Best new drama on Netflix

August's picks include star-studded new Greek mythology series Kaos, plus the returns of fan favourites Emily in Paris and The Umbrella Academy

Emily in Paris

Drama | Comedy

Summary:When ambitious Chicago marketing exec Emily (Lily Collins) unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris, she embraces a new life as she juggles work, friends and romance. In series four part two, Emily packs her bags for a sun-kissed Italian summer. Forget Gabriel and Alfie, it's not long before she's riding a Vespa with dreamy new love interest Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini.

Why to watch: Lily Collins stars in this culture clash comedy-drama, which returns for the first half of series four. It picks up after the dramatic events of Gabriel and Camille's wedding, which saw Camille announce her pregnancy while also dumping Gabriel for being in love with Emily. Alfie then dumped Emily for being in love with Gabriel. Basically, it's a big old mess - exactly how we love our drama.

Available August 15.

The Umbrella Academy

Action & Adventure | Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Drama

Summary:A dysfunctional family of superheroes comes together to solve the mystery of their father's death, the threat of the apocalypse and more.

Why to watch: The fourth and final instalment introduces the Hargreeves siblings as we've never seen them before - scattered and powerless. Things are at least looking up after the time reset, right? Wrong. In this new timeline, their adoptive father Reginald (Colm Feore) is (surprise) alive - and building a dangerous new business empire.

Available now.

KAOS

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Summary:A relatively new addition to the Netflix comedy catalogue, Kaos is a series about the Greek gods if they lived in modern day. Prometheus has a plan to overthrow Zeus with the help of a property - and three unwitting mortals. Jurassic Park star Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in this funny black comedy. He’s joined by the likes of Harry Potter star David Thewlis, Better actress Leila Farzad, and I Hate Suzie’s Billie Piper.

Why to watch: Jeff Goldblum cuts a striking figure as King of the Gods Zeus in this star-studded take on Greek mythology. Kaos reimagines the Ancient Greek gods living in the modern world, wrestling with self-perceived inadequacies while mortals discover their own power. Alongside Goldblum, David Thewlis plays Hades, Janet McTeer is Hera and Cliff Curtis is Poseidon.

Available August 29.

Unstable

Comedy | Drama

Summary:He's an eccentric biotech genius. His son's a pragmatist living in his shadow. To save the family business, they'll have to work through some issues.

Why to watch: Part workplace comedy, part family drama, the father-son duo of Rob and John Owen Lowe makes for an effortlessly charming series. In series four, Ellis may or may not face the consequences of setting his rival on fire. In any case, the controversy might just be what Jackson needs to usurp his father as head of the company, if he even wants to.

Available now.

Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver

Science Fiction | Action

2024 | Zack Snyder | 123 mins | 12

Summary:The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge — and legends are made.

Why to watch: Superhero fans will love this one, with a director and cast full of Marvel and DC veterans. Zack Snyder directs the second part of the epic space opera franchise, which sees Kora (Kingsman’s Sofia Boutella) and Titus (Aquaman and Guardians of the Galaxy star Djimon Hounsou) return to Veldt to mount a defence against oncoming Motherworld troops, led by a resurrected Admiral Noble (Deadpool’s Ed Skrein).

Available now.

Master of the House

Drama | Mystery

Summary:A family enters a power struggle following the death of their patriarch, who leaves behind his diamond empire — and the housekeeper he recently married.

Why to watch: This Thai whodunnit utilises the classics of the murder-mystery genre with some slick production values. As is custom, family and servants point the fingers at each other when a billionaire is murdered at home. It's like a televised game of Cluedo, only darker. Much darker.

Available now.

Tokyo Swindlers

Crime | Drama

Summary:A team of swindlers gets wind of prime real estate worth 10 billion yen and will stop at nothing to pull off their most ambitious scam yet.

Why to watch: Based on the book by Ko Shinjo, Tokyo Swindlers transports us to the eve of the 2018 Tokyo Olympics - a time when the pressures (and prices) of real estate are sky high. In thrilling scenes reminiscent of heist films, a team of con artists prepare for their biggest scam yet.

Available now.

Vanished into the Night

Thriller | Mystery | Drama

2024 | Renato De Maria | 93 mins | 15

Summary:A father, immersed in a difficult divorce process, embarks on a dangerous mission when his children disappear from their isolated country house.

Why to watch: Riccardo Scamarcio is effective in this Italian thriller about a parent’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, not unlike his John Wick counterpart, his character has some shady acquaintances in line to help him. As a fast-paced thriller with a major plot twist, it might only be a one time watch - but it's a worthwhile one.

Available now.

Goyo

Drama | Romance | Comedy

2024 | Marcos Carnevale | 108 mins | 15

Summary:A young autistic museum guide lives by a strict routine — until he falls in love with his coworker and must confront a whirlwind of new, intense emotions.

Why to watch: Nicolás Furtado and Nancy Dupláa shine in a nuanced relationship that transcends typical Hollywood romance in this charming tale. Director Marcos Carnevale isn't afraid to step outside the box, and it shows.

Available now.

Non Negotiable

Action | Thriller | Comedy | Drama

2024 | Juan Taratuto | 86 mins | 12

Summary:Hostage negotiator Alan Bender is called to rescue the president from a kidnapping, only to find himself also mediating to save his wife and marriage.

Why to watch: For those with an eye on Mexican and Argentinian politics, the satire is amusing. Otherwise, it's a suspenseful thriller with likeable characters and jokes peppered throughout (I don't think it's a coincidence that Alan Binder is caught in a bind, for instance).

Available now.

Show's details provided by The Movie DatabaseJustWatch

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