ONTD Original: 2010s American Network Shows You Have Probably Forgotten Completely

Allegiance – Drama, NBC, February 5, 2015 – March 5, 2015 (13 episodes, 8 aired only online)
Starring: Hope Davis, Scott Cohen, Gavin Stenhouse, Margarita Levieva, Morgan Spector, Alexandra Peters, Kenneth Choi
“Idealist CIA agent Alex O’Connor is shocked when he learns that the foundation of his close-knit, affluent family is built on deception. His Russian-born mother was a spy for the KGB and met his father when tasked with recruiting the American businessman. The two fell in love and struck a deal with her superiors allowing them to marry and live in the U.S. as long as Katya remained an asset and could be called on in the future. After many quiet years, they are horrified to receive one last mission: Turn Alex into a Russian spy.” Based on the Israeli series “The Gordin Cell”, but also clearly on “The Americans” whether or not they admit it.

What The Critics Said: “Allegiance is entertaining enough, but lacks the subtlety and tension that set apart superior spy dramas.”
Where To Watch: Not Streaming

Terra Nova – Sci-Fi Drama, Fox, September 26, 2011 to December 19, 2011 (13 episodes)
Starring: Jason O’Meara, Shelley Conn, Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, Alana Mansour, Christine Adams, Allison Miller, Mido Hamada, Stephen Lang, Rod Hallett
“The series documents the Shannon family’s experiences as they establish themselves as members of a colony, set up 85 million years in the Earth’s past, fleeing the dystopian overpopulated and hyper-polluted present of the mid-22nd century.” Also one of the most expensive TV series ever made, with an average budget of $4 million USD per episode (and the pilot costing up to $20 million alone). Originally developed by screenwriter Kelly Marcel while she was working as a video store clerk; she later went on to adapt “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “Venom”.

What The Critics Said: “The excessive exposition can be a lot to keep up with, but Terra Nova boasts appealing visuals and the potential to be a truly compelling series.”
Where To Watch: Not Streaming

Training Day – Crime Thriller, CBS, February 2, 2017 to May 20, 2017 (13 episodes)
Starring: Bill Paxton, Justin Cornwell, Julie Benz, Katrina Law, Drew Van Acker, Christina Vidal, Lex Scott Davis, Marianne Jean-Baptiste
“Fifteen years after the events of the film of the same name, `Training Day’ follows young, idealistic police officer Kyle Craig as he goes under cover in the elite Special Investigations Section of the Los Angeles Police Department to spy on morally ambiguous Detective Frank Rourke and report on his unconventional methods. As Kyle becomes part of Rourke’s loyal crew — which includes Rebecca Lee and Tommy Campbell — the two fall into a precarious alliance that will affect their lives.” One of Bill Paxton’s final roles before his death in February 2017.

What The Critics Said: “Training Day falls short of recapturing the excellence of the film in its television incarnation — and fails to distinguish itself from the current squad of tired police procedurals.”
Where To Watch: Not Streaming

Intelligence – Cyber-Themed Action-Adventure, CBS, January 7, 2014 to March 31, 2014 (13 episodes)
Starring: Josh Holloway, Marg Helgenberger, Meghan Ory, Michael Rady, John Billingsley, P.J. Byrne
“When intelligence operative Gabriel Black has a supercomputer microchip implanted in his brain, he becomes the first human to be directly connected to the Internet, WiFi, telephone and satellite data, and gains the ability to hack into any data centre and access important information integral to protecting America. In his unique role, he has the backing of an elite cybersecurity agency directed by Lillian Strand, who oversees all missions. Keeping Gabriel safe from outside threats — not to mention his own recklessness — is Secret Service agent Riley Neal.”

What The Critics Said: “Intelligence fails to live up to its name, with corny dialogue and overblown violence that cannot be rescued by its capable leading actors.”
Where To Watch: Not Streaming (wow, I am sensing a theme here…)

The Passage – Thriller, Fox, January 14, 2019 to March 19, 2019 (10 episodes)
Starring: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Saniyya Sidney, Jamie McShane, Caroline Chikezie, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Brianne Howey, McKinley Belcher III, Henry Ian Cusick, Vincent Piazza
“Based on author Justin Cronin’s trilogy of the same name, `The Passage’ is a character-driven action drama that focuses on Project Noah, a secret medical facility where scientists experiment with a dangerous virus that could lead to the cure for all disease — but it also could potentially wipe out the human race. When a young girl is chosen to be a test subject, a federal agent is tasked with bringing her in, but he becomes her surrogate father, determined to protect her at any cost — even as Project Noah’s work threatens to unleash an unimaginable apocalypse.”

What The Critics Said: “Strong performances from leads Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Saniyya Sidney can’t course correct The Passage’s wayward plot and feeble tone.”
Where To Watch: Not Streaming

Rake – Comedy-Drama, Fox, January 23, 2014 to June 27, 2014 (13 episodes)
Starring: Greg Kinnear, Miranda Otto, John Ortiz, Necar Zadegan, Bojana Novakovic, Tara Summers, Jeffrey Nordling, Ian Colletti
“Keegan Deane is a brilliant and charming defense lawyer — and a self-destructive addict. With zero filter, unyielding optimism and a passion for defending those beyond redemption, he lands court cases that no one else wants. Keegan gets the majority of them from best friend Ben, who is married to Los Angeles ADA Scarlet. While Scarlet is also Keegan’s old friend, she is often his opponent in court. In addition to his work, he faces trials and tribulations in life. While dealing with an ex-wife and a hormonal son, Keegan juggles affairs with women, an IRS battle, and growing debt to a bookie.” Based on the Australian series of the same name.

(So obscure a TV show that there is no trailer on YouTube, only episode previews for a couple episodes from Australian TV for the American version.)
What The Critics Said:  “Rake’s smart blend of comedy and drama makes it the perfect vehicle for Greg Kinnear’s offbeat charm and dry humor”.
Where To Watch: Not Streaming

The Enemy Within – Drama, NBC, February 25, 2019 to May 20, 2019 (13 episodes)
Starring: Jennifer Carpenter, Morris Chestnut, Raza Jaffrey, Kelli Garner, Noah Mills
“Erica Shepherd was one of the CIA’s most brilliant operatives until she became one of the greatest traitors in American history, serving a life sentence in a Supermax prison. Now, to save her daughter, she must team up with FBI agent Will Keaton — a man whose life she destroyed — to track down a fiercely dangerous, elusive criminal and his legion of spies. While working with Shepherd goes against every fiber of his being, Keaton knows that sometimes to catch a spy, you must trust one.”

What The Critics Said: “Despite a set of stellar performances led by the capable Jennifer Carpenter, The Enemy Within stumbles into an overly formulaic narrative that fails to produce any real spark.”
Where To Watch: The Roku Channel

Deception – Crime Procedural, ABC, March 11, 2018 to May 27, 2018 (13 episodes)
Starring: Jack Cutmore-Scott, Ilfenesh Hadera, Lenora Crichlow, Justin Chon, Laila Robins, Amaury Nolasco, Vinnie Jones
“Superstar Las Vegas magician Cameron Black’s career may have been ruined by scandal, but he’s found another place to put his skills of deception, influence and illusion to use: the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As a consulting illusionist, Cameron uses every trick at his disposal — inventing new ones as necessary — to help the government catch the world’s most elusive criminals and solve crimes that seem to defy all explanation. In doing so, he while feeds his ego by staging the biggest illusions of his career.” Mysteriously, this show was a massive ratings hit in France and Germany after it was canceled in the US. It was #1 in its viewing slot in France, and broke records in Germany.

What The Critics Said: “Deception isn’t particularly original or thoughtful, but there’s still some lighthearted fun to be found hidden up its sleeve.” It also won the “Worst Shocker” award at the 2018 E! TVScoopAwards
Where To Watch: Not Streaming

Time After Time – Period/Sci-Fi Drama, ABC, March 5, 2017 to March 29, 2017 (12 episodes, but only 5 aired)
Starring: Freddie Stroma, Josh Bowman, Genesis Rodriguez, Nicole Ari Parker, Jennifer Ferrin, Will Chase, Frances Turner
“Based on the novel and 1979 movie of the same name “Time After Time” follows the adventures of famed science fiction writer H.G. Wells as he pursues one of history’s most well-known serial killers, Jack the Ripper. Using a time machine, the two travel from the late 19th century to end up in modern day Manhattan. Once he arrives in New York, H.G. finds himself in awe of a world he never believed possible, but it’s not only the advancements of the age that catch his eye… the young and beautiful Jane Walker also captivates him.” The unaired episodes were never available in the US and only broadcast in Spain, Portugal, South Africa, and Australia.

What The Critics Said: “Time After Time employs its central narrative gimmick to ill effect, leaving a charming cast stranded in a stream of tedious storylines.”

Where To Watch: Not Streaming (the 1979 film is free on YouTube)

Black Box – Psychological Medical Drama, ABC, April 24, 2014 to July 24, 2014 (13 episodes)
Starring: Kelly Reilly, Ditch Davey, David Ajala, Ali Wong, Laura Fraser, David Chisum, Siobhan Williams, Terry Kinney, Vanessa Redgrave
“World-famous neurologist Dr. Catherine Black works in a state-of-the-art center known as The Cube that draws patients with rare and often hallucinogenic conditions from all over the world. Despite her enormous success, Dr. Black carries secrets that she hides from both her colleagues and loved ones, principle among which is that she herself has bipolar disorder. The only person who knows everything is her psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hartramph, who also acts as a mentor and mother figure to Catherine.”