Bingeworthy TV Shows

I am a huge fan of binge watching TV shows, especially if they are suspenseful and have an overall great story line. I thought I would share some of my favourite TV shows that I have binge watched and I have also rewatched some of them because I love them that much, as well as having the time now during lockdown to do so.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

8 SEASONS

The Vampire Diaries is one of my top favourite TV series because of the story line and how unexpected it is. I rewatched the show recently and it just reminded me of why I loved it so much the first time I had watched it. The series is set in a small town called Mystic Falls, and it follows the life of Elena Gilbert after her parents have passed away and how everything changes after she meets Stefan and Damon Salvatore (the vampire brothers). This series has vampires, witches, werewolves and loads of other supernatural characters and I really enjoyed the way Vampire Diaries was done because the CGI effects looked so realistic and it never seemed far-fetched. The Vampire Diaries was available on Netflix in South Africa for a while and they removed it at the end of April, but I am sure you can stream it on any other series site. The series wrapped up after the 8th season.

THE ORIGINALS

5 SEASONS

The Originals is a spin-off series from The Vampire Diaries, so if you already enjoy The Vampire Diaries you will definitely enjoy The Originals. The series follows the lives of the original vampire family and it is set in New Orleans. I love both of these TV shows because they are dark and edgy, and like I mentioned before they both have great story lines. The Originals is available to stream on Netflix and the TV series ended with season 5.

THE WALKING DEAD

10 SEASONS

The Walking Dead is based on a zombie apocalypse and the story line follows how people deal with the world ending, how they survive and rebuild. The show is set in the south-east of North America and focuses on a specific group throughout the series. I really enjoy this show because of how realistic it is and the show just becomes more interesting as you watch it. You can stream The Walking Dead on Netflix and there are currently 10 seasons of this series available and it is still currently running so there will be more seasons to come.

There is also a spin-off show, Fear The Walking Dead, which follows a different group of people and it is set in Los Angeles when the series starts out. Fear The Walking Dead shows how the outbreak starts and spreads, whereas The Walking Dead does not show the beginning of the zombie outbreak. Fear The Walking Dead was available on Netflix at one point and I am not sure why they removed it but I am sure you can find it on a series streaming site.

STRANGER THINGS

3 SEASONS

Stranger Things is definitely up there with my top favourite series. It is such a weird but cool TV show and every person that I have recommended this to, who has not watched it, has become addicted. It is suspenseful and thrilling, with a very interesting story line. Stranger Things is set in the 1980's in Indiana and it is based on a young group of friends who witness supernatural forces and a secret government lab, as the series goes on they go in search of answers and more mysteries begin to unravel. The TV show is a Netflix original series and a new season is only released once a year, the show is currently still running with season 4 yet to be released.

THE WITCHER

1 SEASON

The Witcher is about a monster hunter, Geralt, and the quests he goes on. I really enjoyed The Witcher and I can't wait for another season to be released. I can't really elaborate more on the show without giving the entire series away as there is only currently one season, which is available on Netflix.

GAME OF THRONES

8 SEASONS

Game of Thrones was very easy to get into and I very quickly realized why this TV series was such a hit with everyone. The TV show is set in the mythical land of Westeros controlled by nine families who all wage war against each other for the iron throne, meanwhile there is a larger threat on its way that could end their existence all together. I loved this series and the in depth story line makes it so interesting, intense and suspenseful. Game of Thrones wrapped up after season 8 and it is available on Showmax or DSTV Catch Up for binge watching.

THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA

3 SEASONS

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is an adaptation of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" which was originally a comic book series from the Archie Comics. The series was created by the executive producers of Riverdale. The TV show follows the coming-of-age story of Sabrina Spellman who is half-witch and half-mortal. I love this series as it is dark and thrilling and I have been a huge fan of the Archie Comics series my whole life. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is still running with season 4 on its way and I can't wait. The TV series is a Netflix original and is currently available to stream.

RIVERDALE

4 SEASONS

Riverdale is based off the Archie Comics characters. The series follows their lives and all the dark and sinister happenings in the town of Riverdale. This series very quickly became one of my favourite TV shows and I love how unexpected the story line is and how interesting the series becomes the more you watch it. Riverdale is currently available to stream on Netflix and there are 4 seasons available with more to come.

GOSSIP GIRL

6 SEASONS

Gossip Girl is one of the best TV shows I have ever watched and I have rewatched it so many times. Gossip Girl is based on a group of Upper East-Side (New York) teens and their lavish lifestyles, but all of them have secrets that an online blog called Gossip Girl exposes from tips and sources sent in by their peers, friends and family. This show just becomes interesting the longer you watch it and after a while they become set on finding out who the real Gossip Girl is. This TV series wrapped up in 2012 with season 6 and is available to stream on Netflix.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS

7 SEASONS

Pretty Little Liars is one of the most suspenseful shows I have ever watched. The TV series follows a group of friends in high school who drift apart after their friend goes missing, a year later they are brought back together by "A" who stalks and antagonizes them with all of their secrets. The group of friends sets out to discover who "A" is and uncover more secrets and lies as the series goes on. Pretty Little Liars ended after season 7 and the series is available to binge on Netflix.

YOU

2 SEASONS

You is a Netflix original series that follows the life of Joe, a stalker and serial killer who falls in love with the woman he starts stalking. He does anything and everything to become a part of her life and she slowly learns who Joe is. The first season is set in New York and season 2 is set in Los Angeles where Joe starts over and even changes his identity. You is thrilling and intense, and I am really looking forward to the next season to be released because both season 1 and 2 end in a suspenseful way which leaves you wanting more. The show is available to stream via Netflix.

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

6 SEASONS

How to get away with Murder is another suspenseful and thrilling TV series, following the life of lawyer and law professor Annalise Keating. As the series goes on, more secrets unfold making the story line super interesting and each episode builds up to a climax as it shows snippets of a tragic future event and the current events that build up to it. The show is available to watch on Netflix and there are currently 5 seasons available, and the show will wrap up in May this year with the ending of season 6.

SUITS

9 SEASONS

Suits will always be one of my all time favourite TV shows. This series is set in New York and follows the lives of lawyers from a top law firm. The show is witty and so entertaining and I personally enjoy TV programmes like this. Suits ended with season 9 and it is currently available on Netflix.

BREAKING BAD

5 SEASONS

Breaking Bad is set in New Mexico and the series follows the life of Walter White, a high school physics teacher who starts cooking meth to make more money after he is diagnosed with cancer. He partners up with Jessie Pinkman, a past pupil of his who helps him cook, distribute and sell the meth to major drug dealers. This TV series was honestly so good and it becomes more intense as the series goes on. Breaking Bad ended after season 5 and the entire series is available to watch on Netflix.

SONS OF ANARCHY

7 SEASONS

Sons of Anarchy is probably my top favourite TV show. This series is action packed and insanely good. Sons of Anarchy is about a motorcycle gang and all the challenges they face together. I highly recommend this series and it is another series I can watch over and over again and not get bored of it. The show wrapped up after season 7 and it is available on Netflix to binge watch.

OUTER BANKS

1 SEASON

Outer Banks is very new to Netflix and after watching the trailer I knew it was going to be a really interesting and amazing series. Outer Banks is about a teenager and his group of friends who help him look for legendary treasure linked to his father's disappearance. I am definitely looking forward to another season of this show to be released as the last episode ended on a bit of a cliffhanger. Even though there is only one season available at the moment, this show is definitely worth watching. Outer Banks is available on Netflix.

DYNASTY

3 SEASONS

This series is a reboot of the old TV show Dynasty and is based off of some of the characters from the old series. Dynasty follows the lives of the Carringtons and the Colby's who are wealthy families that compete for power and money in the city of Atlanta. I love this TV show because it is so dramatic and so unexpected. There are only 3 seasons currently available and the show has been renewed for a fourth season. All 3 seasons are available to stream on Netflix.

SCHITT'S CREEK

6 SEASONS

Schitt's Creek is a Canadian sitcom about a wealthy family who go bankrupt and their only remaining asset is a small town called Schitt's Creek, which they end up moving to. The family live in the local motel and start trying to rebuild their lives after losing everything. This show has so much humour and and comedy and I just genuinely enjoyed the series. Season 6 is said to be the final season of this series and it is available to stream through Netflix.

BROOKYLN NINE-NINE

7 SEASONS

This series follows a group of detectives and their captain as they solve crimes in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is probably one of the funniest TV shows out there and it is so unique and quirky, making it very popular. There are full 6 seasons of the show and season 7 is currently airing. The TV series is available on Netflix to watch.

ATYPICAL

3 SEASONS

Atypical is another comedy TV show but it is also really lighthearted. Atypical is about a teenager on the autism spectrum, Sam, who decides he is ready for romance and to be more independent. This is such a heartfelt and funny series and I really enjoyed it. The show has been renewed for a fourth season which will hopefully be released to Netflix sometime soon.

AFTER LIFE

2 SEASONS

I very recently binge watched this series and I absolutely loved it. It is a British TV series about a man who is mourning the passing of his wife. After Life is honestly quite funny and at times heartfelt, that's why I enjoyed it so much. This show is available to watch on Netflix. Season 2 just aired on Netflix, but I am sure there will be a third season of After Life.

SEX EDUCATION

2 SEASONS

Sex Education is a British-comedy-drama series made by Netflix. The series follows the lives of a group of teenagers and their coming-of-age experiences and the show focuses mainly on Otis, who is socially awkward and his mother who is a sex therapist. This show was so well thought out and it is also really hilarious. I am looking forward to another season which will hopefully be coming soon.

LOVE ISLAND

6 SEASONS

Love Island is a British reality dating show where a group of single men and women live in a stunning Villa together and try to find love. They will choose to couple up with one another, compete in challenges together, and face many tests of their relationships. The public have a say and get to vote for them to keep them in the Villa and ultimately help decide who the winners are. In January this year, season 6 was the first Winter Love Island which was shot here in Cape Town (during summertime) and the Villa was in Constantia. All of the other Love Island seasons were shot in a Villa in Mallorca, Spain when it was Summer in Europe. Usually there is only one season of Love Island released each year but now they have decided to shoot twice a year and every Winter Love Island will take place in Cape Town. I enjoy reality TV shows so much, I think Love Island is probably my favourite reality dating show and I always get excited when I hear it is going to start again. I also really love this series because every single day there is an episode released (each season is 40-50 episodes long) which means there is always something new to watch instead of waiting a week and you get to watch a live version of the final. Love Island is available to stream on Showmax. There is also a Love Island US and a Love Island Australia, but my preference is still the original UK version of the show.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

1 SEASON

Too hot to Handle is a reality show about a group of young adults who are all single and ready to mingle but there is a twist which they all don't know about until they enter the retreat. They are notified by Lana (a robot system that determines the rules of the house and observes everyone) that there is a 100 000 Dollar prize to win, but no sexual contact of any kind is allowed for the remainder of their stay or else money from the grand total will be deducted. I quite enjoyed this show and it was so different to any other reality TV show I have seen, the cast was also quite mixed with a variety of people from the US, UK and Australia. The retreat that the show took place in was set in Mexico. Too hot to Handle is available to stream on Netflix and there is only one season currently available but hopefully there will be more.

LOVE IS BLIND

1 SEASON

Love is Blind is a reality dating show experiment about singles who are looking for love, but they meet without seeing each other face-to-face. The experiment focuses on trying to see if love is blind and to see if an emotional connection is stronger than anything else like physical looks and attraction. The single women and men are put in "pods" which they speed date in and speak to one another through a wall as they try to get to know one another better. Once they have started having feelings for another they will propose and then get to meet face-to-face and start the next chapter of their journey. I found this show quite interesting as it reminded me a bit of Married at First Sight - where people meet on their wedding day and get married, they are paired together by experts and then at the end of the experiment either get a divorce or stay married. There is only one season available on Netflix but I am sure there will be more seasons of this show to come.

-Jo xo.