Since we are all stuck at home and are in need of creative ways to keep ourselves entertained, I thought I would create a list (in no particular order) of shows that I have recently watched and liked that are available for streaming online. If you are in need of a new show to binge-watch during self-isolation, check out Adam’s and I’s list below!
THE PHARMACIST - NETFLIX
The Pharmacist is an incredible American true crime documentary series about one man’s journey to find his son’s murderer and shed light on corruption in his community during the onset of New Orleans’ opioid addiction crisis pre-Hurricane Katrina.
Dan Schneider, a small-town pharmacist in Poydras, Louisiana, first took the investigation of his son's tragic death into his own hands after police were unable to identify a killer. Little did he or his family know that this path would later also lead him to gather evidence on and expose prolific Oxycotin pill mills and the corrupt doctors running them.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - not only does it captivate you right from the start with the death of Dan Schneider’s son but the momentum of his investigations into exposing his son’s killer and the corrupt doctors will have your head reeling. If you like true-time documentaries, you will enjoy this one!
SELF MADE - NETFLIX
Self Made is a motivational ‘based on a true’ story series about America's first empire-building, barrier-breaking, self-made female millionaire.
Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker and adapted from On Her Own Ground, a biography by Walker's great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, Self Made is a rags-to-riches tale of Sarah Breedlove played by Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer.
The story follows Madam C.J. Walker, an African American washerwoman who rises from poverty to build a beauty empire after creating a line of hair products for black women which would later lead her to become the first female self-made millionaire in America.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - As an entrepreneur myself, I found Madam C.J. Walker’s life story and rise to success extremely empowering and motivational. If you are a hopeful entrepreneur like me who feels impacted by COVID-19, her story is a fierce call-to-action that fills you with hope and makes you want to keep going.
THE LAST KINGDOM - NETFLIX
The Last Kingdom is a British historical fiction series based on The Saxon Stories, a series of novels by Bernard Cornwall.
The storyline follows the protagonist, Uhtred of Bebbanburghe's life journey starting from childhood in Season one, in the late 9th century AD when England is divided into seven separate kingdoms. Born into a Saxon family which was eventually attacked and ruled by Viking Danes, Uhtred is taken as a slave by Earl Ragnar who later becomes almost like a father figure to him. In the seasons to follow you see the struggles Uhtred faces as he is pulled between the two enemies and forced to show where his allegiance truly lies.
Netflix recently announced that the 4th season will be released on 26 April 2020 (this coming Sunday!)
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - Adam and I caught on to this show a little late but both fell in love with it right from the beginning. We burned through the first two seasons quite quickly and have been waiting with bated breath for each one that followed. While most series storylines have there ebbs and flows, The Last Kingdom has kept both of us enthralled the entire way through. If you like period pieces and/or are a fan of Game Of Thrones, this show has many of the same themes minus any supernatural elements.
Season 1 Trailer
Season 4 Trailer - Premiering on Netlfix Sunday April 26th, 2020
THE NIGHT MANAGER - AMAZON PRIME
If you haven’t seen The Night Manager yet, I highly recommend it! Originally based on the novel by John Le Carre, The Night Manager is a modern-day, six-part adaptation series that originally aired on the BBC (now available for streaming on Amazon Prime) and won two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes.
The Night Manager is a captivating story about espionage. It follows Jonathan Pine, played by the unbelievably handsome Tom Hiddleston, a luxury hotel night manager with a military background, on his journey as he is recruited by British task forces to become an intelligence spy. The story follows his transformation from hotel manager to spy and his mission to embed himself in the lucrative, illegal arms trade.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - Without giving too much away, not only is the story unbelievable compelling, layered and fast pace, but Tom Hiddleston plays a compassionate Bond-like character that falls for many of the women who enter his life, which makes you love him and his character even more - not to mention he’s beautiful to look at! Also the scenes/shots are beautiful and cinematography is very well done.
SEX EDUCATION - NETFLIX
Sex Education is an absolutely hilarious British comedy-drama that follows the life of a socially awkward teenager Otis Milburn, whose mom is a sex therapist.
After inadvertently helping the school bully with his sexual performance anxiety, Otis is convinced by his classmate Maeve to join her in setting up a sex advice business that helps fellow students deal with their own sexual problems/anxieties. Combine this with the normal pressures of high school, teenagers exploring/learning about their sexuality, and social issues that arise along the way, this series not only touches on some hard topics in a sincere way but makes you feel for each character while finding the light-hearted humor in their coming of age plight.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - I love this show mainly because of its relatability. Nobody goes through life without having a coming of age chapter and this series sheds light on so many different characters’ struggles that you will without a doubt be able to find yourself in one of them. This series also allows the viewer to take a step back and see the humor in life’s growing pains as well as find compassion for those who struggle with accepting and expressing their sexuality.
Season 1 Trailer
Season 2 Trailer - Premiered in January of 2020
I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON - NETFLIX
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson is an American sketch comedy television show that stars Tim Robinson, who also co-created, wrote, and produced the show.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - I love sketch comedy and this show had Adam and I both in stitches after watching the absurdity of some of the situation/story lines. The sketches are short and its constantly moving so if you are not into one, it quickly moves on and I can guarantee you will get a good laugh out of it.
THE GOOD PLACE - NETFLIX
Now entering its fourth and final season, The Good Place is an American fantasy comedy television series about Eleanor Shellstrop (played by Kristen Bell), who arrives in an afterlife utopia called ‘The Good Place’ following her tragic death on earth.
After discovering that ‘The Good Place’ was created as a reward for a highly selective group of people for living a righteous life on earth, she soon realizes that she was sent there by mistake and now has to hide her morally imperfect behavior while trying to become a better and more ethical person.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - I loved this show because it explores and explains ethical philosophies in a creative way while interweaving humor throughout. Each episode holds good lessons on how to be a better human while still being entertaining and motivating.
ZEROZEROZERO - AMAZON PRIME
ZeroZeroZero is an 8 episode television crime drama series based off a novel by Roberto Saviano. The series follows the American Lynwood family who owns an international shipping company that brokers the sale of cocaine between Mexican narcos and Italian organized crime.
The series follows the grueling journey of a large shipment of cocaine and the battle for power in both Italy and Mexico when the grandson of Don Minu La Piana tries to take over, and a group of corrupt military-trained soldiers tries to overthrow the drug cartel.
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - Not only is the series beautifully shot but it’s not your typical glorified ‘drug cartel/organized crime’ storyline. It has three family succession stories intertwined within it, each of which provides a human aspect while also demonstrating the great sacrifices each family must make.
RAGNAROK - NETFLIX
Ragnarok is a fictional Norwegian fantasy television drama (with substitutes) set in the fictional town of Edda in Western Norway. Inspired by Norse Mythology, the storyline follows the journey of Magna, a teenage boy who moves with his family back to Edda only to find that he is the embodiment of Thor.
After moving back to Edda he quickly becomes friends with a girl who is a climate change activist that wants to expose the industrial pollution caused by the town’s largest employer, and the fifth richest family in Norway - the Jutul. Following her bizarre death, Magnas becomes aware of his powers and tries to figure out what really happened to his friend. The Jutul’s who are actually ‘giants’ posing as a normal Norwegian family tries to stop Magna from exposing their true identities and the destruction they bring.
Netflix recently signed on for a second season
WHY I LOVED THIS SHOW - I loved this show because it has a mystical, almost Twilight element to it. Adam and I watched the show with English subtitles and although I believe it is available in English it is dubbed and therefore doesn’t feel as authentic. I am not a huge comic book person but I loved the storyline in this series and I personally can’t wait for the upcoming second season!
