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10 Most Underrated CW Shows
THE L.A. COMPLEX
This Canadian import about a group of pretty young things trying to make it in Hollywood was a surprisingly sharp and progressive satire with plenty of “OMG!” twists. A story about a closeted hip-hop artist? Check! (Sorry, Empire, but L.A. Complex did it first.) A scathing take on Scientology? Check! Jewel Staite as a fading actress forced to go on a Celebrity Rehab-style show? Delicious fun!
THE SECRET CIRCLE
This drama about a coven of small-town witches was supposed to be the second coming of The Vampire Diaries, but it took a minute for the show to find its footing — and, unfortunately, a minute is all audiences were willing to give it. At the very least, we can be grateful that it introduced us to Phoebe Tonkin (The Originals), Shelley Hennig (Teen Wolf) and Chris Zylka (The Leftovers).
REAPER
This comedy about a hardware store employee (played by Bret Harrison) forced to work as a bounty hunter for the Devil (the incomparable Ray Wise) while struggling to get the girl (Rookie Blue's Missy Peregrym) developed an immediate cult following. Just not a very big one, unfortunately.
HELLCATS
Shakespeare it was not, but this sexy drama about a group of college cheerleaders was pure fun from start to (early) finish. Honestly, considering its CW-friendly cast — not to mention having former Smallville star Tom Welling as an executive producer — we're surprised this never got a second season.
CONTAINMENT
Suspenseful, romantic, horrifying, morally complex and containing one strangely sensual kiss through a shower, the viral outbreak thriller, sadly, did not survive to see a Season 2. (RIP, Jake’s tank tops!)
PRIVILEGED
This charming gem based on the book How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls was probably dismissed by many as just another one of the network’s spoiled teen dramas (see 90210, Gossip Girl, etc.). But it had heart and wit reminiscent of executive producer Rina Mimoun’s work on Everwood. Plus, look at that cast!
BREAKING POINTE
The CW hasn’t had the best of luck with reality shows, but this short-lived docu drama about a ballet company and the dancers’ professional and personal highs and lows was compelling enough to win a place in our Center Stage-loving hearts.
ALIENS IN AMERICA
Talk about timely: This comedy deftly and hilariously told the story of a Wisconsin family who takes in a Muslim exchange student from Pakistan. The series also gave us our first glimpse of talented up-and-comers Dan Byrd, Adhir Kalyan and Lindsey Shaw.
THE CARRIE DIARIES
AnnaSophia Robb won us over big time as a lovable, pre-Sex and the City Ms. Bradshaw in this sweet, funny ’80s drama. In fact, we liked this Carrie better than the adult version.
LIFE UNEXPECTED
Oh man, where do we even begin? This adorable little drama-that-could starred Shiri Appleby (UnREAL) and Kristoffer Polaha as young parents meeting their now-16-year-old daughter (Britt Robertson) for the first time, unleashing a floodgate of emotions we're still trying to sort out.
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
Image: Courtesy of The CW
