This year I was once again tasked with nominating ten non-English series. And this was not an easy task. I haven't watched a whole lot of series that could fit into this category. More than ever, I had to use the input that was given by other writers and readers of MySeries. But I also had to watch which series were more popular than others this year. I do think that I have prepared a nice list, which does seem to have a few series that were also part of the 2019 list.
Will La Casa de Papel once again win this category, or will we be surprised in 2020? All we can do is wait, as the list features a couple of series that were just as good or maybe even better. They were, however, not as popular as the Spanish crime series. Luckily, the list does feature quite a few new series. It'll be up to you to decide which series will become the 'best non-English language series'.
Down below, you'll find the top ten nominated series for this category in alphabetical order:
Barbaren
This historical German series premiered on Netflix on the 23rd of October. Several MySeries members immediately said that this series should be taken into account while creating the list of nominations. And that has happened. The six episodes that eventually lead up to and include the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest has been nominated. Barbaren has been given a 7.7 on MySeries and is followed by 527 members.
La Casa de Papel
What more can we say about the Spanish Netflix series La Casa de Papel. This year, the series has once again been nominated for this category. And it is likely that this immensely popular series will end somewhere in the top. Although it does have a bit more competition from a couple of new series. It is not a question if any votes will be cast on this series, but whether or not where it'll end up in the top ten. La Casa de Papel is followed by 12,655 members of which 4,619 have provided the series with a rating, with an average of 8.5.
Las Chicas Del Cable
Las Chicas Del Cable or 'Cable Girls' is also a returning nominated series. In February, the fifth season started and that was also the last season. Next year, this series will no longer be part of this list. But if that's going to be enough for this series to end on the number one spot, is something we cannot say for certain. 693 members follow the series, of which 226 have rated the series with an average of 8.3.
Dark
Dark is the fourth Netflix series to be in this list. The German series has also received its final season this year. On the 27th of June, the third and final season premiered on the streaming service. Last year, this mystery series ended up on the third spot. Whether or not it'll end higher this year, we'll have to wait and see. Dark is followed by 2,639 members and it has been given an average grade of 7.9 by 1,020 voters.
Elite
Last year, this Netflix series finished on the number five spot. Elite is a Spanish crime series, which has been available on the streaming service for three seasons. A fourth and fifth season have already been announced, so it isn't unlikely that this series will remain part of this list for the next two years. 2,295 members follow Elite, from which 812 have given a rating with an average of 7.9.
El Embarcadero
The Pier of El Embarcadero thanks its popularity to the fact that Álvaro Morte (El Profesor from La Casa de Papel) portrays one of the lead characters. In the previous election, this series didn't reach the top five. A famous lead actor may not have been enough. This year, the Spanish Movistar+ series El Embarcadero has once again made the list. 889 members have provided 243 votes, with an average of 8.1.
Norsemen
This Nordic dramedy premiered back in 2016. I do think that Netflix has ensured its first nomination after three seasons. It will be the last time, as the third season has also been the final season. 336 members follow Norsemen and have given 157 votes, with an average of 7.1.
The Rain
The Rain has received a third and final nomination. The third season has also been the last. The Danish Netflix series - which features rain as the big bad - ended up on the second spot in 2018, and on the fourth spot in 2019. Let's see where it'll end up this year. The Rain has been given 923 votes for an average grade of 7.4. The series is followed by 2,178 members.
Read the reviews that have been written about The Rain.
La Révolution
La Révolution is the second new series in this list. The French Netflix series only has 191 followers but was often mentioned in the nominations. The historical fantasy series has definitely made a lasting impression. With an average grade of 7.0 from 73 voters, La Révolution is the lowest scoring series in this list.
Vis a vis: El oasis
Vis a vis: El oasis is the third new series in this list and also a spin-off to Vis a Vis. The series has only had one season and premiered back in April 2020. It has a lot fewer followers than Vis a Vis, 'only' 613. The average grade given is also lower with a 7.2 after 244 votes. Nonetheless, Vis a vis: El oasis should be nominated according to the writers, polls and nominations provided by other members.
These were all ten nominees, which has been based on information provided by the members, the writers and yours truly. Can't find your own favourite? You can always use a wildcard. Good luck voting.
With kind election greetings,
Mandy