Guide to the Top-10 Web Series of 2019 and What to Look Forward to in 2020

Today, entertainment in India is consumed on-the-go with the Internet reaching far more people than ever and costing next to nothing. Smartphones, tablets and laptops are easily accessible and OTT (over the top) platforms have replaced conventional TV programming at a great pace. With a host of streaming platforms to choose from for sports, local and international content, the Indian audience is being served an array of genres to watch like never before and all of this at their ease. Amongst the leading platforms available in India are Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, Hotstar, Zee5, Voot and AltBalaji. If you are new to this boom or are simply considering your next binge, here’s a list of this year’s best series for you to check out.

The multiple Emmy winning series of 2019 starring and created by the brilliant Phoebe Waller-Bridge is available on Prime Video. Set in contemporary London, the series follows Fleabag, a young Londoner, as she deals with family, love, loss and pretty much everything else that any of us face today. The writing and performance offer a lighthearted view on tragedy at times and then instantly slams on the brakes with some heartbreaking scenes. The acclaimed comedy often breaks the fourth wall as the audience experiences her misadventures first hand. Originally developed as a one-man theatrical show performed by Phoebe herself at London theatres, Fleabag has been an instant runaway success. The series cast also includes the incredibly humorous and recent Oscar winner Olivia Coleman and Andrew Scott who have completely immersed themselves in their respective roles. The show has also bagged the Gold Derby Awards and the Television Critics Association Award for the Best Comedy Series and Outstanding Achievement in Comedy.

Streaming on Hotstar is HBO’s Barry, arguably the best dark comedies online now. Recently concluding its second season and winning consecutive Emmy’s, the show brings forward one the most unique and interesting plots – a hit-man who takes up acting in LA. Playing the whimsical hit-man is the versatile Bill Hader, who comes up with a career-defining performance. The series shines through its absurdities and insanely funny moments in the otherwise dark and brutal contract killer world. This said, given the nature of the protagonist’s profession, Barry is often hard-hitting. Add Barry to your watching list today, as this gut-wrenching comedy will blow your mind for its unpredictable twists. Boasting of a great support cast that includes Henry Winkler, Sarah Goldberg and Anthony Carrigan. The show was signed on for a third season. Barry also won the Writers Guild of America Awards for Best Episodic Comedy.

The animation is often considered lighthearted and isn’t taken seriously as a genre. The Netflix show, Bojack Horseman is proof that they simply aren’t. Set in an alternate Hollywood where humans and human-like animals share the world, Bojack is a yesteryear star who tries to remain relevant in today’s time. The show is a grim mirror to celebrity lifestyle and everything that revolves around them. Arguably amongst the best-written shows in recent years, Bojack Horseman invokes a roller coaster of emotions with a hint of comedy. The series takes on difficult and contemporary issues like depression, addiction, and loneliness, as incredibly identifiable characters from the show try to battle them. With the second part of the final season right around the corner, start binging now to catch up right in time. Given the rating and popularity of the show, it could be the next global favourite since The Simpsons.

Created by Tim Miller and produced by prolific director David Fincher, this Netflix show is an anthology of 18 animated shorts. As the title suggests, the central theme for the episodes stems from Love, Death or Robots. This collection of animated short stories visits different genres like comedy, science-fiction, horror, thriller and fantasy in its episodes. Each episode also takes on a different style of animation, explores various genres and also dabbles in live-action. Netflix has renewed the show for a second season. The episodes are a quick watch with the longest ones clocking at 17 minutes and are advised, some of the episodes are graphic to certain degrees. If you are not one to watch animated shows, make sure to at least catch the episodes titled Three Robots, Suits, Beyond the Aquila Rift and Fish Night.

This coming-of-age comedy-drama is a Netflix Original created by Robia Rashid. The story follows the life of Sam, an autism kid on the spectrum, on his journey navigating high school and to find love. A series of unexpected events surround Sam’s life, played by Keir Gilchrist. Atypical shines a light on the challenges of living with autism. Currently, on season 3, the show could return for another run in the coming year. Atypical has remained in its highest calibre given its touch of family drama, struggles of teenage life in high school/college and light-hearted moments that make you shed happy tears.

Based on Vikram Chandra’s novel of the same name, Sacred Games was Netflix India’s first Original. Directed by Bollywood directors Anurag Kashyap & Vikramaditya Motwane and starring an ensemble cast of Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte, the show was a runaway hit when it released in 2018 and was subsequently nominated for the best drama category at the International Emmy’s 2019. The show follows Sartaj Singh (played by Saif), a Mumbai Police officer, as he tries to save the city of Mumbai within 25 days from impending doom. Opposite Sartaj is a criminal overlord Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin). The series has two timelines running parallel which meet in the present. As the thriller unravels, webs of obstacles come forward. The recently concluded second season wasn’t lauded as much as the first, but the series is highly recommended.

This Netflix mini-series recollects the horrors of the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case and the immediate aftermath from the perspective of the Delhi Police. The show doesn’t hold back any details but handles the subject with due respect and sensitivity. Driving the stories are titular characters from the Delhi Police department, from the Police Commissioner, the DCP, the new recruits to the constables. As the city struggles to come to terms with the incident, the officers navigate through their personal stories, the protests, and the politics to apprehend the guilty. Director Richie Mehta brilliantly explores the city and its people in giving a first-hand account of the event.

Director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK try their hand at web series with Family Man streaming now on Prime Video, post their silver-screen success with Stree, Go Goa Gone and Shor in the City. The Family Man centres around the life of an undercover middle-class Indian spy played by the acclaimed actor Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari. Tiwari’s story is based on an identifiable premise of middle-class Indian families trying to make ends meet but with a twist. Working as an undercover spy, Tiwari battles against terrorism to save his country every day and is torn between his family and the nation. Neeraj Madhav playing the role Moosa, the antagonist, has lived up to his role wonderfully. All in all, the Family Man is a torchbearer for spy thriller web series in the upcoming Indian industry.

Another one of Netflix’s Original and a critically acclaimed show directed by Deepa Mehta, Pawan Kumar and Shankar Ramen. Starring Huma Qureshi, Leila ventures into a dark dystopian world. Based on an eponymous novel written by Prayaag Akbar, the story is set in the backdrop of a totalitarian regime where a mother is in search of her missing 3-year-old daughter. Through her journey, she discovers dark secrets that govern this futuristic city. Critically looking at issues of technological advancement, water problem and pollution, the story also delves into the nuances of the world where people are forced to bow down to power and religion. Leila is not your usual fictional drama. While the critics are not completely in favour of Leila, it offers a fresh change from the typical Hindi shows making it worth the watch.

Currently in its sixth season and starring Cillian Murphy as the infamous Thomas (Tommy) Shelby, leader of the Birmingham gangster group called the Peaky Blinders – the show follows the lives of the members of the group. Set in post World War 1 Birmingham, the family led by Tommy slowly grows in stature as it attempts to grow its legitimate (horse-racing) and illegitimate (guns, drugs and gambling) businesses both across England and internationally. With a host of perilous antagonists in every season, the series gets as gripping as they come. The show is also lauded for its visual style that embraces fashion from the bygone era and celebrates the industrial backdrop of Birmingham. The show transcends crime, politics, romance, action and more. If you’re into crime or mafia stories, Peaky Blinders is right up your alley. Renewed for another season, the show also casts Tom Hardy, Paul Anderson, Helen McCrory, Adrien Brody and Aiden Gillen to name a few. The show won the Best Drama Series at BAFTA 2018.

An underrated show of 2019, This is Us, will strike a chord with every episode. Currently, in the 4th season, the show is booked for another 2 seasons to complete the entire story-line. Unlike any other comedy-drama series, This is Us is a non-linear show that carefully travels through different timelines of generations that is beautifully stitched together to form a complete wholesome family drama. Starring Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley and Sterling Brown, this unusual comedy-drama series is sure to make you teary-eyed. Venturing into aspects like love, self-acceptance, post-war PTSD, death and addiction, This carefully narrates the American way of life with a twist.

As we look back at some of the best shows of 2019, 2020 looks equally promising. Given the boom of this industry, watch out for the following shows:

Bonus Note: With Disney+ launching worldwide, a host of Marvel shows are expected to be released on this platform. If you are a fan of The Defenders, Jessica Jones or Daredevils, you are in for a treat with new superhero shows like The Mandalorian, Loki, Marvel’s Hero Project and Falcon and the Winter Soldier are set to release in 2020.