If you’re stuck at home like everyone else and looking for something to distract from the ongoing crisis, then look no further! Here are 5 of the best shows on Netflix worthy of a binge-watch…or two.
1. The Crown
This historical drama took Netflix by storm when it premiered in 2016, noted as the platform’s most expensive production ever. It follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her unexpecting takeover in 1952, to where the latest season left off at her Silver Jubilee in 1977. There are currently 30 hour-long episodes available, so that should last you a while! You won’t have too long to wait when you’re done though, as the fourth installment is due next year.
The cast of this series changes every two seasons, with Claire Foy starting off as the young Elizabeth (season 1-2), giving way to Olivia Colman’s more mature Queen (season 3-4). Rumour has it Imelda Staunton is up for closing out the series (season 5), so you know it’s only going to get better and better!
2. Schitt’s Creek
This aptly named sitcom sees the wealthy Rose family lose their fortune and move to their sole remaining asset – the small town of Schitt’s Creek they had bought as a joke back in their heyday. They leave money and the glamour of their mansion behind for two adjacent rooms in a run-down motel and hilarity ensues, with plenty of sweet moments thrown in too!
Laugh along as they come to terms with small-town life and the many characters that come with it. The series has five seasons of 13-14 episodes, and after first airing in 2015, the final season concluded just this week.
3. Lovesick
The premise of this comedy might be a little off-putting to some – a 20-something guy finds out he has chlamydia and spends the next few months tracking down his previous sexual partners in order to tell them – but it’s actually a lot more charming than it sounds! Follow Dylan (Johnny Flynn) and his housemates Luke (Daniel Ings) and Evie (Antonia Thomas) as they navigate their love lives, both past and present, with a new former flame appearing in each episode. This sweet comedy is the perfect escape from these troubling times.
The three-season series came to an end in 2018, and with each episode only about 25 minutes, you’ll fly through it!
4. After Life
This comedy-drama written, directed by and starring Ricky Gervais sees the brilliant comedian as Tony, a writer for a local newspaper, who must come to terms with the death of his wife after losing her battle to cancer. This black-comedy full of laughs, and some poignant moments, sees Tony go from a bitter man who’s angry at the world, to one with a whole new outlook, helped along by the variety of characters he meets on his way.
Only one season of 6 episodes is available for now, but season 2 is coming on 24th April, so get going!
5. Formula 1: Drive to Survive
Now for something completely different! This docuseries focuses on the drivers and teams of motorsport’s most prestigious sport – Formula 1. Follow the teams over the 2018 and 2019 seasons for an incredible insight into the pressure and politics of the world’s most exclusive sport. With each season containing 10 episodes, there are plenty of races to keep you going. You don’t need to know anything about Formula 1 to enjoy the drama this series has to offer – and you’ll be an expert in all things racing by the end!
Season 2 is particularly good as it includes all 10 teams – including Ferrari and Mercedes – who had not allowed Netflix access the previous year.
Bit of an unfortunate year to get into Formula 1 though. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 season, which was due to begin in mid-March, won’t get going until the end of June at the earliest, and maybe even without spectators. So you’ll probably even have time for a second watch – enjoy!
So which show will you be watching? Let me know in the poll below!
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