This list is subjective!! There are many popular shows that people LOVE (The Crown, Marvelous Mrs Maisel, etc) that I haven’t watched at all or haven’t finished.
There are even more shows that I watched some of and loved, but then stopped loving them (OITNB, Modern Family, etc). And of course there are shows like Sex in the City, Seinfeld, and Friends – ones that I enjoyed when they were on the air, but would no longer count among my favorites.
These are the shows that I loved (most of the time) from beginning to end. None of them are perfect (except Breaking Bad, Parenthood and Schitt’s Creek come pretty close IMHO) but these are shows that I think are definitely worth watching.
Just like my reading recs list, I’m sure I will add and subtract recommendations as time goes on!
Enjoy.
Key:
*N- Neflix
*H-Hulu
*HBO- HBO Max
*AP- Amazon Prime
*ATv- Apple TV
*S- Showtime (which we watch through Netflix)
*P- Peacock
American Horror Story N- Some seasons are really bad. Really bad. But if you love horror, some seasons are REALLY GOOD. I’d check out seasons 1 and 2 for sure.
Arrested Development N– lost steam at the end, but one of the funniest shows of all time. One of the most quoted shows in our home
Aytpical N– loved this show and the portrayal of a family in crisis.
Big Little Lies HBO– Really only LOVED season one, but still worth a watch, even if just for the beautiful scenery.
Black Mirror N– Mind-blowing. We reference certain episodes often.
Breaking Bad N– The.Best.Show.OF.ALL. TIME. Period. Watching Walter White’s evolution is nothing short of breathtaking and heartbreaking.
Curb Your Enthusiasm HBO– Oh, Larry David. You are the king of comedy. No one makes me laugh harder. New seasons are also hilarious.
Dead to Me N– Dark comedy, Christina Applegate is so good in this.
Downton Abbey AP/P– This will forever be a favorite, both J and I loved it.
Firefly Lane N– Cheesy and campy and TOTALLY different than the book, but I still really enjoyed it.
Four Weddings and a Funeral H– I really loved this one and I’m sad there weren’t more season.
Game of Thrones HBO– Ignoring the shitty excuse for a last season, this one is epic.
Gilmore Girls N- Loved it the first time, LOVED re-watching it with my girls.
High Fidelity H– Zoe Kravitz is so good in this one. Another one I’m sad was only one season.
Homeland S– Jimmy and I watched this one together. Claire Danes is sublime and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Love is Blind N- This is the only reality show to make the cut. I thought this was such a smart concept and FUN to watch. Lauren and Cameron 4EVA.
Mindhunter N– Really only liked season one but it’s worth a watch just for Jonathan Groff. Good glimpse into the minds of serial killers.
Modern Love AP– Some episodes are so much better than others (the doorman episode has my heart) but overall this series was a win.
Normal People H– I still think about Connell and Marianne. Ohhh gosh this quiet and beautiful show broke my heart.
Ozark N- Haven’t caught up on this one, but season one was WHEW. Another one for fans of Breaking Bad.
Parenthood H– Tied with Breaking Bad and Schitt’s Creek for my favorite show of all time. The writing for this show is just…so, so good. Just watch. Sigh.
Schitt’s Creek N– Let’s see if I can type this one without crying, just rewatched the final season last night. This show is just…everything. Dan Levy created a beautiful and accepting world and he shared it beautifully. Schitt’s Creek is my happy place. Happy ending??? Bahahha.
Six Feet Under HBO– Dark and twisted and kind of yuck? This one is not for the faint of heart but still a great ensemble drama.
Stranger Things N– mysterious, scary, 80’s camp…who needs more?
The Flight Attendant HBO- Kaley Cuoco is a booze-soaked, frenetic MESS in this show and boy did she stress me out. Quirky and high stress, this one is great.
The Queen’s Gambit N– This limited series is one of my favorite things I’ve seen recently. I don’t understand chess, never played in my life. Don’t let that stop you. This show is about so much more than just chess.
The Handmaid’s Tale H– dark and harrowing, this one makes me sweat. Especially when it seems like it’s “real-life adjacent”. Totally lives up to the hype.
The Haunting of Hill House N– Just the first season. I’d skip Bly Manor. I still think about this show and how sad and dark and beautiful it was. The ending of the series messed me UP.
The Morning Show ATv– Okay. To be honest at a certain point, I got tired of hearing Jennifer Aniston yelling BUT this show is really good. A must see in the “me too” era.
The Office P– There’s nothing to be said here. I mean, season one is meh and the last couple of seasons are MEHHH (bar the finale) but… THE OFFICE. Add it to my top faves list.
The Sopranos HBO– J and I still talked about this one and how we felt when it ended.
The Sinner N– This show SHOOK me. I’ve only watched season one (which I’ve heard is the best one) and it messed me UP. I had a super visceral reaction and had goosebumps almost the entire time. Jessica Biel is so damn good. Confession: I can do without the weird kinky cop stuff and fast forwarded through those parts.
The Stranger N– Kind of weird and campy but totally enjoyable.
The Wilds AP– A group of girls is stranded on a desert island after a plane crash. But it’s SO MUCH MORE than it seems. This one kept me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait for season to.
Tedd Lasso ATv- There are no words for how much I love this show. It’s good and pure and wholesome and funny and PERFECT. It’s the antidote to any sadness you are feeling right now- so just watch it, okay?
This is Us H/P – Breaks my heart every episode. I have never not cried in a single episode, hahah! Fills the Parenthood void.
Upload AP– You don’t hear much about this one, but I thought it was phenomenal. Black Mirror with humor.
Virgin River N– SO CHEESY. It’s like a soap opera had a baby with a Hallmark movie. But man I love it.
You N– Good adaptation of the books. Twisted and messy and gory- Penn Badgley plays Joe Goldberg flawlessly.
Your Honor S– Bryan Cranston is the best actor of all time. We just finished this show and it EFFED ME UP. This show is DARK. And bloody. And it will break your heart. I hesitate saying it was good, because like I say it messed me up. But it was good.
On my “to watch” list
Bridgerton
Derry Girls
Fleabag
I May Destroy You
Insecure
Lupin
Russian doll
Sucession
The Bodyguard
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Yellowstone
The Wire
Happy Monday! Hope you have a beautiful week.
I’m so glad Ted Lasso is on your to watch list!!!
Not only do you have great taste in books, but you have great taste in shows too! You have pretty much captured my favorite shows and my To Watch list! Friends keep telling me to watch Ozark. Have you?
Loved Bridgerton, Lupin, and Mrs. Maisel. The Derry Girls is hilarious, but, pro tip, watch it with the subtitles on. The accents are very thick.
Just a little warning… Bridgeton is so good but you definitely don’t want to watch when your girls are around! I loved lupin too. Both left me wanting the second season asap!
The Queen’s Gambit was absolutely one of my favorites ever. And like you I know nothing about chess!
Ted Lasso is the only thing that got me through March and April of 2020. So. Good.
Great list, and I totally agree with your 3 favorite shows! I would add Jack Ryan to your “to watch” list…it is pretty great!
Ooh good list. TFS. Currently watching Outlander. So so good..
Great list. Most are on my top list too. My son says I talk about Breaking Bad like a cross between a super fan and a filmmaker lol it’s so good & the best show running. I love a show that bounces back & forth to reveal a story. This is Us does it seamlessly too.
I was surprised how much I liked The Flight Attendant it’s rare that I like a show more than a book. I usually like super flawed characters in books but I truly did not like Cassie in the book though I was still intrigued by the story. Kelly softens her flaws & is more relatable. I also didn’t think that they could make 8 episodes from the book. It had a fresh pace, look & style
You will adore Mrs Maisel!
I really loved Anne with an E and it’s one you could definitely watch with your girls. I also really enjoyed Broadchurch. Both are on Netflix.
Yellowstone! Immediately!
I’m interested in what specifically you like about Yellowstone. My husband really likes it, but for me it’s meh. Yet I end up watching all the episodes with my husband. I am looking forward to finding out the answers to the cliffhanger of season 3!
YES!!!!!!!
Fleabag is an absolute favorite!!
You and me? We have SUCH similar TV tastes! I’m going to add some of yours to my list. Derry Girls is a blast, btw. And if may: check out The Boys. Me and the hubby freaking LOVED this. Just finished Season 2. My 21 year old son recommended it. It surprised me. Funny, dark, a little violent and smartly written.
The Fall on Amazon Prime is really good (heart pounding!)
Imposters!! Let me know what you think!
Ditto on Imposters!! It’s so twisted and twisty – LOVE it!
Oh my you have to watch Bridgerton next! AMAZING!
If you love Parenthood, watch Friday Night Lights! It’s another Jason Katims show and so good! It’s way better than the movie.
I loved watching You, Dead To Me, Never Have I Ever. I just finished watching Virgin River and really liked it a lot. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to get through season 1 because the character Hope was driving me crazy! But I stuck with it and enjoyed it. I watched some of Unorthodox and I enjoyed that. I read the book Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough and just started watching the series on Netflix. So good! I’m going to write down your recommendations because I need more to watch.
So many of these are on my list. I need to make time to get watching!
Fleabag is SO SO GOOD!! You will crack up watching it.
The wire is also, in a very different way., SO good.
Deadwood from HBO is also worth binging.