Given the dominance of English-language shows on Netflix, it can be easy to overlook the platform's incredible range of non-English-language original series from a wide range of countries, spanning over many genres, including teen shows like Élite and Young Royals and smash-hits like Money Heist. Viewers might also remember a little show called Squid Game.
From giving actors from non-English speaking countries a bigger platform to showcasing the individuality of a country's style of television show, there are a lot of benefits of non-English-language Netflix originals, for both show creators and their viewers.
Samurai Gourmet (Japan)
Fans of relaxing, laidback slice-of-life anime will find familiarity in Samurai Gourmet, a limited series from Japan released in 2017 that follows recently-retired businessman Takeshi Kasumi as he finds new enjoyment in food and drink.
The show's more fanciful twist, though, is that through these eating experiences Kasumi has visions of a samurai alter-ego, someone who is bolder in his choices, in food and social situations. Ultimately, Samurai Gourmet is a comedic and relaxing watch that focuses on Kasumi's freedom in retirement.
An Astrological Guide For Broken Hearts (Italy)
An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts is an Italian romantic comedy that follows Alice, a young woman working in TV who searches for love after her ex gets engaged. Though only 1 season is out so far, it has been renewed for a second.
In the show's first episode Alice meets Tio, an actor and keen astrologer who helps her consider how she approaches romance with reference to the Western zodiac signs. Lighthearted and romantic, Astrological Guide examines the love between friends as well as romantic love and is perfect for easy watching.
Dark (Germany)
A show combining science fiction, mystery, and thriller elements, Dark was Netflix's first German-language original series, which ran for three seasons.
Its initial premise follows a cast of characters in the town of Winden as they investigate the mystery of a child's disappearance, complicating family dynamics and unearthing mysteries around time travel. As its name suggests, the show is dark and often ominous, but its exploration of time travel and the characters' intertwined lives are fascinating.
Squid Game (South Korea)
The impact of Squid Game on the international television scene cannot be overstated, with the survival drama from South Korea becoming Netflix's top-viewed program in over 90 countries.
It follows Seong Gi-hun's involvement in the deadly Squid Game, as he tries to win a huge cash prize in order to pay off his gambling debt and help his family, as well as the fellow players he meets along the way. Seong Gi-hun has one of Squid Game's most satisfying character arcs and is a show for audiences to get behind.
Money Heist (Spain)
As its title indicates, Money Heist is a heist-focused Spanish crime drama series, initially following a mastermind known as the Professor, who recruits a group of eight robbers — who use city names as aliases — to rob the Royal Mint of Spain.
The show ran from 2017 to 2021, and a large part of the story's success is down to the hidden motivations of the smartest characters in Money Heist, and the way the show employs the use of flashbacks in order to reveal new information while keeping the narrative suspenseful.
Élite (Spain)
Élite is a Spanish teen drama and thriller set at a fictional exclusive private school, following three working-class students who enroll there on scholarships.
The series not only focuses on the wealth disparity between its characters and their progressing lives but also sets up a mystery, with flash-forwards in the first season revealing that a student will be murdered. Combining the drama of soap operas with its exploration of social issues, Élite's popularity has had the currently four-season show renewed for two additional seasons.
Daughter From Another Mother (Mexico)
A Mexican comedy-drama that recently released its second season, Daughter from Another Mother tells the story of Ana and Mariana, two women from different backgrounds whose lives intersect when their daughters are accidentally switched at birth.
Despite its simultaneously serious and unrealistic premise, the show is not overly dark, focusing more on the comical effects of the two disparate women and their families being brought together. Its range of multifaceted female characters and LGBTQ+ representation makes Daughter from Another Mother a surprising watch.
The Silent Sea (South Korea)
Released at the end of 2021, The Silent Sea is a South Korean sci-fi series set in the near future when water is scarce. The show follows a team selected to retrieve key samples from a research station on the moon.
The research station they are headed to, Balhae Base, was subject to catastrophe five years before the start of the series, but many of the details surrounding the station disaster are a mystery. The Silent Sea's high-stakes, alongside actress Bae Doona's great performance, make it a thought-provoking watch.
The Hook Up Plan (France)
The Hook Up Plan is a French comedy that finished its three-season run at the start of 2022. it follows Elsa, a woman unable to get over her ex, whose friends decide to secretly hire an escort to take her on some dates.
A perfect remedy for viewers who were disappointed by the stereotypes and inaccuracies of Emily In Paris, The Hook Up Plan is a feel-good series supported by a cast that has great chemistry, making it an effortless and enjoyable watch that can be completed over a weekend.
Young Royals (Sweden)
Young Royals is a Swedish teen drama that follows protagonist Prince Wilhelm of Sweden after he is sent to a prestigious boarding school, and the complexities he faces as he falls in love with classmate Simon.
The show's leads are strong actors, and its dedication to showing how Willhelm's family duties clash with his romantic wishes in just six episodes has received praise. This intersection of LGBTQ+ themes and royal life is sure to be further explored in Young Royals' second season, set for release this year.