In the last few years, Netflix original reality shows have been gaining praise and attention. The Circle, Queer Eye, and Love is Blind have become reality show hits by winning fan’s loyalty and generating social media buzz. For years, audiences have praised Netflix for its critically acclaimed scripted TV series and movies, but now Netflix is becoming a giant in reality TV as well.
Netflix offers one of the biggest streaming libraries of content on the web. It contains thousands of imported, original, and licensed TV series and movies. This much content is great to have available, but it can be overwhelming not knowing which reality series deserves your attention, especially when so many good series go under the radar.
The appeal of Netflix is that it can be streamed all over the world and it isn't limited by being owned by a single network like ABC or Fox. It seems that it's also removed all restrictions about what can be played, which gives reality TV shows a lot more freedom to show what they want without adhering to the network's strict primetime rules. Not only that, there are no commercial breaks and there's no worry about missing the show, as it's always there. Here are a few Netflix lesser-known reality shows to check out.
Busted!
Busted! is Netflix’s South Korean original series that aired for two seasons in 2018 and 2019. It has 20 episodes available to watch. Busted! is a mystery reality series that brings popular Korean entertainers together to solve mysteries. Each season the show has a main mystery, but each episode involves smaller tasks and mysteries that tie into the overall plot of the season. Busted! combines scripted and unscripted moments to further the story, but it still keeps the reality TV show feel. Busted! appeals to reality TV fans looking for a playful show that’s also gripping. The mysteries and tasks draw you in because you’re just as invested as the “detectives” with winning the game and solving the mystery.
The Casketeers
The Casketeers is a New Zealand reality series that originally broadcast on TVNZ 1 in January 2018. Netflix bought the show to distribute internationally. Currently, The Casketeers has two seasons and 14 episodes. It follows couple Francis and Kaiora Tipene and their staff as they try to maintain a successful funeral parlor. The Casketeers also focuses on individual stories of death and mourning. The Casketeers gives the audience a unique look at the life of funeral directors. It also shows how they influence and help individuals process their loss, while also highlighting the difficulties faced when running a business. The Casketeers may seem a bit morbid, but the series shows how much the Tipene respects their customers. The Netflix original approaches the life and business of the family with humor, which is an interesting contrast to their job.
Shot in the Dark
In 2015, the Academy Awards committed a robbery by not nominating Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance in Nightcrawler for an Oscar. The film follows Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a stringer who goes to extreme methods to capture crime footage, which he sells to local news stations. Shot in the Dark is a docu-reality series that follows real-life stringers. It shows the cutthroat nature of the profession along with some of the dangers of the job. Netflix has only released an eight-episode first season of Shot in the Dark. Like the film Nightcrawler, the series gives a deep exploration of one of the most fascinating professions.
Ultimate Beastmaster
Ultimate Beastmaster is Netflix aim at fans who enjoy series like Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge and American Ninja Warrior. Ultimate Beastmaster differs from American Ninja Warrior in it features international competitors. Countries enlist athletes, fitness gurus, and just average people wanting to take on the beast and complete a series of obstacles. Ultimate Beastmaster also features commentators from all the countries represented. A few countries featured are the United States, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and China. Currently, Netflix has three seasons of Ultimate Beastmaster available to stream.
Back with the Ex
Back with the Ex is Netflix’s entry into the messy reality show game. It’s a series where exes date again to see if they can make it work this time. Back with the Ex is an Australian reality show that focuses on four ex-couples. The series has plenty of drama over the course of the series’ seven episodes. If you need more dramatic reality dating shows in your life, then Back with the Ex should take a place on your Netflix watchlist.