The best antihero dramas available to stream in Australia

Television has blessed us with a plethora of incredibly compelling antiheroes. Here’s how to catch up with some of the best.

Updated Jan 15, 2020

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Antihero dramas are nothing new. In fact, the trend is starting to wind down. There was a time, however, when every network and streaming platform in sight was coming up with a show centred on a complex and not necessarily nice character. Audiences seemed to embrace heroes who were flawed; their questionable morals and dubious motives only gave them more depth. After all, a touch of evil makes things much more interesting.

The popularity of struggling antiheroes is simple to understand – they’re easier to relate to. We’re all imperfect humans who screw up every now and then, so it’s comforting to see our heroes screwing up even worse. However, a good antihero drama doesn’t just highlight the character’s bad choices. It also emphasises that bad behaviour comes with a cost, often a steep one. From alienated relationships to ruined careers, antiheroes eventually have to deal with severe consequences for their morally wrong actions. That’s why newer shows like Gypsy fail. The stakes were never really high enough for viewers to care.

Nowadays, the focus seems to be on more traditional heroes. They’re still flawed, but their intentions are good. They grow and learn as episodes go by, giving us something to aspire to. With the world seemingly more insane than ever, it’s natural to seek comfort and hope when turning to a series for distraction. Rest assured, though – for those days when you’re craving a side of darkness with your regular dose of drama, streaming services have quite the generous selection on display. Here are the best antihero dramas currently available to binge in Australia.

1. The Sopranos

Year of release: 1999

Cast: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Steven Van Zandt, Lorraine Bracco

There’s never a wrong time to watch The Sopranos. However, if you haven’t seen it yet, sooner is recommended. The series follows Italian American mobster Tony, who is experiencing some trouble when it comes to managing both his family and criminal organisation.

The show is highly regarded as one of the most influential of all time; and for good reason. Tony Soprano paved the way for TV antiheroes, which is a testament to the genius of the late James Gandolfini. He played the struggling Tony perfectly, balancing his darker side with his more redeeming qualities. Tony was both ruthless killer and devoted father, wise man and tough mobster. He did some horrible things, but fans rooted for him anyway. Gandolfini made the unlikeable likeable, proving that a character doesn’t need to have a heart of gold to appeal to a large audience. He was the quintessential charismatic bad guy. Without The Sopranos, we wouldn’t have many of the shows listed below.

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2. The Americans

Year of release: 2013

Cast: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Keidrich Sellati, Holly Taylor

The Americans just wrapped up its final season, which means now’s the perfect time to bask in the show’s glory. A complex tale of marriage and espionage, the series follows two Soviet KGB officers posing as a married couple in 80's America. Their devotion to bringing down the US technically makes them villains, but their struggles to maintain their arranged marriage as their connection deepens also makes them ridiculously relatable.

Moreover, The Americans wins bonus points for making the woman the primary antihero. Elizabeth, portrayed flawlessly by Keri Russell, is the one who is more ideologically dedicated than her husband. While he eventually starts to feel the appeal of American prosperity, she’s keen to keep fighting for her cause. She’s a ruthless KGB agent who kills and lies whenever necessary, while also freely disobeying orders she finds unfair. To say she’s fascinating would be an understatement.