My Top TV Shows of 2019
It’s been a great year for escapism with crazy things going on with the world, and therefore a great year for TV. With more streaming services than ever, my year has been filled with enough entertainment to keep me on the couch for a lifetime. I spent my fair share of this year on the couch, in the evenings after some stressful days at work, on the weekends alone, with Alex or with friends (shout out to my Netflix buddy Harriet). Or on flights - the best time to binge a series when you don’t have HBO or Showtime that month (Billions, Barry).There’s also been SO goddamn many shows to watch, that it’s difficult to keep up with them. Many, I have only watched 1 or 2 episodes before deciding it’s not worthy of my attention-span.
So here are my favorite shows of 2019 - the ones I was able to finish. The ones I binged. The ones I hope come back with another series (if the storyline allows for it). Some shows are literally pure genius, and others are my favorite mind-numbing veg-out trash. By all accounts, they are all good (to me) for their own special reasons. I have no doubt I’ve forgotten some. I didn’t keep a list. Maybe I will for 2020.
Side note: Not 100% sure if all these shows were released in 2019, but that’s when I watched them.
Second side note: I don’t bother to recall original networks of shows on Hulu and I can’t guarantee they’re all still on there as certain episodes expire, or that the network is accurate. So many streaming services means I get confused all the time.
THE SERIOUS SHOWS
YEARS AND YEARS - Amazon
A theme at the front and centre of 2019 is post-apocalypse, super-future techno-dramas/thrillers. Some of them are terrible and not worth watching a whole episode, but Years and Years was enthralling. In the same way that Black Mirror makes you feel like ’Shit, this could really happen’, the series takes you on a wild ride, with each episode jumping forward a year as political unrest mixes with social/technological issues and the underlying theme of family.
THE FEED - Amazon
A good show to watch right after Years and Years if you can stay in that ‘I’m sure the future won’t be THAT bad’ frame of mind. Based around an egotistical guy and his wife/sons and their Facebook-esque company of social media meets mind-tapping, the series paints a pretty accurate picture of what the not-to-distant future might be like if we never switch off and literally have the internet embedded in our brain/neck. A wild ride of family values similar to Years and Years, politics and social commentary about relationships.
HIS DARK MATERIALS - HBO
My favourite book series has been made into a show. Not a crappy movie starring Nicole Kidman (do NOT watch The Golden Compass) and I am SO happy it’s amazing.
CHERNOBYL - HBO
Something so serious and historic should be handled with care in terms of script, direction, cinematography and casting. They absolutely nailed it with this one. No fake accents, all actors used their natural tone to deliver what are some crucial lines. I think this placed more emphasis on the story and characters, making sure viewers were 100% clear of how horrendous the whole event really was. I started this on a flight and continued on another, then finished it at home. Very intense, but a must-watch.
BLACK MIRROR - Netflix
Another season of too-close-to-home futuristic fun. My favourite episode was probably the Ashley O one with Miley.
BILLIONS - Showtime
I first discovered this show on a flight to London for work, where I watched all 8 (I think) episodes of the first season back-to-back. It was a daytime flight anyway, so I had the time. I love switching off on flights and rarely connect to wifi. This is the kind of blanket silence (noise cancelled), focus and lack of distractions I needed to emerge myself in the world of high-stakes investing intermingled with US law and politics. Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis battle it out for multiple seasons and this year’s included Asia Kate Dillon and they are perfectly neutral/clever as Taylor Mason.
THE HANDMAID’S TALE - Hulu Originals
Yes, this is still going. Yes, it’s still painful to watch. No, I can’t stop. If you haven’t watched any of the seasons before, you’ve got plenty to catch up on and I’d highly recommend getting up to speed as there’s another season incoming.
WATCHMEN - HBO
I haven’t finished the series whilst writing this, but it’s such an amazing storyline that I had to include it. I’m sure the upcoming episodes won’t disappoint. The perfect mix of futurism, race-related crime, history and powerful acting.
ON BECOMING A GOD IN CENTRAL FLORIDA - Showtime
We got Showtime literally just to watch this and it was worth it. Kirsten Dunst is entirely believable as a Floridian desperado who just won’t quit. The casting and costume design are particularly perfect, too. A little slice of Alexander Skarsgard doesn’t go astray either.
UNBELIEVABLE - Netflix
This is one of those shows I just hit play on to ‘give it a go’ and I know plenty of people who didn’t watch past episode 1. Please go back and keep watching. From episode 2 onwards, the story develops to show a pattern in these horrible crimes and you start to question how anyone convinces cops that they really were sexually assaulted, no matter the evidence.
KILLING EVE - Amazon
Hands down one of my favourite shows of the last few years. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (of Fleabag) wrote this and the fact that it’s so incredibly different shows her pure talent as a creator. The characters are unique, the casting is perfect. We all have a little bit of Villanelle is inside all of us, somewhere, I think.
THE ROMANOFFS - Amazon
I think this was released earlier than 2019, but 2019 is when I found and watched this short series, with each episode a mini-movie, strung together with the theme of the heritage/lineage of the Romanoff/Romanovs. The stand-out episodes for me was House of Special Purpose.
ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK - Netflix
I wanted to binge something and I had about 2 seasons to catch up on before the final one. I binged all 3 in the space of approximately 3 weeks, including one New York trip prior to moving. It was cathartic to watch these characters’ arcs finally come to a conclusion my brain can be content with. I liked the ending.
THE OA - part 2
This show is great and I’m upset this won’t be coming back. An emotional rollercoaster mixed with some trusty sci-fi vibes.
DARK - Netflix
I can’t believe I haven’t watched season 2 yet - this is a reminder that I absolutely must re-watch season 1 and then watch season 2. So should you - but make sure to have the German speech on, English subtitles on. The American overdubbing kills this show. This show takes you in a wild ride of parallel times, time travel (ish) and what it means for a small town.
AMERICAN HORROR STORY - Apocalypse
I had given up on this show, but for some reason I dived back in and this series kind of pulled it all back together, making reference to the earlier seasons/characters, proving it was all worth the wait. I really enjoyed this season, but I think it’s enough now.
VERONICA MARS - Hulu
If you haven’t watched the original series and the movie, please go do that immediately. Kristen Bell has aged (in the show) but not IRL apparently. Good genes or something else? Who cares. I loved this series as it was both nostalgic and gripping enough to keep me off my phone. We binged it in a few days.
THE ACT - Hulu
Patricia Arquette and Joey Dean are phenomenal in this show that is based on a true story. Powerful acting, thrilling and sad storyline.
THE FUNNY SHOWS
THE MARVELOUS MRS MAISEL - Amazon
A fast-talking New York Jew is just the type of character I needed in my life this year. Rambunctious, fun and a little bit risqué - Midge Maisel’s antics kept me entertained this year, that’s for sure. Of course, as it’s created by the makers of Gilmore Girls, I was bound to be obsessed. This show is for anyone who needs a little retro hit and a few good belly laughs to get them through the day. But please don’t try to multi-task or be on your phone while watching, or you’ll miss all the zingers.
WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS
If you haven’t seen the movie, it’s ok to just watch the show. Fans agree the tv show is better. I won’t go into too much detail but I will say this show is hilariously weird and well-acted. Vampires on Staten Island? Genius. Almost as genius is creepy paper. Ooh - multi-pack!
BARRY - HBO
Could also go in drama, but it’s mostly funny. I binged this on a cross-country flight as we didn’t have HBO at the time. It’s a great mix of comedy, drama and action.
THE MANDALORIAN - Disney+
Honestly this technically belongs in drama/serious, but with the sheer volume of Baby Yoda memes I’ve personally posted to my insta-stories this year I can’t honestly call this anything but funny and cute. Of course there’s the drama of each chapter’s adventure, whether it be to rescue someone or obtain something stolen, who really cares when there’s a cold-but-cool Mando and our favourite CGI baby creature ever? I certainly don’t. This show has little to do with the Star Wars movies, it’s set in a different time/place, so don’t worry if you haven’t seen them - you can totally watch this show now (if you are willing to pay for yet another subscription service - Disney+) and hop on the baby-yodes train - Choo Choo!
RUSSIAN DOLL - Netflix
Natasha Leyonne is perfect in this Groundhog-Day-esque series. You see the character evolve in a lovely way, as she tries to ‘choose her own adventure’ over and over.
DERRY GIRLS - Netflix
Fekking hilarious is all I can say about this show. I hope you don’t need subtitles. The Irish accent is a fun one and these actors play teens perfectly.
SEX EDUCATION - Netflix
The series we didn’t know we needed. Quirky, fun, a little dramatic but overall too cute to boot.
END OF THE FUCKING WORLD - Netflix
2 seasons in and I’m so glad this show exists. I’m not sure it’ll continue or that it needs to. A really enjoyable journey. Most people I’ve spoken to have binged this in a day. I sure did.
FLEABAG - Netflix
We were late to the party in watching this and ever so glad when we binged it all in one go. The final season was the perfect amount of awkward, cute and emotional. Not much more to say - go watch it!
THE GOOD PLACE - Hulu
The perfect mainstream dramedy to get us through the week, we loved watching Kristen Bell in another kick-ass female lead. Jameela Jamil and Ted Danson are also smashing in this series.
PEN15 - Hulu
The degree to which this show accurately depicts my life in around year 6-7 is pretty damn scary. Of course, it’s set in America, where I did not grow up, but it’s eerily similar considering there was no internet at the time to connect us globally/culturally.
TUCA AND BERTIE - Netflix
DEVASTATED this was not renewed for a second season! Super fun, funny and witty. I’m a tough cookie when it comes to animated stuff, but this one hit the nail on the head for me.
GLOW - Netflix
80s vibes and powerful women - this is a show to motivate you and make you laugh/cry or both. Really love how the characters and plot are evolving over the series’.
I’M SORRY - Tru TV (Hulu?)
This show is basically about a realistic couple and their life/approach to parenting, while dealing with everyday issues with work/friends. It has about the same level of 11 on the awkward scale of 1-10, like Curb Your Enthusiasm. It’s funny, bright and always made me chuckle, particularly as it was set in LA and I watched it during a time when I knew we’d be leaving. Written by and starring Andrea Savage, it’s really a hoot!
BROAD CITY - final season - Prime Video
What a way to end one of the funniest female dramatic comedies ever. I watched this show from the tippity top to the tippity bottom while knowing we were moving to New York. The perfect preface for subway weirdos, how to get a toilet across three boroughs and how to get by in a vibrant but hellishly tough city.
SHRILL - Hulu
Aidy Bryant created and stars in this show about the kind of girl you probably know or the kind of girl you probably are. She’s real, she’s undercut and shit’s about to change.
THE FLUFF/DRAMZ
911 - Hulu
This show is pure distraction from life. Need to switch off from a stressful day and remember that somewhere in LA an earthquake has tipped a hotel on its side and only the LAFD can rescue the people inside? Or maybe it’s the tsunami that’s about to hit Santa Monica Pier and you love a mid-budget CGI shark? Either way, it’s best you call 9111 - what’s your emergency?
FOUR WEDDINGS
The TV show version of the movie was all-trash and totally what I needed when it was released. A cute mix of London with a spattering of Americans, with 30-somethings living in the types of houses 30-somethings cannot afford. Totally unrealistic and totally enjoyable.
DOLLFACE - Netflix
I think I might re-watch this, because it was quite fast-paced in terms of the dialogue and there were so many zingers. Kat Dennings’ voice doesn’t irritate me, so I loved it. The jabs at millennials, social media and LA really hit home for me, in the form of an episodic belly laugh.
GLOW UP (UK) - Netflix
I usually hate competition shows. I don’t really care about who baked the best sponge. But who baked the best under-eye with a beauty blender? That’s a different story. I absolutely binged this series, enjoying the drama, artistry and Val Garland's attitude. Like a makeup tutorial, but more fun.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JEFF GOLDBLUM - Disney+
Did you know that documentaries are much better with Jeff Goldblum hosting and telling you all about the history of bikes and ice cream? It’s true. See for yourself.
SINGLE PARENTS - Hulu
Another trashy filler show, but I enjoy seeing Leighton Meester in a character that’s the polar opposite of Blair Waldorf. The kids in this show are probably the better actors.
DEAD TO ME - Netflix
Another binger, because you just want to know what happens. I won’t give too much away, but this is a tale of friendship, secrecy and what happens when all is revealed.
YOU - Season 2 - Netflix
Ok, so this just came out yesterday and I need to keep watching, but I know I’ll enjoy the trashiness just as much as the first season. With Leighton and Penn both starring in TV shows, I wonder if Blake would dapple in the small screen.
SHOWS I COULDN’T GET INTO (STILL):
Feel free to attempt to convince me to give them another go
Game of Thrones - nope, never
Succession - everyone raves about it, but it’s so meh
Euphoria - I have tried…. Maybe watched 3 episodes - just not that into it
Big Little Lies - it doesn’t help that I don’t love Nicole Kidman
Schitt’s Creek - I just don’t find it that funny
Ozark - boring
Witcher - too much like Game of Thrones
Network/Subscription Summary:
Do you need them all? No
Do you need cable? No way
What I’m looking forward to in 2020:
WESTWORLD
More Handmaid’s Tale
What We Do In The Shadows season 2