Mystery, Magic, Misery, Moodiness, and Mirth. How will they survive?

Lovecraft Country  |  2020 -

Blurb
LCC starts out as a vintage feeling episodic in the 50’s, showing our troubled past, then odd things happen. Unexplainable things. The writing, acting chops, costumes, sets, camera work, VFX, and creepiness all deliver. If you can follow along with the jumping storylines you will thoroughly be entertained. You may think you know where this show will go...but you don’t! Make some martinis + surf and turf.

Tagline
Mystery, Magic, Misery, Moodiness, and Mirth. How will they survive?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Misha Green  (created by)
Matt Ruff  (novel)

Acting
Great cast! Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Wunmi Mosaku, and Jordan Patrick Smith. Their webs of chemistry and depth of emotions will draw you in and keep you watching. 

Where
HBOMax

Midwives, Nuns, East London, 1950’s. How will they solve the problems for their chosen community?

Call the Midwife  |  2012 -

Blurb
More baby stories than you ever thought were possible. The vintage storylines, costumes, sets, and glimpse of midwife lives is enthralling. Throw in some nuns and it’s a view of a 1950’s-1960’s world we will never know. Nine seasons of enjoyment! Make a Pink Squirrel and popcorn for these.

Tagline
Midwives, Nuns, East London, 1950’s. How will they solve the problems for their chosen community?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Heidi Thomas  (creator)

Acting
Helen Geroge, Laura Main, Jenny Agutter, Leonie Elliott, and Miranda Hart seamlessly weave throughout the seasons and are supported by many other top notch actors!

Where
Netflix, BBC

5 sisters, societal hierarchy, limited options. Will she settle or hold out for the real thing?

Pride and Prejudice  |  1995

Blurb
This is the best version of Pride & Prejudice available. 6 episodes, character development for days, scenery, top notch acting, beautiful costumes, breathtaking camera work, witty dialogue, and an ending with hope. Watch the 4K updated version if you can. Open a good champagne, use the coupes, cheese and crackers! 

Tagline
5 sisters, societal hierarchy, limited options. Will she settle or hold out for the real thing?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Andrew Davies (screenplay)
Jane Austen (novel)

Acting
Jennifer Ehle - Colin Firth. These two make the series. Watch for them and the way they deliver Austen’s brilliant words.

Where
Hulu, Prime Video

Emotional Labyrinth. Boarding School. Lost Innocence. Will they choose the best path?

Looking For Alaska  |  2019

Blurb
A group of smart kids in a boarding school try to decipher life through cryptic tales. This show addresses big and little issues that weave through all their lives. LFA is well done, will keep you interested, and has a relatable story!

Tagline
Emotional Labyrinth. Boarding School. Lost Innocence. Will they choose the best path? 

Production Value
Medium High

Creator (Writer/s)
John Green (screenplay & novel)

Acting
Kristine Frothe, Charlie Puttnam, and Denny Love interact well together and really deliver in this film.

Where
Hulu

She sees everything in play in 64 squares. She needs to be the best. Will she flourish or crash and burn?

The Queen’s Gambit | 2020

Blurb
I was on the fence with Queen’s Gambit and watched it again since I kept thinking about the story. I really enjoyed QG a second time. Sharp writing, solid acting, amazing sets and costumes, nice delivery of chess knowledge, and broken characters who thrive anyway! Make a martini and settle in...it’s hard to only watch one episode.

Tagline
She sees everything in play in 64 squares. She needs to be the best. Will she flourish or crash and burn?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Scott Frank (created by)
Allan Scott (co-creator)

Acting
Anna Taylor-Joy, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sanster, and Harry melling. The chemistry between these four is fantastic to watch. Add two child actors, Thomas (Love Actually) and Harry (Harry Potter), with memorable faces and the complexity layer spikes. Great casting!

Where
Netflix

What is a weekend? Never Complain, Never Explain. Let Battle Commence!

Downton Abbey | 2010-2015

Blurb
British aristocratic family weaves in and out of cultural hierarchy, family drama, and large estate management. Throw in new technology (automobile, telephone, electric mixer, phonograph) for the early twentieth century, amazing wardrobe, sets, and acting. This series is fun to watch and you should sip champagne whilst doing so!

Tagline
What is a weekend? Never Complain, Never Explain. Let Battle Commence!

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Julian Fellows (creator)

Acting
Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Brendan Coyle, and Elizabeth McGovern are tight as a cast and really bring you into their world. Great casting.

Where
Prime Video

She Knows How to Find Her. She Sees the Patterns. Her Survival or Her Death?

Killing Eve | 2018-

Blurb
Strong female leads, intriguing writing, acting chops for days. It’s got everything; high fashion, murder, chase scenes, exotic locations, normalcy, and quirkiness. This is a show you will keep watching instead of going to bed. I mean...it’s got Sandra Oh!

Tagline
She Knows How to Find Her. She Sees the Patterns. Her Survival or Her Death?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge (developed for television)

Acting
Sandra Oh, Jodie Crommer, and Fiona Shaw deliver lines that pull you right into the story. 

Where
Hulu

An overly curious new detective. An open & shut case. Will he see the layers?

Young Wallander | 2020-

Blurb
Refreshing spin on a procedural crime show. Great cast, solid writing, high production value, and locations we do not see often. Craft an old fashioned and settle in for a few episodes. Fingers crossed they make a season two!

Tagline
An overly curious new detective. An open & shut case. Will he see the layers?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Ben Harris (created by)

Acting
Adam Pålsson's intense delivery of emotions is impressive. Ellise Chappell and Leanne Best really pop in their performances.

Where
Netflix

Stacks, Sleeves, Skipping Death. Would you want to keep going?

Altered Carbon | 2018-2020

Blurb
The contrast and parallels between season one & season two are interesting. Not only did the showrunner change in season two but also most of the cast. I usually lose interest when big shifts happen but not in this show. Both seasons have great production value, VFX, wardrobe, and Sets. The story follows Takeshi Kovacs through a dark future and a myriad of plot twisty turns. Is he a good guy or bad guy? Maybe both!  Bummer Netflix did not pick up Altered Carbon for another season.

Tagline
Stacks, Sleeves, Skipping Death. Would you want to keep going?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Laeta Kalogridis (created by)
Richard K. Morgan (novel)

Acting
Joel Kinnaman & Anthony Mackie both play the lead with intense believability. Dichen Lachman & James Purefoy are always a good addition for a project. Both seasons are cast well!

Where
Netflix

Standoff Battle. Female Frontier Town. Horses & Guns. Will they beat the odds?

Godless  |  2017

Blurb
They trekked out west to live free on the frontier, a mining accident killed most of the men in town, but the women continued to survive & thrive. Great western flare, strong female characters, some dark and twisty scenes, and beautiful camera work with sweeping vistas. Godless is well worth your time! 

Tagline
Standoff Battle. Female Frontier Town. Horses & Guns. Will they beat the odds?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Scott Frank (written by)

Acting
Michelle Dockery, Merritt Weaver, and Jack O’Connell really deliver the strain of living on the frontier. Great cast!

Where
Netflix

Challenging cases, LA traffic, two unique homicide detectives. Will the L.A.P.D. survive?

Bosch |  2014-

Blurb
Bosch is not only a tribute to LA neighborhoods but a solid formulaic TV show that doesn’t get boring, even after six seasons. You’ll want pizza and cocktails as you binge many, many episodes!

Tagline
Challenging cases, LA traffic, two unique homicide detectives. Will the L.A.P.D. survive?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Michael Connelly
Eric Ellis Overmyer (Developed for TV)

Acting
Titus Welliver and Jamie Hector have great chemistry as partners. Mimi Rogers, Lance Reddick, and Amy Aquino consistently bring it for the show.

Where
Prime Video

Making sense of the news daily. Office Politics. Objectification & Rampant sexism. Will they keep going?

The Morning Show | 2019-

Blurb
Watching the women in this show deal with crap from little remarks to blatant line crossing is painful. The characters mirror what’s been happening IRL. TMS is so good you will be angry and want to make changes in the world. See it now!

Tagline
Making sense of the news daily. Office Politics. Objectification & Rampant sexism. Will they keep going?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Jay Carson (created by)
Kerry Ehrin (developed by)

Acting
Jennifer Aniston & Reese Witherspoon knock every episode out of the park. The rest of the cast is so good you forget you’ve seen them in a ton of shows.

Where
Apple+

An Unusual Detective Superintendent, An Unusual Serial Killer, will she be able to stop him and save future victims?

The Fall | 2013-2016

Blurb
DSI Gibson connects murders in Belfast and discovers a serial killer. Three seasons of intense and gritty TV. Watch this during the day if you have nightmares. Be prepared to hold your breath a lot!

Tagline
An Unusual Detective Superintendent, An Unusual Serial Killer, will she stop him and save future victims?

Production Value
Med High

Creator (Writer/s)
Alan Cubitt (creator)

Acting
Gillian Anderson’s work just gets better in every project. She is mesmerizing to watch. Jamie Dornan’s (pre 50 Shades) work in this series is eerie and scary.

Where
Prime Video

Dark & Twisty Victorian London. Vampires, Demons, Witches, and a Werewolf. Who will win?

Penny Dreadful  |  2014-2016

Blurb
Three seasons of an intriguing ride. PD is a great show to watch at night with good red wine. It weaves literatures dark characters together with stunning visuals and enchanting chemistry. Binge if you can!

Tagline
Dark & Twisty Victorian London. Vampires, Demons, Witches, and a Werewolf. Who will win?

Production Value
High
Solid VFX

Creator (Writer/s)
John Logan (creator)

Acting
Eva Green brings it in every episode. The interactions between Eva and the group (Reeve Carney, Timothy Dalton, Harry Treadaway, and Josh Hartnett) keep you involved.

Where
Netflix

Detective Hannadarko works to save as many people as possible. Can she save herself?

Saving Grace | 2007-2010

Blurb
I’ve seen the entire series twice now and it really stands up. Everything is top notch, story, plots, production value and acting. This show must have had a production dream team. The writers tackled religious beliefs, lifestyle choices, dealing with trauma, and self worth in a beautiful, helpful way. This show is worth your time.

Tagline
Detective Hannadarko works to save as many people as possible. Can she save herself?

Production Value
High

Creator (Writer/s)
Nancy Miller (creator)

Acting
Solid cast of great actors and Holly Hunter...need I say more?

Where
Hulu

Noiresque scenes, a haunted homicide detective, and nerve pinching storylines. Will Luther crack or endure?

Luther  |  2010-2019

Blurb
Gritty DCI Luther chases down homicide clues throughout London while dealing with his own demons. This is a Dark & Twisty ride you won’t want to miss!

Tagline
Noiresque scenes, a haunted homicide detective, and nerve pinching storylines. Will Luther crack or endure? 

Production Value
Medium High

Creator (Writer/s)
Neil Cross (creator)

Acting
I mean...Idris Elba, he lights up the screen in this one. Add Ruth Wilson in 14 episodes and watch them go for broke.

Where
Prime Video

Dancers, Teen Angst, Australia. What more could you want?

Dance Academy | 2010-2013

Blurb
If you love dance shows this is a delightful ride. They struggle to become the best. The story arcs show real life issues believably and resolutions. You will become attached to these characters!

Tagline
Dancers, Teen Angst, Australia. What more could you want?

Production Value
Medium

Creator (Writer/s)
Samantha Strauss (creator)
Joanna Werner (co-creator)

Acting
The leads in Dance Academy are fun to watch and dance well too.

Where
Prime Video