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Top Shows To Watch On Netflix Right Now
We understand this is a difficult time. Many across the globe are sick and those who aren't are being encouraged to stay away from public spaces. Schools, museums, movie theatres, bars, restaurants, even your place of work.
You're probably going stir crazy right now... so what can you do to distract yourself when you can't go outside? Well, it's the perfect time for a Netflix binge. Here's our top fave boredom buster shows that are perfect to fill up your days!
Altered Carbon
Based on Richard K. Morgan's best-selling novel of the same name, Altered Carbon is a thrilling sci-fi series exploring a futuristic world where death is seen as a human inconvenience rather than a permanent state. Life is backed up onto a chip in their neck, kind of like a USB or hard drive, so when they die, people have the option to move onto a different body and continue on in another form. Season 1 touches on Takeshi Kovacs endeavour to solve a rich man's attempted (and permanent) murder after being released from prison. Season 2, his goal is to track his lost love. With its epic cinematography, cyberpunk visuals and thrilling pace, Altered Carbon is considered one of the top sci-fi shows released on Netflix.
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The Crown
This lavish biographical series promises powerful performances and cinematography, making The Crown a top-notch production worthy of its subject. Based on Peter Morgan's award-winning play, The Audience, the series chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II from the early 1940s to now. Claire Foy is compelling as the young Queen Elizabeth II, who ascended to the throne at age 25 after the early death of her father. This gripping series provides a window into the complicated plethora of romances, political and sibling rivalries throughout the decades, the catalysts of what shaped the United Kingdom today.
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Black Mirror
Well... strap in for some mind f**kery. You want freaky, thrilling and just plain weird that you can't stop watching, well you have it! As far as dystopian fiction goes, Black Mirror is up there with the very best. Unlike a regular series, Black Mirror consists of various stories and caustic tales about shady governments, the perils of technology and the dark side of human nature as a whole. We advise you have your Netflix buddy and a bowl of buttery popcorn by your side at all times.
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Sex Education
You thought puberty and sex Ed would become a stale topic for TV series? Nope! Sex Education shakes up the typical formula with one of TV's most beloved series veterans, Gillian Anderson, star of the X-Files who now breathes life as Fr. Jean F. Millburn, single mother and sex therapist of Otis. Otis is a cute, insanely awkward teen coming to terms with his own sexuality. This is more than just a family sitcom. There's plenty of drama and tension withing every episode, providing be stunning performances from Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey as the local bad girl, Maeve. Five-star rating from us!
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The Umbrella Academy
A superhero story with a twist, The Umbrella Academy was the second most searched series behind Orange Is The New Black and Black Mirror in the US. Yup, second! Based on Eisner's award-winner comic series and produced by Gerard Way of MCR, The Umbrella Academy is as quirky and dysfunctional as it sounds. It follows the story of a less than normal family of child superheroes, all grown up, who come together to solve the mystery of their father's death and stop the apocalypse. As cliché as the plotline sounds, you can't help but fall in love with the characters and their zaniness. The show even features popular stars including Ellen Page (X-Men, Juno) as Vanya, Tom Hopper (Black Sails, GOT) as Luther, Mary J. Blige (yes you read that correctly) as Cha Cha, and heartthrob Robert Sheehan (Misfits, The Mortal Instruments) as Klaus. A definite watch if you feel like breaking your heart several times over.
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Stranger Things
If you're after a gripping series packed with action, drama and angst, Stranger Things is an absolute must. With great role models found in kids and fun characters, this show is a literal blast from the past, filled with 80s memorabilia and plenty of scary scenes. Oh, and the music totally rules. The show that dominated the spring, has quickly earned cult status and best of all, there are no damsels in sight! All the female characters in Stranger Things are convincingly strong, flawed and unchained. AKA, Winona Ryder brings unbridled ferocity as Joyce Byers, who is so hell-bent on finding her missing son Will that she ostracises herself from her provincial community. Also, we can't forget Millie Bobby Brown is show-stopping as Eleven. For a girl with few words, Eleven's iconic glare can destroy cities if she didn't already have psychokinetic abilities already.
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You
This series is definitely a guilty pleasure. This thrilling drama is the talk of social media these days. Yes, pun intended. Thanks to how much the show plays with our own addictions to Instagram, Facebook and other apps. 'You' stars Penn Badgley from Gossip Girl as an unassuming bookstore manager named Joe, who falls in love with grad student Beck. He cyber-stalks the ever-loving heck out of her... and yeah, that's the story!
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I Am Not Okay With This
Produced by the same guys who made with critically acclaimed Stranger Things and The End of the F***king World, comes I Am Not Okay With This... and we're up for it. This new show follows a troubled teen named Sydney, (IT's Sophia Lillis) who discovers she has superpowers. With her newfound abilities, she has to struggle to navigate her complicated home, school life and budding sexuality. With episodes lasting roughly twenty minutes, this is an ideal action-packed show if you're after something punchy and short to watch.
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The Witcher
Excuse me while we drool at Henry Cavill with long hair! The British actor tries his hand as Geralt of Rivia a hunk of a monster hunter, from the beloved and well-received Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski. While the hero prefers to ply his trade, he often has frequent run-ins with annoying townsfolk, ambitious wizards and back-stabbing royal family members. Allied with a Princess and a devious sorceress, because why not, Geralt is forced to use his talents to protect those he begrudgingly loves. A definite series to watch if you're a big fantasy novel buff, or for Henry Cavill flexing his muscles and showing off the fantastic jawline of his!
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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
So the 90s TV series of Sabrina The Teenage Witch wasn't thrilling and too peppy for your liking. Well, aside from sharing the same character names, the Chilling Adventures from Sabrina is an entirely different beast. It's darker, it's bloodier and scarier than the Archie Comics character. Dealing head-on with Satanism, demons and other other-worldly subject matter, this series makes an ideal companion for Riverdale in its death and mystery. The show is also fun, with terrific performances from Lucy Davis (Wonder Woman) and Australian actress Miranda Otto (Return of the King) as Aunt Zelder. Spooky and clever, Chilling Aventures of Sabrina makes the perfect series to grab your ghouls and binge!
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Next In Fashion
If you're looking for your next fix after Queer Eye, here's something to tide you over. Next In Fashion succeeds the typical competitive reality shows in that it celebrates the work of talented artists and designers rather than resorting to drama and cattiness (urgh!). We join Tan France, Queer Eye's beloved fashion guru and model/designer Alexa Chung as they strive to find the next big name in fashion. It's worth noting that the show's contestants are amateurs, waiting for the opportunity to turn them into a household name!
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Queer Eye
Ah, the classics! How can we not include Queer Eye on our Netflix binge list? If you've been hiding under a rock for the last few years, let us enlighten you on why you HAVE to watch this show. Our fave five Jonathan, Antoni, Tan, Karamo and Bobby have only one goal: To remodel individuals into the best possible version of themselves from a wardrobe, living arrangements, grooming, diet and confidence. It's one of the most uplifting series you'll ever watch on Netflix. We know makeover shows are so early 2000s, but this one is the farthest thing from superficial. These lovely gentlemen have hearts and do their utmost to support their guests (usually people who have little self-esteem or put up defensive walls), and show them their potential and worth!
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Orange Is The New Black
Yeah, this is cliché too but it's another classic we can't stop watching. Funny, insightful and filled with refreshing unique characters, Orange Is The New Black remains as one of the most popular shows released on Netflix. We follow Piper Chapman, a woman who is unable to escape her drug-smuggling past and winds up in minimum-security prison. It's not all bad. She befriends the inmates, all with unique and in-depth backstories. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 90% score rating, so it's definitely worth watching if you're after angst, humour and quirkiness.
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Dead To Me
This pitch-black comedy gets a five-star rating from us. Christina Applegate returns as Hebm a widowed woman who sets out to find the truth about her hubby's hit and run death. She, of course, has her own way of grieving, considering the outpouring sympathy from loved ones to be utterly insufferable. She loosens up when she befriends Judy, a free-spirited woman also in the same boat. If you're unconvinced about this duo, this darkly comedic series is from the makers of 2 Broke Girls and Hot In Cleveland. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it's destined to draw in an audience who isn't afraid to touch on some uncomfortable topics.
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Lucifer
This show was unceremoniously cancelled on broadcast television. How abominable! The devilishly-funny series Lucifer has thankfully found the new home while it received a brand new fourth season. From mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Top Gun, Armageddon, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the series follows the handsome dark-haired Lucifer Morningstar as he abandons his hellish domain to open a nightclub in LA while working as a consultant for the LAPD on the side. His charming smile and charismatic personality are too tempting to resist!
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The Good Place
Here's a thought. What if you woke up in heaven but you know you don't deserve to be there. On top of that, you're forced to hide imperfections and any bad qualities. That's pretty much The Good Place. This series reinvents the typical, 'oh woe is me, I'm dead... now I have to figure out how to redeem myself through this epiphany or life-changing experience. It goes further, highlighting the issues of imposter syndrome with perfectly timed comedic genius and crackling character chemistry thrown into the mix. Existentialism has never been so enjoyable to watch!
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Dracula
Here's a series with some serious bite to it. If you're still getting over Sherlock Holmes, Bram Stoker's classic Dracula has been given a major facelift. Set in the late 19th century, we follow the legendary blood-drinking Count Dracula (played by Claes Bang) plotting against London in three long length episodes. As usual, the first season will likely divide audiences but it's enough for people to crave for more.
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Riverdale
Your typical 80s high-school drama and Archie comics have been given a major rehaul. Compared to the most action-packed series, Riverdale rations the suspense, plot and character arcs perfectly, leading you to crave more and immediately click on the next episode. Your high-school tv series has the typical trope of mystery thrown in, but it's the best kind that can be watched and appreciated by grown-ups. It all kicks down with the setting, in this case, a small provincial town called Riverdale. How does it start? A popular kid called Jason and twin to head cheerleader Cheryl is suspiciously murdered at a lake and the story progresses from there.
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Brooklyn Nine-Nine
One of the funniest shows to hit TV in years, Brookly Nine-Nine stars Andy Samberg as a loveable goofball who also happens to be a brilliant NYPD detective. Warning: hilarious shenanigans and unusual cases ensue from Sanberg and his equally funny co-stars. It's quick-witted and full of heart, making this comedy classic the perfect thing to watch when you're stuck at home.
