The world is streaming like never before, and we are seeing players like Apple and Quibi arriving in style on the TV scene. I thought in this post I share some of my favorite shows:
Mr. Selfridge
British drama series, Mr. Selfridge by PBS, is based on an real-life character who started the famed Selfridge store in London. Emmy award winning actor Jeremy Piven delivers a masterful performance. This is a serious show with lots of emotion and brushes on many themes: health, family, business, loyalty, deceit, sadness, relationships, and money. Quite deep so I wouldn’t say its one of those chill lay-back kind of shows. The plot follows a good progression and development of characters and their life challenges, it’ll definitely get you thinking.
Favorite character: Rose Selfridge.
IMDB: 7.6/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
Jack Ryan
John Krasinski stars in this Tom Clancy action thriller series that emblems the imposing cinematic square footage Amazon Prime has amassed in the past few years. It is definitely one of the best action shows on Prime with a gripping story. The characters in Season 1 did exceptionally well. Season 2 was not as good but still worth a watch. You’ll get into it fast. Fun fact: Krasinski started a new show called SGN that delivers only good news – did he get the idea from Anchorman II ?
Favorite Character: James Greer.
IMDB: 8.1/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
Unsolved
Brilliant and addictive 10-episode documentary TV series about the unsolved murders of Hip Hop / Rap legends Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls). The duo pretty much fathered the hip hop generation and suffered a dramatic and violent end of their lives at a shockingly young age. If you didn’t know already think about all the impact Biggie Smalls has had on music and he was only 25 years of age. His friend and foe, Tupac, was also 25 at the time of his death. This fascinating series follows their life, legacy, and tragic end. Highly recommended.
Favorite Character: Voletta Wallace.
IMDB: 7.9/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Frasier ?
Yes, Frasier! Set in Seattle this spinoff series from the Cheers is about a snooty radio psychiatrist, and his illustrious life. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite comedy shows. I started watching it in my teenage years while still in high school. Then years passed and I got back into it while living and working in London. It made me feel at home. Then another few years passed and I watched it all over again while living in New York. And now with COVID-19 lock-down I am tempted to start it again. It just never gets old. A clever show with lots of intelligent humor, endearing characters, snobbery, and lighthearted plots. Bill Gates liked the show so much he even appeared as a guest in an episode.
Favorite character: Dr. Frasier Crane.
IMDB: 8/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
The Looming Tower
A shocking account of the FBI – CIA relationship leading up to the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks. This Hulu series (also available on Prime) is a fascinating true account of the events that led up to the tragic day and revelation of the many opportunities the two agencies had to uncover the plot. A suspenseful show that will keep you involved, and may even serve to debunk conclusions of conspiracy theorists.
Favorite character: John O’Neill.
IMDB: 8/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Spartacus
Spartacus, if you didn’t know already, was a real character in history – the Romans considered him a bandit who successfully launched an uprising that threatened the Roman empire. This series covers the account of the life of Spartacus, his rise to power, gladiatorial battles, and adventures in ancient Italy. Undertones of camaraderie, treachery, decadence, and bravery.
Spartacus was initially acted by Andy Whitfield (Season 1) who was sadly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that took his life at the young age of 39. Life is so short and unpredictable. His widow, Vashti Whitfield, shared his story with a documentary called Be Here Now. When you watch the Spartacus series, you will admire the brilliant acting by Whitfield that is missed greatly in later seasons.
Favorite character: Gannicus.
IMDB: 8.5/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 67%
Two and a Half Men (Seasons 1 – 8 exclusively)
Mindless comedy series about the scandalous life of Charlie – a single, nonchalant man who took on his broke brother and son into his Malibu beach house. I started watching this show while living in London and I guess the idea of living by the beach in California felt like a dream. This is the kind of show that you can just leave on in the background. The show ended years ago but its still quite funny. Charlie Sheen was grossing $2 million an episode (the highest paid sitcom actor at the time of the show’s airing). He was later replaced by Ashton Kutcher.
Favorite character: Jake Harper.
IMDB: 7/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Downton Abbey
Another masterful British drama series with a thick plot and an army of characters. This show is set in the early 1900s and progresses through the pre and post war dynamic of English aristocracy. Its quite an involved show with a few unexpected twists and the story line and characters keep you engaged as the series matures. You can only go to sleep after watching this show so I would recommend keeping it to one episode a day. Plus, the episodes are easily an hour long and slightly longer in some cases.
Favorite character: Violet Crawley.
IMDB: 8.7/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Stranger Things
80’s vibe. This popular thriller drama series is set in a small town shrouded in mystery. The kids / adult dynamic works well and thickens as the series progresses. If you’re looking for suspense, save the world plot, and a bit of mystery, then this is a solid option.
Favorite character: Dustin Henderson.
IMDB: 8.8/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
American Crime Story (Season 1)
Just how Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election against Donald Trump, Marcia Clark lost the murder trial against OJ Simpson. She was terribly out of touch with the jury and the strategy of her opposing counsel. I liked this show a lot because it unveils the bias in the legal system in one of the world’s largest democracies. It also provides a true account of a murder trial that gripped America for years. If John Travolta ever hoped for a stunning come-back, this was it.
Favorite Character: Christopher Darden.
IMDB: 8.4/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Sherlock
A contemporary update of the story of ruthless British detective: Sherlock. No he was not a real person, but the story of Sherlock is hard to escape and is manifested in novels, movies, and this wonderfully crafted TV series starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch delivers a brilliant performance and the character’s antics, intelligence, and eccentricities captivate viewers. Each episode is like a mini movie and I would typically finish an episode over two sittings. Just as you would expect, the show keeps you guessing, and the modern twist makes it a lot more relevant than previous works on cinema. I visited the Sherlock museum on Baker Street in London some years ago, its a fun trip especially after you have seen a few episodes.
Favorite Character: Sherlock Holmes.
IMDB: 9.1/10 – Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Other shows that I would recommend: Under the Dome, The 100, Californication, Lost, House of Cards, and Suits.
Promotions for Streaming services:
Sign up for Netflix here.
Sign up for Amazon Prime here.
Sign up for Hulu here.
Do you like watching your favorite TV shows while traveling abroad? Try Express VPN. Works like a charm and lets you stream just like you would while at home.
Happy streaming and please sign up for my newsletter!
Note: the IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes ratings listed by each show periodically update – I have added links beside each rating for the latest update.