This 100%-Rated Show Starring J. K. Simmons Is the Most Underrated TV Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Counterpart aired from 2017 to 2019 and over its two seasons, the show earned a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

It's not just a spy thriller or science fiction but a sophisticated blend of genres that makes us reflect on fate, free will, and how different our lives could be with the slightest change in circumstances.

What Is 'Counterpart' About?

Howard Silk is a bureaucrat working for a small organization in Berlin. His position is so insignificant that, even after years of service, he still doesn't know what his organization actually does.

One day, he discovers a shocking truth: his organization guards a passageway to a parallel dimension – an alternate version of Berlin called Prime.

In the past, the two worlds were identical, but after scientists from East Germany made contact, the two worlds gradually began to drift apart. Prime was once the site of a terrible pandemic that wiped out 7% of the population, and local authorities believed it was the work of our world.

Howard discovers that he has a doppelgänger – not a humble underling, but an influential, confident operative.

J.K. Simmons' Dual Role Is the Trump Card of 'Counterpart'

The crowning glory of Counterpart is undoubtedly J.K. Simmons's performance. He plays two characters who, despite their similar appearances, are completely different from each other.

Howard is a quiet, shy, and insecure clerk who is accustomed to letting life pass him by. His counterpart in Prime is a charismatic, tough, and determined spy and highly skilled professional.

Simmons masterfully conveys differences in gait, intonation, gestures, and gaze, enabling viewers to unmistakably identify which character is on screen. This is one of the most underrated performances of the last decade and is worthy of no less attention than his Oscar-winning performance in Whiplash.

Seven Years Later, 'Counterpart' Remains an Underrated Sci-Fi Masterpiece

Despite its many merits, Counterpart only lasted two seasons. The show was never a resounding hit, perhaps due to its slow, thoughtful pace, which demands patience and attention from viewers.

Rather than car chases and shootouts, there are tense dialogues, philosophical reflections, and the gradual unraveling of the complex system of rules that govern parallel worlds.

Series creator Justin Marks, known for his work on Westworld, built the story around the simple yet brilliant question: what if your life could have turned out differently?

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Counterpart'?

• Counterpart has 100% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.0/10.

Where to Watch 'Counterpart'?

Counterpart is available to stream on Prime Video.