These shows are an eclectic bunch, but what they all have in common is they have made a huge impact on me. I can rewatch them endlessly without them becoming stale.
So, here they are in no particular order
OUTNUMBERED
This is a British sitcom classic. I loved this show when I was younger, and I just recently watched it again and realised how funny and true to life it is. First couple of seasons it is mostly “improv” which made it unique and relatable. I find this programme laugh out loud funny and the young actors are brilliant, and you want to be part of the family. You can just switch off and enjoy this show. They also don’t try to dress it up and make it overly clever and fancy. It is what British tv shows should go back to, simple but effective!
HEARTSTOPPER
Every time I watch this show it just gets better each time. You are probably bored of me stating how much I love this show but honestly it is that good. I am looking forward to the movie, but I am disappointed that there is not a fourth season as there is still much to say and the characters have a long way to go. Netflix should have stuck to their guns although the movie format intrigues me. The acting is fabulous, and the storyline tackles dark themes, but it balances it well with the heartfelt moments of the show. A quick mention that they have some iconic and brave lines such as “I am having a proper gay crisis” or “I’m not like homophobic, I’m an ally.”
THE SIMPSONS
This is a cult classic that I grew up with and I had to put this into my top 8 because it is such a hilarious show. My dad and grandad were obsessed with it, and I think that has gone down the line. It is fascinating to me that they have predicted a lot of things that happened in the future, such as Donald Trump becoming president and the spread of Covid. Getting Elizabeth Taylor to say Maggie’s first and only word, “daddy” was iconic. Even the recent episodes are really good. LOVE IT and got nothing else to say.
TED LASSO
I thought the first season was unbelievable. The writing is witty, and the characters are touching even if you don’t like football. In fact, it’s not really about the national sport at all. It’s about positivity in the face of adversity and the value of teamwork and friendship. You come to absolutely fall in love with every single one of them, even the baddies. It is a brilliant show and if maybe as the seasons came thick and fast, they rushed the writing a bit and had a few filler episodes, I still loved the story. A winner!
NORMAL PEOPLE
BBC Dramas are still the ones to beat and when they get it right they become essential TV. This is an emotional watch, has an amazing script and beautiful locations. As I am writing this, I’m in Cork and going to Sligo to see Streedagh Beach, where Connell and Marianne used to take their cute coastal walks. This was the TV Series that made Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones famous, and it does help that I love the Irish accent. I was also annoyed like everyone else that BBC didn’t renew for a second season. It’s ridiculous given the two stars wanted another one.
BROADCHURCH
This might be one of the best crime dramas out there and really made an impact on me when it first aired. I know that it is slightly old as it came out in 2013, but it is incredible. I am sure it contributed to David Tennant getting his special recognition award at the NTA, and cemented Olivia Colman as the nation’s sweetheart. The first season was the one that everyone was talking about, but I do think that the other seasons didn’t disappoint too. I haven’t seen it a while so I might have to watch it again.
EMMA
I love period dramas, and the BBC knocked it out of the park with this adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. This was the show that got me into them and for me is better than the more famous Pride and Prejudice version with Colin Firth. Romola Garai is the best Emma out of all the renditions that have hit the screen, she gets the innocent interfering quality just right. Jonny Lee Miller is the perfect Mr Knightly and even though you know the ending you still are on tender hooks to see if they will end up together. Jim O’Hanlon is an amazing Director and the way that it was shot was beautifully done and given that it was filmed in 2009, has not dated at all.
DAWSONS CREEK
This is one of my comfort TV series to watch and Pacey is my favourite character. I wonder if that is just me. The ensemble cast play off each other perfectly and I can understand why it was successful for so long because It’s so bingeable, has a wonderful script and the characters are very relatable. When you think how many teen dramas are out there now, you begin to understand how influential this show was. It remains timeless and superior to most of its “Wana-bees.”
A quick mention to one show I am never going to watch again which is Jane Eyre. I watched it when I was younger, got nightmares for about a month and swore to never watch it again. The scary wife holed up in the attic, terrified me with her manic laugh!