Over the last decade, there has been a fundamental shift in the way we consume information. It came in little increments — TiVo, VOD, the growth of streaming networks; all of these developments, and many more, were essential in reshaping the way we view serialised narrative styles. At the same time, the rise of smartphone and tablet culture, as well as the potential that comes with spending the bulk of one’s waking hours in front of a screen. Naturally, binge-watching became popular shortly after.
Of course, this isn’t to say that people haven’t been binge-watching television for decades. People have been mass-consuming their favourite TV episodes for as long as there have been geeks and a way of recording, whether on DVD or self-recorded VHS. However, binge-watching has recently evolved into not only a popular pastime, but also a driving force in the development of several forms of entertainment. Netflix, in particular, is recognised for producing binge-worthy episodes in such a way that viewers are compelled to consume the entire tale in one or two sittings, blurring the barriers between cinema and television story forms.
Whether you’ve been binge-watching for years or are just getting into it, there are some series that are made to be consumed as rapidly as possible. If you’re thinking “What programme should I watch?” while you navigate through streaming, the Collider crew has compiled a helpful list of our favourite series to binge-watch below.
Easttown’s Mare
It’s time to pack a hoagie and some water for a journey to Easttown, Pennsylvania. Mare of Easttown, a highly praised criminal drama series written and directed by Brad Ingelsby, starring Oscar winner Kate Winslet as Mare Sheehan, a cynical, no-nonsense police sergeant who’s seen it all. Despite being regarded as a local hero by many, she is constantly tormented by a missing people case she was unable to solve and fights to keep her personal life together.
The tough (but charming) investigator takes up the murder investigation of Erin McMenamin (Cailee Spaeny) and unwillingly teams up with enthusiastic county detective Colin Zabel (Evan Peters) to unearth more of the town’s unsettling secrets. Jean Smart, Julianne Nicholson, and Angourie Rice all give outstanding performances in the series. Emily Bernard says
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Age of Resistance in The Dark Crystal (2019)
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance caught us off guard. The critically praised fantasy series, which was cancelled after one season, is a jewel. The series returns to the planet Thra, where three Gelflings start a rebellion against the completely diabolic Skeksis, in a prequel to the 1982 Jim Henson film. The puppet design and performances, which include Taron Edgerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nathalie Emmanuel, catch you off guard. You’ll get emotionally engaged in the lives of the poor, downtrodden Gelflings, and you’ll be as hurt as the puppets if one of their own is wounded. A full-fledged fantasy epic, meticulously crafted with love, care, and attention to detail.
(2017—) the Sinner
The Sinner is divided into four seasons, each of which focuses on a murder committed by an unusual culprit under even weirder circumstances. Cora, played by Jessica Biel, stabs a guy to death on a beach in a fit of rage and has no idea why. Detective Ambrose, played by Bill Pullman, is tasked with uncovering the incredibly horrible circumstances that led to her being triggered.
Succession
Succession manages to live in the present day while yet being in its own bubble universe. This dualism emerges as a result of the Roy family’s creation of their own universe. This powerful family controls a multibillion-dollar media and entertainment conglomerate, making them obscenely wealthy. They have enormous power in the outside world, but so much of the show is focused on their family relationships and dysfunction that it’s difficult to believe such a world exists.
Succession’s characters are chaotic, messy, and selfish, but that’s part of what makes the drama so compelling. When their father, Logan (Brian Cox), eventually steps down, the Roy siblings all want to head the firm. It’s difficult to know who to support for and who to hate against as their allegiances to each other and their father shift from season to season since they’re not decent people (except maybe Cousin Greg). Nobody can identify to the problems of evil, affluent individuals who can’t trust their own relatives, but Succession isn’t trying to be sympathetic. It’s drama for the sake of drama, and once you’re hooked, it’s nearly difficult to stop watching. Arens, Brynna
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The Witcher Series
8.2 IMDb user rating
Duration of broadcast: 2019–present
The popular Netflix fantasy series “The Witcher” features monster hunter Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) and his fate linked to Princess Ciri (Freya Allan). The eight-episode first season, based on Polish novelist Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels, delighted dark fantasy aficionados (as well as fans of the 2007 role-playing computer game) and drew a large audience, despite Cavill’s commendable performance failing to overcome the show’s mainly middling critical reviews. The programme received multiple Saturn Award nominations, including one for Cavill for Best Actor on Television.