Best series to binge-watch right now

Cover photo from Wikimedia Commons

Max DiGiacomo
Contributing Writer

Trying to find new shows to binge-watch during quarantine? Look no further than these nine shows which are available on different streaming services.

Want me to review a different show or movie? Feel free to reply with suggestions, and I will try to review it in the future.

“Ozark” (Netflix)

This crime drama just released its third season on Netflix and did not disappoint. “Ozark” stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney as Marty and Wendy Byrde. Marty Byrde is a financial advisor that gets pulled into a dangerous life of crime as he launders money for the cartel. His family knows about what he is doing, and they all try to make sure the FBI stays one step behind them. Practically every episode ends with a cliffhanger, and the show has improved with each season. If you enjoyed shows like “Breaking Bad” or “Peaky Blinders” (see below), you will want to check out “Ozark.”

“Mindhunter” (Netflix)

This is another crime drama but is very unique within the genre. “Mindhunter” follows two FBI agents who are tasked with interviewing serial killers to try to understand their behavior and prevent future murders. The show does not hold back details when talking about the serial killers’ unique tactics and psychology. It can be difficult to watch at times, especially because it is based on a true story and the serial killers’ behavior is not tuned done for the sake of the viewer. It might take a few episodes to get sucked into this show, but it is only two seasons, so it will be easy to binge.

“Daredevil” (Netflix)

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe need to watch “Daredevil” if they have not already seen it. “Daredevil” is, in many ways, superior, to most of the MCU films. “Daredevil” is about a lawyer named Matt Murdock who was blinded as a child. Murdock was able to heighten his other senses with training and uses this to fight off crime. It is much more graphic and grittier than an MCU film and the action sequences are top-notch. There are three seasons of “Daredevil,” and seasons one and three are exceptional. This is an easy show to binge-watch. Unfortunately, “Daredevil” is no longer being made due to a dispute between Netflix and Marvel.

“Peaky Blinders” (Netflix)

“Peaky Blinders” seems to be exponentially growing in terms of viewership over each season. This show used to be relatively unknown in the U.S but has since garnered a large fandom, especially in Britain. “Peaky Blinders” follows the Shelby family and their leader Tommy, who is played by Cillian Murphy. The Peaky Blinders are involved in a life of crime and are always being followed by law enforcement or attacked by another gang. The acting is among the best in all of television, and the show as a whole has been amazing from the beginning. Season 5 was released in October and Season 6 will likely be out next year.

“Barry” (HBO)

No show on this list has been as surprisingly entertaining as “Barry.” This HBO series is a drama and comedy, and masterfully blends both genres. “Barry” stars Bill Hader, who is a hitman who discovers he wants to become an actor while on a mission. Throughout the story, Barry struggles to leave behind his life as a hitman, and his early attempts at acting are often hysterical. He often draws upon his experiences as a Marine when trying to bring out the best of himself as an actor. The show also features multiple great supporting performances from loveable characters NoHo Hank, Gene Cousineau, and Barry’s handler, Fuches. There are currently two seasons of “Barry” to binge, and a third is on the way. 

See also- Five Apps for Your Time in Quarantine & Six Online Activities to Keep You Going 

“Chernobyl” (HBO)

Considering the current situation with the coronavirus, this might not be the easiest show to watch at the time. This 5-episode limited series follows the events and aftermath of the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. This show won many awards, has stellar acting and does a great job of adapting this real story for television. While some may say this show is difficult to watch, it shows us the effect of good leadership and the consequences of bad leadership. It is especially informative during this difficult time, and it is an important historical event that gets left out of our history. “Chernobyl” is extremely intense and does not hold back when showing the details of the effects of this monumental mistake on humanity.

“Silicon Valley” (HBO)

This HBO comedy recently concluded following its sixth season on HBO. “Silicon Valley” features a group of computer programmers and engineers who run a startup company named Pied Piper. It shows the struggle of making a startup prominent in the tech world, and the hilarious failures of the main characters make you want to root for them until the end. All of the main characters are worthy of Emmy consideration, especially Matt Ross, who plays Gavin Belson. Belson is the CEO of one of the largest tech companies in the world. He will stop at nothing to make sure he takes down Pied Piper, which is making his company obsolete.

“True Detective” (Season 1, HBO)

Another crime drama, “True Detective” focuses on two detectives who are played by Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. McConaughey plays Rust Cohle and Harrelson plays Marty Hart, and the two detectives could not be any more unlike each other. The challenging dynamic between the two of them presents obstacles that make solving a frightening murder case extremely difficult. The show spans the course of many years as they try to put an end to the mysterious case in Louisiana. “True Detective” has many philosophical themes and is not your typical cop show. It challenges you to think and see the world from a new perspective. There are three seasons of this show, but each season is about a different case. I would skip seasons 2 and 3, as they are subpar compared to season 1, which is regarded by many as the best season of a show ever.

“Atlanta” (Hulu)

This drama/comedy is about an up and coming rapper named Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) and his manager Earn (Donald Glover). Similar to “Barry,” “Atlanta” does a great job of balancing genres and finding ways to be unique. This show should be required viewing for fans of rap music, as the show follows Paper Boi and Earn as they try to become famous and hit it big. “Atlanta” has a great soundtrack, featuring some prominent rappers from Atlanta, as well as some that are relatively unknown. This is where many fans of Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) came to realize his potential in the film and television industry.

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