The Best Mini-Series on Netflix in 2023, Our Top 10

Fans of TV series undoubtedly rejoice when their favorite show gets extended for another season, and then another. It provides hope for future encounters with beloved characters (and actors). And the adventure within the world presented in the production lasts longer.

However, there are series whose plots are planned from the start for only one season, and the story is unfolded in a small number of episodes. The narrative presented in them is already complete, and by design, there is no talk of continuation. Creators of such productions will never fall into the trap of declining quality associated with dragging a series indefinitely, and viewers won't experience frustrating moments of suspense due to cliffhangers placed at the very end of the final episode of the season.

So, if you don't have much free time or want to watch a series without the commitment of additional seasons, check out our list of productions that you can devour in a single day or weekend. We present the best mini-series available on Netflix in 2023.

Bodies

Bodies, Netflix, Paul Tomalin, 2023

Bodies is a debut crime science fiction series premiering in 2023, adapted from Si Spencer's comic. This miniseries presents an unusual story – four detectives from four different eras face the same task of investigating the same body found in the same location in London. It quickly becomes apparent that this case is connected to a century-long conspiracy. While it’s often compared to the German series Dark, you should appreciate this production for its unconventional intrigue, mysterious plot, surprising twists, as well as excellent acting.

All The Light We Cannot See

All The Light We Cannot See, Steven Knight, Netflix, 2023

Steven Knight, the creator of the famous Peaky Blinders, has made the end of 2023 joyfull for fans of productions set in World War II realities. It is Knight who is responsible for All The Light We Cannot See – a miniseries based on the Pulitzer-winning book of the same title. The plot focuses on the extraordinary relationship between a blind French teenager and a German soldier, and the bonds formed in a brutal reality are portrayed with proper depth. The star-studded cast, including Hugh Laurie and Mark Ruffalo, is a positive aspect of this limited series.

Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers, Steven Spielberg, HBO, 2001

Band of Brothers is not a new series, but it has just appeared on Netflix in 2023, as HBO sold the license to its production to the competition. It's worth taking advantage of and getting acquainted with the series, created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Although this title premiered in 2001, it is still considered one of the most realistic portrayals of war. The viewers are introduced to the story of soldiers from the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Division, and their struggles during battles in Normandy, Holland, and Austria.

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story

Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Ryan Murphy, Netflix, 2022

Ryan Murphy, the creator of the popular and ongoing American Horror Story, this time for Netflix, decided to bring to the small screen a horrifying story not because it taps into collective notions of evil, but because it is true. The story presented in this miniseries is based on facts. Although the creators were accused of exploiting the tragedy of the victims, this production highlights systemic racism and glaring biases in the police force of the 80s. The series is worth watching for the outstanding, Golden Globe-winning performance of Evan Peters, who took a long time to recover from portraying such a dark and real character as the murderer Jeffrey Dahmer.

The Chestnut Man

The Chestnut Man, Netflix, 2021

The Chestnut Man is a perfect choice for fans of Scandinavian crime dramas. The series is based on the book by Soren Sveistrup of the same title and has everything you would expect from a good production of this kind: a dark mystery reaching into the past, detectives with an interesting dynamic, and information revealed appropriately through proper narration. The series starts like any other similar production – a psychopathic murderer terrorizes the city, in this case, Copenhagen. The crimes are marked by leaving chestnut men at the crime scenes. Detectives discover that the serial murders may be related to the disappearance of a girl, the daughter of a government minister, many years ago. What connects these two cases? We follow the detectives' struggles in this gripping work with bated breath until the last episode.

Unorthodox

Unorthodox, Alexa Karolinski, Netflix, 2020

This title is a must-watch for those who expect more than just entertainment from TV series, seeking a chance to learn about the world and its people. The Emmy-winning Unorthodox allows viewers to understand the principles guiding Orthodox Jews in life. The creators take us to New York and the community of strict Judaism followers residing in Brooklyn. The main character is the teenage Esty, who rebels against the role imposed on women by religious beliefs. To avoid an arranged marriage, the girl escapes to Berlin. However, her husband follows her to Europe to find her. Through this production, viewers have the opportunity to learn about the situation of women in orthodox communities.

The Queen's Gambit

The Queen’s Gambit, Scott Frank, Netflix, 2020

This highly acclaimed series, praised by both audiences and critics, made quite a buzz some time ago. If you haven't had the chance to watch it yet, it's about time to catch up. The Queen's Gambit tells the story of an orphan dependent on drugs who discovers her immense chess talent. Played by Anya Taylor-Joy, the protagonist, grappling with her own demons, enters the male-dominated world of professional chess players. This captivating series, based on Walter Tevis's book, is especially appreciated for the outstanding performance of the mentioned actress, who managed to capture all the nuances of the complex character at various stages of her life. An additional treat is the participation of Polish actor Marcin Dorocinski in this production.

High Water

High Water, Jan Holoubek, Netflix, 2022

A compilation of the best mini-series available on Netflix wouldn't be complete without at least one Polish title. High Water, directed by Jan Holoubek, brings to light the real events that took place in Wroclaw in 1997 during a massive flood. The series effectively portrays the flood and the power of the elements through world-class special effects, and the excellent performances of Polish actors – Agnieszka Zulewska and Tomasz Schuchardt – authenticate the intriguing characters. The theme of incompetence and cronyism among the ruling class was also interestingly explored by the creators. All of this makes High Water a production that, unlike some other Polish shows on Netflix, we can be proud of.

When They See Us

When They See Us, Ava DuVernay, Netflix, 2019

In Poland, the most infamous miscarriage of justice is the case of Tomasz Komenda, while in the United States, one of the most well-known and emotionally charged cases is the so-called “Central Park Five" case. The series When They See Us presents the details of the proceedings involving a group of Black teenagers wrongly convicted of a rape they did not commit. The men spent 12 years in prison and regained their freedom only because a serial killer, caught over a decade later, confessed to the crime, which was confirmed by DNA testing. This miniseries, which won two Emmy Awards, uniquely illustrates institutional racism and evokes strong emotions, tapping into the fear of being wrongly convicted, a fear that could be present in almost anyone.

Wild, Wild Country

Wild, Wild Country, Mark Duplass, Duplass Brothers Productions, 2018

Closing the list of the best mini-series available on Netflix is a documentary series, among its creators being the Duplass brothers. This shocking production is more gripping than many fictional crime series, and the awareness that the story it presents actually happened evokes strong emotions, with outrage at the forefront. It's no wonder that Wild, Wild Country was awarded the Emmy for Best Documentary. The work focuses on Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, originally from India, the leader of a religious sect who relocates his ashram to the USA and builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert. The documentary illustrates how dangerous religious fanaticism can be and reveals the aberrations and crimes that can occur when no one controls a person recognized as an authority.

Pamela Jakiel

Pamela Jakiel

Finished film studies, graduate of the Faculty Individual Studies in the Humanities at the Jagiellonian University. Her master's thesis was about new spirituality in contemporary cinema. The editor of the Filmomaniak service since April 2023, supports the lead editor and the boss of all newspeople. She used to write for naEkranie. If she's not watching The Ninth Gate for the hundredth time, then she's reading books by Therese Bohman and Donna Tartt for the first time. She prefers gnosis over dread, dramas over horrors, Jung over Freud. She looks for symbolist paintings in museums. Runs long distances, and does even the longer ones on a gravel. Loves dachshunds.