It's been about six months since I last shared the TV shows and movies that I've been watching. And after asking what you would most like to see me blog about on my Instagram Stories, an overwhelming majority wanted more TV and movie recommendations/what to watch next. Which is what inspired today's blog post. I'll be back with a blog post dedicated to the best movies that I've seen recently very soon.
But until then, these are the TV shows that you simply have to see.
The Last Of Us (on NOW/Sky) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Even if you have no prior knowledge of the game, The Last Of Us is must-see TV. I lost count of how many times I was on the verge of tears (something I definitely wasn't expecting) or on the edge of my seat. This is so much more than a zombie show. From the very first episode you are completely immersed in this world. It's just so well made and unexpected at times. Like, episode three in particular and Bill and Frank's story wrecked me. And who doesn't want to watch Pedro Pascal, arguably at his best and most daddy-ish.
Daisy Jones & The Six (on Amazon Prime Video) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Unpopular opinion but I actually wasn't a huge fan of the book. However, when I saw the trailer and stills from the TV show, it looked incredible and exactly what I'd been expecting when I was reading it. Riley Keough truly is the perfect Daisy. And I actually think the interview-style format, with flashbacks, works really well in the TV show. Whereas that's what I didn't really like about the book. I may only be halfway through the ten episodes but I feel like I need to actively ration them as I don't want the series to be over. Let's just say, I am so happy that some of my favourite authors' work is making it onto the small and big screens.
The White Lotus Season 2 (on NOW/Sky) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
I liked the first season of The White Lotus but I could not get enough of the second season. If you haven't seen it yet, seriously just do yourself a favour and watch it. Not only will it transport you to the beautiful isle of Sicily (I need to visit real soon) but it is must-see viewing. Jennifer Coolidge is her usual brilliant self. And I loved seeing The Bold Type's Meghann Fahy smash it out of the park with her performance. It's just so so good! My only complaint, I was expecting quite a few people to be offed in the end. And even though it was definitely a crazy ending, I had expected Theo James' Cameron to be in trouble, which would have worked out even better IMO.
Abbott Elementary (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
This TV show is just pure joy and some of the easiest minutes of viewing that you will have. I've been watching an episode during my lunch break most days. And again, I now get why so many people rave about it. It was also so good to see Tyler James Williams (who else was obsessed with Everybody Hates Chris?) back on our screens. Each and every actor/teacher in this is perfect as are the great comedic moments as well as the ones that just leave you feeling good. If you have Disney+ and haven't yet got around to watching Abbott Elementary, get on it now!
Race Across The World Season 3 (on BBC) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Race Across The World is easily one of my favourite reality TV shows and it's back with a new set of episodes that sees teams attempt to make it across Canada all for the price of a plane ticket. Except, they have no access to mobile phones or debit/cards. All they have is a map and the cash that they start out with. And the first team to reach the finish line wins £20,000. I definitely wouldn't be able to do it but I love watching the teams pick their routes, especially when there is little to no public transport. And you get those escapist vibes when watching, as you imagine yourself visiting the same places, albeit at a much slower pace if it was me doing the travelling.
Captive Audience (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
If you like a good true crime series, there are actually quite a few that are well worth a watch on Disney+. And as you will already know if you've seen any of my previous What I've Been Watching blog posts, I always find myself drawn to these kind of documentaries. This is easily one of the craziest that I have seen and I've watched a lot. The first two episodes deal with the story of Steven, a boy who was kidnapped only to return seven years later. But what makes the story even more unbelievable is the third episode which focuses on another member of his family. And how it appears that tragedy seems to follow this particular family.
The Traitors (on BBC) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
If you didn't binge watch The Traitors over the Christmas break last year, what were you doing? I hadn't watched it while it was airing but heard such a buzz about this show on social media that I couldn't wait to see what the fuss was all about. And everyone was right, it was so addictive. If you don't typically watch reality TV, I feel like this is a break from the norm as we 'normal' people simultaneously working together to build up the prize pot, while trying to work out who the traitors are. And that final moment courtesy of Kieran was some of the best TV I've seen in ages.
The Traitors USA (on BBC) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
So, The Traitors USA follows the exact same format and is set in the same castle as the UK version. But where it differs is that the majority of the contestants in the US version are former reality TV stars. Even though most of them won't be well known to UK audiences, I was beyond excited to see that the icon that is Kate Chastain would be in it. If you don't already know her from Below Deck, make this your excuse to go back and watch the seasons that she is in. And basically, Kate was the highlight of The Traitors USA for me. Because I'd watched one version right after the other there was a bit of repetition. But Kate made it so watchable.
Next In Fashion Season 2 (on Netflix) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
I enjoyed the first season of Next In Fashion but I had a few gripes with it. Season 2 fixed those issues and more. First of all, I much preferred Gigi Hadid as a host, compared to Alexa Chung. And there were so many talented designers with unique points of view in this season. I'm still just as obsessed with the runway designs. And again, I liked that the challenges were based on items that people would actually want to buy. Which can't always be said on the likes of Project Runway. The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of, what was Tan wearing in some of the episodes?
Bake Squad (on Netflix) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
This is more easy lunchtime viewing for me, with four expert bakers competing to make the most impressive sweet treats for events and parties each episode. I'm talking making a life-size piano completely out of chocolate, super realistic cakes. And all the desserts you could dream of. And what I like most is that even though this a competition, it's a friendly one, as the prize is having their bakes picked by the clients. Don't blame me when you find yourself drooling at the screen though.
Wild Crime Season 1 (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another few interesting true crime series on Disney+. The first season of Wild Crime (I can't seem to get into the second) focuses on one of the wildest stories (no pun intended). And what is unique about this show is that the crimes have taken place in one of America's national parks, where they have their own police, etc. When this man's second wife dies in mysterious circumstances (falling off a cliff), it opens up a whole lot of questions. And when you find out how his first wife died, you will be shook.
Death In The Dorms (on Disney+) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What ties the six episodes of this true crime series is the fact that each of these murders take place on or around University/college campuses in the US. But what is so heartbreaking is that ultimately, each one occurs because of male violence. It's really sad to see but each case is so different, particularly the one where fraternity hazing turns deadly. If this is your kind of genre, I have a feeling that you'll find it pretty interesting. And it's 100% worth having a flick through Disney+'s true crime section.
Have you seen any of the shows that I featured today? If so, what did you think of them? And do you have any TV shows that you have loved recently?
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