With the weekend around the corner, now is the time to relax and rewind.
If you’re not in the mood for the company of others, and some television therapy and popcorn are in order, here are the top-rated shows on Netflix currently:
Bridgerton – a period drama set in 19th century London, during an alternate timeline Regency Era where racial divides do not exist. Produced by Shonda Rhimes, the series is based on the novels of American author, Julia Quinn. Bridgerton is the most watched Netflix series and has peaked in more than 80 countries. It has also been renewed for a second season. Some have called this the period era equivalent of ‘Gossip Girl’.
Watch a trailer here:
Blood of Zeus – a Netflix Original animated series, with a Greek mythology setting. Produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios, the story follows a demi-god chosen to lead mankind in a war against demons. Blood of Zeus includes traditional mythological elements and has as many as five seasons planned. It boasts an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Queen’s Gambit – a period drama based on the Walter Tevis novel of the same name, set in the 1950s and 1960s. Directed and co-created by Scott Frank, the miniseries centres on Elizabeth Harmon and her journey to the pinnacle of chess and the depths of addiction. It took Queen’s Gambit only four weeks from release to become Netflix’s most watched scripted miniseries.
Watch the official trailer here:
Giri/Haji – a crime thriller set in both Tokyo and London, written and created by Joe Barton. The title is translated as ‘Duty/Shame’. Japanese detective, Kenzo Mori sets out to confirm if his late brother is in fact alive, and if he is responsible for a murder which could spark a gang war in Tokyo. Although the series has been cancelled after one season, Giri/Haji has high ratings by reviewers and viewers.
Ugly Delicious – a Netflix Original documentary, hosted by American restaurateur, David Chang. Part cooking adventure, part lesson on culture, the show is a celebration of the tastes, styles and methods of popular dishes, from Korean and American barbecue to pizza in Connecticut and Naples.
The Witcher – a fantasy drama based on the novel series from Polish author, Andrzej Sapkowski (which also inspired the acclaimed series of games). Based on a collection of short stories preceding the main novels, the series charts the stories of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter known as a ‘witcher’, Ciri of Cintra and Yennefer of Vengerberg. While reviews are somewhat mixed, a second season has already been confirmed.
Watch the official ‘Witcher’ trailer here:
High Score – a documentary featuring interviews and segments relating to video game creation in the 1980s and 1990s. Created by France Costrel, the series ventures into the growth of gaming, the origins of popular studios and discusses different kinds of games and platforms. Charles Martinet, the iconic voice of Mario, narrates the series, which also includes animated segments in old-school pixel-art format.
The Haunting of Hill House – a supernatural horror series based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel of the same name. The story follows two timelines: the horrific events which led to a family fleeing their home in 1992, and the effects of these supernatural events on the family in the present day. The Haunting of Hill House has been highly rated and even led to a follow-up series by director, Mike Flanagan, titled The Haunting of Bly Manor (also on Netflix).
Lupin – a French mystery thriller, created by George Kay and Francois Uzan. In this series, professional thief, Assane Diop plans a jewellery theft and intends to frame a wealthy, powerful adversary as an act of revenge. Assane is inspired by the story of Arsene Lupin, the fictional ‘gentleman thief’ created by novelist, Maurice Leblanc. Five episodes have been released to date with another five expected by mid-2021.
Watch the ‘Lupin’ trailer here:
Challenger: The Final Flight – a documentary series created by Steven Leckart and Glen Zipper, revolving around the 1986 tragedy of NASA’s Challenger shuttle, which broke apart 73 seconds after launch and killed the crew on board. The series features interviews with the crew’s surviving family members and delves into the decisions and mechanical failures which are blamed for the tragedy. Challenger: The Final Flight has received favourable reviews as being ‘intimate’ and ‘heart-breaking’.
Get settled in with these top series and remember – don’t forget the popcorn!
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