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If these past few years taught us anything, it’s that even years that seem to be total dumpster fires have an upside: streaming TV shows. Self-quarantining during the novel coronavirus pandemic wasn’t exactly fun — and that’s obviously an understatement. But it did give us all a chance to catch up on our binge-watching. Thanks so streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and HBO Max, well, we’ve had plenty to keep us entertained amid this unexpected season of social distancing.
Of course, it’s easy to blow through show after show, especially when all of a series episodes are released at once. Don’t they know we have no self-restraint? How can we possibly be expected to do rational, adult-ish things like sleep for eight hours when the final season of Schitt’s Creek just dropped? Granted, we turn into total crybabies when a streaming TV show only releases a few episodes at a time. What can we say? We want to have our cake and eat it while we binge-watch to our heart’s content.
Even with our lack of impulse control, though, it can be difficult to figure out what to watch. With so many options, narrowing down the next series to dive into can feel downright overwhelming. So, to help you nail down your “what to stream next” list, we’ve compiled a running roster of must-see series. From Bridgerton on Netflix to The Mandalorian on Disney+, this should keep you busy for a while.
A version of this article was previously published in October 2020.
‘The Wheel Of Time’
Inspired by the book series of the same name The Wheel of Time is perfect for Game of Thrones fans. When a dark force emerges, Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) goes on a journey with five men and women — one of whom has the power to defeat The Dark One. It’s action packed and full of fantasy elements that fans will surely love.
Watch here.
‘Hacks’
Starring Emmy winner Jean Smart, Hacks is about second chances…or maybe reinvention? Either way, this whip smart and funny show about Deborah Vance’s second chance at her standup comedy career with new writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) under her wing is as thoughtful and touching as it is biting and feisty.
Watch here.
‘Yellowjackets’
Yellowjackets quickly became one of the most talked about series at the end of 2021. When an all-girls soccer team is stranded in the Canadian woods following a plane crash, their lives quickly turn into a fight for survival. Years later, four survivors try to put together the pieces of their past. It’s part survival-horror, part psychological thriller, and an all-around must-watch.
Check it out here.
‘The White Lotus’
One of the biggest shows of the summer, The White Lotus is part murder mystery, part commentary on social and economic divides. With an ensemble cast that includes Jennifer Coolidge, Jack Lacey, Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, and Sydney Sweeney, it’s a decadent and delicious series worth savoring.
Watch here.
‘Station Eleven’
Based on the engrossing novel by Emily St. John Mandel, the mini-series adaptation of Station Eleven follows the intersecting story lines of a post-apocalyptic world. After the devastating loss brought on by a worldwide flu, survivors try to rebuild their lives and find hope where they can.
Watch here.
‘Search Party’
Search Party finishes its fifth and final season with a bang. When a group of 20-somethings become involved in the mysterious disappearance of a college acquaintance, all hell breaks loose. The series follows all the misadventures in this beloved series that’s earned a cult following, and deservedly so.
Watch here.
‘Landscapers’
Wildly imaginative and devilishly fun, Landscapers follows one British couple (played by Olivia Colman and David Thewlis), as they become parties of interest when two bodies are discovered in their backyard. This mini-series is based on a true story, so all you true crime fans get your popcorn ready for this one.
Watch here.
‘Only Murders In The Building’
Steve Martin, Martin Short, AND Selena Gomez? While Short and Martin have long been comedy legends, this trio really bring the laughs, hijinks, and more in Only Murders In The Building. Three tenants of a Manhattan apartment building who love true crime podcasts take it upon themselves to solve a murder — get this — that happened in their own building! With a slew of fun celeb cameos, this series is a bloody good time.
Watch here.
‘Bridgerton’
Meet your next obsession: Regé-Jean Page, also known as The Duke to Phoebe Dynevor’s Daphne. In Shonda Rhimes’ takes on Jane Austen-era society, Daphne Bridgerton is due to be married when her prospects are dashed by notorious gossip Lady Whistedown’s hints at a scandal. Luckily, the Duke is in need of a fake relationship to get the other debutantes off his back, and an arrangement with Daphne might be just the thing to raise her marital prospects too.
Watch here.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’
Want to fall in love with chess? Experience it through the eyes of child prodigy Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), whose tough childhood and chronic drug use only further spur on her desire to become the world’s greatest chess player. Headstrong and heavily medicated, Beth is determined to use her difference to her advantage.
Watch here.
‘The Flight Attendant’
The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco is impossible to look away from in this fast-paced dramedy about a flight attendant whose life changes in an instant when she finds herself in the wrong place, at the wrong time — and with no memory of how she got there. It’s already been picked up for season 2, so catch up while you can.
‘The Mandalorian’
If you haven’t tuned in to see what the Baby Yoda fuss is all about, what are you waiting for? With season two dropping on Oct. 30, you’ll want to go ahead and dive into this Star Wars show about a bounty hunter (and “The Child,” of course).
‘The World According to Jeff Goldblum’
This Emmy-nominated series is delightful, just as you’d expect from a show with Jeff Goldblum as the host. Each episode centers on something we all love (like ice cream!), explored through the enthusiastic lens of the beloved actor.
‘The Spanish Princess’
In Part 2 of the Spanish Princess, which begins airing Sunday, October 11 on Starz, the next chapter of Catherine of Aragon’s marriage to King Henry VIII of England unfolds — through Catherine’s strongwilled point of view. Get caught up on Part 1 of the capitvating drama for free on the Starz app before Part 2 premieres.
‘Muppets Now’
The Muppets Studio’s first unscripted series and first original series for Disney+, Muppets Now is chock full of these funny felt figures’ trademark zaniness. Bonus? The guest stars make an already lovable show even more lovable.
‘Raised By Wolves’
You’ve probably been hearing the buzz about Raised By Wolves, which follows two androids tasked with raising human children on a barren planet. This sci-fi series has a lot going for it: it’s executive produced by Ridley Scott, the special effects are killer, the storyline is compelling, the acting is good and, well, it just looks cool.
‘Craftopia’
Calling all crafters! Craftopia may be aimed at the teen and tween set — the age of contestants in the crafting competition — but it’s fun for everyone. YouTube influencer Lauren Riihimaki, aka LaurDIY, turns the colorful studio into a magical experience for the crafters and viewers alike.
‘Doom Patrol’
First of all, can we talk about how stacked this cast is? Diane Guerrero, April Bowlby, Matt Bomer, Brendan Fraser, Timothy Dalton… the list goes on. Even if you aren’t typically a fan of superhero shows, Doom Patrol’s quirky blend of dark and weird will reel you in.
‘Love Life’
If you think an anthology rom-com starring Anna Kendrick sounds great, you’d be right. It’s Kendrick, after all! The series, like its star, proves fresh and biting as it explores the highs and lows on the journey to find lasting love.
‘Lovecraft Country’
Lovecraft County is one of those shows that is almost impossible to describe. At first glance, it’s a show about one man’s journey across 1950s-era Jim Crow America to find his missing father. But racism isn’t the only monster he must survive; there are literal monsters, too. Fans of Matt Ruff, who wrote the 2016 novel the show is based on, will feel especially invested in the series’ twists and turns.
‘Euphoria’
The always amazing Zendaya stars in this drama about a group of high school students navigating things like sex, identity, drugs, social media, love and more. In full disclosure, Euphoria is not an easy watch for parents. You will be shocked. You will wonder if it’s possible to keep your kids in a bubble. However, the series is so riveting you won’t be able to stop watching.
‘I May Destroy You’
Michaela Coel wrote, directed, executive-produced and stars in this phenomenal series based on Coel’s real-life experience of being drugged and sexually assaulted. What follows is the unforgettable, hauntingly fractured, poignantly played out story of main character Arabella trying to put her life back together.
‘Succession’
Admittedly, my obsession with Succession stems partly from the fact that I am a writer and the series centers on a family that owns a global media empire. However, the dysfunctional Roy family makes for good TV no matter what industry you’re in — and it might even make you feel a bit better about your own f***ed up family affairs.
‘Watchmen’
The TV series adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ comic, Watchmen proves to be a complex and interesting watch. Yes, it’s about superheroes. But these superheroes are brought to life by acting heavyweights like Regina King and Jeremy Irons, so you get impressively nuanced performances.
‘Big Little Lies’
There’s a reason this series still gets so much buzz, even after ending: It’s that good. Shailene Woodley, Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman and Zoe Kravitz kill (literally and figuratively) as the Monterey Five. And Meryl Streep’s cameo, well, that alone is worth committing to the series to see.
‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
If you loved Seinfeld, you should absolutely be watching Curb Your Enthusiasm. It may sound like sacrilege, but we actually like it more than Seinfeld. Larry David, playing a fictionalized version of himself, is brilliantly self-effacing in a way that’s irresistibly funny and smart. As far as situational comedies go, you can’t get much better.
‘Fleabag’
There aren’t enough words in the English language to describe how irreverent and wonderful Fleabag is. Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also stars, this British comedy is only three seasons long but one you’ll watch on repeat. Be forewarned: There’s strong language and some hilariously graphic sexual banter (which both contribute to the show’s charm).
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’
Rachel Brosnahan shines as a circa 1950s housewife who decides to become a stand-up comedian in this stellar Amazon Prime Original. Perk: The attention to detail in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is unparalleled.
‘Upload’
Don’t you love a show with an original premise? In Upload, a man gets to choose his own afterlife by having his consciousness uploaded into a virtual world. It’s got comedy, it’s got mystery, it’s got romance. It’s super-cute, and that is in large part due to stars Robbie Amell and Andy Allo.
‘The Boys’
Listen, there’s no shame in admitting that you loved Gossip Girl. And that because you loved Gossip Girl, you’ve been dying to watch Chace Crawford in Amazon Prime’s The Boys. A cool spin on the superhero genre, this series takes you on a heroic quest that you don’t have to be ashamed of obsessing over.
‘Modern Love’
Based on the popular New York Times column by the same name, Modern Love is an anthology rom-com for the ages. It’ll lift you up. It’ll break you down. It’s one of the most honest pieces of television in recent history with strong performances all around. We’re particularly partial to Anne Hathaway’s turn as a woman navigating love and life through the lens of bipolar disorder.
‘Bosch’
If you like gritty crime shows and haven’t seen Bosch yet, you’ve been missing out. This Los-Angeles-based procedural follows a homicide detective (Titus Welliver in top form) pursuing the killer of a 13-year-old boy while also standing trial for murder himself. It’s — how shall we say? — complicated.
‘Undone’
When we say you’ve never seen a show quite like Prime Video’s Undone before, we’re not joking. This genre-bending series artfully layers live-action sequents and illustrations through a process called rotoscoping. That makes it visually captivating, but the story of self-examination it tells is just as magnetic.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
C’mon, it’s time to hop on this bandwagon. Seriously, you won’t regret it. Well, there may be a few moments during the dystopian series where you feel uncomfortable enough to question your decision. Stick with it, though, because the entire cast (Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes, Alexis Bledel, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley, O.T. Fagbenle, etc.) makes The Handmaid’s Tale a compulsory viewing experience.
‘Better Things’
The story of single mom Sam Fox (played by Pamela Adlon) raising her three daughters in L.A., Better Things is an underrated gem of a series. Its beauty lies in the inherent messiness of the humans who inhabit its world — so much so that it’s life-affirming even in its darkest moments.
‘Atlanta’
We could wax poetic about Donald Glover all day long. We won’t (even though we want to). What we will tell you is that Atlanta, which he created and stars in, is peak Glover brilliance wrapped in a smart, socially aware, often funny package.
‘What We Do in the Shadows’
Why aren’t more people talking about What We Do in the Shadows? Based on the feature film of the same name by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this series follows the exploits of vampire roommates in modern Staten Island. Sound equally fascinating and funny? It is!
‘Ramy’
Ramy Youssef stars as the titular character in this Emmy-nominated Hulu series, which sees a first-generation American Muslim embark on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy examines what it means to be a Muslim in America, furthering a thought-provoking cultural conversation. Move it to the top of your must-watch list!
‘Little Fires Everywhere’
When we heard Celeste Ng’s 2017 best-seller was being adapted into a TV series for Hulu, we couldn’t wait to see where the streamer took it. The fact that Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington bring the dynamic tension of the main characters to the screen? It goes without saying this late-’90s suburban drama does not disappoint.
‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron’
If we’re really being honest, we weren’t sure what to expect from a travel show hosted by Zac Efron. But, y’all, it’s fantastic. Down to Earth sees Efron team up with wellness expert Darin Olien, who proves to be impressively knowledgeable and wildly likable. The two take viewers on a global journey to examine more sustainable ways to live, and the end result is both enjoyable and informative.
‘Schitt’s Creek’
Everyone is talking about Schitt’s Creek this year! Rest assured, it’s well-deserved. Rarely does a sitcom come along that is so very smart, funny, heartwarming, irreverent, colorful and, to borrow a line from the show, “simply the best.” You won’t be able to watch this heartwarming series just once.
‘Sweet Magnolias’
Say hello to the sleeper hit of 2020! No one expected this precious series based on the novel series of the same name by Sherryl Woods to take off the way it did. But the story of lifelong Southern friends Maddie, Helen and Dana Sue stole fans’ hearts — and quickly got picked up for a second season, out sometime next year.
‘Ratched’
How do we love Ratched? Let us count the ways. It was developed by Ryan Murphy, which speaks for itself. It stars Sarah Paulson and, hello, love her. The dramatic noir cinematography makes for a dreamy viewing experience. And it’s based on the iconic character of the same name from Ken Kesey’s 1962 classic novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. This one’s a bit of a slow-burn to start, but it turns out to be the best kind of smolder.
‘Cobra Kai’
Oh, Netflix, you sure know how to pull on our nostalgic heartstrings. Who knew bringing back the original “Karate Kid” Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and his Cobra Kai nemesis Johnny (William Zabka) would be such a massive success? Eighties kids will get the biggest kick out of this reboot.
‘The Baby-Sitters Club’
True story: My tween and I blew through this entire series in a day, and she loved it so much that she cried when it ended. In full disclosure, I did too! Having grown up with the OG Baby-Sitters Club, I worried that Netflix wouldn’t be able to capture the magic for today’s generation of young people. Happily, I was wrong. The reboot is utterly delightful, and we’re counting down the days until we get a second season.
‘Russian Doll’
Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland and Amy Poehler put their heads together to come up with Russian Doll — and, wow, they hit it out of the park. The premise? Game developer Nadia (Lyonne) dies on the night of her 36th birthday. Then, she keeps reliving the same night, trying to solve it in a way that circumvents her untimely end. It’s even more cynical and witty than it sounds, making it one of Netflix’s most surprising originals.
‘Never Have I Ever’
Mindy Kaling’s big, beautiful brain never lets us down! Case in point? Never Have I Ever, the coming-of-age comedy series she created for Netflix. Young star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan wins as an Indian-American teen trying to level up her social status.
‘Queer Eye’
It’s okay if you had your doubts when Netflix announced a Queer Eye reboot. The original is legendary, so we all wondered how they could possibly recreate the magic. In a fortuitous turn, though, the all-new “Fab Five” proved to be exactly what we needed when we needed it most. Watching Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk and Jonathan Van Ness is like one great big virtual hug.
‘Wentworth’
PSA: Season eight of this Australian prison series just dropped, which should catapult it to the top of your binge-watching list. Orange Is the New Black is probably the most well-known prison drama (and it is excellent), but Wentworth is OITNB‘s grittier cousin who deserves way more fanfare than she gets.
‘Dead to Me’
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellina are a dream team in this dark comedy about a hotheaded widow and the eccentric stranger she befriends. The fact that we get two different versions of James Marsden in the mix is just icing on the cake.
‘Grace and Frankie’
You honestly can’t go wrong with Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda at the helm. But Grace and Frankie has even more going for it than co-starring two living legends. It also talks openly and frankly about sex among women of a certain age, making it one of the most refreshing shows you can stream. An all-star surrounding cast and tons of laugh help, too.
‘Outer Banks’
You might be thinking this series is too young for you. However, here’s why that’s just not true. For starters, it’s set in the beautiful coastal area of North Carolina’s Outer Banks — and filmed in the beloved Southern coastal city of Charleston, South Carolina. It’s like taking a vacation without ever leaving your couch. And while the young cast is fantastic, the show also features standout performances by veteran actors like Charles Esten (Nashville). It’s a fun watch you won’t want to miss!
‘Away’
One of Netflix’s newest original series, Away takes viewers into space as Commander Emma Green (Hilary Swank) and crew leave their loved ones behind on a historic three-year mission to Mars. Swank, per the norm, puts in a stellar performance. But it’s the rest of the cast — Josh Charles, Talitha Bateman, Ray Panthaki, Mark Ivanir, Vivian Wu and Ato Essandoh — that will really anchor you in Away.
‘Emily in Paris’
Looking for something flirty and light? Look no further than the brand new series Emily in Paris. It follows marketing exec Emily Cooper (played by the always stunning Lily Collins) after she lands her dream job in Paris. Just make sure you carve out a full day — once you start, you won’t be able to stop until it’s over.
‘Workin’ Moms’
There are plenty of shows out there that depict motherhood in a shiny, tidy, “women can have it all” kind of way. Then there’s Workin’ Moms, the far more relatable TV version of the parenting trenches. Comedian Catherine Reitman created and stars in this gloriously messy Canadian series, which is just one of a ton of reasons to tune in.
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