Saagar Kote
Created by Julie Gearey, Netflix’s ‘Unchosen’ is a British psychological thriller show about the trials and tribulations of Rosie (Molly Windsor). She is a quiet, simple woman living with her husband, Adam (Asa Butterfield), and their daughter in a strict Christian community called Fellowship of the Divine, where men control the decisions and view women exclusively as wives and homemakers. Her life begins to shift when Sam (Fra Fee), an escaped prisoner, arrives seeking help and ends up staying with her. Sam becomes a part of the community after a ceremony of initiation in everyone’s presence.
However, Sam’s involvement exposes the limits of Rosie’s environment and raises questions about the group she belongs to. As tensions grow in her marriage, Rosie is sexually and emotionally attracted to Sam, creating further complications. Caught between her surroundings and Sam’s past, she begins to question where the real danger lies as she confronts the reality of her situation. Looking for shows similar to ‘Unchosen’ that are mysterious, engaging, and unpredictable? You can check out this list.
12. Pure (2019)
‘Pure’ follows the life of Marnie (Charly Clive), a 24-year-old dealing with intrusive sexual thoughts she cannot share with others. Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder, her daily life is affected by constant mental struggles. Reaching a breaking point, Marnie leaves home and travels to London without a plan. There, she meets new people and begins to build a different life. She reconnects with her friend Shereen (Niamh Algar) and forms connections with Charlie (Joe Cole), Amber (Anthony Welsh), and Joe (Kiran Sonia Sawar).
As she spends time with them, Marnie develops feelings for Joe, even as she continues her search for understanding herself while managing her condition. Directed by Aneil Karia and Alicia Macdonald, the British comedy-drama series is based on the book of the same name by Rose Cartwright. The narrative complements ‘Unchosen’ with its focus on the female experience, involving commentary on sexual, intellectual, and social liberation.
11. Big Love (2006-2011)
HBO’s ‘Big Love,’ created by Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer, revolves around the experiences of Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), a polygamist living in Salt Lake City with his fundamentalist Mormon family. As a businessman who owns home improvement stores, he tries to manage both his professional life and his complex family structure. Bill’s life involves his three wives, Barbara Henrickson (Jeanne Tripplehorn), Nicki Henrickson (Chloë Sevigny), and Margene Heffman (Ginnifer Goodwin), along with their children. As he tries to maintain some stability, he must also attempt to keep their lifestyle hidden from public scrutiny. The drama series explores their lives in their suburban community and the secrets that lurk in the shadows. Akin to ‘Unchosen,’ the show explores gender, marriage, morality, and the complexities of faith.
10. Waco (2018)
‘Waco’ is set in the 1990s and follows David Koresh (Taylor Kitsch), a religious leader who gains influence over his followers by preaching extraordinary beliefs. As his control grows, authorities begin to view him as a threat. The FBI and ATF move against his Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, leading to a prolonged 51-day standoff. The situation escalates into a tense confrontation between law enforcement and David’s group, as both sides remain locked in conflict. Created by John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle, the Paramount crime drama show is based on ‘A Place Called Waco’ by David Thibodeau and Leon Whiteson, and Gary Noesner’s ‘Stalling for Time: My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator.’ Similar to ‘Unchosen,’ the story depicts the inner workings of a secretive religious order and the consequences that follow.
9. Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)
FX’s ‘Under the Banner of Heaven’ chronicles the ups and downs in the life of police detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield), a deeply religious man. His strong moral convictions are challenged in unexpected ways during his investigation into the brutal murders of Brenda Wright Lafferty (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and her child, who were mysteriously connected to a local religious movement. As Pyre delves into the secrets behind the violence, he uncovers elements that shock him, ultimately leading him to a horrifying religious sect with disturbing hidden practices meant to redefine the social order. Created by Dustin Lance Black, the crime drama series is based on Jon Krakauer’s eponymous book. The examination of gender roles in a clandestine religious order and the commentary on the female experience in such a world connect the narrative to ‘Unchosen.’
8. Wayward (2025)
Created by Mae Martin, Netflix’s ‘Wayward’ is set around Tall Pines Academy, a school for troubled teenagers run by Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette). The Canadian mystery thriller series follows Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin), a new police officer who begins investigating the academy after encountering a student attempting to escape. Inside the institution, best friends Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) find themselves forced to stay due to unavoidable circumstances.
As they adjust to life within the school, its secretive nature becomes increasingly clear. At the same time, the town of Tall Pines is affected by hidden truths, and the events surrounding the academy begin to point toward more serious and dangerous developments that could change everything. The storyline is similar to ‘Unchosen’ in that it features discreet groups, troubled individuals, mysterious outsiders, and complex female characters.
7. Midnight Mass (2021)
‘Midnight Mass’ follows the journey of Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), who returns to his isolated hometown of Crockett Island after serving time for DUI related manslaughter. As he tries to settle back into the community, he reconnects with Erin Greene (Kate Siegel), someone he once had feelings for. His return coincides with the arrival of Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater), a new priest at St. Patrick’s Church whose presence brings change to the town.
While Father Paul works to deepen the community’s faith, Riley struggles with his own beliefs and questions religion and morality. As unusual events begin to take place, both Riley and Father Paul are faced with situations that challenge the island’s beliefs and stability. Created by Mike Flanagan, the Netflix horror show is a poignant navigation of faith, liberation, morality, and the experiences of isolated characters finding themselves in complex situations, much like ‘Unchosen.’
6. Sacred Lies (2018-2020)
Created by Raelle Tucker, ‘Sacred Lies’ is a drama series that follows the ups and downs in the life of Minnow Bly (Elena Kampouris). She is a teenage girl who escapes a cult after years of living within it and is later placed in a juvenile detention center. Missing both of her hands, Minnow must confront the reality of her past while adjusting to her new environment. As she begins to find a sense of freedom, she is also suspected of having knowledge about the death of the cult’s leader. While others try to uncover the truth, Minnow pursues hope, redemption, and human connection. Based on Stephanie Oakes’s novel ‘The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly,’ the show, akin to ‘Unchosen,’ is a poignant depiction of a female character’s journey through the puzzling environment of a secretive group.
5. The Clearing (2023)
Disney+’s ‘The Clearing’ is an Australian psychological drama series that follows Freya Heywood (Teresa Palmer), a woman whose seemingly peaceful life is disrupted when local media reports on a missing child, a case that reopens her old wounds and haunting memories.
Freya’s past is connected to Adrienne Beaufort (Miranda Otto), a woman who leads a cult, with whom she had disturbing experiences as a child. The investigation at present seems to point to Adrienne’s involvement, making Freya worry.
As events unfold, Freya is forced to confront her childhood experiences and the influence the cult still holds. To stop the abduction of children, Freya may have to make difficult decisions. Created by Elise McCredie and Matt Cameron, the narrative is based on J. P. Pomare’s book ‘In the Clearing’. The show is spiritually connected to ‘Unchosen’ through its vivid portrayal of cults and the mysteries they hold, as well as the experiences of female characters who face doubt when confronted with unexpected challenges.
4. Devil in Ohio (2022)
Netflix’s ‘Devil in Ohio’ revolves around the actions of Dr. Suzanne Mathis (Emily Deschanel), a psychiatrist who takes in a teenage girl named Mae (Madeleine Arthur) after she arrives at a hospital with a disturbing mark on her back. It is later revealed that Mae escaped from a cult in a nearby county. Suzanne offers her a place to stay while arrangements are made, but Mae’s presence soon begins to disrupt her family life. Suzanne’s daughter, Jules Mathis (Xaria Dotson), finds her space and relationships affected as Mae becomes more involved in their daily lives.
As tensions rise, the situation begins to impact the entire household. Created by Daria Polatin and based on her book of the same name, the thriller series is an engaging story. ‘Devil in Ohio’ reflects the spirit of ‘Unchosen’ through its haunting portrayal of a cult’s workings, the involvement of outsiders, the female experience, and the cost of secrets and deception.
3. The Path (2016-2018)
Hulu’s ‘The Path,’ created by Jessica Goldberg, follows the life of Eddie Lane (Aaron Paul), who lives in Upstate New York with his wife, Sarah Lane (Michelle Monaghan), and their children. The family is part of the Meyerist Movement, a belief system that blends spiritual traditions from around the world. After returning from a retreat in Peru meant to deepen his commitment, Eddie begins to question his faith following a mysterious personal experience.
At the same time, Cal Roberts (Hugh Dancy), a senior member of the movement, focuses on expanding its influence while dealing with the founder’s declining health. As these characters collide, chaos follows in shocking and unexpected ways. The drama show captures the essence of ‘Unchosen’ through its unsettling exploration of deep human issues, including faith, group loyalty, and the consequences of challenging the established order.
2. The Testaments (2026-)
Hulu’s ‘The Testaments’ narrates the challenges faced by Agnes MacKenzie (Chase Infiniti), a young girl in Gilead who begins to question her place in society, and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a teenager in Canada whose life changes after discovering a connection to Gilead. They become linked through Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who runs a preparatory school and seeks to bring change through education. As Agnes and Daisy grow closer, their experiences at the institution shape their understanding of their world.
Their bond becomes important as they begin to see their circumstances in a new way, which could reshape the society around them. Created by Bruce Miller, the series continues the story of the world established in the popular show ‘The Handmaid’s Tale.’ Based on Margaret Atwood’s eponymous novel, the show complements ‘Unchosen’ through its depiction of gender issues, secrecy, and liberation in a male-dominated world with unique rules.
1. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-2025)
Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ is set in the Republic of Gilead, a theocratic regime that replaced the US’s political and social system. With a declining birth rate, fertile women are treated as valuable resources and forced into roles as Handmaids, where they are made to bear children for powerful officials. Created by Bruce Miller, the dystopian series centers on the personal battles of June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), a fertile woman who is captured and assigned to serve a high-ranking household.
As she lives under strict control, June tries to navigate the system while searching for her daughter. Throughout her journey, she faces difficult circumstances that challenge her sense of identity and freedom. June’s experiences and challenges in the series are spiritually connected to Rosie’s character arc in ‘Unchosen.’ Both women fight against a male-dominated order while also dealing with insecurities and significant secrets. The thematic connections between the shows are complemented by the visual flavors.
Read More: Shows Like The Testaments
