The Commercial Appeal

Stream these foreign TV shows on Netflix

- Jenna Ryu USA TODAY

The Oscar-winning South Korean film “Parasite” (now streaming on Hulu) is only one example of the beauty and potential of non-english language entertainm­ent.

With Netflix‘s recent global expansion, language barriers no longer seem to be an issue for subscriber­s, as the streaming platform has added several local-language shows, dubbed into English or subtitled. From the Danish series “The Rain” to Colombian crime drama “Narcos,” the internatio­nal brand offers an impressive­ly diverse array of options from various nations and cultures.

As people are forced to stay at home during COVID-19 shutdowns and inperson movie watching no longer seems like a viable option, now is the best time to binge those TV shows you were unable to watch before. Whether you’re craving a dark mystery drama or a lightheart­ed teen series, scroll through our list of foreign favorites to watch something other than “The Office” or “Grey’s Anatomy.”

‘Money Heist’ (Spain)

Language: Spanish (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: The first episode of this crime drama (aka “La Casa de Papel”) will immediatel­y engage you with its thrilling plot, as a group of eight robbers plan the biggest robbery in history. Hostages and infamous gang masks are only a part of what makes this show so suspensefu­l and intriguing.

Premiered: May 2017

Episodes: 23

‘Osmosis’ (France)

Language: French (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: “Black Mirror meets Ex-machina” is Netflix’s descriptio­n of this sci-fi drama. An app promises to help people find their soulmates by probing into their brain and using data in the form of memories, thoughts and desires, but it’s not as perfect as it seems.

Premiered: March 2019

Episodes: 8

‘Unorthodox’ (Germany)

Language: Yiddish, German, English (Subtitles)

Descriptio­n: This inspiring Germanamer­ican drama documents a young woman from a strict Hasidic Jewish community who flees to Germany to find her place in the world.

Premiered: March 2020

Episodes:4

‘Ragnarok’ (Norway)

Language: German (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: If you enjoy Marvel’s

“Thor,” you might be interested in this teen series that documents a teenage boy’s discovery of his supernatur­al powers. A modern interpreta­tion of Norse mythology, “Ragnarok” combines an intriguing plot with gorgeous scenic imagery. The end of the first episode will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Premiered: January 2020 Episodes:6

‘Control Z’ (Mexico)

Language: Spanish (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: With quick 20-minute episodes, this addicting Mexican teen drama revolves around an anonymous hacker who publicly humiliates and exposes the secrets of multiple high school students.

Premiered: May 2020

Episodes:8

‘Fauda’ (Israel)

Language: Hebrew (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: This action-packed Israeli series traces the Israel-palestinia­n conflict, as an Israeli commander of an undercover Israeli unit in Palestinia­n territory pursues a suspected terrorist, who was presumed dead 18 months earlier.

Premiered: February 2015

Episodes: 36

‘Dark’ (Germany)

Language: German (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: Resembling an adult version of “Stranger Things,” the supernatur­al thriller explores the complex discoverie­s following the suspicious disappeara­nce of two children. Oh, and there’s time travel involved! Premiered: December 2017 Episodes: 18

‘Kingdom’ (South Korea)

Language: Korean (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: Set after the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, this thriller details a mysterious plague that turns the dead into bloodthirs­ty killers. Gory zombie scenes combined with political turmoil in the royal dynasty makes this show more complex than “Daybreak” or “The Walking Dead.”

Premiered: January 2019

Episodes: 12

‘Elite’ (Spain)

Language: Spanish (Dubbed) Descriptio­n: This teen drama captures the elitism and socioecono­mic contrasts of “Gossip Girl” with a dark twist, as three working-class students take extreme measures to retaliate against the wealthy socialites of a prestigiou­s high school.

Premiered: October 2018

Episodes: 24

WALLACE THE BRAVE

 ?? NETFLIX ?? “Money Heist,” also known as “La Casa de Papel,” is a crime drama about eight thieves who attempt to pull off the biggest robbery in Spain.
NETFLIX “Money Heist,” also known as “La Casa de Papel,” is a crime drama about eight thieves who attempt to pull off the biggest robbery in Spain.

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