Seeing as we’ll all be spending a lot more time inside for the foreseeable future, we’re going to need more than just Friends re-runs to get us through self-isolation.
Instead, why not take this time to get stuck into one of those series people are always telling you to watch?
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best, and these ones frequently make it onto people’s top spot.
So, there’s no time like the present, huh?
The Sopranos
If you ask what is the best TV drama of all time, chances are someone will say The Sopranos. It’s just the show.
It follows the Italian-America mafia head Tony Soprano as he tries to stay on top of his family and criminal life. Based in New Jersey, we see Tony confiding in his therapist throughout the seasons.
Peaky Blinders
One of the most talked about shows of the last few years, this is another crime drama. Set in Birmingham rather than New Jersey, this follows Irish native Cillian Murphy as gangster boss Tommy Shelby.
It’s just finished it’s fifth season, and seasons 1-4 are available on Netflix. So what are you waiting for?
Breaking Bad
Arguably the biggest and most talked about TV drama since The Sopranos is Breaking Bad. Despite the final episode airing in 2013 people still talk about this show with as much enthusiasm as if it only finished last week.
For anyone who doesn’t know the gist of the show, it follows Walter White after he receives a cancer diagnosis. In order to pay off his medical bills the chemistry teacher decides to get into the meth making business.
Sounds simple, but from when he gets partner, Jesse on board, things get complicated.
Game of Thrones
How do we even begin to explain Game of Thrones? If you’ve never watched it, it’s a fantasy show centred around the kingdom of Westeros. War breaks out between two noble families, sparking a war in the entire kingdom.
Expect intricate storylines, incredible characters plus you literally never know what tp expect with each episode you watch.
But if fantasy, battles and dragons aren’t typically your thing don’t be put off. This show has universal appeal, and we can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like it.
The Handmaid’s Tale
We can’t wait for season four of The Handmaid’s Tale, which is set to air later this year. So if you haven’t watched it yet now is your chance to catch up.
The Hulu series is based on Margaret Atwood’s bestselling novel which came out in the mid-80’s Still as prescient now as it was then, this dystopian novel takes place in a world where humanity has become infertile.
The show is gripping and often dark, but Elizabeth Moss’ portrayal of June is fantastic, and you’ll be rooting for her all the way. We can’t recommend this one enough, especially in this era of #metoo.
The Wire
The Wire is another one of those shows people are always telling you to watch. Despite the final episode airing in 2008, it’s still referenced and talked about in pop culture just as much then as it is now.
Set in Baltimore, we watch as Detective James McNulty investigates drug crimes. Specifically he and his team try to understand the links between these crimes and law enforcement agencies themselves. With five seasons to binge on, this one will keep you busy.
The Office
The US Office is a tonic for what we’re currently seeing on the news and online. It will make you belly laugh and you’ll suddenly understand all those in-jokes and references you’ve been hearing for years.
Each episode is just under 30 minutes and there are a lot of them, nine seasons. Set in a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this is a mock-umentatry following the loves of those who work there.
Prepare to fall in love with Pam and Jim, arguably the greatest love story on screen since Titanic.
Fleabag
The only show anyone was talking about last year, and if you didn’t get to watch it then, now’s your chance. If you felt left out every time you made a cup of tea at work with everyone talking about this, it’s time to find out, who is the hot priest everyone was on about?
Centred around the lead character, known only as Fleabag, we watch her navigate everything from death to love. With hilarious results.
Stranger Things
One of the most feel-good programs to come out in the last few years Stranger Things is a must-watch.
Set in the early 80’s it follows an American town called Hawkins as people start to mysteriously go missing. The Hawkins National Laboratory is responsible for creating the ‘Upside Down’ an alternate dimension that unleashes hell on this small town.
Following the lives of a group of kids as they do their own detective work to figure what has happened brings you right back to being a kid yourself. It also has a big whack of nostalgia, reminding us of some of our favourite movies from our own childhoods like E.T, Gremlins and The Goonies.
Mad Men
You could watch Mad Men with the sound off and it would still be just as good. The costumes and set are stunning as it follows and advertising agency in the 1960’s.
The first season follows Don Draper as he tries to balance his professional life with his home life, which in the ad world is harder than it may seem. The show tackles everything from class, racism and sexism and how the world began to change from the 1960’s on.
A bonus is that all seasons are on Netflix so it’s easy to get hold of.