If you’re anything like us, you spend more time searching for something to watch on Netflix than you do actually watching it. Fear not though, as Hypable has your next favorite show right here!
Netflix offers so much content that sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. When you’re looking to satisfy a certain need (be it time travel, detective work, fairytales, or suspenseful horror), only the perfect fit will do.
To help improve your Netflix experience, we’ve provided recommendations for seven of our biggest fandoms. To cater for all needs, each recommendation is available in at least one of the following regions: Canada, UK, or the USA (though in many cases, the show is available in several regions). We hope our choices help you find your next big Netflix marathon, and feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments below!
‘SHERLOCK’
Steven Moffat and Mark Gaitiss’ addictive and intoxicating take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series has reached worldwide popularity and critical acclaim. Millions of us devour every minute of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman’s excellent takes on the universally recognisable characters. The only problem is, with just three episode a series, it’s all over too soon! If you’re missing Sherlock, Luther is the perfect antidote. Though not as stylistic as its BBC sister-show, this detective drama is a gritty and haunting experience that cannot be missed. Star Idris Elba gives a career-defining performance, arguably outdoing his undeniable brilliance in The Wire. Luther has a plethora of interesting characters and heart-stopping twists. With a British sensibility and an evolving character dynamic that matches the heights of Freeman and Cumberbatch’s fantastic chemistry, Luther is a deeply effective rollercoaster.
‘DOCTOR WHO’
What can be said about Doctor Who that hasn’t been already? Over fifty years of success is testament to the tried and tested formula of sci-fi plots, strong characters, and just a touch of camp fun. The “monster of the week” approach to storytelling allows the show to reinvent itself every week, but the variety is something that can be missed when you’re up to date. Following a very similar format to Doctor Who, Warehouse 13 keeps things fresh by exploring a different historical event, fable, or legend each week. What’s more, the incredibly diverse subject matter is anchored by the strong performances and believable chemistry of Joanne Kelley and Eddie McClintlock, as well as a great list of guest stars. Warehouse 13 is the perfect remedy to your Doctor Who withdrawal symptoms, with enough similarities to feel familiar, but more than enough originality to feel fresh and unpredictable.
You’re not a proper Doctor Who fan if you haven’t watched Torchwood yet. You’ll be familiar with Captain Jack Harkness, but John Barrowman’s energetic performance isn’t the only stand-out portrayal in the show. Torchwood is an ensemble piece that proves itself in the strength of its characters. The monster-of-the-week format is still at play here, but the themes and content of this spinoff are distinctly more adult and much darker (and sexier!). Also featuring a few guest appearances from Tenth Doctor companion Martha Jones, and a complex performance from upcoming Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi in an entirely different role, Torchwood has the makings of a great Netflix marathon.
‘THE BIG BANG THEORY’
Nerd-centric laughs and a constant barrage of zany bazingas, The Big Bang Theory has been keeping geeks and sitcom fans in stitches for years. But what happens when you’ve watched all of Sheldon’s escapades? Community is one of the most off-beat comedies you’ll ever see – but the show also has a lot of heart. Alongside episodes dedicated to paint ball wars, blanket forts, holy trampolines and movie spoofs, you’ll also find characters that you genuinely care about. The ensemble of outcasts really grow and develop throughout the run, and the show’s warmth means that we grow with it. Hilarious guest stars and unique approaches to sitcom clichés provide plenty of laughs and maintain our interest. Once you’ve started watching, it won’t be long until you’ll feel like a part of the Community.
‘THE WALKING DEAD’
The Walking Dead might be about zombies, but it’s also got a tremendous sense of reality. The writers are experts at slowly building up tension, then going against all of our expectations with shocking twists and turns. What’s more, the show is never afraid to let us get attached to characters before suddenly and brutally murdering them. With The Walking Dead‘s fourth season about to wrap up, what are you going to watch when it’s done? Sons of Anarchy is one of the most under-appreciated television series of modern times, featuring some Emmy-worthy performances from a diverse and talented cast. But the guest stars are impressive too – including a rather surreal turn from author Stephen King as a hilariously creepy cleaner. There’s plenty of action to hold your attention, but Sons of Anarchy isn’t afraid to take the time to stop and ponder the dramatic and emotional consequences of its brutal narrative. There might be no zombies in this show, but the second series in particular barely steps a foot wrong – and it continues to be a rewarding watch.
‘ONCE UPON A TIME’
There’s something about fairytales that taps into everyone’s inner-child, and Once Upon A Time has plenty of fantasy stories (from the whimsical to the terrifying) in every episode. A show about Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Rumpelstiltskin doesn’t sound particularly mature, but the characters’ development allows the more adult, critically-thinking minds to still feel satisfied. But how do you get your fairytale fix when the show’s not on air? The first and most obvious similarity between Grimm and Once Upon A Time is the presence of fairytale stories and characters, with the former taking its name from the stories of the Brothers Grimm. There are plenty of differences, but Grimm is an addictive and riveting watch full of mystery and interesting characters. It’s not just Nick and Monroe that get all the limelight, as several side characters like the Chief and other possible ‘Grimms’ get plenty of development – even if they are much more slow-burning. Grimm contains enough fairy-tale goodness to satisfy your craving, while the suspense and mystery adds serious staying power.
‘AMERICAN HORROR STORY’
Who’d have thought that the writers behind happy-go-lucky Glee could spawn such a dark and terrifying experience as American Horror Story turned out to be? Each year, the show provides a 13 hour horror film with a traditional approach to the genre. The way it tackles and subverts tried and tested clichés delights and terrifies in equal measures. Hemlock Grove is a small, run-down formerly industrial town that plays home to werewolves. Based on the book by Brian McGreevy, the show has a claustrophobic, Gothic feel and a palpable sense of dread and hopelessness. The almost dystopian setting is the perfect back-drop to the twisting paranormal narrative. With some impressive transformation effects and an extensive and convincing lycan lore, the show is not only a great werewolf story, but also plays host to some impressive season arcs. Add to the mix some stunning performances and another Skarsgård (with the trademark cheekbones), and you know you’re on to a winner. Plus, it has the added perk of being a Netflix original – which means you can devour the entire season 2 in one sitting when it’s released later this year.
‘HANNIBAL’
Hannibal shouldn’t have worked. On paper, it seemed like another cheap attempt to bank on the built-in audience of previous Hollywood successes. But, rather surprisingly, the show turned out to be one of the most critically acclaimed in modern times, with heart-racing tension, expert plotting, and stunning visuals. But when you’ve finished this feast of a show, what’s for dessert? Bates Motel is also a contemporary “pre-boot” to a previous Hollywood smash-hit, this time Alfred Hitchcock’s seminal Psycho. You may be crying blasphemy, but the series works every bit as well as Hannibal. Bates Motel is so addictive because the infamous Norman Bates (here played by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory‘s Freddie Highmore) remains an enigma. Plus, his chemistry and relationship with Vera Farmiga’s Norma is electric, suspenseful, and at times disturbing. We know the endgame of the story, but watching it unfold is a tense journey you won’t regret or forget.
Yes, that veil pun is just gonna hang there staring you all in the face until you check out this incredible cover. I can’t wait to have A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire in my hands!
