15 Best Starz Original Shows To Binge Immediately

You may have heard of popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Max, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and so on, but let me remind you that Starz, a premium cable network, too, offers its own streaming service filled with fantastic TV series. Intriguingly, many of the shows on Starz – an entertainment channel established in 1994 and launched its complimentary streaming platform in 2016 – are exclusive to this service, meaning you won’t find them anywhere else. And trust us, these are some series that you absolutely should watch!

As a gaming enthusiast who also enjoys a good binge-watch session, I’ve found some fantastic Starz Originals worth checking out! Here are 15 recommendations that span historical epics, hilarious comedies, and heartwarming character studies you can stream immediately.

Outlander (2014-present)

Regardless of your level of acquaintance with Starz, you might be aware of “Outlander,” a popular series that airs on this network, originating from the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. In the pilot episode, overseen by Ronald D. Moore, we are introduced to Caitríona Balfe’s character, Claire Randall, a nurse who served in World War II and accompanied her husband Frank (Tobias Menzies) to Scotland in 1945. As she approaches a hill called Craigh na Dun and touches a standing stone there, Claire is transported back through time to the mid-1700s, where she encounters a charming man named Jamie Frasher (Sam Heughan), becoming stranded in that era as a result.

In a seamless manner, “Outlander” frequently jumps between different time periods. Yet, this temporal shift never confuses you as you follow Claire’s intriguing journey through various escapades; it’s clear that the captivating romance between Claire and Jamie is the heart of this series. If you are a fan of time-travel tales, passionate romances, and historical narratives, “Outlander” is an ideal choice for you.

Party Down (2009-2023)

Is everyone enjoying themselves now? This question became somewhat iconic for Adam Scott’s character Henry Pollard, famously portrayed in a beer commercial. However, when the story begins, Henry is an aspiring yet struggling actor who takes a catering job to pay bills. It’s here that he encounters Ron Wayne Donald (Ken Marino), the energetic team leader; Casey Klein, a comedian and actress (Lizzy Caplan); Kyle Bradway, a good-looking but dull colleague (Ryan Hansen); and Roman DeBeers, who dreams of writing sci-fi stories (Martin Starr). Throughout the series, Constance Carmell (Jane Lynch) and Lydia Dunfree (Megan Mullally), other Party Down caterers, appear intermittently, depending on their schedules.

The show titled “Party Down” came back on Starz in 2023 with Jennifer Garner and Zoë Chao joining the original cast. This witty, peculiar, and somewhat ominous comedy series follows the Party Down team as they attend a variety of unique and strange events in each episode. These include everything from a disastrous sweet sixteen to an afterparty for adult film awards. If you enjoy a good laugh, “Party Down” is definitely worth watching!

P-Valley (2020-present)

Starz’s original series “P-Valley” is an adaptation by creator Katori Hall of her play titled “Pussy Valley.” For television, the name has been abbreviated, but it retains the bold, uncensored tone of the original work. The series unfolds in a fictional small town in rural Mississippi called Chucalissa, within the state’s Delta region. The story revolves around Black women working at a strip club named The Pynk, overseen by nonbinary owner Uncle Clifford Sayles (played by Nicco Annan). These dancers balance their jobs with dreams of better opportunities—for instance, Mercedes Woodbine (Brandee Evans) aims to establish her own dance gym—while others, like Keyshawn Harris (Shannon Thornton), also known as “Miss Mississippi,” work at The Pynk in the hope of achieving financial freedom from a harmful partner.

P-Valley,” airing on a major network, is an exceptional series that shines a light on stories often untold – particularly those of queer women of color involved in sex work. Given its unique focus, it’s no surprise that it has garnered awards from organizations like GLAAD since its debut in 2020. I highly recommend giving “P-Valley” a watch, as it offers powerful performances; additionally, if you’re a big fan of “Grey’s Anatomy” and have Starz, you might recognize Loretta Devine (Adele Webber) and Isaiah Washington (Preston Burke) from the show.

Sweetpea (2024-present)

As a gaming enthusiast diving into the latter half of the 2020s, seeking some relatable female fury, here’s some fantastic news: “Sweetpea,” a Starz original that embodies this exact concept, has been renewed for a second season! The year 2024 was a banner year for British actress Ella Purnell. From her starring role in Amazon’s blockbuster “Fallout” series to her recurring appearances on the hit Showtime show “Yellowjackets,” she added another gem to her acting repertoire with “Sweetpea.” Adapted from a novel by CJ Skuse, this series finds Ella playing Rhiannon Lewis, a young woman assisting at a small English newspaper. Despite being called “Sweetpea” by her condescending boss Norman (Jeremy Swift), due to her supposedly mild-mannered demeanor, Rhiannon harbors an explosive rage that’s ignited when her father Tommy (David Bark-Jones) suddenly passes away in the pilot episode, causing a ripple effect through her entire world.

With her father, a strong and benevolent figure, not present to halt her actions, Rhiannon vigorously pursues her adversaries, leaving a trail of defeated foes. This results in an engaging series brimming with intelligent plot twists, a rich narrative flow, and exceptional performances – notably by Purnell. Previously established as a promising talent, Purnell’s acting prowess has been consistently impressive, making her a star to keep an eye on. Therefore, it’s worth checking out her work in “Sweetpea.

Three Women

Three Women,” as depicted in Lisa Taddeo’s first nonfiction work released in 2019 with the same title, provides an intimate exploration of three unique American women. These women hail from different parts of the country and are each embarking on a journey of self-discovery and understanding their sexuality. The book’s authenticity is rooted in Taddeo personally traveling throughout the U.S., engaging with women nationwide, before bringing to life the characters Lina, Maggie, and Sloane within her narrative.

In this television series, titled “Three Women,” Shailene Woodley portrays Gia (loosely based on Taddeo), with DeWanda Wise playing Sloane, Gabrielle Creevey as Lina, and Betty Gilpin as Maggie. The narrative delves into their distinct romantic journeys, with Gia encouraging them to open up about their experiences. Supporting actors like Blair Underwood, John Patrick Amedori, Lola Kirke, and Fred Savage add depth to the storyline. This miniseries, running for just one season, offers an unflinchingly honest portrayal of women’s stories on screen. The performances by Creevey, Wise, Gilpin, and Woodley are outstanding as the four main characters.

Blindspotting (2021-2023)

In 2018, Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs – with the latter earning a Tony Award two years prior for his dual roles in “Hamilton” as the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson – collaborated on their first directorial project, “Blindspotting”. This film follows a man recently released from parole over several days after he witnesses a police shooting. In the movie, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, who had also played two roles in “Hamilton” alongside Diggs (Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds), portrays Ashley, Miles’ (Casal) partner and mother of his son. When “Blindspotting” was adapted into a series for Starz, it shifted its focus from Miles to Ashley instead of Collin (Diggs).

As a gamer, I found myself immersed in the gripping narrative of a show where Casal shines alongside Cephas-Jones, with Diggs adding depth as a recurring character. The story revolves around my character Ashley, who, after Miles is jailed, moves in with Miles’ mom Rainey (Helen Hunt) and half-sister Trish (Jaylen Barron from “Shameless”). Whether you’ve seen the “Blindspotting” movie or are jumping into the “Blindspotting” series fresh, this show is top-notch, thanks to Cephas-Jones. The series concluded in 2023 after two thrilling seasons.

The Girlfriend Experience (2016-2021)

Initially debuting in 2009 under the direction of Steven Soderbergh, “The Girlfriend Experience” was initially a series adapted from a film. In 2016, Soderbergh served as executive producer for a Starz anthology series titled the same, exploring various high-class escort stories throughout different seasons. The first season starred Riley Keough as Christine Reade, a law student who transitions into being a high-end escort after getting involved in the business through a friend. Season 2 presents two interconnected narratives: one revolves around Erica (Anna Friel) and Anna (Louisa Krause), two women in politics who blackmail a powerful man; the other follows Bria (Carmen Ejogo), who adopts the alias Sarah Day after entering Witness Protection with her son. However, Bria’s new identity is threatened when she decides to return to work as an escort.

In the concluding chapter of “The Girlfriend Experience,” Anja Marquardt replaces Lodge Kerrigan and Amy Seimetz as showrunners. Julia Goldani Telles plays Iris, a young woman who quits college, relocates to London, and strives to enter the tech field before transitioning into escort work. This gripping, seductive, and enigmatic series offers three distinct seasons, ensuring that at least one will captivate you.

Power (2014-2020)

Originally developed by Courtney B. Kemp and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the show titled “Power,” which later expanded into a Starz franchise, debuted on the premium network in 2014. The series revolves around James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), a prominent drug dealer in New York who aspires to establish a nightclub and lead a more tranquil life with his spouse. His longtime friend Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) assists him in this endeavor, helping him set up a city club named Truth that functions as a front for laundering James’ illicit earnings. While Tommy manages the drug trade, James strives to clean up his act. However, he encounters more challenges than expected, and his personal life becomes increasingly complex when Angela Valdes (Lela Loren), his childhood sweetheart, re-enters his life, straining his relationship with his wife Tasha (Naturi Naughton).

The show titled “Power” not only ranks among Starz’ top-rated and most-viewed series ever, but it also expanded into a whole cinematic universe following its conclusion in 2020. For instance, “Power Book II: Ghost” ran from 2021 to 2024, while “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” premiered in 2021 and “Power Book IV: Force” began airing in 2022. It appears that this “Power” universe will carry on thriving for an extended period.

Black Sails (2014-2017)

2014 saw numerous networks striving to build a magical realm akin to “Game of Thrones,” with “Black Sails,” an original series from Starz, being one of the shows that emerged during the peak of “Game of Thrones” craze. That year marked the debut of this series, which was conceived as a prequel to Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless novel “Treasure Island.” It also incorporates real historical figures and names, weaving them into its tale about pirate battles on the high seas.

In the opening episode, we encounter Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), who is already grappling with the impending mutiny among his crew aboard the Walrus. To make matters worse, they are engaged in sea battles against rival pirate ships. The rest of the show follows different pirates attempting to unite and establish a Pirate Republic, but internal conflicts usually thwart their plans. If you haven’t seen it yet, “Black Sails” is available on Starz now.

Vida (2018-2020)

Starz original series aren’t all grand, action-filled epics; for instance, “Vida,” which aired from 2018 to 2020, is a thoughtful and well-written show. The story revolves around sisters Lyn (played by Melissa Barrera) and Emma Hernandez (Mishel Prada), who live in San Francisco and Chicago respectively. In the initial episodes, they return to their childhood neighborhood – Boyle Heights, Los Angeles – following their mother’s demise. The series unfolds as both sisters grapple with grief and decide to sell the family-run bar, but find that their mother’s lover, Eddy Martínez (Ser Anzoategui), is unwilling to let go of it.

In the TV series “Vida,” Barrera and Prada share an exceptional on-screen connection. Over the course of its three seasons, they manage a bar in Los Angeles while navigating their personal journeys amidst grief. The show is truly remarkable, so if you have the time, I highly recommend watching all three seasons without hesitation.

Heels (2021-2023)

One could make a case that there’s a lack of television series focusing on professional wrestling, an art form in its own right. In 2021, Starz aimed to address this gap with the show “Heels,” created by Michael Waldron (“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”). The main characters are Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig. For those unaware, the title refers to a “heel” in wrestling terminology, which is essentially the villain. In the storyline of “Heels,” Jack Space, played by Amell, assumes the role of the heel in the Duffy Wrestling League, while his younger brother Ace (portrayed by Ludwig) takes on the hero’s part, or the face, in the wrestling tale.

In the state of Georgia, these two engage in intense battles during their matches, each striving to uphold their father’s wrestling legacy. Their father was a significant figure in the wrestling world. However, despite being assigned specific roles as “villain” and “hero,” Jack and Ace’s fights don’t always unfold as anticipated. Regrettably, the series “Heels” only ran for two seasons, but it’s definitely worth watching on Starz.

The White Queen (2013)

The White Queen,” a production by Starz and BBC One, weaves together historical events from British history and novels written by Philippa Gregory. This captivating series narrates the tale of Elizabeth Woodville, played by Rebecca Ferguson, who rises from modest beginnings to become Queen of England after capturing the heart of King Edward IV (Max Irons). As she marries off her family members within the royal court, causing a stir among Edward’s inner circle, including Richard Neville (James Frain), also known as The Kingmaker, and Edward’s cunning brother George (David Oakes), the War of the Roses unfolds. Remarkably, Elizabeth maintains her grip on the throne until Edward’s demise, at which point she and her sons go into hiding to evade danger.

If you enjoyed “The White Queen,” which showcases the lives of Elizabeth Woodville, mother of King Henry VII, and Margaret Beaufort (portrayed by Amanda Hale and Faye Marsay respectively), and their intertwining stories, then you might also like “The White Princess” from 2017. This series continues the narrative with Elizabeth of York (Jodie Comer) and her tumultuous marriage to Henry VII (Jacob Collins Levy). For those who wish to trace the story back to its origins, I recommend watching “The White Queen.” Additionally, if you’re curious about the early life of Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon, be sure to check out “The Spanish Princess,” which further extends the history.

Flesh and Bone (2015)

15 years after the movie “Center Stage” graced our screens, Starz’s original miniseries “Flesh and Bone,” crafted by Moira Walley-Beckett (known for her work on “Breaking Bad”), brought back professional dancers Ethan Stiefel and Sacha Rudetsky to the limelight. They helped create a gripping drama about the cutthroat world of ballet. Set in the fictional American Ballet Company, I found myself engrossed as director Paul Greyson (Ben Daniels) grappled with keeping the troupe afloat while his prima ballerina Kiira (Irina Dvorovenko) battled age and injury. Fortunately, the arrival of new talent Claire Robbins (Sarah Hay) might just be the solution to his woes.

In this series, Stiefel takes on both the roles of producer and choreographer, while Rudetsky serves as a principal dancer within the company. Known for his numerous relationships with young female dancers, this production offers an engaging take on the world of ballet that may leave you questioning its true nature. Despite focusing solely on the exceptional dance performances – showcasing genuine masters at work – it’s still worth tuning into Starz to catch this gripping portrayal.

Spartacus (2010-2013)

2010 saw Starz debuting its second significant drama series, following 2008’s “Crash,” titled “Spartacus.” This series retells the thrilling exploits and battles of the legendary Roman gladiator, Spartacus, a character that has been portrayed in numerous films and projects, notably the 1960 film starring Tony Curtis. Over three seasons, we witness Spartacus (played by Andy Whitfield in Season 1 and Liam McIntyre in Seasons 2 and 3) instigate a rebellion of slaves against the tyrannical Roman regime. In Season 1, titled “Blood and Sand,” Spartacus leads this uprising. In Season 2, “Vengeance,” McIntyre’s Spartacus incites gladiators to kill their masters. Finally, in Season 3, “War of the Damned,” McIntyre continues as Spartacus and we follow the consequences of his two-season uprising, as he now gathers an army to confront Crassus (Simon Merrells), a wealthy Roman with malevolent intentions.

Spartacus,” the series, had a spin-off titled “Gods of the Arena” that was broadcast between its first and second seasons. This spin-off was Andy Whitfield’s last portrayal of Spartacus as he passed away in 2011 due to cancer complications. If you enjoy massive historical epics, you will appreciate “Spartacus.

2025-01-22 00:31