Variety’s all very well but it can make finding something to watch on TV almost possible.Sometimes, it can seem like there are almost too many options, and narrowing down your choices becomes an all but impossible task.
Fortunately, that’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a list of the hottest TV shows on the box right now, so you can spend your time enjoying some great TV rather than merely flicking between channels.
So, here it is: our list of the seven amazing shows which will get you through lockdown:
1 Lupin (Netflix)
The world and its dog is watching Lupin right now and it’s not hard to see why.
The series has everything you could possibly want in a drama. A great backstory, good dialogue, intriguing twists, and an eye-catching central performance from Omar Sy.
Lupin tells the story of Assane Diop, a charming and resourceful gentleman thief who has vowed revenge on the wealthy family who betrayed his father.
We won’t spoil it for you by telling you what happens, but prepare to gasp with disbelief at some of the shows many twists and turns. Unmissable.
2 The Queens Gambit (Netflix)
This clever Netflix drama follows orphan chess prodigy Beth Harman (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she attempts to conquer the chess world while battling drug addiction.
The series, which is based on Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel of the same name, has won a host of plaudits, mainly for its intelligent scripts, but also notably for Taylor Joy’s magnetic performance.
3 Bridgerton (Netflix)
What d’you mean you haven’t seen it yet?! Over 70 million people worldwide have now binged on Shonda Rhimes’ insanely fresh take on the period drama and we’ve heard very few complaints about the Netflix show.
The series follows the affluent Bridgerton clan (four increasingly pretty sisters, four drop dead handsome brothers and one beleaguered mother) as they navigate Regency society.
The show focuses on that extravagant series of coming out parties and balls known as The Season with the story beginning as Daphne Bridgerton (breakout star Phoebe Dynevor) makes her debut at Court.
Bridgerton is funny, sexy and very engaging. Oh, and did we mention drop dead gorgeous Rege Jean Page?
4 The Mallorca Files (BBC iPlayer)
If you’ve finished bingeing on Death in Paradise but you still need a little more escapism, then you could do worse than this jaunty new BBC drama. The Mallorca Files manages to combine crime drama with travelogue, with the action taking place on the sun drenched tropical paradise of Mallorca.
The setup is good, too, with uptight British cop Miranda Blake (Elen Rhys) teaming up with chilled German policeman Max Winter (Julian Looman) to investigate a series of crimes on the Spanish Island paradise.
The series was a big hit on the BBC in its daytime slot and the 2nd series is now available on the BBC iPlayer.
5 Back to Life (BBC iPlayer)
Ok, we know this is a bit of an oldie, but Back to Life is still available on the BBC iPlayer and it is still well worth catching.
The series tells the story of ex-convict Miri Matteson. Recently released from prison and now back home with her family, Matteson is slowly coming to terms with life in the outside world.
With no job and no friends, however, the lonely ex-convict faces an uphill struggle to get back on her feet. And this task is made even more difficult by a series of angry incidents with locals who remember only too clearly what Miri has done. The show follows Matteson’s sometimes comic and sometimes tragic attempts to rebuild her life in the shadow of a crime that no one will ever let her forget.
Daisy Haggard gives a career defining performance as Matteson, with able support from Richard Durden as her amiable father Oscar and a scene stealing Geraldine James as her resentful mother Caroline
6 Money Heist
A surprise hit on Netflix, Money Heist is one of the most original and entertaining shows you will see right now.
The show tells the story of a criminal mastermind called the Professor who plans the biggest heist in recorded history at the highly guarded Royal Mint of Spain. Along with his colourful band of accomplices, The Professor plans to use the bank’s own printing press to create billions of Euros.
Full of thrills, twists and excitement, Money Heist is bingeworthy TV at its very best.
7 Ozark
A slow burner, perhaps, but Ozark is definitely worth your patience, with Jason Bateman brilliant as Marty, a financial advisor turned money launderer whose desire for easy cash leads him into a den of vipers.
Laura Linney is equally good as Marty’s wife Wendy. A reluctant stay at home mom, Wendy longs for the excitement of her old job as a political campaigner. When Marty gets caught up in a drugs cartel, however, Wendy rises to the occasion by coming up with a string of creative ways of laundering their money. Unmissable.
