In the past few years, the English web series has surpassed Hollywood movies and has become the most popular form of entertainment all over the world. The main reason for that is the level of quality content and the reach of the English language.
It won’t be wrong to say that the English web series sets benchmarks for all the web series in the world to follow. In current times we have seen big production houses, and OTT platforms are spending more money on creating web series than movies.
Every year hundreds of web series are made to cater to the demand of the audiences, and some of them become cult hits. In this post, I’ll be sharing with you a list of 10 Top Rated English web series released in 2020 that are winning hearts all across the globe.
1. The Great
- Logline: The rise ofCatherine the Great from an outsider to the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia’s history.
- Platform: Hulu
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Cast: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox
I would have said that it is a biographical series, but the only thing that is factually correct in this show is the name of the main characters and that they existed in our history. It is a satirical comedy that takes a lot of liberty to present this story.
The series revolves around Catherine, who, at the age of 19, gets married to the Russian Emperor Peter. Soon she finds that Peter is an arrogant, childish, and ill-tempered person who is not fit to rule the country. So she takes it upon herself to do whatever she can and remove Peter from power.
This English web series is a big success of Hulu and definitely among the best show that released in 2020. The show is funny, vulgar, and crazy, but despite all that, it does not turn into a full-on comedy show and does have many twists and turns.
2. Outer Banks
- Logline: A story of teenage friends in pursuit of a long lost treasure while being chased by law and rivals.
- Platform: Netflix
- Genre: Action, Drama
- Cast: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey
In the past few years, we have seen that Netflix is heavily pushing down on teenage dramas, and why not it’s working so well. The series came at the time when the whole world was under quarantine, and it got people hooked.
The story starts with John B, a teenager who lives on Outer Banks of North Carolina. His father was searching for a treasure for the past 20 years and went missing. On his lookout, John B and his friends stumble upon some clues leading towards the treasure. But the problem arises when the law gets involved, and also their rivals start causing troubles.
The Netflix web series is exciting, and every character has an interesting story. The story moves at a fast pace, and you won’t feel bored at any point.
3. Normal People
- Logline: The story follows the lives of Marianne and Connell as they weave in and out of each other’s romantic lives.
- Platform: Hulu
- Genre: Romance, Drama
- Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal, Desmond Eastwood
Are you ready to go on an emotional rollercoaster? This English web series will surely make that happen for you. This show can make you happy and sad at the same time. It is a love story that is genuine and absolutely beautiful to watch.
The story revolves around Marianne and Connell, who live in a small town in Ireland. Both are from different social backgrounds and went to the same school and then college. Where Marianne is a secluded person, Connell is cheerful and well-liked. Each has problems of their own, and both try to find solace in one another. Their relationship is complex and evolves as they grow up.
The show is inspired by the book of the same name. Everything from the writing, acting, cinematography, direction is top-notch. I’ll recommend anyone who’s reading this to watch this masterpiece.
4. Upload
- Logline: In 2033, Nathan dies, and his consciousness is uploaded into a virtual world. As he tries to settle in his new life, the mystery of his death starts to unfold.
- Platform: Amazon Prime
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Cast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Zainab Johnson
I know the logline is a bit confusing, so let me explain. The story is set in 2033, where technological advancement allows any person to choose his own afterlife by having his consciousness uploaded into a virtual world.
The story revolves around Nathan, who dies prematurely, and thus he is upload to an expensive virtual world. There he meets Nora, his living customer service rep AKA “Angel”. She helps him get accustomed to his new world, and slowly they become close to each other. But as the story progresses, it comes to light that there’s a big conspiracy behind Nathan’s death.
This rom-com cum sci-fi web series is mostly cheerful but has its moments of suspense and sadness. Overall this series is a treat to watch and is perfect for binge-watching.
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5. Gangs of London
- Logline: The power struggle between criminal gangs to take control of the city of London.
- Platform: Sky TV
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Cast: Ray Panthaki, Joe Cole, Lucian Msamati
If you like gory, violent shows, then this English web series is for you. This series is made to provide its audience an escape from reality and witness action and gang violence on a grand level.
The story starts with the assassination of Finn Wallace, the most powerful criminal in London. This creates a power void in the city, and all the big gangs jump in to take that place. Sean Wallace, the son of Finn Wallace, tries to take his father’s position by going up against his rivals. On the other side, authorities try to take advantage of this situation to curb crime in the city.
The show has over the top action and badass moments. I have my reservations on the story and acting part, but overall this show is entertaining.
6. Never Have I Ever
- Logline: Life Journey of a first-generation Indian American girl.
- Platform: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- Cast: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Darren Barnet, Poorna Jagannathan
An intriguing title and an absolute entertainer, Never Haver I ever leaves no stone unturned in making a perfect English web series that coincides with the life of young Indians living in America.
It centers a high school Indian American girl named Devi Vishwakumar who struggles to balance her stereotypical family customs with the progressive norms and peer pressure of living in Calfornia.
Don’t confuse it for a cringy high school series rather its all but cringy. A complete rollercoaster ride with moments of sorrow to hysterical comedy that will make you roll through your couch.
7. The Outsider
- Logline: A mutilated corpse of a young boy didn’t fit any scientific assumptions of the police and every evidence posed contradiction in the investigation.
- Platform: HBO
- Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller
- Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb
Based on a novel of the same name by Steven this web series is a product of HBO network and comprise of just ten episodes that talk about a murder mystery.
What looked like a simple murder investigation turns out to be a gruesome act of supernatural forces leaving the unorthodox investigators astounded moreover flushing out the scientific arguments of they deducted.
A tightly packed bundle of mystery and thrill backed by a promising direction team. If you are planning for a full night binge this week The outsider will be a perfect choice indeed.
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8. Star Trek: Picard
- Logline: The legacy of Star Trek continues with Star Trek: Picard
- Platform: Amazon Prime
- Genre: Action, Adventure
- Cast: Patrick Stewart, Alison Pill, Isa Briones
Continuing the legacy of Star Trek, CBS All Access launched Star Trek: Picard as the eighth series of the franchise narrating the whereabouts of Picard after the death of Data and destruction of the planet Romulus.
The story continues after 20 years from the last appearance of Jean-Luc Picard’s and highlighting a character deeply affected by Jean’s demise and the devastation caused on the Romulus.
The series is a treat for Star Trek viewers as it has become one of the most loved series from the franchise. No point in skipping this one if you have already watched its previous shows.
9. Tales From The Loop
- Logline: “The Loop” is an underground research facility that is causing people of Mercer to face altered realities.
- Platform: Amazon Prime
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
- Cast: Daniel Zolghadri, Paul Schneider, Rebecca Hall
Based on a novel of the same name, Tales From The Loop is a Stranger Things version of Amazon Prime Video except for the fact that complexities operate on a different level here.
The show orbits abound an underground test facility known as “The Loop” in a fictional town of Mercer, Ohio. Each episode tracks the experience of an individual or group of individuals with “The Loop”.
An unexplainable yet compelling setup summed up in 10 episodes. Definitely not the best sci-fi English web series so far but surely a mystery worth exploring.
10. I Am Not Okay With This
- Logline: A 17-year-old learns that she possesses superpowers.
- Year: 2020
- Genre: Comedy
- Cast: Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff, Sofia Bryant
Based on a graphic comic book by Charles Forsman, I am Not Okay With This is a coming of age science fiction comedy web series. This is not an entirely unique concept to English web series but still holds a position of the most popular English web series of 2020.
The series revolves around Sydney, a seventeen-year-old who finds herself caught up in the advent of mysterious powers developing inside her.
The series comes from the producers of Stranger things and End of the F**king World and it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that this web series is a mixture of both. The only elements that ruin the interest are just seven short episodes of 20 minutes and I Am Not Okay With This.
