of episodes that tells a complete story. Instead of a typical TV series which ends seasons on cliffhangers, limited series start and complete its story in one full season.
If you’re looking for the next show to get obsessed with, you’re in the right place. This selection of new limited series has something for everyone. Find the best miniseries to check out below.
‘Wayward’ – Brand New Netflix Limited Series
Release Date: Sept. 25, 2025
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Drama
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Netflix
When two teenagers attempt to escape from a mysterious school for “troubled teens”, they don’t expect anyone to take their pleas for help seriously. After all, no one ever had before. But this time, a new cop is in town, and her gut is telling her something isn’t quite right with Tall Pines Academy.
Critics Consensus: With a tense, dark atmosphere, strong performances (especially Toni Collette) and a blend of mystery, thriller and drama, Wayward certainly won’t be what you expect, but that might just be the reason you keep watching.
‘Untamed’ – A Gripping Mystery in Paradise
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Genre: Crime Drama
No. Of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Netflix
Step into the unforgiving wild of Yosemite National Park in Untamed, a six-episode Netflix limited series that combines breathtaking scenery with a gripping mystery. The story follows special agent Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) of the National Parks Service, who is tasked with investigating the mysterious death of a young woman deep in the park’s rugged wilderness.
Critics Consensus: With only six episodes, Untamed avoids filler and delivers a binge-worthy ride full of twists, turns and haunting revelations.
‘Washington Black’ – A Top Mini-Series to Watch
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Genre: Historical Drama, Adventure
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Hulu
Travel back in time to 19th century Barbados in Washington Black, where the journey of an 11-year-old boy by the name of George Washington “Wash” Black begins. Born into slavery on a sugar plantation, the young boy possesses remarkable intelligence that sets him apart, setting him on a path traveled by few. But when an unexpected conflict force Wash to leave home, he is pushed into an adventure around the world that both strengthens and challenges him at every turn.
Critics Consensus: This compelling limited series unfolds across dual timelines, chronicling Wash’s transformation from childhood through adulthood. The show captivates audiences with its visually stunning period production design and powerhouse performances from its talented cast.
‘Dope Girls’ – A BBC Original Limited Series
Release Date: Feb 22, 2025
Genre: Historical Drama
No. Of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Hulu (originally BBC)
Dope Girls brings viewers into the gritty underworld of 1920s London in this captivating six-episode BBC limited series now streaming on Hulu in the US. Inspired by true events and historical research, the show follows widowed housewife turned unlikely crime boss, Kate Galloway, who resorts to opening up a nightclub in Soho to support her daughters
The endeavor plunges Kate into a world of drugs, organized crime and underground dealings. This addictive period drama masterfully explores how women navigated and conquered male-dominated criminal enterprises through determination and sheer survival instinct. With its authentic 1920s atmosphere and complex female protagonist, Dope Girls offers viewers a fresh take on the 20th century crime dramas made popular by Peaky Blinders and the like.
‘Ironheart’ – Watch Now on Disney+
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Drama
No. Of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Disney Plus
From Black Panther producer Ryan Coogler comes Ironheart, a new six-episode Marvel limited series streaming exclusively on Disney+. The show follows Riri Williams, the teenage tech genius first introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as she builds the most advanced suit of armor since Tony Stark’s original Iron Man. Now back in Chicago after studying at MIT, Riri finds herself caught between science and sorcery when she crosses paths with the mysterious Parker Robbins, also known as The Hood. As the divide between technology and dark magic intensifies, Ironheart delivers high-stakes action, emotional depth and a bold new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – introducing a brand-new villain in The Hood.
‘Sirens’
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Genre: Drama, Dark Comedy
No. Of Episodes: 5
Where to Watch: Netflix
Meghann Fahy (Drop, The White Lotus, The Perfect Couple) seems to be everywhere lately — and we’re not complaining. In Netflix’s new dark comedy limited series Sirens, Fahy plays Devon, a messy, misunderstood sister who’s had enough of caring for her aging father alone. When she sets off to reconnect with her estranged sibling, she’s stunned to find her transformed—wrapped around the finger of an eccentric and slightly unhinged billionaire boss. Can Devon break through to her sister, or is it all going in one ear and out the other? Sirens is a sharp, offbeat look at fractured families, personal reinvention and the ties — and lies — that are hardest to break.
‘Secrets We Keep’
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Genre: Crime Drama
No. Of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Netflix
Secrets We Keep is a Danish limited series that has captivated U.S. audiences with its gripping storyline and hard-hitting themes. The series centers on Cecile, a seemingly typical suburban woman whose life unravels after she discovers her neighbor’s au pair has mysteriously vanished. As Cecile digs deeper into the disappearance, she begins to uncover unsettling truths that shatter the illusion of her perfect life. Across six tightly crafted episodes, the series delivers a masterclass in suspense and pacing, while thoughtfully exploring complex issues of race, class and identity in a community more comfortable with silence than confrontation.
‘The Better Sister’
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Genre: Drama; Thriller
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Prime Video
While critics may not be calling The Better Sister the best new limited series of the year, plenty of TV fans have been buzzing about the gripping eight-episode drama/thriller now streaming on Prime Video. Adapted from the novel by Alafair Burke, the series follows two estranged sisters (played by Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel) forced back into each other’s lives under unfortunate circumstances. Chloe is a powerful media executive with a seemingly perfect life, while her sister Nicky struggles to stay clean and make ends meet. But when Chloe’s husband is brutally murdered, long-buried secrets rise to the surface—and Nicky is pulled into the fallout. With plenty of twists and emotional turns, The Better Sister is a must-watch for fans of Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects.
‘Dying for Sex’
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Genre: Drama
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Hulu
When Molly is diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, she is forced to confront a daunting question: What do I truly want out of this life? After some soul searching, she realizes what she wants is not the life she currently has. With her best friend Nikki by her side, Molly sets out to change everything—starting with exploring the sexual desires she had long suppressed. Determined to experience pleasure and joy in the time she has left, Molly embarks on a bold, emotional journey that you won’t be able to stop watching.
Based on a true story that was first shared through a popular podcast by the two friends, Dying for Sex is an extremely compelling, engaging miniseries that is funny, tragic, inspiring and intriguing all at the same time.
‘Adolescence’
Release Date: March 13, 2025
Genre: Crime Drama
No. Of Episodes: 4
Where to Watch: Netflix
Inspired by real-life cases of youth violence, Adolescence is Netflix’s latest four-part limited series—and one of the most gripping and critically acclaimed dramas of the year thus far. The story follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by breakout star Owen Cooper, who is arrested for the shocking murder of his classmate. But beyond the crime itself, the series unflinchingly explores the often-ignored forces shaping today’s youth—social media, toxic masculinity and the online spaces that can twist vulnerable minds.
What sets Adolescence apart isn’t just its urgent message—it’s how the story is told. Each episode unfolds in a single, continuous take, pulling audiences into the raw, real-time unraveling of a tragedy that feels almost too harrowing to be true—yet, for too many, is all too real. Bold, haunting and impossible to look away from, Adolescence is more than just a series; it’s a conversation starter.
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‘Good American Family’
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Genre: Crime Drama; Based on a True Story
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Hulu
True crime sagas have long captivated TV fans and podcast devotees, and Good American Family is the latest limited series to join those ranks. In the spirit of stylized dramatizations like Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar (also on this list), this Hulu original blurs the line between fact and fiction as it follows a Midwestern couple who adopt a Ukrainian girl named Natalia, born with a rare form of dwarfism. But what begins as a hopeful new chapter quickly spirals into suspicion when the parents start to question Natalia’s true identity—and even her age.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Natalia Grace’s story has already made national headlines. Now, Good American Family revisits the case through a gripping narrative lens, unpacking conflicting accounts and explosive accusations. The eight episode limited series is mysterious, provocative and led by standout performances from Ellen Pompeo, Mark Duplass, and newcomer Imogen Faith Reid, making it a highly bingeable must-watch.
‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ (2025)
Release Date: February 6, 2025
Genre: Crime; Drama; Biography
No. Of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Netflix
The buzz around scammers—especially in the wellness industry—is at an all-time high, and Netflix’s latest limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar, dives right into the chaos. This six-episode miniseries delivers a dramatized yet gripping portrayal of Australian wellness influencer Belle Gibson, whose elaborate scams, including a fraudulent cancer diagnosis, shocked the world. Darkly humorous and fast-paced, the series blends jaw-dropping moments with raw emotion, taking viewers on a rollercoaster ride of anger, disbelief and sorrow. Apple Cider Vinegar is a must-watch for anyone captivated by the absurdity of real-life deception.
‘Missing You’ (2025)
Release Date: January 1, 2025
Genre: Mystery; Crime Drama; Thriller
No. Of Episodes: 5
Where to Watch: Netflix
For those looking for their next twisted mystery to get obsessed with, turn your attention to Netflix’s latest limited series, Missing You. The five-episode crime thriller centers on Detective Kat Donovan as her past catches up to her in a way in which she never could have imagined. Now, she’s left trying to put together an elaborate and astonishing mystery that somehow ties back to the death of her father and her fiancé’s disappearance from over a decade ago.
Get ready to spend the next five hours on the couch, because you’re not going to be able to take your eyes off this miniseries.
‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ (2024)
Release Date: December 11, 2024
Genre: Drama; Magical Surrealism; Period Drama
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Netflix
Immerse yourself in the magical and iconic imagination of Gabriel García Márquez with this limited series adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude. The story begins with newly married cousins, José Arcadio Buendía and Úrsula Iguarán, as they leave their families in search of a new home. With the help of friends and fellow travelers, they found the town of Macondo, which they quickly realize is not just any old town. What follows are the lives, loves and losses of several generations living in the town as they try to make the most of the fate they were born into.
Bringing this magical realism from the pages of a book to the screen is no simple task, but the series’ surreal cinematography, poetic storytelling and strong cast certainly do it justice, making it a limited series not to be missed.
‘Say Nothing’ (2024)
Release Date: November 14, 2024
Genre: Period Drama; History; Drama
No. Of Episodes: 9
Where to Watch: Hulu
Based off the critically acclaimed book by Patrick Radden Keefe, the newest Hulu limited series, Say Nothing is a thrilling exploration into the real-life impact of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The story follows several real people caught up in the conflict – from the experiences of the Price sisters and other IRA members to the disappearance of Jean McConville, single mother of ten, and far beyond.
The limited series has been applauded for its ability to capture the deep emotions, tensions and moral dilemmas of those living through the four decades of political turmoil
Looking for more content about the Troubles? Add ‘Shadow Dancer’ to your movie watch list!
‘American Primeval’ (2025)
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Genre: Action; Mystery; Thriller
No. Of Episodes: 6
Where to Watch: Netflix
American Primeval immerses viewers in the brutal and unforgiving chaos of the Utah War. Set in 1857, the series follows a mother and her son as they desperately attempt to escape their troubled past and survive the merciless expanse of the American West. The shadow of the Mormon militia and the escalating conflict casts a constant threat over their journey, blending historical drama with nearly unbearable tension. Unflinching in its depiction of violence and gore, this six-episode limited series confronts the dark realities of the era, delivering a gripping tale that is as thought-provoking as it is intense.
Looking for a Western show with a *tad* less gore? Try out Yellowstone!
‘Sweetpea’ (2024)
Release Date: October 10, 2024
Genre: Drama; Mystery; Thriller
No. Of Episodes: 5
Where to Watch: STARZ
The talented Ella Purnell brings the latest STARZ limited series, Sweetpea, to life with her astonishing “good girl gone mad” performance. Purnell plays Rhiannon Lewis, a wallflower type of girl who feels more invisible with each passing day; that is, until enough is enough, and something snaps.
As Rhiannon falls further down the rabbit hole of rage, nothing can stop her from getting the revenge she deserves. Applauded for its sharp writing, unique cinematography and punk rock soundtrack, Sweetpea has audiences and critics alike raving. And trust us, once you start watching, you won’t be able to stop. Or take it from an online review that called it “the television equivalent of a page turner.”
‘Lady in the Lake’ (2024)
Release Date: July 19, 2024
Genre: Drama; Mystery; Thriller
No. Of Episodes: 7
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Based on Laura Lippman’s 2019 novel of the same name, Lady in the Lake is a gripping noir thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Set in 1966 Baltimore, the limited series follows the lives of two, seemingly very different women who converge on a fatal collision course after the disappearance of a young girl on Thanksgiving. One woman (Natalie Portman) attempting to leave her old life behind, while the other (Moses Ingram) works tirelessly to life her community up. What happens next though, is anything but predictable – and you won’t be able to stop watching until you get answers.
‘Ripley’ (2024)
Release Date: April 4, 2024
Genre: Crime; Drama; Thriller
No. Of Episodes: 8
Where to Watch: Netflix
Not only is this Netflix limited series’ story completely engrossing but it is also a marvel to watch in terms of aesthetic choices and cinematography. Viewers are thrown back in time to 1961, when a small-time fraudster, Tom Ripley, is hired by a wealthy businessman to return his son from blowing his inheritance in Italy back to New York City.
Sounds like a pretty good gig, right? Maybe, but Ripley – played effortlessly by Andrew Scott – has other plans in mind. Plans that have more to do with traveling around Europe, jovially committing crimes and cons along the way. Over the course of the eight episodes, Ripley’s web of lies become more and more entangled, leaving you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Already ripped through Ripley? Check out the hit crime series, Barry next!
‘Baby Reindeer’ (2024)
Release Date: April 11, 2024
Genre: Drama; Based on a true story
No. Of Episodes: 7
Where to Watch: Netflix
Richard Gadd stars as Donny Dunn, writer and performer of the one-man stage play, Baby Reindeer, in this gripping new limited series from Netflix. Taking from Gadd’s own real-life experience dealing with a stalker, this seven-episode drama isn’t the most lighthearted to watch, but it’s very well done. With impeccable acting, strong writing and plenty of surprising twists and turns throughout, you won’t know what to expect from this show, but you will be thinking about it long after it’s over.
‘Shogun’ (2024)
Release Date: February 27, 2024
Genre: Historical Drama; Adventure
No. Of Episodes: 10
Where to Watch: FX; Hulu
This original adaptation of Jame Clavell’s bestselling novel takes audiences back to 1600 Japan, a time when whispers regarding a civil war are just starting to get louder. When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, its English pilot, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), comes bearing secrets that could help Lord Yoshii Toranaga (producer Hiroyuki Sanada) tip the scales of power to beat their common enemy – the Jesuit priests and Portuguese merchants.
The powerful story is enhanced even more by the beautiful setting and authentic Japanese design touches. If there’s one show you invest yourself in this year, it might just be this one.
WATCH MINISERIES & MORE ON DIRECTV TODAY
As a DIRECTV customer, you can get access to many of these limited series right at the click of a button. And when you sign up today, you can get premium networks like SHOWTIME and Max free for three months! So, you can catch up on the limited series listed above plus even more great content.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a limited series?
A limited series is a TV show consisting of a single season with a set number of episodes that completes an entire story arc.
What is the difference between a limited series and a miniseries?
Both limited series and miniseries refer to a show with a set number of episodes that tells a complete story arc. While they are typically used interchangeably, they are sometimes differentiated by the series' length (limited series are longer than miniseries).
What are some of the best limited series to watch right now?
A few of the most popular new limited series to watch now include 'Washington Black,' 'Dope Girls,' 'Sirens,' 'The Better Sister,' 'Secrets We Keep,' 'Dying for Sex' and 'Adolescence'.
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