Binge worthy shows you should watch

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The last few years have been a feast for the eyes, heart, and soul when it comes to streamable series. More people now watch classics and brand-new series via streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ than they do on regular TV. After all, almost all of the best shows will be released in bulk rather than a once-a-week release like TV.

Meaning when you have a few hours free, you can get into it! 2022 was great for TV shows, and there were some new seasons added to shows like Succession, and of course, we were blessed with the SATC women again with Just Like That.

But what does 2023 hold? And don’t worry, if you don’t live in the country with these releases, you can use a VPN for streaming!

Shrinking
An Apple TV+ release starring Jason Segel, and if you have watched Our Friend, you are probably itching to see Jason in more emotionally meaty roles.

Well, in Shrinking, he loses his wife, and we follow him go through the complexities of loss – and see how he helps himself and others—a great show with a big heart – funny, sad, and nuanced. A great show that deserves applause.

Beef
Is there anything Ali Wong can’t do? Not only does she have flawless comedic timing, but Beef is the show that keeps on giving – and yes, you will end up hungry from time to time, but we are talking Beef as in an argument, not Beef as in the food. While Ali Wong and Steven Yeun are the stars, David Choe and Amy Lau are right there with them. So far, it has received critical acclaim and is praised as what will be one of the best Netflix shows of 2023.

Coming from Korean director Lee Sung, we follow the foursome as they go to extreme lengths after an incident of road rage. Beef, while funny, smart, and often outrageous, does force you to look inwards at how you might be dealing with your own anger. A dark comedy that is just the right amount of spicy.

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Bridgerton has been a runaway success, and from that, Queen Charlotte has arrived. What makes Queen Charlotte so intriguing is that it is a dramatization of the real-life story of King George III and Queen Charlotte.

While many of the characters from Bridgerton do make appearances, it is not 100% necessary to watch it first. But, for the sake of getting the full scoop and enjoying a show that millions did, it’s a good idea anyway.

While they are based on real people and some real events – it is not a history lesson, just a very enjoyable period series. Oh, and it has been stated to be a limited series, and no season 2 will be coming (or at least there are no announced plans).

Daisy Jones and the Six
An Amazon Prime series with the rather dashing Sam Clafin and gorgeous Riley Keough as the leads. The band is fictional but not far into the first episode, you will be hoping for them to release an album.

The band is a huge success and is topping the charts – only to crash and burn. The scenes switch between interviews of the band members, flashbacks, and more so that we, the viewers, can piece it together.

The original author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, said that it was inspired by Fleetwood Mac, who is well known for having a tumultuous time. Daisy Jones and the Six also deals with some heavy themes, so it is worth checking out trigger warnings.

The Witcher
This is the last time you can see Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia before Liam Hemsworth steps into the role for season 4. While it is not due to be released until the end of June, Netflix has been generous with plenty of teasers, first looks, and more.

The other Witcher seasons offered action, magic, mythical beasts, romance, and more. Based on the book and then the game, The Witcher has a lot of lore – and season 3 is set to be incredible.

The Bear
The Bear season one was an incredible success, and season 2 is set to be just as sizzling. Jeremy Allen White plays the uptight, hyper-precise, and messy chef we come to know as Carmy. Available on Hulu or the Star Hub on Disney +.

In season one, we see Carmy leave his high-flying fine dining career to take over a smaller place and the trials and tribulations that follow. The Bear deals with some heavy topics, too – so another one to check trigger warnings.

And let’s never forget there is always: The Lincoln Lawyer television series on Netflix!

Collaborative Post

Television adaptation: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

The television adaptation of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper graphic novel is now on Netflix. Photo: amazon

Heartstopper is a young adult LGBTQ+ ongoing graphic novel and webcomic series written and illustrated by British author Alice Oseman. The novel follows the lives of shy and softhearted Charlie Springs and rugby player Nick Nelson who sit next to each other in class one morning. A warm and intimate friendship follows, and that soon develops into something more for Charlie, who does not think he has a chance. Nick is struggling with feelings of his own and as the two grow closer and take on the ups and downs of high school, they come to understand the surprising and delightful ways in which love works. This coming-of-age story has been adapted into a television series and is now streaming on Netflix. It has received critical acclaim and has already been renewed for a second and third season. (amazon, 2022)

Heartstopper is a British coming-of-age romantic comedy television series on Netflix. Written by Alice Oseman herself, the series primarily tells the story of Charlie Spring, a gay schoolboy who falls in love with classmate Nick Nelson, whom he sites next to in school. Starring Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, and Kizzy Edgell, it also explores the lives of Tao, Elle, Tara, and Darcy.

The Lincoln Lawyer television series on Netflix

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo stars in The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. Photo: Netflix

Michael Connelly is an American author of detective novels and other crime fiction, notably those featuring LAPD Detective Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch and criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller. J. Michael “Mickey” Haller, Junior first appeared in the novel “The Lincoln Lawyer.” Haller, a Los Angeles-based defense attorney, is the paternal half-brother of Connelly’s best-known character, LAPD Detective Harry Bosch. A film adaptation of “The Lincoln Lawyer” was released in 2011 with Matthew McConaughey as Mickey Haller and now a new series is coming out on Netflix on May 13. (Michael Connelly, 2022)

The Lincoln Lawyer series explores the character’s Latino heritage and will be streaming on Netflix on May 13, 2022. It stars Manuel Garcia-Rulfo as Mickey Haller, Neve Campbell as Maggie McPherson, Becki Newton as Lorna, Jazz Raycole as Izzy (Mickey’s driver), Angus Sampson as Cisco, and Christopher Gorham as Mickey’s client. The first season has ten episodes and is based on “The Brass Verdict.”

Book adaptation: ‘The Stranger’ by Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben’s ‘The Stranger’ is now a Netflix original series. Photo: google

Harlan Coben is a #1 bestselling author and one of the world’s leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries, with seventy-five million books in print worldwide. His Myron Bolitar series has earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many of his books have been developed into Netflix series, including his adaptation of “The Stranger,” headlined by Richard Armitage, and “The Woods.” “The Stranger” tells the story of a secret that destroys a man’s perfect life and sends him on a collision course with a deadly conspiracy. The television adaptation is available on Netflix and stars Richard Armitage, Siobhan Finneran, and Hannah John-Kamen. (amazon, 2021)

The Stranger appears out of nowhere, perhaps in a bar, or a parking lot, or at the grocery store. Their identity is unknown. Their motives are unclear. Their information is undeniable. Then they whisper a few words in your ear and disappear, leaving you picking up the pieces of your shattered world. Adam Price has a lot to lose: a comfortable marriage to a beautiful woman, two wonderful sons, and all the trappings of the American Dream: a big house, a good job, a seemingly perfect life. Then he runs into the Stranger. When he learns a devastating secret about his wife, Corinne, he confronts her, and the mirage of perfection disappears as if it never existed at all. Soon Adam finds himself tangled in something far darker than even Corinne’s deception, and realizes that if he does not make exactly the right moves, the conspiracy he has stumbled into will not only ruin lives, but it will also end them.


Television adaptation: ‘Behind Her Eyes’ by Sarah Pinborough

The television adaptation of ‘Behind Her Eyes’ will behind streaming on Netflix on February 17, 2021. Photo: amazon

Sarah Pinborough is the award-winning, The New York Times and internationally bestselling author of “Behind Her Eyes” and “13 Minutes.” She has written YA and adult thriller, fantasy, and cross-genre novels and her works have been translated into numerous languages. She is best known for “Behind Her Eyes,” a thriller about a singer mother who gets caught up in the middle of a twisted circumstance that makes her question the sinister conspiracy behand a stranger’s marital relationship.  It was adapted into a British psychological television series of the same name and will stream on Netflix beginning Wednesday, February 17, 2021. It stars Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman, and Robert Aramayo. (amazon, 2021)

In “Behind Her Eyes,” Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she is thrilled she finally connected with someone. When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar who says the kiss was a terrible mistake, but who still cannot keep his eyes off Louise. And then Louise bumps into Adele, who is new to town and in need of a friend. But she also just happens to be married to David. David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife. But then why is David so controlling? And why is Adele so scared of him? As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong. But Louise cannot guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets. Sarah Pinborough has written a novel that takes the modern-day love triangle and not only turns it on its head, but completely reinvents it in a way that will leave readers reeling.