An ‘outstanding’ dystopian Netflix series has been hailed by fans as ‘better than The Handmaid’s Tale‘ with viewers pushing it for more recognition.

Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale last aired in May 2025, with the story that had long followed Elizabeth Moss’s protagonist June finally coming to its dramatic ending.

While the spin-off series, The Testaments, is soon to hit screens, viewers have been looking elsewhere for their latest dose of dystopian drama.

Fans of the genre have found another drama to dive into in the meantime – and have been left raving over it as ‘on point’ and ‘deserving more recognition’.

Portuguese series 3% first launched on Netflix in 2016, and follows a cast of young people in the distant future living in a poverty-stricken area known as Inland.

Each year, an elite group that choose to live in a virtual paradise, Offshore, allows the young residents of the Inland to compete for a place on the virtual island paradise through a series of tests.

Only 3% of candidates succeed and qualify to leave the Inland area in each selection process – seeing a fierce battle of wits taking place each year.

An 'outstanding' dystopian Netflix series has been hailed by fans as 'better than The Handmaid's Tale' with viewers pushing it for more recognition
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An ‘outstanding’ dystopian Netflix series has been hailed by fans as ‘better than The Handmaid’s Tale’ with viewers pushing it for more recognition

Portuguese series 3% first launched on Netflix in 2016, and follows a cast of young people in the distant future living in a poverty-stricken area known as Inland
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Portuguese series 3% first launched on Netflix in 2016, and follows a cast of young people in the distant future living in a poverty-stricken area known as Inland

The majority of the candidates are forced to return to their impoverished conditions after taking part in the selection process, often too debilitated to survive.

Much of the action follows new Offshore resident Michele, played by Bianca Comparato, a young woman with no family and a strong sense of justice.

It draws a focus on the high-stakes tests that divide social inequality in the futuristic society, and the rebellion that aims to take down the system.

The series, which came to an end in 2020, has won over viewers since its launch, with an impressive 85 per cent score on reviews site Rotten Tomatoes, with fans calling it ‘tremendously underrated’.

One fan penned on IMDb: ‘I was really surprised by the fact that this show is really unknown. It is a great TV series that definitely deserves more recognition.’

Another chimed in: ‘Cinematically and visually stunning, a political, Hunger Games-esque storyline with believable acting, and I thought very interesting, lifelike characters.

‘The script is intelligent, the characters are strong, and the interaction is elegant in its simplicity and natural air.’

Someone else added: ‘3% is one of those rare shows that only gets better and better as it goes. Season 3, so far, is shaping up to be the most enthralling season yet, which, let me tell you, is absolutely saying something!

‘The world continues to be fleshed out, and the already quite complex characters are only getting more interesting.

The series draws a focus on the high-stakes tests that divide social inequality in the futuristic society, and the rebellion that aims to take down the system
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The series draws a focus on the high-stakes tests that divide social inequality in the futuristic society, and the rebellion that aims to take down the system

What pulls YOU into a dystopian series most?

‘Do yourself a favour; watch at least to episode three before you pass judgement. You won’t regret it!’

A fourth penned: ‘This is truly an outstanding dystopian/post-apocalyptic series. The acting, the shots, the pace, the character development, the storyline… Everything is on point! Seasons 1, 2 and 4 were, for me, all riveting.’

While a fifth concluded: ‘I watched this out of boredom, but boy, was I glad that I did. It totally caught me off guard by how wonderful this show was.

‘It is intelligent, futuristic, and well acted; all in all, absolutely amazing.’

It comes after a crime series dubbed by fans as ‘the best murder mystery on TV’ returned to screens, with viewers already binging their way through all the episodes.

The Australian dark comedy series, which debuted on Amazon’s Prime Video back in 2023, has returned for a new season, leaving long-term fans delighted.

Deadloch, which was created by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, is set in a fictional town in Tasmania and sees a community turned upside down when a local man is found dead on the beach.

Two female detectives, Kate Box’s Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and Madeleine Sami’s Senior Sergeant Eddie Redcliffe are soon on the investigation together.

The pair have to work through all the evidence with the help of their overseeing constable, Abby Matsuda (Nina Oyama) and officer Sven Alderman (Tom Ballard).

Much of the drama is focused on Dulcie and Eddie coming to terms with each other’s vastly differing working styles as they try to find out what happened ahead of the town’s annual Winter Festival.

The show follows two female detectives, Kate Box's Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and Madeleine Sami's Senior Sergeant Eddie Redcliffe
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The show follows two female detectives, Kate Box’s Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and Madeleine Sami’s Senior Sergeant Eddie Redcliffe

It received rave reviews from fans after its first season, so there was little surprise that when it returned for more earlier this month, fans were sent wild.

The hype was only escalated by a new cast member joining the team, in the form of Hollywood legend Luke Hemsworth, the brother of Liam and Chris Hemsworth.

The second series of the show sees a major turning point for the action, with the detectives arriving in Darwin to investigate the death of Eddie’s former police partner.

However, their plans are diverted when another body is discovered in a remote town called Barra Creek, and the detectives are sent on the case.

The synopsis teases: ‘Sticky, sweaty and juggling comprehensive thrush infections, the detectives find themselves embroiled in a world of crocodile-fuelled tourism, overstretched Indigenous rangers, cagey locals, and seven-metre prehistoric predators – all of whom call Barra Creek’s stretch of land, and water, their home,’ the synopsis continues.

‘As the humidity builds, and Eddie and Dulcie dig deeper, more questions arise for our duo – not only about the case, but the many secrets that lie beneath the surface of this small town.’

The show also stars Tom Ballard as officer Sven Alderman
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The Whow also stars Tom Ballard as officer Sven Alderman

Since its release, the critics have been full of high praise for the series, with the Telegraph branding it the ‘best murder mystery on TV’ and Decider concurred, praising the show’s ‘wickedly funny’ cast.

Meanwhile on social media, one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘I’m obsessed with watching Deadloch season 2,’ as another chimed in: ‘Deadloch season 2 is as chaotic as I’d hoped.’

A third penned: ‘Damn.. I kinda.. a little bit.. a lot.. want more Deadloch. Amazon, give us season three,’ as a fourth wrote on IMDb: ‘I need more seasons!’

‘Deadloch delivers on all fronts. This comedy-drama successfully sets up a mystery that is hard[er] to guess than some of the mystery dramas that take themselves more seriously. You have to watch this,’ a fifth viewer encouraged.

As a sixth concluded: ‘I haven’t laughed out loud so many times in such a long time. It’s weird, quirky and dark. If you love Australian humour and some crime, this is it! It will keep you guessing and crying with laughter all at the same time.’

It comes after Netflix fans heaped praise on a Western drama that they’ve been left ‘addicted’ to watching – and there’s more than 100 episodes ready for fans to binge through.

Canadian series Heartland, which follows the story of two sisters living on a ranch, first launched back in 2007 and last year released its 19th season.

Amber Marshall and Michelle Morgan play siblings Amy and Lou Fleming, who grew up on the Alberta-based cattle farm in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

Their tight-knit family includes grandfather Jack, played by Shaun Johnston, their father Tim, portrayed by Chris Potter and ranch hand Ty (Graham Wardle).

The action follows as together they manage their ranch amidst a series of personal challenges, financial ups and downs, and blossoming romantic relationships.

The brand-new 19th season is said to include many dramatic new storylines, including the family forced to evacuate amid wildfire threats to the ranch.

Netflix fans have heaped praise on a Western drama that they've been left 'addicted' to watching - and there's more than 100 episodes ready for fans to binge through
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Netflix fans have heaped praise on a Western drama that they’ve been left ‘addicted’ to watching – and there’s more than 100 episodes ready for fans to binge through

Elsewhere, Amy navigates a brand-new relationship while balancing her daughter’s life and reputation, while Tim and Jack are forced to make critical decisions about the future of the ranch.

While Netflix doesn’t have the first six seasons available of the show, fans have been clear that viewers can jump in at any point.

And with seasons eight through ten considered the ‘golden age’ for the series, Netflix have given fans a chance to start at a perfect point, with series seven to 19 available.

Since its release, it’s garnered hundreds of positive reviews from fans, with one writing on IMDb: ‘A true gem. I have watched every episode more than once.

‘It’s the one show that leaves one with a sense of family and community with both people and animals. It’s a slice of heaven.’

Another raved that the series was ‘the best show ever’, adding: ‘This show is completely amazing! The storyline, plot, the characters, the beauty, the memories.

‘There’s so much to this show that can teach us about life and the choices we make and the love it shows us. Call me crazy but I’m in love with this show!’

A third concurred: ‘All Time favourite TV Series. I stumbled across Heartland on Netflix and instantly fell in love with the show, characters, scenery and story-line.

‘Within two weeks I had watched seasons one to six. I became addicted!

While Netflix doesn't have the first six seasons available of the show, fans have been clear that viewers can jump in at any point to the series that it set on a ranch
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While Netflix doesn’t have the first six seasons available of the show, fans have been clear that viewers can jump in at any point to the series that it set on a ranch

‘Writers, directors, producers, actors and animals…..continue the wonderful job you’re doing. I would be devastated to see this wonderful show come to an end.

‘It’s a family show that is wonderful for all ages to watch. I hate that it took me 9 years to find the show, but so glad that I did. It has become my all time favourite TV show.’

It comes after it was announced a legendary Western film will be re-imagined SIX decades after it first hit screens in a new drama series, with Hollywood actor Matt Dillon leading the cast.

Streaming service MGM+ confirmed that the There’s Something About Mary star will step into the leading role of Chris Adams in the re-make of The Magnificent Seven.

The cult movie, which was first released in October 1960, follows seven skilled fighters hired by desperate villagers to protect them from a local bandit gang.

It was re-imagined for the first time by American network CBS in 1998 starring Ron Perlman, and again in a 2016 film starring Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt.

Now Matt, 62, will take on the role of the leader of the gunfighters battling against a land baron who wants to seize the area for himself.

Written and produced by Heroes creator Tim Kring, filming for the new series is set to take place in Calgary, Canada, during the summer.

A legendary Western film will be re-imagined SIX decades after it first hit screens in a new drama series, with Hollywood actor Matt Dillon leading the cast
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A legendary Western film will be re-imagined SIX decades after it first hit screens in a new drama series, with Hollywood actor Matt Dillon leading the cast

MGM+ teased of Matt’s character: ‘Stoic, steady under pressure, and with an unflinching gaze that does most of the talking for him, Chris has no patience for hypocrisy or cruelty and holds fast to a quiet moral code.’

The streamer added: ‘Set in the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, The Magnificent Seven follows seven gifted but flawed mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village after it is massacred by mercenaries working for a ruthless land baron trying to seize their land.

‘As the team embeds itself and prepares to defend against overwhelming odds, they grapple with a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence?

‘The series explores the backstories of each of the Seven, what’s at stake for them, and why they choose this mission – delving into themes of honour, sacrifice, redemption, morality, and faith.’

MGM+’s global head, Michael Wright, added of the actor, who has been on screen for more than three decades: ‘Matt Dillon brings extraordinary depth and gravitas to this iconic role.

‘His ability to portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the perfect choice to lead our reimagining of The Magnificent Seven.

‘This series honours the legacy of the original film while exploring timeless themes about courage, redemption, and standing up against oppression – and Matt’s performance will be at the heart of that story.’

The Magnificent Seven will be made available around the world, including the UK, United States, Spain, Germany and Italy.

Matt, 62, will take on the role of the leader of the gunfighters battling against a land baron who wants to seize the area for himself
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Matt, 62, will take on the role of the leader of the gunfighters battling against a land baron who wants to seize the area for himself

It comes after fans were left raving about an ‘absolutely spectacular’ Western show hailed as ‘some of Steven Spielberg‘s best work’.

Among the iconic director’s, 79, notable films are Schindler’s List, Jaws, ET: The Extra Terrestrial and The Color Purple.

However, one of his television projects has proved to be a perfect weekend binge watch as viewers showered it with praise.

Six-part series Into the West debuted on TNT in 2005 and premiered on BBC Two in the UK more than a year later.

The premise followed the lives of a White family and a Native American family during the American expansion, while Spielberg produced the show.

Cast members included Josh Brolin, Gary Busey, Glen Powell, Keri Russell, Rachael Leigh Cook and Sean Astin, to name a few.

Writing on IMDB, one reviewer shared: ‘”Into The West” is, in my opinion, some of Steven Spielberg’s finest work.

Fans have been loving binge-worthy series Into The West - which was produced by Steven Spielberg
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‘Watching the series itself stirred up inside of me mixed emotions– joy, sadness, anger, and so forth.

‘Spielberg did a pretty darn good job in capturing how the West was shaped and more specifically the people who risked their lives in shaping it.’

Another commented: ‘”Into the West” is an amazing story, that anyone who calls themselves an American should see.

‘This mini-series shows a heart-felt perspective of American History that no high school text book could possibly explain.

‘The way they tell these unprecedented events through generations of two families, and the joys and tragedies that they endure keeps you glued to the screen every second.’

A third remarked: ‘I have diligently watched this series since the beginning. I have re-watched all the episodes at least twice.

‘Having some knowledge of Native American history, I have found that again Spielberg has done his homework on both sides of the journey west.

‘I feel that he has portrayed both sides more than fair and hope that this movie will open the eyes of those who still believe in the stereotyped “Indian, Pioneer, and Mountain Man.”