3) Luke Cage
The Netflix branch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is three-for-three with their most recent effort, as Mike Colter shines as the titular bullet-proof hero in Luke Cage, battling the nefarious Cottonmouth (Mahershala Ali) for the streets of Harlem.
Continuing the tradition of grittier superhero stories, Luke Cage feels more like a crime drama than a comic book show, but that’s part of what makes it such a standout. Both this series – created by Cheo Hodari Coker – and its sister show, Jessica Jones managed to re-envision what it means to be a hero, something which audiences have found to be extremely refreshing.
In addition to Colter and Ali, Luke Cage also features winning performances from supporting players like Alfre Woodard, Simone Missick, Rosario Dawson and Erik LaRay Harvey. It may be the latest stop on the way to the superhero team-up The Defenders, but even on its own, Luke Cage is an achievement.