Sofa Time: TV Shows to Binge Watch This Autumn
How we watch TV has fundamentally changed in the last few years. Yes, we still want to settle onto a comfy sofa and absorb what we’re watching. But in terms of platform and schedules, it’s a whole new world. Granted I still generally carve out 45 minutes of my Saturday evening to watch Doctor Who as it airs, but if I want to go out and meet up with friends, I can watch it later on catch-up TV. And then, there are the streaming services: Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video and Now TV. These all provide a myriad of both films and TV shows to choose from and view at your leisure. And with this comes the ability to watch episode after episode after episode, ad infinitum. In other words, Binge-watching. And with the cold, wet weather setting in, now is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your sofa and watch some truly great TV. Here are our suggestions for the best TV shows to binge-watch this Autumn.
Mr Robot
After lacklustre attempts at portraying this element of the modern world from the likes of Blackhat, Mr Robot is the Hacktivist drama we’ve been waiting for. It’s lead, the increasingly-complex Elliot Alderson (played to perfection by Rami Malek) lives a double life as an IT security engineer/vigilante hacker. After his companies biggest client E-Corp (or Evil Corp, as he likes to call them) undergoes a cyber-attack, he is not only approached by them to help sort out the mess but by the hacking group responsible, led by the titular Mr Robot (Christian Slate). This intriguing, edgy drama gets a lot of the hacking world and language right (for a change) and makes for a really exciting watch. (Available through Amazon Prime Instant Video).
Arrested Development
Originally airing between 2003 and 2006 before being taken off-air by serial great-show-cancellers Fox, this much-lauded show was brought back for a fourth season on Netflix in 2013. Arrested Development follows the comical exploits of the dysfunctional Bluth family. From Lucille’s snarky remarks to Job’s ‘illusions’ to George Sr’s run-ins with the law, this show provides many great running gags and ‘easter egg’ jokes and moved sitcoms on from the long-tired formats utilising live audiences and laugh tracks. It has attracted a somewhat cult following, but if you haven’t seen it yet, now is a great time to get on board: a new season is due to premiere next year. Hurrah! (Available through Netflix)
House of Cards
Considered to be one of modern TV’s true masterpieces – not in the least because it was the first web-only series in history – House of Cards charts the rise of ruthless politician Francis Underwood as he schemes his way into increasingly higher positions of power. Based initially on the 1990 British series of the same name, this US version transfers the action to Washington and gives a peek at the kind of corruption and greed that can pervade American politics. And the man playing our protagonist and anti-hero (villain?) is the uber-talented Kevin Spacey. This heavily-awarded political drama is one of the biggest hits of the TV world for years, and that’s saying something with some of the other incredible programmes that have been created in recent times. And this is just as much down to the fantastic visual look of the show, as the drama itself. Season four, due to air next year, has already teased that Underwood wants to ‘leave a legacy, so now’s a good time to get better acquainted with him. (Available through Netflix)
Downton Abbey
This Great British Period drama has proved popular not just in the UK but around the world, and particularly across the pond, as well. Set in the post-Edwardian-era, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family who live in the eponymous estate, as well as the lives of their servants. There is both merriment and heartbreak aplenty in this series and contains a surprising amount of controversy considering the seemingly sedate premise. It also features key historical events that take place during the programme’s time-period, reflecting the effect these things have on different characters. It’s great for a cosy Sunday afternoon in, and you’ll definitely want to start catching up soon, as the sixth and final season is currently airing on ITV. (available through Amazon Prime Instant Video).
Orange is the New Black
Based on the memoir by Piper Kerman, Orange is the New Black tells the story of a seemingly normal upper-middle-class woman who’s youthful indiscretions suddenly catch up with her, resulting in a 15-month stay at the (fictional) Litchfield Penitentiary. The story’s original protagonist, Piper Chapman (yes, based on Kerman herself), is confronted with a harsh reality and cast of colourful characters who initially make her feel completely alienated in the prison, but soon become allies and even friends. As the shows phenomenal ensemble cast has grown, the focus has moved on to encompass more of their stories, with flashbacks showing viewers how many of them came to be incarcerated. This engrossing and surprisingly humorous show is my new favourite programme and I’m not ashamed to say I’m a little obsessed with it. It’s character are real and endearing and funny and shocking. It’s authentic and unapologetic, but is oddly relatable and engaging at the same time. Suffice it to say the wait for season four is going to feel like a long one. Thank goodness I can repeat-watch the first three seasons until then. (Netflix)
Better Call Saul
“Don’t drink and drive. But if you do, call me!” Just one of the many great lines from dodgy-as-anything-but-somehow-lovable lawyer Saul Goodman (played brilliantly by Bob Odenkirk), Breaking Bad’s go-to guy for getting around the law. His character proved to be so popular and interesting, that the original show’s creators decided he deserved his own show. Set before Walter White loses his way, this show takes the form of a prologue, introducing the audience to underdog Jimmy McGill, Saul’s younger, sometimes better, self, who’s desperately trying to live up to the reputation of his high-flying/mentally & physically troubled older brother, Chuck, and depicts the beginnings of his fall from grace. It’s a great piece of story-telling, with absorbing and compelling characters, including Breaking Bad’s ‘fixer’ Mike Ehrmantraut, that has made a great follow-up to its highly acclaimed predecessor. Of course, if you haven’t already, you’ll probably want to have watched Breaking Bad first (although this isn’t entirely necessary), so you should perhaps go ahead and get started with that now! (Both on Netflix)
Post was written by Julie Fisher
