Loads of us are looking for some escapism during lockdown – and some of the best bingeworthy lockdown TV recommendations.
There’s some seriously heavyweight TV bingeing going on in my house right now. From dark and twisted dramas to excellent comedy, we’re pretty much covering everything!
The best bingeworthy lockdown TV
We’re going to be here for a while. Here’s my pick of the best bingeworthy lockdown TV…
- Chernobyl (HBO/Amazon Prime)
An apocalyptic tale, this series follows the story of the shocking nuclear disaster that took place in Ukraine in 1986. It’s told as seen through the eyes of the people who dealt with it. If (like me) you’re too young to have lived through the disaster, this is a serious history lesson, but it is also an powerful human drama. Dark, brilliantly written and a chilling insight into just how this horror unfolded.
- Inside Number 9 (BBC iPlayer)
OK, so Chernobyl is a dark piece of television. But then Inside Number 9 takes the darkness to the next level, in a completely different way. If you’ve never seen any of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton creations before, then you’re in for a treat. These people are the twisted geniuses behind classic series like the League of Gentlemen – so expect the seriously weird and unexpected. The kind of TV that you’ll wake up in the dead of the night thinking about.
- Spaced (All 4)
If you’ve only ever seen Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in films like Shaun Of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, then you’re missing out. Spaced is where it all began, and it’s amazing. As someone who also shares a house with a bunch of misfit 20-something Londoners (sorry guys, but you know it), a lot of this series rings true. It’s pretty out there, but brilliantly written and it’s seriously funny.
- This Way Up (All 4)
I loved this series. It’s brilliantly written for one, by Aisling Bea who plays Aine. She’s a teacher who is stumbling her way through life, after having had a nervous breakdown. If that all sounds a bit heavy, it really isn’t – trust me, it’s a lot funnier than it sounds. There are plenty of hilarious moments as Aine navigates relationships, family dramas and her job as a teacher of English as a second language. Aisling Bea is a real talent and I’m hoping for a second season.
- GameFace (All 4)
So, I’m not a thirty-something woman, but Roisin Conaty’s character in GameFace is easy to identify with. She’s a struggling actor and GameFace follows her as she tries to make it. But it’s the emotional ups and downs she goes through that we can all recognise – dealing with flaky friends, rubbish relationships and yes, even learning to drive. Conaty is brilliant as Marcella, and it’s hilariously funny despite plenty of dark moments.
- Tiger King (Netflix)
Everyone is talking about Netflix’s latest: Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness. And it’s no wonder – it’s one of the weirdest and most terrifying things I’ve ever seen on TV. It’s the story of big cat owners and wildlife collectors in the US, and in particular Joe Exotic, the Tiger King of the title. It’s just crazy and has, you’ve guessed it – ‘murder, mayhem and madness’. This is one of those shows that will make you cringe all the way through, jaw to the floor stuff that you won’t be able to take your eyes off.
- The Last Dance (Netflix)
A fascinating insight into basketball legend Michael Jordan’s last days with the Chicago Bulls. It’s brilliantly put together, and whether you’re an NBA fan or not it’s an incredible human story. A must-watch if you love sports documentaries – but also a great binge even if you don’t.
- The Man in the High Castle (Amazon Prime)
Based on the novel by sci-fi legend Philip K. Dick (the writer whose book inspired Blade Runner), this is a gloomy vision of a world in which the Nazis won WWII. It’s gripping and brought alive thanks to some seriously high production values – it looks and sounds incredible.
- Parks and Recreation (Now TV)
It’s been around for a while (seven seasons in fact) but if you haven’t seen Parks and Recreation now is the time to catch up on it. It’s set in the Parks department of a fictional town in Indiana, where Amy Poehler leads a bunch of oddballs as best she can. You’ll fall in love with these characters – but you’ll also be glad you don’t have to work with them.
- Succession (HBO)
With a new season in the works (as long as the world doesn’t end first), take the chance to get up to speed with one of the best series on TV in a long time. It follows the family dramas, broken relationships and backstabbing of the powerful Roy family, who run a massive media organisation. It’s total escapism, brilliantly written and very funny at times.