It’s day god-knows-what of lockdown, you’ve organized everything, and you’ve already cooked 25 batches of sourdough bread. You even made fancy macarons. We get it. Being productive can get old pretty quickly, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with slowing down and just chilling. Ride out the pandemic lockdown with bazaar’s ultimate list of shows to binge-watch. We’ve also linked each show to where you can watch it online, you’re welcome!
Comedy/Dramedy
Dear White People (Netflix) – This show follows up on the critically-acclaimed 2014 film of the same name, but expands on the characters, woke-ness and the nitty gritty of social, racial, gender and class issues through the eyes of college students.
Derry Girls (Netflix) – If you are looking for lighter British fare, you must check out the charming and hilarious Derry Girls that follows a group of young teenagers set in Northern Ireland during the 1988 conflict.
Glow (Netflix) – Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling! But while the wrestling ring is a bit part of the show, the challenges the women face, personally and professionally in the 1980s, makes for a very interesting drama.
The Good Place (Netflix) – Smart, funny, philosophical and insightful. This show follows Eleanor Shellstrop who enters The Good Place (aka a kind of heaven) in the afterlife, except that she doesn’t belong there. Whoops?!
House of Lies (SHO) It is often said that the world of management consultancy is a finely knit web of lies. Explore this notion and more in the widely acclaimed American series that shows us how management consultants play the corporate game better than anyone else. Follow the life of Marty Kaan and associates, and discover how deals are played out in back channels before the boardrooms. When it comes to the power hungry, it’s every man for himself.
The Marvelous Ms Maisel (Amazon Prime) When Midge Maisel has her Upper West Side 50s homemaker lifestyle upended, she deals with it the best way she knows – tapping into her previously unknown talent for comedy! It’s a blast from the past with 50s quirk, style and banter!
The Office (NBC) This is easily one of our favorite shows of ALL time. While The Office arrives as a remake of the BBC TV series which only aired for two seasons, the American remake lasted an impressive nine seasons, thanks to the antics of its memorable cast. Following the lives of the team at a failing paper supply company in Scranton Pennsylvania, prepare to fall in love with each and every quirky character and their everyday adventures to keep the company going. From the self-deluded, ignorantly inappropriate head honcho Michael Scott, wannabe office manager/beet farmer/ power hungry Dwight Schrute who’s strangely always ready for the apocalypse, the ever-bored but highly successful salesman Jim, artsy receptionist Pam and the rest of the co-workers, this show is binge-worthy during lockdown and even after.
Veep (HBO) With everything going on, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, we need a little satire these days to put things in perspective. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is brilliant as the fictional vice president looking to create a legacy but often gets sidetracked by the politics. You cannot miss the genius and sharp dialogues!
Killing Eve (OSN) The British dark comedy drama which was created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a sassy yet violent script that mainly revolves around two female leads. Eve, an MI5 security officer while Villanelle is a talented assassin. Both live entirely different lives, till certain events occur and tosses them into a relentless obsession game of cat and mouse.
Crime
Bodyguard (Netflix) – Six episodes of intrigue, danger and a thrilling premise that follows a bodyguard protecting the highly powerful and controversial UK Home Secretary.
Line of Duty (Netflix) – Another high stakes, fast-paced police procedural that follows two Anti Corruption officers who look to bring down the internal links to organized crime. This show takes some time to get into, but you will not be able to pry your eyes away after the first episode.
Mindhunter (Netflix) – OK, for you serious true crime buffs, you don’t want to miss this dark and gritty look at the world of criminal psychology, dramatized but based on a real book, real-life events, crimes and serial killers.
Psych (USA Network) This show is the OG “Mentalist” and doesn’t take itself too seriously! Shawn Spencer is a hyper-observant consultant for the Santa Barbara police who poses as a psychic, and with his best friend Gus, they have adventures that are exciting and also pretty hilarious! The chemistry between Shawn and Gus and the witty dialogue will have you hooked for all 8 seasons, and the follow up movie!
Sherlock (Netflix) You can binge watch the entire four seasons in a couple of days because a season is only three episodes long. Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal of the famous Sherlock Holmes is a thrilling ride.
The Wire (HBO) This show can be a heavy watch, but if you’ve been putting off watching David Simon’s renowned cop shop The Wire, now is the perfect time. In a world where good and evil don’t necessarily live in their expected places, you’ll find yourself rooting for the bad guy before the good guy. That’s the beauty of this show that is set on the streets of Baltimore and weaves an incredible story about the war on drugs. The narratives of the cops, politicians, drug dealers, teachers, reporters, and most importantly the citizens of Baltimore, are all beautifully intertwined.
Veronica Mars (Hulu/CW/UPN) This is a totally binge-watching show just because you are immediately reeled in by Kristen Bell’s performance as a high schooler moonlighting as a private investigator in this teen noir mystery drama. Trust us, this is not a normal teen drama!
You (Netflix) How far would you go for love? Well for a bookstore manager who is obsessed with his crush, he’d go pretty, pretty far, and nothing will come in his way! *gulp*. A show you just cannot stop watching, no matter how disturbing it gets.
Drama/Period Drama
Big Little Lies (OSN/HBO) The perfect lives of five upper-class mothers starts to crumble with secrets, rumors, and a murder. The cast off Big Little Lies alone will keep you completely tuned in, especially Renata Klein.
Chernobyl (OSN/HBO) HBO’s mini-series follows the explosion that occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which happened in April 1986 during the time of the Soviet Union’s Socialist Republican. Documenting the day of the worst man-made catastrophe, and the aftermath.
The Crown (Netflix) The Royal Tea you’ll be seeing on The Crown which follows Queen Elizabeth’s II reign is full of drama. As the events unfold, shape, and reshape the British Monarchy in different decades, the show will keep you in suspense, but wanting more!
Peaky Blinders (Netflix) Into some drama and crime? Checkout the Shelby’s, a gangster family based in 1919 Birmingham, England with their fierce leader, Tommy. The gang was known for sewing razor blades in the peaks of their caps.
Pose (Netflix) The Category is: Realness. Pose showcases the evolution of the ball culture in New York during the 80s. The main characters include dancers, models, daughters, and mothers who are essentially looking for recognition from both the underground culture they love with their chosen ‘Houses’, and the real world during that time.
Six Windows in the Desert (Netflix) If you’re looking for some local GCC content, mainly from Saudi creators then you MUST check out Six Windows in the Desert. The six short films were released from Telfaz11 Studios on Netflix, and they all revolve around various topics, from nature, social taboos, extremism, and the human psyche. One of the short films, titled Is Sumyati going to hell? directed by Meshal Al Jaser has actually won Foreign Short Film at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards in 2017.
Succession (HBO) What’s it like to be the successor of a gigantic media and entertainment conglomerate? From newsrooms to entertainment parks, follow the lives of the Roy family as they plot and plan the next direction for their family’s legacy when their aging father decides to step back. Complete with cunning twists and turns and one power struggle after the next, coupled with the whimsy of living life in a bubble, you’ll be entertained for hours on end.
Treme (HB0) Escape into a world of amazing jazz, as Treme brings to light New Orlean culture and music (lots and lots of amazing music) post hurricane Katrina. A story of rebuilding, survival, and resilience, the residents of New Orleans, and specifically the neighborhood of Faubourg Tremé, known for the modern brass band tradition, set out on the daunting task of picking up the pieces of what is left of their lives after the hurricane. Prepare to fall in love with each and every character, as they each embark on new journeys that still pay homage to the cultural traditions that make New Orleans so different.
Docu-Series/Reality TV
Abstract (Netflix) Design is everywhere. It is in toys, cities, signs and movie costumes. Abstract takes you on a wild ride showcasing some of the best designers in their fields.
The Circle (Netflix): The Circle is another TV show where participants never meet face to face (until the very end) but is not about finding a happily ever after. This show is predominately about popularity through social media and how easy it is to put on a mask and be a “cat fish”. Contestants on the show communicate through an app where they can have a profile with their images, update statuses and start chats. The whole point of the show is to be rated as an influential player who knows their way around winning people over. People who score low, get blocked from the circle and lose the chance of winning.
Love is blind (Netflix): Love is blind is a brand new reality TV- show on Netflix that is hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey. As the title suggests, the inspiration behind this show is to test whether or not love really is blind. Singles participate in this show where they are allowed to go on dates (in pods) without ever seeing each other, until their engagement. Participants ultimately chose one person to get engaged to and move forward towards planning their wedding and lives, or go home. It has now been renewed for two more seasons!
Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix) Phil is hungry and he’s hilarious. He is eating his way around the world, visiting famous chefs and we just love living vicariously through him.
Dystopian
Black Mirror (Netflix) This fan-favorite cult science fiction anthology series is amazing because it brings modern society and emerging technology under the microscope in the near future. Unabashed, controversial and not for the faint-hearted, the dystopian show can be watched as individual, stand-alone episodes, or catch all five seasons on Netflix. Are you hooked? Catch the standalone, interactive film Black Mirror Bandersnatch special with multiple endings also on Netflix.
Falling Skies (TNT) Produced by Steven Spielberg, this is post-apocalyptic binge-watching at its finest. Prepare bucketloads of popcorn, sit back and follow the story of the 2nd Massachusetts military command and last civilian survivors of the city of Boston as they fight for their lives after the planet is taken over by aliens looking to enslave humans. The leader of the group, Tom Mason (ER’s Noah Wyle) along with Captain Weaver (Will Patton) take on the daunting task of protecting the survivors and making sense of this new world.
Utopia (Channel 4, Amazon Prime) In light of this global pandemic, this show is now eerily super relevant. Utopia is based on the premise of an online group of individuals uncovering the original manuscript of the cult graphic novel series The Utopia Experiments, rumored to have predicted the worst disasters of the modern century engineered by the dark and evil organization The Network. They must now hide from The Network and race against time to save humanity from, you guessed it, a global disaster. This show is graphically violent, and not suitable for younger audiences, but we must say, the visuals are strikingly beautiful. Release your inner conspiracy theorist, and indulge in this dark, thrilling dystopian drama. Bonus: Utopia is getting an American remake by HBO. So if you can’t catch the British original, you can definitely watch it via HBO when it is released this year (Maybe this year. I mean, let’s take things one global pandemic at a time).
Kids/Family
A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix) Follow the tragic tale of three orphans; Violet, Klaus and Sunny. They might be young but they are definitely not helpless against their nefarious guardian Count Olaf, portrayed by the fabulous Neil Patrick Harris! The series appeals to the young and old alike.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix) The movie might have bombed but the animated series was always a winner. Your kids will love this and so will you. A great show for the entire family to watch together, as four nations control the four elements. An Avatar finally arrives on the scene to try and end wars and unite them.
Carmen Sandiego (Netflix) If the name sounds familiar, it might be because you remember the titular character from the various games and mediums she already appeared in. Expect capers, heists and sneaky thievery as Carmen travels the world to stop evil and solve mysteries.
Snoopy in Space (Apple TV+) Whether you are a long time fan of the Peanuts gang or have just discovered Snoopy, this 12 episode series is cute and hopeful, perfect for the moment.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
The Boys (Amazon Prime) What if superheroes were really entitled evil jerks? This show looks at a world where superheroes are like today’s celebrities, loved and able to get away with anything. Until “The Boys” arrive. It’s an action-packed show with a lot of twists and turns.
Firefly (Fox) Now this is a classic for sci-fi fans! There are very few shows in the late 90s early 2000s that can live up to Joss Whedon’s brilliance in this time period (He was on a roll as he was just finishing “Buffy The Vampire Slayer”). This witty, funny, and action-packed space Western follows the crew of a small transport spaceship 500 years in the future. “Firefly” unfortunately only lasted 1 season, but thanks to the fans it continued its legacy in a movie and comic books. Bonus: The follow-up movie Serenity is available on Amazon Prime!
Jessica Jones (Netflix) Love the Marvel Cinematic Universe and detective shows? “Jessica Jones” has the elements of a superhero TV show but its villains are darker. Jessica, a former superhero, runs a detective agency while dealing with her past trauma and day-to-day struggles. Strong female characters make this show a must-watch.
Lucifer (Netflix) If you are looking for a procedural watch that has…well…some heat, then check out Lucifer, a show which follows Lucifer Morningstar, the Devil, becoming a consultant for the LAPD due to his particular set of skills.
Outlander (Netflix) Ever wanted to go back to the past and be wooed by a mysterious stranger? No? Just us? Claire Randall, a military combat nurse from 1945 is swept back in time to 1743 and is forced to marry Jamie, a chivalrous Scottish warrior, in the midst of a revolution. A must watch for history buffs!
Stranger Things (Netflix) You probably already know and love this show with a massive cult following, but if you don’t, then you’re in for one amazing binge-watching spectacular! It begins when strange happenings occur in the town of Hawkins, Indiana. A group of young boys with massive imaginations and unbridled creativity uncover a hidden world when chasing after their disappeared friend, only to encounter a young girl with superpowers, and we won’t spoil the rest! Happy watching.
Timeless (Netflix) This show might be a little light and cheesy for “Dr. Who” and “Quantum Leap” fans, but boy is it fun (and a lot more diverse)! It follows a history professor, a soldier, and engineer who have to stop a time machine thief and a mysterious organization from changing the course of history.
The Witcher (Netflix) Toss a coin to your witcher! Based on the fantasy series and video games, this show follows the monster hunter Geralt of Rivia and his tryst with destiny – and some annoying humans. If you loved Xena the Warrior Princess, you’ll enjoy this!
Did we miss anything? Drop us a DM on Instagram and we’ll add your recommendation to this link! Photo by freestocks on Unsplash.
