Series Recommendations for the Undemanding Viewer

So, it’s finally happened; you’ve watched it all.

500 TV Channels…. but nothing to watch — Timmy Turner, Fairly Odd Parents

Remember the early days of satellite television, where if you missed the episode, that was it until reruns… four months later. Then, technology progressed so we could record one programme whilst watching another on a different channel?! It was revolutionary, and as the television addicted teen I was at the time, it was pure uncontained jubilation.

Now we’re spoilt for choice, and that childlike glee of no longer having to choose which Wednesday 9 pm shows to watch live, and which to wait a few months before starting is a dull and fading memory.

We’re inundated with multiple platforms to stream, download and watch our favourite things live. With great power comes great responsibility, and we may or may not have been a little careless.

However, with that being said, we truly haven’t watched everything and there is undoubtedly an untapped source of consumption for the average viewer. We might be stuck in our ways only watching what we have become familiar with; the personal genre’s that don’t let us down, whether that be Swedish Crime, Teen Drama, Supernatural, or whatever is trending on Twitter.

I definitely have my vices when it comes to choosing what to watch, but over the years I’ve taken a more open-minded approach, and haven’t looked back. Therefore if you’re not a picky watcher, or are interested in widening your pallet, here is a completely random list (in no particular order) of some great shows to get into.

The Last Kingdom

Uthred (son of Uthred) was born a Saxon but raised a Dane and is fighting to get back his ancestral land which was usurped from him. This sounds simple but this Historical series that will give Vikings a run for its money is anything but. You’re sure to cling to Alexander Dreymon’s Uthred like a baby to a dirty blanket and learn a little bit about the birth of Great Britain in the process. — Netflix (4 seasons)

House of Flowers

If you’re looking for a half an hour drama that keeps your jaw glued firmly to the ground with its twist and very strange turns then, tran-qui-la — relax, because this is the Mexican black comedy series that you didn’t know you needed. Don’t worry you don’t miss out on any of the drama if you watch this one with English subtitles, which is how I recommend viewing so you don’t miss out on a drop of authenticity in the comedy. — Netflix (3 seasons)

The Stranger

Based on the novel of the same name by Harlen Coben, The Stranger is about a mysterious woman who strolls into people lives and drops devastating secrets about the people they love. It’s a British Thriller so, of course, there has to be an aspect of police detecting to it, but even that feels fresh compared to what we normally get. Bonus points for this series as it stars Richard Armitage (BBC’s Robin Hood, The Hobbit) as the main character. — Netflix (8 episodes)

Avatar: The Last Airbender

To be honest, if you don’t want to watch a series that features some impressive world-building and one of the best character developments of all time — then I really can’t help you. Often brushed aside by older audiences this series may be tame compared to the roster of Adult Swim, but the story of The Last Airbender will unlock a whole host of feels and have you doubled over with laughter. This one also ages really well, you’ll discover something new with each rewatch, and besides, who put age bracket on children’s cartoons? — Netflix (3 seasons)

Outlander

Sure, period drama’s aren’t for everyone — so they say, but Outlander, is more of an experience. Claire Randall accidentally travels back through time from 1945 to the year 1743 and let’s just say its quite the adjustment. Things quickly go from bad to worse when she comes across a man the spitting image of her husband, who falls on the sadistic side. There’s romance, there are battles, there is mystery and of course, there is the question of whether Claire will ever make it back to her time. Another series that will help you absorb some history. — Amazon Prime Video (5 seasons)

Last Man Standing

Comedy is a hard one to gauge but when it’s 21 minutes there’s no harm in at least giving it a chance. Tim Allen delivers a refreshingly blunt style of humour that will have you chuckling in no time. His real-life male character is surrounded by a gaggle of females who feel more like caricatures in comparison and the juxtaposition is simply detectable. This series gets better as it goes on and with 173 episodes you know they’re on to a good thing. — Amazon Prime Video (8 seasons)

Nicky Jam: El Ganador

Even if you have no idea who Nicky Jam is before watching this autobiographical drama series, you sure as hell will remember his name. Spanning his childhood to his reintroduction to fame, El Ganador explores Nicky’s life from Boston, Massachusetts to Puerto Rico and is told in a compelling circular arc. Real-life alone told me how his story would end and yet I was at the edge of my seat hoping he would work through his problems and come through on the other side. — Netflix (13 episodes)

Take a chance on something new and open your watch list to a host of new possibilities so it’s never empty.

I’m putting these next few shows in their own little category because not everyone will be able to get access to them. That’s right, I’m talking about British Television, whose international distribution deals are often unpredictable and make no sense. We love a crime drama in the UK, and so I will be keeping them strictly off this list.

The Split

A family of female divorce lawyers the Dafoe women are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to defending their clients…. when it comes to their own personal lives, however, everything is falling to pieces. This was honestly refreshing series as we got to explore a whole other profession to law enforcement. The characters are endearing and the development between the two seasons is very strong. The second series is a very stressful watch and therefore a great piece of television. — (BBC One, 2 seasons)

Sanditon

Yes, it’s another Jane Austen adaptation, but before you scroll away this is the first to come from her incomplete novel of the same name. As a second sell, the Drama was produced by ITV which meant it was a lot more fun and almost experimental than what could have been if it was a BBC adaptation (maybe not one for any Austen purists). The seaside town of Sanditon is being built to rival that of Bath and young Charlotte Haywood’s eyes are wide as she takes in her new surroundings and the brooding Sidney Parker. Rose Williams and Theo James are a surprisingly incomparable pair that make the series. — (ITV One, 1 season)

Curfew

A virus plagues the nation and an enforced curfew that keeps people in their homes during the darkest hours is no way to live, but once a year people are given hope — a way out. All it takes is a heavy buy-in and a street race across the entire country to be the first past the finish line. The show is incredibly bizarre and all the more enjoyable because of it as we explore the backstories of the racers to discover what they’re running from or running towards. Taking place over one night where a lot more things can go wrong than you’d even imagine. Another one coincidentally starring Rose Williams — (Sky One, 1 season)

Some of the above shows I started on a whim and never looked back, others have been casual recommendations from friends that took a few episodes to get into but aged well. Granted I’ve had a few flops with this occasionally sporadic approach to finding something new to watch, but it has injected some of the fun back into watching ‘television’ and stirs that familiar source of excitement.