5 Shows on Netflix that you NEED to watch!

I didn’t want to go with the obvious cult favourite choices like Breaking Bad and Prison Break, so here are some suggestions you may not expect!

Mad Men

I recently binge-watched Mad Men on Netflix, and I can’t believe it took me this long to watch such an excellent show. 

It’s a drama set in the 1960’s in the world of advertising. We follow Don Draper and his chaotic, complicated life. The drama focuses on the lives of its characters, who are equally messy, morally grey and realistic. I never knew the world of marketing and advertising could be so cutthroat, but Mad Men has shown me otherwise. 

The writing is incredible, and nothing is mentioned without reason. There’s no such thing as a loose end or a pointless character. Everything has meaning, and everyone is impactful. I really enjoy how we can meet a ‘random’ character in S1 and see them again many seasons later. The scenes are definitely pointed more towards dialogue and character development as opposed to action, but some crazy things do still take place. 

The attention to detail in the writing, costuming, hair and makeup is second to none. Mad Men shows you that it is moving through the years without directly telling you, which is remarkable. 

If you love action/fast-paced shows, this is not for you. But if you love shows like The Sopranos and Succession, then you’ll love it. 

The Lincoln Lawyer

One of my favourite Netflix shows!

We follow Mickey Haller, a defence lawyer who is essentially running his law practice out of his car. Unlike Mad Men, this show is very fast-paced and full of twists. It’s also quite an easy watch, definitely something you can watch leisurely while eating. 

Although it’s an easy watch, I wouldn’t say it’s corny like some of these other shows. Each episode will have you engaged, and as soon as one episode is done, you’ll be pressing the next episode button. Mickey Haller is an easy guy to root for as he is taking on the highest-stakes cases in LA. 

If you enjoyed Suits and How to Get Away with Murder, you are likely to enjoy this!

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Nine-Nine!!!

This detective/cop sitcom is one of my favourite sitcoms of all time. It follows a group of detectives doing their jobs, but they are so funny and chaotic. There are loads of different plot lines and sub-plot lines that run throughout the show, but it doesn’t get confusing at all. 

There is a really good balance between serious, heartfelt moments and comedy. When I tell you this show is hilarious, I promise I’m not exaggerating. The characters are written really well, and so are the jokes. *Spoiler*, but there’s an episode when one of the characters gets the suspects to sing ‘I want it that way’ by the Backstreet Boys. It is brilliant. 

If you like shows like Superstore and The Office, then you will definitely love Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

The Queen’s Gambit 

It’s a show about chess. I know it sounds boring, that’s what I thought when I first heard about it. But this show is phenomenal. Anna Taylor-Joy is an amazing actress.

The cinematography of the show is breathtaking. Steven Meizler really captured the sophistication of the show perfectly. It's set in the 1950’s/60’s but it doesn’t feel outdated like other shows - it is still very slick, sharp and has modern elements. I think he chose to do it like this to create synergy between the game of chess and the show. Chess is arguably a very sharp and slick game. The show is even named after a chess move (The Queen’s Gambit) so, constantly tying the show back to the game of chess is definitely intentional. 

The show is intense and keeps you on the edge of your seat, and isn’t completely predictable. It’s a limited series, and you are captivated in each episode; they used each second very well. You will fall in love with Beth Harmon (the main character) because we literally watch her grow from this little orphan into this chess-playing genius. The story develops at a good pace, and each character brings something important to the show. 

If you like Mindhunter and Mad Men, you will enjoy this. 

Homeland 

This show isn’t for the faint-hearted. I don’t mean in terms of it being gory or explicit. I’m referring to the constant state of anxiety you’ll be in watching Carrie Mathison’s brilliant but utterly chaotic self. She is a CIA officer who is convinced an American Marine (who was a prisoner of war) has been released as a turned Al-Qaeda operative. 

Homeland is brilliant because of the writing and the acting. Claire Danes is brilliant, as is the rest of the cast. The writing develops at an appropriate pace and is very unpredictable which is always appreciated. 

If you like shows like 24, The Agency, The Diplomat or Bodyguard, you will be obsessed with this. 

Written by (@MyNameIsAnu_)