With summer fast approaching, many of us will begin spending more time outdoors, attending social events and being more ‘out there’. Nevertheless, "Netflix and Chill" remains a much-needed staple to our day to day lives and so it is empirical to ensure we never run out of good TV shows to watch. Now, we all know certain TV shows are more likely to pop off compared to others, but what to do when you have already consumed all of them?
The infamous questions arise: What should you watch? Don’t worry. We got you. Whether you are enjoying a day in with your significant other, have family and/or friends over or simply looking to relax solo, here is a list of 10 slept-on TV shows certain to keep you entertained.
Chewing Gum
This UK-sitcom follows the life of 24-year-old virgin Tracy and her adventures residing in a London housing estate. Having spent her entire life abiding to the rules of her highly restrictive religious mother, Tracy has grown curious about sex and is now determined to get laid. Through her awkward, funny and oddly relatable experiences, the show chronicles Tracy’s hilarious first sexual encounters, intimate relationships and self-discoveries.
With only two seasons under its belt, the show’s creator and principal character Michaela Coel went onto claiming the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ award for Best Female Performance in a Comedy program. From Coel’s unique facial expressions to her quirky outlook on love and life, this show has marked itself a binge-worthy Netflix hidden gem definitely worth a watch.
Alias Grace
Based on the factual historical events and novel of the same name written by Margaret Atwood (‘The Handmaid’s Tale’), Alias Grace chronicles the story of Grace Marks, a woman sentenced to a life in prison following the murders of Thomas Kinnear and Nancy Montgomery. This fictional account of the story sets us back to 1800s Western Canada and focuses on the early life of Grace, all the way into her involvement in the murders.
What makes this series so intriguing are the implications of what it meant to be female and killer during this era. Anyone who loves a good story will appreciate this fictionalization of a true tale weighing on the evolution of crime and social justice.
On My Block
It is fair to say high school is a defining period for many of us. As we exit the halls of junior high, we attempt to find ourselves within the secondary school hierarchy. In this coming-of-age series, we follow the multifaceted lives of best friends Monse, Ceasar, Jason and Brett as they individually learn to navigate the inner workings of high school, all while attempting to sustain their friendship.
Hearts are broken, fights erupt and rifts emerge between long-time friends as they each adapt to a new environment. Critically appraised for its ethnically diverse cast and unique ability to capture various themes including sexual fluidity, peer pressure and romantic relationships, On My Block holds a well-deserved spot on this list of Netflix hidden gems.
American Crime Story: The People v. OJ
The OJ Simpson murder case remains one of America’s most notorious trials. Season one of American Crime Story re-enacts and vividly captures the trial in its entirety with the help of a star-studded cast including award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr as ex-football player O.J Simpson and John Travolta as civil litigator Robert Shapiro.
This limited series allows us to relive it all: the senseless murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, the infamous glove fitting scene and the final “Not Guilty” verdict. Another binge-worthy series which places viewers at the forefront of one of America’s most riveting trials.
The Fall
This Netflix crime series takes us across the pond to Northern Ireland, to follow a manhunt to catch a ruthless serial killer with an unquenchable thirst for professional women. The plot twist of it all is that the killer in question happens to be disguising as a devoted father and grief counselor by day. This show is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with its gruesome murder scenes and the constant stress surrounding whether or not the killer will be caught.
Following ice-cold Detective Stella Gibson in her search for a calculating psychopath, The Fall is the perfect concoction for thrillseekers. In addition, for those who have watched Fifty Shades of Grey, you may never look at actor Jamie Dornan (who plays Christian Grey) the same due to his all-too credible performance as this series' barbarous killer.
Spartacus
Crowded arenas. Blood thirsty beasts. Strong gladiators. The TV show Spartacus encapsulates the animated life of Thracian gladiator and historical figure Spartacus. Beginning with his humble beginnings as a slave made gladiator under stringent working conditions and fierce battle against savvy opponents all the way into his rise to one of history’s most eluded warriors.
The first season of the show has been noted to pull at the heartstrings with appearances from Australian actor Andy Whitfield who played Spartacus prior to his death following an enduring battle with cancer. To honor his memory, Netflix released a documentary surrounding the actor’s final moments. Furthermore, the series is captivating and captures Whitfield’s compelling performance, certain to entertain any sucker for ass-kicking action.
Imposters
Imagine meeting the perfect mate: attractive, smart coupled with that je-ne-sais-quoi you were looking for. Things go well between the two of you, and it doesn't take long before you find yourself at the altar. Following your honeymoon, you come home one day to emptied bank accounts, maxed out credit cards and a missing spouse. Puzzled, you receive a message in the mail from the apple of your eye letting you know you were conned for all your worth and you will never see your bae again.
This horrible predicament is exactly what this comedic TV show is about. Imposters follows the lives of three individuals, Ezra, Richard and Julia, as they attempt to track down and get revenge on the woman who managed to successfully rob them of their money and hearts. Will they succeed? Beware, you might binge through the entire season in one go to find out.
The Following
This chilling TV show is not for the faint of heart. The Following places us amidst a cat-and-mouse chase between former FBI agent Ryan Hardy, played by Kevin Bacon (yes, the main character in Footloose) and prison escapee Joe Carroll. A professor-turned-serial-killer, mastermind Joe Carroll has proven effective in utilizing his smarts to escape a maximum security prison and go off the grid.
Moreover, Carroll turns to a group of former associates who share his lust for murder and successfully establishes a cult-like network of fanatic killers. As the plot thickens, this series proves to be quite the thriller, sure to keep you biting your nails and aching for more.
Easy
This Netflix-original comedy series encapsulates the varied sex lives of different couples and individuals. Scenarios include same-sex relationships, cybersex, extramarital affairs, threesomes, sex within parenthood and more. Highly relatable and star-studded, this series portrays how complex modern relationships are and the intricacies of sustaining a healthy sex lives amidst the chaos.
A little easier on the heart in comparison to the other TV shows listed, but nevertheless, comical and entertaining. Each episode follows a different story, issue and perspective which makes this show so easy to watch and susceptible to trigger a full-on binge.
Greenleaf
The church is often defined as a place of peace, serenity and harmony. To the world, the Greenleaf family appears to embody just that; a loving and collaborative family with nothing but support for one another. In the TV show Greenleaf, however, we quickly learn nothing is ever as it seems—especially within the Greenleaf family and behind the closed doors of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries.
Sibling rivalry, treachery, greed, secrets and lies; all major agents in this addictive family-drama series which has us questioning to which extent can faith salvage bonds. Led by a compelling cast including the very own Ms. Oprah, Greenleaf is the show where the shade remains real and the tea cup runneth over.