Often, when I recommend an Amazon Prime Video show to someone, they tell me that they’ve never heard of it. Then they watch it, fall in love, and wonder how it passed them by. That’s because streaming services typically only push what they recently released.
So, I’m here to introduce you to three shows that I think will be your next obsession. They each ran for a few seasons at most, making them perfect for your weekend entertainment.
3
Sneaky Pete
Sneaky Pete was an early Prime Video exclusive, with the first episode debuting a decade ago, and is undoubtedly a hidden gem. It still stands up as one of Prime Video’s best shows, especially if you’re fond of twisty crime dramas with plenty of suspense, humor, and strong characters.
The premise is sure to intrigue you. Giovanni Ribisi plays Marius, a conman locked up in prison with his cellmate Pete (Ethan Embry), who is estranged from his family. When Marius is released, he needs a place to lie low, so he assumes Pete’s identity and is welcomed into his grandparents’ home. The show follows this long con as you get to know Pete’s family, who work in the bail bonds business and aren’t exactly angels themselves. The cast includes the brilliant Margo Martindale, Peter Gerety, and Marin Ireland.
Part of what I love about Sneaky Pete is that, despite the setup and comedic touches, it never feels ridiculous. I felt completely invested in the twisty story, which nicely develops over the course of three seasons, and it’s fun to see Marius spin a yarn to escape situations. Unfortunately, Amazon canceled the show. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, thankfully, though it doesn’t wrap everything up neatly. Regardless, it’s still an outstanding watch and well worth your time.
2
Deadwater Fell
I’ll watch David Tennant in anything. I don’t think he’s ever given a bad performance and always elevates whatever he appears in. He’s what drew me towards Deadwater Fell, a British drama series where he plays a doctor called Tom, who is the only survivor in a house fire that kills his wife and three children. Dark details emerge about the incident that suggest foul play, and the four episodes play out with those close to the family coming to terms with what happened amidst a police investigation.
The rest of the cast is great too, particularly Anna Madeley as Tom’s wife Kate, a teacher, and Cush Jumbo as her friend and colleague Jess. The mystery becomes more interesting as you get to know characters like these, told through flashbacks and present day, as you witness their dynamics and discover their secrets. Though the beginning of the show portrays happy families, it’s no spoiler to say that there is more going on beneath the surface.
As you might have realized, Deadwater Fell isn’t a lighthearted watch, but it’s certainly gripping. It’s not so much about figuring out who did it, though that is an element, but it’s rather more about the effects of abuse and the impact the deaths have on a tight-knit community. It also has the benefit of being a limited series, meaning it resolves everything in around three hours.
1
The Sticky
For something you can watch if you’re short on time, look no further than The Sticky, which consists of six episodes of pure delight. The show is loosely based on the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist that took place over 2011 and 2012, where maple syrup worth millions of dollars was stolen from a Quebec warehouse. It’s an unusual story, which of course makes it perfect for adaptation, and it plays out a bit like Fargo, with snow, quirky characters, and crime.
The Sticky stars Margo Martindale (also in Sneaky Pete—you can never have enough of the esteemed character actress) as Ruth Landry, a maple syrup farmer in Canada who finds her land under threat. In desperation, she teams up with mobster Mike (Chris Diamantopoulos) and security guard Remy (Guillaume Cyr) to pull off the mega heist. All three actors are good and they have an amusing dynamic; the writers clearly know the premise is absurd and the show leans into the dark comedy.
The big downside is that Amazon canceled The Sticky after only one season. While the show doesn’t need to run endlessly, it could have benefited from another short season. It’s still enjoyable, but you may not find the final episode entirely satisfactory. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the show receives a sudden burst of interest and Amazon renews it.
Don’t overlook these shows or the handy features that Prime Video has, like the ability to clean up your Continue Watching row and adjust subtitle appearance. You can also subscribe to other streaming services through Amazon to keep all your viewing in a single place.
- Subscription with ads
-
Yes, via Prime membership or $9/month
- Simultaneous streams
-
3
All of these series, along with plenty of other original and licensed movies and shows, are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.