10 international shows to stream in the UAE: from France's 'Lupin' to South Korea's 'Vagabond'

Shows such as Spain's Money Heist and South Korea’s Crash Landing On You have become international hits, finding praise in countries all around the world despite featuring subtitles or dubbing.

Netflix's wide reach across the globe has made it easier than ever for people to enjoy content from other countries. However, it isn't the only platform to have series worth streaming.

So, if you're looking to get into a new show, here's a look at 10 others from around the world that are worth a watch.

'Lupin' (France), Netflix

The French series tells the story of Assane Diop, who moves from Senegal to Paris as a child. His father, Babakar, works for a wealthy family as their chauffeur and butler, but is accused of stealing a priceless neckless. He’s thrown in prison and soon dies, leaving Assane an orphan. Years later, as an adult, the protagonist comes up with an elaborate scheme to steal the necklace (which has since been found) from the Louvre and clear his father’s name while discovering the truth about what happened.

'Killing Eve' (the UK), Amazon Prime

A modern take on a spy vs spy tale, in Killing Eve, a low-level MI5 security employee Eve is bored with her job as a desk-bound agent. On the other side is Villanelle, a talented assassin who enjoys a luxurious lifestyle because of her work. The two go head-to-head in a game of cat and mouse with each woman becoming equally obsessed with the other as Eve is tasked with tracking down Villanelle.

'Alice in Borderland' (Japan), Netflix

Based on a popular manga of the same name, this sci-fi suspense thriller follows Arusa as he and his two best friends suddenly find themselves in an abandoned Tokyo after hiding out in a toilet stall while being chased by the police. After they emerge, they realise all is not as it seems as they are forced to play dangerous games with survival on the line.

'Dark' (Germany), Netflix

This thriller is set in the small town of Winden, Germany, and takes place in the aftermath of a child’s disappearance. As an investigation takes root, a complicated time-travel conspiracy that links four estranged families begins to unravel, highlighting the effects time can have on human nature. It’s clever and complex, as the storyline spans a number of time zones, with the same people of different ages travelling across barriers with ease. It's genius, but you might want to pay attention and take notes while you watch.

'Vagabond' (South Korea), Netflix

The K-drama Vagabond was released in South Korea in 2019 and has 16 episodes. It follows a stuntman whose nephew dies in a mysterious plane crash while on the way to Morocco. Looking to discover the truth about the accident, the stuntman embarks on an investigation that leads him to uncover a bigger cover-up. The spy-meets-thriller-meets-romance stars Lee Seung-gi and Bae Suzy as the main leads.

'Borderliner' (Norway), Netflix

In this popular Norwegian crime series, detective Nikolai, who’s pressured into taking time off after busting a police chief for murder, begins to investigate the apparent suicide of a man in his home town. As another investigator suspects foul play, Nikolai ends up planting evidence in a bid to protect his brother, an undistinguished cop who’s managed to get himself deeply involved. Soon enough, our protagonist is blurring the lines between right and wrong, and everything begins to spin out of control as he uncovers what really happened.

'Made in Heaven' (India), Amazon Prime

This romantic-drama web series chronicles the lives of Tara and Karan, two wedding planners in Delhi who run an agency called Made in Heaven. The show reveals the not-so-pretty side of the crazy rich, the big lies at grand weddings and other issues that burden a generation of South Asians. The series also focuses on the conflicts between tradition and cultural change that play out in the personal lives of the protagonists.

'Paranormal' (Egypt), Netflix

Set in the 1960s, Paranormal is based on the bestselling novel by the late Ahmed Khaled Tawfik. The series centres on haematologist Refaat Ismail, who tries to uncover the truth behind a series of supernatural events. His university colleague Maggie accompanies him as they enter the paranormal world and try to save their loved ones from danger. Each of the six episodes is a stand-alone story based on one of the urban legends mentioned in Tawfik’s novels.

'The Valhalla Murders' (Iceland), Netflix

An Oslo detective returns to his native Iceland to help hunt down a serial killer in this eight-episode Nordic noir crime series that is loosely based on a true case. Several people have been found brutally murdered in seemingly unrelated events, but it soon becomes clear that each case – and each victim – is linked to a state-run boys’ home that shut down years ago.

'Marianne' (France), Netflix

The Netflix original follows troubled author Emma Larsimon, who is haunted by her own fictional character, a witch named Marianne. When a strange visit from a childhood friend encourages her to return to her home town, Larsimon is forced to face the woman who began plaguing her dreams 15 years earlier. Larsimon’s novels may have seemed like fiction, but soon, we realise, she may have been writing fact.

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