Netflix has quietly added one of the sharpest and most addictive crime thrillers to its lineup – and fans are already calling it essential viewing.
Sneaky Pete, a critically praised series that originally aired on Prime Video, has landed on Netflix this week (July 10), giving the con-artist drama a new life and a much bigger audience.
The show stars Giovanni Ribisi as Marius, a skilled grifter who gets out of prison and immediately assumes the identity of his old cellmate, Pete, in a desperate attempt to dodge a dangerous enemy.
But what starts as a simple case of identity theft quickly snowballs. Marius ends up embedded in Pete’s family, who haven’t seen the real Pete in over 20 years – and are now running a family-owned bail bond business with secrets of their own.
Caught in a web of lies, Marius must balance playing the perfect ‘long-lost grandson’ while running cons of his own and trying to avoid being found by Vince, the violent gangster played with icy charm by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston – who also co-created the series.
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It’s sharp, fast-paced, and full of tension – the kind of series you tell a friend about halfway through episode two because it’s just that good.
Since arriving on Netflix, Sneaky Pete has been rediscovered by viewers who missed it the first time around, with fans calling it one of the most underrated shows ‘that you need to watch immediately.’
One Reddit user, @ershkan266, praised the series: ‘THIS SHOW IS A MASTERPIECE.’
‘Such an amazing show.’ Dyxnsty added on reddit.
The show originally ran for three seasons between 2017 and 2019. While it didn’t become a massive mainstream hit at the time, it earned consistent critical praise and a loyal following for its clever storytelling and high-stakes twists.
The first season holds a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers praising the show’s tight plotting and strong performances across the board.
Ribisi brings a unique mix of charm and vulnerability to Marius, making him one of the most complex and watchable antiheroes in recent TV memory.
His constant juggling act – lying to a family who genuinely care about him, while running scams to stay ahead – is both thrilling and, surprisingly, moving.
Then there’s Margo Martindale, who steals scenes as Audrey, Pete’s no-nonsense grandmother and the true powerhouse of the family.
Marin Ireland, Peter Gerety, Shane McRae, and Libe Barer round out the ensemble, each bringing depth and intrigue to a family that might not be as innocent as they seem.
If Breaking Bad is a show about a man becoming a criminal, Sneaky Pete is about a criminal learning what it means to be human – all while trying to stay alive and out of trouble.
The show’s creator, David Shore (House), left early in the process, but Graham Yost (Justified) stepped in as showrunner.
Even more exciting? The real Pete eventually re-enters the picture, throwing Marius into an even deeper mess of his own making.
While some fans were disappointed the series wasn’t renewed beyond season three, others say it ended at the perfect moment – and now, thanks to Netflix, a whole new wave of viewers can experience the rollercoaster from the beginning.
Social media users have already started posting about the show’s return, with comments like, ‘really good show that got no recognition.’ – @randelpho on Reddit.
It may have flown under the radar when it first aired, but with its arrival on Netflix, Sneaky Pete is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Sneaky Pete is available to stream now on Netflix.
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