During lockdown there wasn't much for me to do, except watch TV. I have picked out my favourite 10 shows from all genres- crime, action, comedy, drama- that I recommend you to watch if you haven't already.
Mindhunter
Mindhunter is set in the 1970s and follows two FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they begin studying a new type of killer that is emerging. To gain knowledge about these killers they question imprisoned 'sequence killers' to build a database to make catching these killers easier in the future. This series is based on the true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit written by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker.
If you like learning about what makes a killer a killer this show is for you. This show is interesting and disturbing to watch, and to make it even creepier every serial killer the FBI agents interview are based on real serial killers!
One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill is an American drama series which ran from 2003 to 2012. The show is set in the fictional town of Tree Hill in North Carolina and follows the lives of two half-brother's Lucas Scott (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty) who compete on and off the basketball court. This show is filled with shocking drama filled moments throughout the whole of its 9 seasons. Even though this is a long one, the changing relationships between the characters and the dramatic moments keep you hooked from the start.
If you like shows about teenagers at high school and their drama filled life then this show is for you!
Ozark
This American crime drama tv show follows the story of Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) relocating his family to the Ozarks after his partner fails to successfully steal from a Mexican drug cartel. Byrde offers to get them their money back by moving to the Ozarks in Missouri and money laundering for them. The seasons follow the Byrde family trying to hide their real motives for being in the Ozarks whilst clashing with local criminals in the area. The gripping show follows a middle class family relishing in their criminality, with excellent performances from Bateman, Laura Linney (who plays Wendy Byrde, Marty's wife), and Julia Garner (who plays Ruth Langmore).
Normal People
Normal People is an Irish drama television series based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Sally Rooney. The series follows the relationship between Marianne Sheridan (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connel Waldron (Paul Mescal) from secondary school to their years at Trinity College as they navigate adulthood and their complex relationship.
This show presents the pain and beauty of first love beautifully through the characters on and off again relationship. Marianne and Connel's relationship is shown over a 4 year period and is presented so intimately that you become immersed and moved by the characters.
Outer Banks
Set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina after John B's father goes missing at sea, him and his group of friends the 'Pogues' set off on an adventure to uncover the truth about his father's disappearance and the treasure that went missing on the shipwreck of the Merchant.
The show presents the clashes between the 'Pogues' and the 'Kooks' (the members of the wealthier side of the bank). The show at its core is a mystery, as the teenagers go on a mission to find the truth, however, it is also a heartwarming story about a group of friends and how far they will go to help each other.
New Girl
New Girl is a sitcom that ran from 2011-2018. The series revolves around Jess (Zooey Deschanel), a bubbly school teacher who moves into a loft with three men, Winston (Lamorne Morris), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Nick (Jake Johnson), after she experiences a bad breakup. The shows smart script and lovable characters is what makes this show so brilliant to watch- also because of that catchy theme song! Once you get into the show it becomes a lot sharper and the characters get funnier the more you watch, making it an easy binge watch.
Little Fires Everywhere
Little Fires Everywhere is an American drama mini series consisting of eight episodes based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Celeste Ng. It is set in Shaker Heights, Ohio in the late 1990s and follows Elena (Reese Witherspoon) a local journalist who helps keep the order in their town whilst being a mother to her four children. When Mia (Kerry Washington) and her daughter Pearl arrive and become Elena's tenants, the two women clash with their different ways of raising their children, however Pearl becomes close friends with Elena's children.
The show focuses on the clash between the strong willed women and their different socio-economic background. Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon portray the anger in these characters perfectly as they try to protect and keep their power over their children.
Queen of the South
Queen of the South is an American crime drama series, it follows the story of Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga) as she is forced to flee Mexico and seek refuge in America after the death of her drug-runner boyfriend. We follow Teresa's story from being a drug mule towards her powerful position of being the head of a drug cartel. Teresa makes unlikely allies and makes her way to the top whilst keeping her morals of what is right and wrong.
Once you start this show you will be sucked into the addictive story of Teresa as you root for her to succeed in her efforts to win against the drug cartel and survive. What is different about this show is that there has not been a female character in television like her, we watch her get pushed into situations where she has to be conniving to survive and protect the ones she loves; which is different from other characters who usually have an ulterior motive.
Succession
Succession is an American satirical comedy-drama series created by Jesse Armstrong. The series centres around the powerful but dysfunctional Roy family who are the owners of a global media and hospitality empire, Waystar Royco. We see the family and other owners of this company fighting to see who will take control of the company after the health of the leader of the family, Logan Roy (Brian Cox) deteriorates.
This Emmy- winning drama is packed with sharp dialogue that can make you laugh at the most serious of moments. The show provides you with everything that you hope to see in a show about a mega-rich powerful family, alongside an amazing cast with Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, and Sarah Snook playing rival siblings all working towards their own gain of taking the head seat at the table.
The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy is an American superhero series based on the comic book series of the same name written by Gerard Way. It revolves around the dysfunctional family of 7 adopted siblings who have superhero powers, they all reunite after the death of their father and the news that an apocalypse is due to occur in 8 days. The show follows the siblings uncovering the mystery of their father's death and working together to stop the apocalypse, whilst struggling to even be in a room for 5 minutes without arguing. The show has a perfect mix of action, mystery and comedy with the script being full of comedic remarks from each character and the brilliant soundtrack adding elements of humour even to intense fight scenes.
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