Despite being released in 2022 and not being a Netflix original, this crime and legal drama has recently become one of the top 10 most-watched shows in the U.S. on the platform.
Featuring Holt McCallany – known for his roles in popular Netflix series like Mindhunter and The Waterfront – this 16-episode thriller is quickly becoming a national hit just before Christmas 2025, despite not being a holiday-themed show.
What 61st Street Is About – And Why It’s Trending
The legal drama 61st Street, originally from AMC, is suddenly a hit on Netflix. It was added to the streaming service in mid-December and has quickly become popular, even surpassing the performance of Netflix’s recent thriller, The Beast in Me.
The series 61st Street centers on Moses Johnson, a talented high school athlete whose life is turned upside down when he gets caught up in Chicago’s flawed criminal justice system. After a police officer is killed, Moses is mistakenly identified as a gang member and arrested, despite his innocence.
How did a show that originally aired three years ago and was cancelled after just two seasons manage to become so popular on Netflix this week, from December 22nd to 26th, 2025? It appears there are at least three main reasons why 61st Street unexpectedly became a hit.
The show benefits from its strong cast. Holt McCallany first gained a large following on Netflix with the critically acclaimed crime drama Mindhunter, which debuted in 2017. He’s joined by Courtney B. Vance, a two-time Emmy Award winner who is well-known for his roles in American Crime Story and Lovecraft Country.
The show 61st Street was originally only available on Tubi, but it recently became available on Netflix. This wider access, combined with positive viewer feedback – it has an 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes – has made it a surprising hit on the platform. These factors all contribute to why 61st Street is currently one of Netflix’s best-kept secrets.
Why 61st Street Is Worth Binge-Watching This Week
Okay, so everyone’s talking about 61st Street right now, and it’s definitely getting a lot of attention thanks to the actors and good reviews. But I keep wondering – is it actually a show I would like? Is this legal drama/crime thriller something I should really check out?
The core of the show 61st Street is a look at how racism and corruption are deeply embedded within systems designed to protect everyone, especially the police. Unlike Mayor of Kingstown, which uses police corruption as a plot device, 61st Street intends to reveal and expose this corruption as its central focus.
This show is engaging and well-acted, but it tackles difficult topics like race and discrimination, so it’s not always lighthearted. It’s very easy to get hooked on, with two seasons of eight episodes each, running about 45 minutes per episode.
Ultimately, whether or not you should watch 61st Street on Netflix depends on your current mood. It’s not necessarily a lighthearted show for the holidays, but it is a compelling and thought-provoking crime thriller that feels very relevant to real life. If you enjoy getting lost in immersive crime dramas, it’s definitely worth binge-watching on Netflix.
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2025-12-23 20:31