The student's guide to self-isolation: What to watch on TV
By Tom Taylor, Digital Editor
It's not easy having to be inside most of the day, especially when all that everyone seems to be talking about is the virus. We've put together a guide to help you use your time productively (by watching lots of quality TV!)
Comedy
Insecure (2016-)
Platform: Now TV
Reviews: 97% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.8/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Dear White People, Fleabag, Chewing Gum
Synopsis: Starring and created by Issa Rae, this American comedy-drama series follows two best friends as they navigate relationships, careers and the black female experience.
This Country (2017-2020)
Platform: BBC IPLAYER
Reviews: 96% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.4/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: The Office, Bucket, The Detectorists
Synopsis: An acclaimed BBC mockumentary starring Daisy May and Charlie Cooper exploring the eccentric lives of young people living in rural England. It won the BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy in 2018!
Feel Good (2020-)
Platform: All 4
Reviews: 100% (Rotton Tomatoes)
Similar shows: Sex Education, Will & Grace
Synopsis: A brand new quirky comedy written by Mae Martin and Joe Hampson and starring Mae Martin. It explores themes such as LGBT+ relationships, drug addiction and 'coming out'.
Drama
Riverdale (2017-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 86% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.1/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Pretty Little Liars, Teen Titans, The Vampire Diaries
Synopsis: An OTT American teen drama featuring KJ Apa, Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse. The basic premise is that a death in the quiet little town of Riverdale turns the lives of its citizens upside town. The show is more known, however, for being insane.
Noughts + Crosses (2020-)
Platform: BBC IPLAYER
Reviews: 82% (Rotton Tomatoes); 6/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: His Dark Materials, Inside No 9,
Synopsis: Adapted from Malorie Blackman's iconic novel, the series explores teenage relationships and race in an alternate history where black 'Cross' people rule over white 'noughts'.
The Durrells (2016-2019)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 98% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Downton Abbey, Brideshead Revisited, The Crown
Synopsis: A British comedy-drama based on the works of Gerald Durrell where a family uproots from Bournemouth to move to the Greek island of Corfu. Perfect escapism from being cooped up inside.
Sci-Fi / Fantasy
The Witcher (2019-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 67% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.3/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Game of Thrones, Merlin, Vikings
Synopsis: You will either love this adaption of Andrzej Sapkowski's novels or hate it. It combines epic high fantasy with cheesy comic relief and will make you want to re-watch Game of Thrones all over again.
Final Space (2018-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 70% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.3/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Rick and Morty, Bojack Horseman, Gravity Falls
Synopsis: On the surface, Olan Roger's Final Space seems to be a children's cartoon. After the first episode, however, you will be deeply invested in the plight of Gary Goodspeed. The series explores love, grief and friendship and features a few famous voice actors (see if you can spot David Tennant).
Altered Carbon (2018-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 76% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Lost in Space, The Man in the High Castle, Westworld
Synopsis: Set in the 23rd century, the sci-fi show explores a future where the human mind has been digitised and souls are transferable from one body to another. It's also a detective show so there's that.
Horror
American Horror Story (2011-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 76% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Scream Queens, Bates Motel, Black Mirror
Synopsis: This supernatural series has won pretty much every award in the book. Each series follows a different set of characters, setting and storyline such as haunted houses and witches.
The Teenage Adventures of Sabrina (2018-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 84% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.6/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Supernatural
Synopsis: Starring Kiernan Shipka, this Netflix Original follows half-witch, half-mortal Sabrina Spellman as she fights evil forces that threaten the daylight world.
Crime
Criminal UK (2019)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 84% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.4/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Line of Duty, Luther, Silent Witness
Synopsis: Each gripping episode is set solely in a stylised police interrogation room as the detectives try to uncover the culprit of heinous crimes. The UK series is part of Netflix's Criminal anthology which includes Criminal France, Germany and Spain as well.
Hinterland (2013-2016)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 7.6/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Happy Valley, Broadchurch, Shetland
Synopsis: Think understated Scandi noir, but Welsh. The fact that they filmed each scene in Welsh first, then English, is a flavour of how meticulous this police series is.
Elite (2018-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 97% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.6/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: 13 Reasons Why, Dexter, Riverdale
Synopsis: This Spanish teen thriller follows three working-class students as they are enrolled in one of the most exclusive private schools in Spain.
Reality
Love is Blind (2020-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 73% (Rotton Tomatoes); 6/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: The Bachelor, Married at First Sight, The Circle
Synopsis: Love is Blind is trash. But it's also amazing. Thirty men and women take part in blind speed dating and then propose to the partner they like the best. Sparks fly as the couples experience a relationship on x10 speed.
Next In Fashion (2020-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 83% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.4/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: RuPaul's Drag Race, Project Runway, House of Style
Synopsis: A fun fashion design competition series hosted by Tan France and Alexa Chung. If you love fashion then this is your next binge watch.
The World's Most Extraordinary Homes (2017-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 7.5/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: George Clarke's Amazing Spaces, Grand Designs
Synopsis: This strangely relaxing series transports you to some of the most beautiful houses in the world. A must watch for architecture enthusiasts.
Thriller
Luther (2010-19)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 88% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.5/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Line of Duty, Broadchurch, True Detective
Synopsis: If you haven't seen Luther yet, now is the perfect time to work through all five series. Starring Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson, Luther is British crime drama at its very best.
Bodyguard (2018-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 93% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.2/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Killing Eve, The Capture, Bancroft
Synopsis: Jed Mercurio's crime drama tells the story of a war veteran who is assigned to protect a high profile politician. Richard Madden won a Golden Globe for his role.
Documentaries
Cheer (2020)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 96% (Rotton Tomatoes); 8.2/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Last Chance U, Spinning Out, Dare Me
Synopsis: An emotional, inspiring docuseries focused on Navarro College's cheer squad as they prepare to compete in the National Cheerleading Championship.
Tiger King (2020-)
Platform: Netflix
Reviews: 100% (Rotton Tomatoes); 7.9/10 (IMDb)
Similar shows: Don't F**K With Cats, The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, The Pharmacist
Synopsis: A new true crime documentary series from Netflix about the life of Joseph Maldonado-Passage who owned an Exotic Animal Park. I won't ruin it. It's crazy.
Featured: Imdb / Mammoth Screen, BBC
What TV shows are you enjoying whilst in quarantine?