Due to the current world situation, binge-watching has become a new national pastime. This has allowed scores of past shows that were ignored to now be found and enjoyed by fans. The CW has been pushed with these binges thanks to their great shows. From the Arrowverse to Supernatural to past series like The Vampire Diaries, there's plenty to enjoy. But it's also an opportunity for folks to check out some of the great past CW shows that fell through the cracks.
Most are "one season and done" series, while a few went longer yet were ignored. They show the usual CW touches of soap opera with beautiful actors, but can still be unique. From dramas to comedies, the CW has long had something to offer just about anyone. From Netflix to Amazon to its own CW Seed app, so many of these shows have a chance to be enjoyed better today. Here are 15 overlooked CW shows worth binging.
15 Frequency Offers A Unique Time Travel Mystery
Based on a cult movie, this 2016 series stars Peyton List as a cop who's able to talk to her late father in 1996. Her warning of his death alters history, so her mother is now the victim of a serial killer, forcing the pair to fix things.
The series does a good job balancing the two time periods and an intriguing take on how actions have consequences. All 13 episodes are on Netflix, and an exclusive online epilogue wrapped up a sharp time-traveling mystery.
14 Reign Is A Steamy Historical Romp
It may not be historically accurate, but this is still a fun show. Adelaide Kane is a young Mary, Queen of Scots who navigates the French court as she rises to power. The show mixes in a few modern touches but succeeds thanks to its excellent cast.
The highlight is Megan Follows as the conniving Catherine, who steals every scene while Rachel Skarsten is a standout as Queen Elizabeth I. It had a rushed end after four seasons but should reign as a binge-watch.
13 No Tomorrow Made The Coming Doomsday A Fun Romance
This 2016 comedy focuses on a straight-laced woman who meets a guy who lives life to the fullest...because he's convinced an asteroid is going to destroy Earth. As she falls for him, the woman wonders if he may be right about the coming doomsday.
The series has an offbeat charm with the central romance and is wonderful to watch thanks to the leads. While the asteroid arc comes into play, it's the characters that make this show a fun watch on any day.
12 Life Sentence Should Have Had A Longer Life
Before Katy Keene, Lucy Hale starred in this dramedy. After years fighting cancer, Hale is delighted to learn she's in remission. But she soon discovers that her family has been keeping numerous secrets while she has no idea what to do with her life.
The show throws in a lot of soap opera elements, but Hale handles it all well. It addresses the realities of managing this illness amid some funny stories and deserved a longer life than 13 episodes.
11 Nikita Is A Steamy Spy Show With A Killer Lead
Inspired by the hit movie, Maggie Q is the title role of a former secret agent out to take down the corrupt organization she used to work for. Q is sensational, looking stunning while engaging in fantastic action.
Lyndsy Fonseca matches her as her protegee with Shane West as her former love. Through four seasons, the show boasts surprising twists and is totally worth binging for those who like a sexy spy series.
10 iZombie Is A Show To Sink Your Teeth Into
Despite running five seasons, this show never got the major love it deserved. A medical examiner turned zombie (Rose McIver) feasts on the brains of cadavers. This allows her to access their memories and uses them to solve crimes.
The fun of the series is McIver also absorbs people's personalities and thus acts out wild characters in every episode. There is a longer arc of an impending zombie threat, but it's McIver's fun performance that makes this a show one to sink your teeth into.
9 The Tomorrow People Deserved A Long Future
Based on a British cult series, this 2011 thriller has a young man discovering he's part of a new race of humans with special powers. He's caught between leading them and being forced to work for a sinister organization.
The series had a good cast with Robbie Amell and Peyton List and fun twists. The action was great and while we get the usual CW romances, it was hitting its grove when it was canceled. Yet it can still be enjoyed any day now.
8 Life Unexpected Was An Unexpected Pleasure
Hailed by critics, this exceptional series tells of a young teen (Britt Robertson) tracking down the parents who gave her up after a one-night stand. Forced to live together, the trio slowly bonds as a new family.
The series mixes in comedy and drama with a stellar cast and some sharp writing. Its short run did have a superb finale to close it out.
7 The Carrie Diaries Was A Worthy SATC Prequel
Making a prequel to Sex and the City was a daunting task, but this show pulled it off. AnnaSophia Robb steps into the shoes of a young Carrie Bradshaw trying to become a journalist in 1984 New York.
The show had fun showing Carrie handling her first romances and captured the '80s vibe well. The second season shows how Carrie met Samantha. While toned down, it's still worth a watch for SATC fans.
6 The L.A. Complex Is A Surprisingly Realistic Take On The Quest For Fame
At first glance, this show seems to be the typical "young folks seeing a break" story. However, it can be surprisingly realistic as the characters are genuinely struggling to get by and endure a lot of setbacks in their work.
The highlight of the cast is Jewel Staite as a selfish actress doing anything to get back on track. Mixing stories of bigotry and abuse amid the sudsy drama, it's more realistic than most CW soaps.
