Couch bound this summer? Here are our favourite shows on Netflix UK
More often than not, you find yourself spending your entire evening shuffling through the selection trying to pick something to watch – before realising that you no longer have time to actually watch a film.
Never fear; we’ve rifled through the Netflix catalogue to bring you our top picks, from chucklesome comedies to action-packed adventures. Hashtag Daily Trends has your back!
Better Call Saul
Genre: Drama
Creators: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Michael McKean
Certificate: 18
Series: 1, 2015 (first episodes available on Netflix)
In a nutshell: This Breaking Bad prequel traces the story of fast-talking, wise-cracking Saul Goodman as he was before he became everybody’s favourite crooked lawyer in Vince Gilligan’s TV masterpiece. The surprise is that when we first meet him, he’s Jimmy McGill (Odenkirk), a scuffling public defender, still dreaming of emulating his hero, older brother Chuck, a “rock star” lawyer in the firm of Hamlin, Hamlin & McGill. It’s a classic underdog story, and it’s not long before you find yourself rooting for him.
I’m Alan Partridge
Genre: Comedy
Creators: Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham
Starring: Steve Coogan, Felicity Montagu, Simon Greenall, Amelia Bullmore
Certificate: 15
Series: 2, from 1997-2002 (both available on Netflix)
In a nutshell: The crass, egocentric, deeply tragic Partridge is easily Coogan’s greatest creation but this sitcom is actually a game of two halves. The Travel Tavern-based first series crackles with brilliantly embarrassing moments, but the second series, which sees Partridge living in a static caravan with his Ukrainian girlfriend, is stifled by frequent longueurs.
House Of Cards
Genre: Drama
Creator: Beau Willimon
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Kate Mara
Certificate: 18
Series: 3, from 2013-present (both available on Netflix)
In a nutshell: Netflix’s flagship and first original production. This is a wily update of the Nineties BBC series about a Machiavellian politician devoid of moral compunction in his pursuit of power; here translated to 21st century Washington DC. A sly and sophisticated script, the Hollywood charisma of Kevin Spacey and the smartest of production values make this one of the finest TV dramas of the decade.
Daredevil
Genre: Drama
Creator: Drew Goddard
Starring: Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Rosario Dawson, Vincent D’Onofrio
Certificate: 15
Series: 1, 2015
In a nutshell: Following the widely panned 2003 film adaptation starring Ben Affleck, Marvel have righted their past wrongs with this dark, violent TV series based on the Daredevil comic books. Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock, the blind lawyer with unusually heightened senses that fights crime by night.
The Office
Genre: Comedy
Creators: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis
Certificate: 15
Series: 2, from 2001-2003 (both available on Netflix)
In a nutshell: Probably the best mockumentary ever made. The events at Slough-based paper merchant’s Wernham Hogg feel excruciatingly real but, on second viewing, have a surprising amount of heart, too. More than a decade later, Gervais and Merchant have yet to recapture what they created here.
Orange is the New Black
Creator: Jenji Kohan
Starring: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne, Jason Biggs
Certificate: 18
Series: 3, from 2013-present (both available on Netflix)
In a nutshell: Just imagine: an American, female-led ensemble drama made in 2013 that did not feature a majority of slim, young, classically beautiful actresses. Well, it happened. And this prison-set series, based on the memoirs of Piper Kerman, is funny, engrossing and brilliantly acted.
Credit: ThePennyHoarder
