I hope everyone has had a lovely Autumn. I’ve done book recommendations before, but with Christmas and hopefully some time off coming up, here are some new television shows to get sunk into! I’ve been loving these and have seen them all at least once through…they’re all comforting!
- Orange is the New Black (15+). I think it was one of the earliest Netflix original shows on the platform, running from 2013-19. The show reflects on the fictitious Litchfield minimum-security prison in upstate New York. Piper Chapman, the main character, is sentenced 12 years after she committed a crime and has to complete a short stint. During her time, we are confronted with a huge cast which brings their own stories and experiences. It’s a (very funny!) comedy about the American judicial system, crime, friendship, and all sorts of things in between! I absolutely loved it and cannot recommend it enough.
- Schitt’s Creek (12+). A hilarious, modern Canadian sitcom is presented to you through Schitt’s Creek. From episode one, we follow the socio-economic downfall of the Schitt family who are thrust into poverty from a lavish lifestyle. Forced to live in a run-down motel in a rural town, the distanced, privileged, and awkward family has to learn to live with one another and very little else. It’s an amusing, feel-good show and I’d recommend it to anyone wanting a light-hearted laugh. It also swept up every award possible when it finished so you don’t need to take my word for it!
- Frozen Planet 2 (PG). It really goes without saying – David Attenborough is the best. The BBC pump so much funding into the filming and production and it shows! Some of the shots are so breath taking and the content is absolutely fascinating; if you’re looking to watch more nature shows, David Attenborough productions are a good place to start. Many of his older ones are also archived on BBC iPlayer.
- The Bold Type (12+). This show is the ultimate tale of friendship between three young professionals at a women’s magazine navigating their 20s in New York. It’s a classic genre, but it’s modern and fun with lots of thought-provoking and relatable storylines. My mum and I have both watched this series and our favourite character is Jacqueline, the no-nonsense but fair Editor-in-Chief. I’m currently rewatching it, so if you have any thoughts feel free to comment them below!
- Jane the Virgin (12+). This show is sweet, feel-good, and an easy watch. There are only 5-6 central characters but somehow, they manage to come up with new narratives and develop each character brilliantly. The titular character, Jane Villanueva, is a young Latina writer in Miami living with her mother and grandma. After having fallen pregnant by an accidental artificial insemination, the series explores her unexpected journey of motherhood alongside her boyfriend and the baby’s father. The family is loving and funny, impossible to dislike by the end!
I hope you find time to start one of these shows. They’re great options for some end of year relaxation – none require too much thought or emotion! Enjoy, and have a wonderful Christmas.
