TV Shows To Binge Watch
Now that summers pretty much done and dusted, we can spend our weekends Netflix and chillin’ minus any guilt. With endless shows to pick from, we can find ourselves scrolling mindlessly for ages looking for the perfect show for our next binge. Thankfully, we’re on hand with some of our top picks to get you started.
1. If a regular family getting caught up in a life of crime before going on the run sounds appealing, you should give Ozark a try.
With two 10-part series already streaming and the third installment on the way, now is a great time to get into Ozark. The drama series follows the life of Marty, a financial planner who is forced to relocate his family to the Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme goes seriously wrong. As he attempts to go on the run, Marty and his family are responsible for paying back a massive debt in order to stay safe. As they fall apart at the seams, the family have to become accustomed to a life of crime as they fight for their survival.
2. If Mexican drug cartels are your thing, try Queen of the South.
Currently, you’ll find 50 action-packed episodes across four explosive series online, with season 5 hopefully in the pipeline! The series follows the life of Teresa Mendoza, a once poor Mexican woman living in the barrio of Jalisco as she rises through the ranks to become one of the country’s most ruthless drug barons. Think of her as the female Pablo Escobar. If you liked Narcos, you’ll like this.
3. If you love an inspiring documentary and you’re a music fan, tune into The Defiant Ones.
The Defiant Ones is a four-part documentary that tells the story and unbreakable bond behind the friendship and trust of two music legends; Jimmy Iovine and Dr Dre. Although they come from two totally different worlds, the two came together to become an unstoppable force within the music industry. Filmed over a three-year period, the series documents the rise of two kids, Jimmy from Brooklyn and Dr Dre straight out of the streets of Compton California. With music legends such as Bono, Eminem, Gwen Stefani and Snoop Dogg involved in telling the story which leads to the unlikely partnership brokering one of the biggest deals in music history, it makes for some fascinating viewing.
4. If you’re in search of a series that will make you laugh and cry simultaneously After Life is the one for you.
Since Ricky Gervais treated fans to perhaps one of his best pieces of work yet, they’ve been eagerly awaiting a second installment. Good news, it’s starts filming in September. The six-part series follows the life of Tony, a journalist who had the perfect life up until his wife Lisa dies. Following her death, Tony makes the decision that he would rather live and punish the world by doing and saying whatever he likes instead of dealing with his grief. The series is as thought-provoking and emotional as it is funny, making it somewhat unique!
5. If you were a fan of Stranger Things and you want something equally as confusing yet wonderfully entertaining, you should watch The OA.
With only 16 episodes across two series, you could easily wrap this up over a weekend. It’s one of those series that requires your full attention thanks to a complex yet gripping plot. The series follows the story of Prairie Johnson, a young woman who makes her return home following a seven-year disappearance. As she comes home, people are not only shocked by her sudden return but the fact she is no longer blind, but how exactly did it happen? This is one you’ll have to watch even to begin to understand.
6. If you’re in a show that celebrates diversity, check out Dear White People.
Based on the award-winning movie of the same name, the Netflix original series follows the lives of students as they navigate their time at Winchester University. The group of students who are of color in a predominately white Ivy League college forge a union as they face the landscape of social injustice, misguided activism and cultural bias.
7. If a rom-com mixed with a whole lot of lying and drama mixed it, Dead to Me is a pretty good choice.
The 10-part series tells the story of recently widowed Jen after her husband dies in a hit and run. As the sardonic widow becomes hell-bent on solving the crime, she crosses paths with optimistic and full of Life Judy who has recently endured a tragic loss of her own. Despite their polar opposite personalities, the duo become great friends as they bond over their troubles. But, it’s not all plain sailing as the dark comedy explores the sides of loss, forgiveness and grief that we don’t always see.
8. If you want to watch something that is fictional but tackles issues of America today, Designated Survivor is calling your name.
While the plot is most definitely fictional, some of the issues raised in the drama are very real. The series follows the life of Tom Kirkman, a lower-level cabinet member who finds himself taking on the role of President of the United States following a devastating attack. As the named designated survivor, the father of two has to navigate through the challenges of becoming POTUS when, in reality, you have no idea what you’re doing.
9. No list of top picks would be complete with Our Planet.
No one does a nature documentary like Sir David Attenborough, and Our Planet was one of his most exceptional gifts to the world. The eight-part series took four years to complete with over 600 crew members filming across 50 countries. If you’re yet to watch this series that showcases the diversity of our planet, it’s about time you did.
