10 TV Shows to Binge On This Month

These TV shows will keep you awake as you wait for your World Cup matches. Not a football fan? They aren't a bad way to use your downtime either.
Wednesday 13 June 2018
Photo: Netflix

Medici: Masters of Florence
If you missed Robb Stark after Game of Thrones, then you’ll love Medici: Masters of Florence. Richard Madden plays Cosimo de Medici, who finds himself thrust yet again into a ruling role after the untimely death of his father. This political drama is most definitely something you’d want to sit and watch in one sitting; the twists and turns of this early 15th century Italian banking dynasty are just too enticing.

IMDB: 8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%

Available on Netflix

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Photo: HBO

Westworld
Westworld has taken the dystopian genre by storm with its reinvention of the robot revolution. Take your time with this one and absorb all the details of this intricately woven dystopian robot revolution series.

IMDB: 8.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%

Available on Astro On Demand and HBO Online

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Photo: Starz

Howard’s End
This latest adaptation of E.M. Forster’s 1910 novel of the same name explores the timeless theme of societal and class divisions. Hayley Atwell leads the cast in this period drama which revolves around three families from different social strata – the wealthy Wilcoxes, the middle class Schlegels and the struggling and impoverished Basts – and how their lives become intertwined.

IMDB: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%

Available on Amazon Prime

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Photo: TNT

The Alienist
Based on the Caleb Carr novel of the same name, this is a riveting 19th century tale of murder, prostitution and psychological chaos. Once deemed the greatest murder mystery of the century, you won’t regret losing yourself in this small screen adaptation as it is brims with enough psychological twists and turns to make your head spin and your tummy turn. If you’re brave enough to stomach this, you’ll want to watch all ten episodes now, before your friends spoil it for you.

IMDB: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%

Available on Netflix

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Photo: Netflix

Altered Carbon
Altered Carbon does not shy away from the gory details. Expect copious amounts of blood, expletives and full frontal nudity (yes, you read right). At its core though, Altered Carbon is a story of rebellion, technology and Joel Kinnaman’s character finding his purpose. Be warned, there are boobs in some of the fight scenes, so you may be distracted from the plot.

IMDB: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%

Available on Netflix

Hereditary - TV
Photo: HBO

Succession
Greed, betrayal and favouritism, all the necessary elements to craft the perfect family drama – the type of we love. Succession tackles the intense emotional conflict between siblings and the burning determination of a father who wants to stay in the limelight as long as possible. This drama explores the theme of wealth and power, when ageing patriarch Logan Roy (played by Brian Cox) has to step back as head of the family-run international media conglomerate, Waystar Royco. Joining Cox in the cast are Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, and Alan Ruck as the four children of the patriarch.

IMDB: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 65%

Available on Amazon Prime

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Photo: Netflix

Sense8: Finale Special
Of science-fiction ideals, heartwarming connections, and ridiculous gunfights, Sense8 made fans feel deeply for its characters. The cast brings to life the central theme that series creator Lana Wachowski has intricately woven into the show: the power of connection. However, as all good things must come to an end, the show was given the axe just after the premiere of season two. Most TV shows are not given the opportunity to wrap up loose ends following abrupt cancellation by TV networks, however Sense8‘s two-hour finale special will give fans some closure considering season two’s cliffhanger. Wachowski has yet to disappoint. Say goodbye to the cluster this June.

IMDB:8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%

Available on Netflix

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Photo: Netflix

Luke Cage Season 2
Luke Cage is back and he reminds us why he’s such a badass in the teaser trailer. Having him in the Defenders is just not enough so we’re getting more of this enigmatic character protecting Harlem. Like any new series, we have a million questions: Will Luke be able to clear his name in Harlem? Who will get in his way this time (because Mahershala Ali left quite the impression as Cottonmouth)? Are we going to get more of Rosario Dawson’s character, Claire? Get answers this June.

IMDB: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%

Available on Netflix

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Photo: Netflix

The Staircase
Netflix is banking on true crime documentaries this year. Their newest one is arguably the most sensational but at the same time it isn’t new at all. The Staircase by filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade was first released in 2005, with Netflix recently picking it up and adding three more episodes (there are 13 in total covering a 15 year period). In a high-profile court case which gripped the nation, author Michael Peterson was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen under murky circumstances. Additional information and recent judicial proceedings have been added though they have only vaguely mentioned the ‘Owl Theory’ so infamously attributed to this case. Regardless, Peterson’s case sees new life breathed into it this June.

IMDB: No rating yet
Rotten Tomatoes: No percentage score yet, but has fared reasonably well in the reviews.

Available on Netflix

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Photo: Netflix

Mindhunter
The human fascination with crime doesn’t end at who did it and how, we always need to know why. Why was not always a question asked in the earlier days of criminal investigation and Mindhunter delves into the beginnings of the FBI Behavioural Science Unit at Quantico. Jonathan Groff takes the helm as FBI agent Holden Ford (a far cry from his role in Glee) who finds himself in the world of serial killers and their motives. With stunning cinematography and a chilling soundtrack, the show stands out in a sea of crime-driven shows.

IMDB: 8.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%

Available on Netflix