The Best of Netflix in 2015

Upon reflection, holy cow—2015 was an amazing year for entertainment! From blockbuster films like The Force Awakens and Fury Road to hot new albums from Kendrick Lamar and Chvrches, it seemed like not a single month went by without something awesome to entertain us. Not only did Hollywood step up their game, but Netflix continued its legacy of fantastic original shows and series, while giving us plenty to look forward to in the coming months of 2016.

So let's countdown our favorite Netflix series from last year, as well as what we're dying to binge watch this year.

1. Marvel's A.K.A Jessica Jones

You don't need to be caught up on the Brian Michael Bendis comic (although it's a solid read) to enjoy this heavy, emotionally charged series starring the hypnotizing Kristen Ritter. Jessica Jones is a superhero who turned away from her powers after an abusive relationship with a sociopath criminal forced her to misuse them. She's mostly recovered, but her anxiety and PTSD have triggered her surly, reclusive nature and she is basically a loner. When the dark shadow from her past resurfaces to victimize more innocent people, Jessica has to choose between being the hero she can be, or giving in to her fears and running as far away from New York as possible. Not only is this show incredibly well acted, but it truly showcases the insidious micro-aggressions women constantly face in society. It examines mental illness with compassion and clarity, but doesn't sacrifice action or humor to keep the story relatable.

2. The Fall (season 2)

Gillian Anderson is absolutely riveting in this steamy, scary cat and mouse thriller. She plays Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, a brilliant and worldly figure of authority, hunting down serial killer Jamie Dornan. The Fall blends the detailed, everyday work of law enforcement with the lives of its main characters, building a rich world that will entice crime fans and new viewers alike. Anderson's performance inverts the male gaze, as her empowered detective stews with checked sensuality and rage in equal measure. Nothing about this show betrays the female cast, and the careful writing avoids common crime tropes beautifully.

3. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

After fifteen years in a religious cult kept her underground, Kimmy is now free and ready to catch up on everything she missed in life. Convinced that the world had ended, everything is new, beautiful, and optimistic to Kimmy, and she decides to start over in New York City. Watching the deft performance of Ellie Kemper channel naive enthusiasm with some genuinely dark baggage is compelling, and from the very first episode it's easy to be sucked right into her victorious journey. Not only is Kimmy Schmidt hilarious, but it's a smart and savvy critique on current culture, from racism to class privilege to social media. The show's only flaw is that there wasn't more to watch.

4. Daredevil

This was an epic year for superheros, and Daredevil owned Netflix when it launched in mid-2015. No matter if you were a comics fan or not, this show was engrossing and action packed enough to lure all viewers in. Following Matt Murdock played by mega-babe Charlie Cox, Daredevil shows the making of a superhero from the most unlikely of origins. Murdock was blinded as a child, but has developed incredibly honed senses that nearly replace his sight. By day, he's a social justice lawyer committed to helping those in need, and by night he dons his skin tight black suit and pursues criminals outside of the justice system. Vincent D'Onofrio owns his role as the morally ambiguous crime lord Kingpin, offering up a deep and nuanced performance. With season 2 rolling out this year, you should absolutely catch up.

5. Master of None

Series creator and star Aziz Ansari brought his real life parents into his acting career for cameos in this Netflix original that premiered in November of 2015. It follows Dev, a New York actor trying to figure out what's next for him. The humor, affection, and wit of Ansari and his cast weave a magical ten episodes, giving us insight into Ansari and his career. Watching Ansari fumble through romantic endeavors, figure out his relationships with his elders, and talk shop with his fellow actors never gets old, which is handy since the series was renewed for more seasons.

6. Black Mirror

This gripping sci-fi anthology show explores dystopian futures, haunting circumstances, and dark political satire. Each episode is carefully crafted and reminiscent of the best parts of The Twilight Zone meets X-Files. The speculative fiction series began on BBC and made it's way to Netflix last year, garnering immediate buzz from critics and fans. While, yes, the series is dark, it's not without humor and moments of levity--but be prepared, binge watching this all at once might leave you feeling a little Nihilistic. We're excited to see what more comes from the series in 2016.