Best Peacock TV Shows

Summary

• Peacock offers unique original content not found elsewhere, like Laid and MacGruber, perfect for anyone looking for a laugh.
• Shows like Girls5eva and Dr. Death deliver top-notch writing, strong performances, and unforgettable moments.
• Standout limited series like Mrs. Davis and Poker Face showcase exciting narratives and unique storytelling.

The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is one of the longest-running television networks in America, so it wasn’t very surprising when the company decided to launch its own streaming service, Peacock, in July 2020. Subscribers can access a ton of original content and watch almost anything from NBC’s massive library of classic shows like Saturday Night Live, The Office, and more.

Peacock might not be as popular as Netflix or other streaming services since it’s currently only available in the United States, but it has plenty of great shows you can’t watch anywhere else. If you already have the service and need something new to watch, or if you’re looking for a reason to subscribe, these are the best original series on Peacock.

10

Laid

• Created By: Nahnatchka Khan, Sally Bradford McKenna
• Genre: Comedy
• Number of Seasons: 1

Inspired by an Australian show with the same name, Laid follows a woman, Ruby, as she tries to unravel why people she has had sex with are suddenly dying. The mystery is immediately compelling, and following Ruby and her friends as they try to get to the bottom of it is a fun ride throughout all eight episodes.

Despite the number of dead bodies, Laid is incredibly lighthearted and the perfect show to watch while you relax. Starring Oscar-nominated actress Stephanie Hsu in the lead role and an excellent supporting cast, Laid is a lighthearted comedy with a strong premise that should keep you hooked until the very end.

9

MacGruber

• Created By: Will Forte, Jorma Taccone, John Solomon
• Genre: Comedy/Action
• Number of Seasons: 1

MacGruber, a parody of MacGyver, began on Saturday Night Live before it was eventually turned into a feature-length film in 2010. Despite flopping at the box office, the movie eventually became a cult classic for its absurdity and quotability, and fans begged for a follow-up for nearly a decade until their wish was finally granted.

The MacGruber television series premiered on Peacock 2021 and contains eight episodes that deliver everything fans could’ve wanted and more. Will Forte’s commitment to the character is often jaw-dropping, and the slew of guest actors keeps the action going through the finale. It won’t be for everyone, but MacGruber is easily one of the wildest shows on Peacock.

• Created By: Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Michael Johnathan Smith
• Genre: Action/Comedy
• Number of Seasons: 1

Video game adaptations have slowly become more popular over the last couple of years due to the success of HBO’s The Last of Us and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Peacock decided to enter the race by green-lighting a live-action series inspired by the hit PlayStation One game, Twisted Metal.

It follows John Doe as he attempts to deliver a mysterious package across an apocalyptic war zone filled with deadly characters driving even deadlier vehicles. With a star-studded cast including Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Beatriz, and the voice of Will Arnett, fantastic action sequences, and a decent amount of humor, the Twisted Metal show perfectly captures the essence of the game.

7

Girls5eva

• Created By: Meredith Scardino
• Genre: Comedy/Musical
• Number of Seasons: 3 (Two on Peacock, One on Netflix)

Girls5eva is a joke-a-minute comedy that follows four women as they try to rekindle their music careers while balancing their adult lives. Produced by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, this show is perfect for anyone who enjoys programs like 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

The special ingredient for Girls5eva is the central cast of characters, Dawn, Summer, Gloria, and Wickie. The four couldn’t be more different from each other, but the chemistry between the actresses and the hilarious writing gives every episode at least one memorable moment that’ll stick with you longer than a one-hit-wonder.

6

Dr. Death

• Created By: Patrick Macmanus, Ashley Michel Hoban
• Genre: Drama
• Number of Seasons: 2

Anthology programs, where each season focuses on a new story with different or recurring characters, have become more popular over time thanks to the success of American Horror Story, Fargo, and The White Lotus. Peacock threw its hat in the ring in 2021 with the first season of Dr. Death, a show that focuses on terrifying and true stories of medical malpractice.

The first season stars Joshua Jackson as Christopher Duntsch, while the second season includes Édgar Ramírez as Paolo Macchiarini. Both actors are phenomenal in their roles as doctors who take things too far, and the supporting cast, production, and soundtrack are essential tools in creating a show that you won’t want to leave in the waiting room.

5

Paul T. Goldman

• Created By: Jason Woliner
• Genre: Comedy
• Number of Seasons: 1

Paul T. Goldman is just a regular guy with an incredible story. Though the details of that story are often questionable, director Jason Woliner, known for his work on shows like Nathan For You and the second Borat movie, accompanies Goldman as they try to adapt his jaw-dropping story about the discovery of his wife’s involvement with an international sex trafficking ring into a feature-length movie.

Throughout all six episodes, you’ll watch as Woliner meets Goldman, attempts to confirm the authenticity of the story, and everything that happens in between. It’s a fascinating watch that focuses on the power of truth versus fiction, and how far one man is willing to go to finally achieve the success and fame he’s always wanted.

4

The Traitors

• Created By: Marc Pos
• Genre: Reality
• Number of Seasons: 3

It’s been a minute since a reality TV show dominated water-cooler conversations like The Traitors. Hosted by Alan Cumming, a group of contestants (often characters from shows like Survivor, The Real Housewives, and other minor celebrities) move into a castle and must determine who among them are the titular Traitors – players with the power to “murder” another player each night.

The Traitors is essentially a giant, televised version of Mafia or Werewolf, but the premise leaves the door open for plenty of drama, humor, and heart-breaking eliminations. Every season of the show has been filled with interesting characters and jaw-dropping moves, and if you catch up with the US version and want more, you should check out the international version of The Traitors set in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

3

We Are Lady Parts

• Created By: Nida Manzoor
• Genre: Comedy
• Number of Seasons: 2

We Are Lady Parts is co-produced by Peacock alongside Channel 4 in the UK and follows four Muslim women as they work together to help their punk band find success. Simultaneously heartwarming and hilarious, the show is overflowing with lovable characters, memorable moments, and fantastic original music.

Every member of the band is unique and has their own life outside the recording studio that is just as compelling as the main premise. The award-winning show might be one of the most underrated acts on Peacock, but it’s worth your time to grab front-seat tickets the next time you’re looking for something refreshing to watch.

2

Mrs. Davis

• Created By: Tara Hernandez, Damon Lindelof
• Genre: Comedy/Drama/Science-Fiction
• Number of Seasons: 1

Mrs. Davis is an utterly unique and spectacular limited series co-created by Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers, Watchmen) about a nun who must track down the Holy Grail to destroy an AI overlord known as Mrs. Davis. That premise alone is incredibly intriguing, but this eight-episode continues to surprise you with unpredictable twists and unforgettable moments.

The show has a little bit of everything – action, humor, sharp writing, gorgeous visuals, and so much more – but it still manages to have a heart at the core of it all. Betty Gilpin is flawless as Sister Simone and her energy and charisma carry the show alongside a fantastic supporting cast of characters. One of the best parts about Mrs. Davis is that it’s only one season, so you can easily knock it off your watchlist in a day or two.

1

Poker Face

• Created By: Rian Johnson
• Genre: Comedy/Drama
• Number of Seasons: 1

After his success with Knives Out, Rian Johnson brought his talents for writing nail-biting murder mysteries to the small screen with the exceptional Poker Face. Natasha Lyonne plays Charlie Cale, a woman with the unique ability to know when someone is lying to her, as she travels across America and helps solve murder cases along the way.

Each episode follows Charlie as she solves a different case with a new cast of characters. There are so many great guest appearances throughout the series, and every actor goes above and beyond to deliver memorable performances. Poker Face juggles a ton of elements spectacularly, but at the end of the day, it’s just pure fun and one of the best shows out there.