With the Government ordering people not to leave their homes other than for three essential reasons, many of us find ourselves with more time on our hands than we’ve ever had.
That means more time to complete our assignments, to catch up on some reading and most importantly – to watch those TV shows we wanted to see but never got the chance to.
To help you pass the time, below are our recommendations for the best TV shows you can watch whilst staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
The Stranger (Netflix) – Suhara Jayasena (Deputy Editor)
If you are looking for a new psychological murder mystery show then Netflix’s The Stranger is just for you. The short series with just eight episodes is full of so many twists and unexpected turns that it will make you want to binge watch the whole series (like I did). The show begins by introducing the Price Family, a seemingly normal family from the outside living what everyone assumes is a ‘perfect life’. The Price family consists of Adam, a successful lawyer, his wife Corrine, a popular teacher at the local school, and their two sons Thomas and Ryan. But one day Adam Price is approached by ‘The Stranger’ and she appears to know a lot of secrets about a lot of people.
Friends (Netflix) – Bethany Lee (News Editor)
I’ve been binge watching Friends since the social distancing restrictions started and it’s helped to pass the time when I’ve needed a break from work. There are over 200 episodes of the show and it’s something you can watch without taking the plot too seriously. It’s obviously a well-known comedy and a lot of people have seen it, but the replay ability of the show is great and you can still enjoy it.
James May: Our Man in Japan (Amazon Prime Video) – Sam Steers (Contributor)
Because of the Government’s social isolation restrictions, you’re more than likely sitting at home wondering how to fill the time. Happily, there are some brilliant TV shows out there that will keep you entertained until we can be let out again. One show I’ve watched that I can definitely recommend is James May: Our Man In Japan on Amazon Prime which involves James going on a journey from the North to the South of Japan meeting the locals, trying new and interesting foods, falling over (a lot) and generally showing the nation up. If you’re into travel shows, then this is the one for you. And because it’s James May, it’s bound to make you laugh. I loved it and would happily watch it again.
Killing Eve (BBC iPlayer) – Oliver Pridmore (Editor)
It’s often difficult to believe that Killing Eve is shown on the BBC. In many ways it has the usual conventions of a classic BBC drama with a complex plot featuring espionage, a killing spree and the hunt for an international villain. Yet coupled with that is wildly unconventional characters, wholly unexpected sub-plots and dialogue so laden with humour despite being within a death-filled drama that it’s worthy of a Quentin Tarantino film. The first and second series (both equally as binge-worthy) are both available on BBC iPlayer and now is the perfect time to watch it given that the third series will be out later this month.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Netflix) – Alex Keene (Music Editor)
My biggest recommendation would be to watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a police comedy that somehow manages to be wholesome and hilarious throughout. Its 6th season was just added to Netflix and it has remained one of the most popular comedies on the platform for years. At a time where so many scary things are happening, it’s obviously important to keep positive. I do that by making sure I’m enjoying some light entertainment, and this series is the perfect way to do that.
Sunderland Till I Die (Netflix) – Aaron Mayhew (Sports Editor)
The emotional and exciting documentary series about Sunderland AFC has returned to Netflix for a second series. Follow the Black Cats’ 2018/19 season as they attempt to bounce back from being relegated to League One. If you’re a footy fan you’ll know how it ends… and it makes for spectacular viewing throughout all six episodes. Engaging fan interviews, drama filled matches and David Brent style characters- Sunderland Till I Die is perfect for anyone who misses watching sport at the weekend!
Community (Netflix) – James Buxton (Culture Editor)
Community makes its long awaited return to Netflix this week and for the first time includes the elusive final season, which until now had existed solely on a long defunct, backwater streaming service in the US. Ten years after its debut, Community remains the gold standard for irreverent American comedy and marks the starting point for many modern day household names. Rick and Morty, Childish Gambino and half of the Avengers movies all owe their success to this weird little show that ended too soon, and for that reason alone it deserves a full re-watch during quarantine. Also the paintball episode.
Inside No. 9 (BBC iPlayer) – Oliver Pridmore (Editor)
Inside No. 9 is not celebrated enough. It is without doubt in my mind the best thing that’s currently on television. The writing duo Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith are no strangers to off-beat comedy having previously been behind The League of Gentlemen and Psychoville. But Inside No 9 is much more than off-beat comedy. It’s an anthology series where every episode tells a completely different tale, with the only constants being that Pemberton and Shearsmith both usually appear in all of them and that each one is set within a different “No. 9” – whether it’s a flat, a karaoke booth or a hotel corridor. Because each one is different, it’s impossible to pin one genre on the entire show (of which there are currently 5 series to choose from on BBC iPlayer). So, if you want a laugh, my recommendations would be “A Quiet Night In”, “La Couchette” and “Zanzibar.” If you want scary, watch “The Harrowing”, “Séance Time” and “Private View.” Finally, if you want to watch something like you’ve never seen before, watch “Thinking Out Loud.” Then, watch the rest of them. They’re all sublime.