Bad Sisters is a dark comedy-thriller from Apple TV+ that arrived with little fanfare in 2022 and promptly became one of the most celebrated television series of the decade. Created by Sharon Horgan, who also stars, the series follows the four Garvey sisters in Dublin who conspire to murder their abusive brother-in-law John Paul Williams — a man so comprehensively awful that audiences are cheering for his death before the end of the first episode. The show's masterstroke is its dual-timeline structure, which reveals in the opening minutes that John Paul is dead, then spends ten episodes showing how he might have gotten that way.
The ensemble is uniformly brilliant: Anne-Marie Duff, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, and Eve Hewson each bring distinctive textures to the Garvey sisters, creating a family unit so believable and warmly drawn that viewers will want to be adopted into it immediately. Claes Bang is magnificently hateable as John Paul, a performance that requires the audience to understand exactly why murder feels justified while also illuminating the specific and insidious ways such men operate within families. The comedic timing across the ensemble is impeccable, arriving in moments you least expect and making the darkness all the more bearable.
What elevates Bad Sisters beyond its clever premise is its profound emotional intelligence about grief, family loyalty, and the way women are conditioned to endure harm rather than name it. The series was renewed for a second season, which expanded the universe while maintaining the tonal balance that made the original so distinctive. Bad Sisters is that rare achievement: a show that is genuinely funny, genuinely suspenseful, and genuinely moving, often within the same scene.
"Show Me a Hero" is a six-part miniseries based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Lisa Belkin. The series was created by David Simon, who is best known for his work on "The Wire" and "Treme." It was produced by HBO and premiered in August 2015.
The series is set in Yonkers, New York, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and tells the story of the city's response to a federal court order to build low-income housing in a white, middle-class neighborhood. The decision to build the housing was met with opposition from many of the neighborhood's residents, and the resulting conflict became a national news story.
The series focuses on several key players in the conflict, including the mayor of Yonkers, Nick Wasicsko, who initially opposed the court order but eventually came to support it, and a group of residents who formed the Save Yonkers Federation to fight against the housing. The series explores issues of race, class, and politics, and has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of complex characters and its examination of the impact of racism and prejudice on communities."
The New Pope is a drama series that premiered on Sky Atlantic in Italy in January 2020. Created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, it serves as a continuation of the 2016 series The Young Pope, featuring Jude Law as Pope Pius XIII and John Malkovich as Pope John Paul III, the new pope. The series is co-produced by The Apartment, Wildside, Haut et Court TV, and Mediapro.
The story revolves around Pope Pius XIII's coma, and the papal conclave that elects Pope John Paul III as his successor. The new pope is characterized as a more open-minded and humble leader, in contrast to his predecessor's authoritarianism. Other notable characters include Cardinal Angelo Voiello, Camerlengo, and Cardinal Secretary of State, who is at odds with Cardinal Hernández during the conclave, and Sofia Dubois, who oversees marketing for the Holy See.
The New Pope features an ensemble cast that includes Silvio Orlando, Cécile de France, Javier Cámara, Ludivine Sagnier, and Massimo Ghini, among others. It also includes guest appearances from Marilyn Manson and Sharon Stone. The series has received positive reviews for its production values, performances, and themes. It explores complex topics such as faith, power, and morality in a thought-provoking manner, making it an engaging watch for viewers interested in drama and politics.
"The Young Pope" is a television series that premiered on HBO in 2016. The show follows the life of Lenny Belardo, a young and controversial American pontiff who becomes the first American pope in history. The series explores the political intrigue and power struggles within the Vatican, as well as Lenny's personal struggles with faith and identity.
The show was created by Paolo Sorrentino and features a talented cast, including Jude Law as Lenny and Diane Keaton as Sister Mary, a nun who serves as his closest advisor. The series has been noted for its stunning visuals, intricate plot, and strong performances. The show explores themes of power, faith, and the human condition, as Lenny tries to navigate the complex and treacherous world of the Vatican.
"The Young Pope" was critically acclaimed and received multiple award nominations during its one-season run. The show's success led to a follow-up series, "The New Pope," which premiered in 2020. The second series features a similar cast and explores similar themes, but also introduces new characters and storylines. The show has been praised for its bold and daring storytelling, as well as its ability to provoke thought and conversation about religion and the nature of faith.
"The Alienist" is a television series that premiered on TNT in 2018. It is based on the novel of the same name by Caleb Carr and is set in 1896 in New York City. The show follows a team of experts, including a psychologist or "alienist," a newspaper illustrator, and a police secretary, as they investigate a series of gruesome murders of young male prostitutes.
The show explores themes of psychology, criminal profiling, and corruption within the police force. The team must navigate the complex and dangerous world of 19th-century New York City to catch the killer before he strikes again. Along the way, they confront their own personal demons and form close bonds with one another.
"The Alienist" was praised for its stunning cinematography, attention to historical detail, and strong performances by its cast, which includes Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans, and Daniel Brühl. The show was renewed for a second season, which premiered in 2020 and is set one year after the events of the first season. The second season is titled "The Alienist: Angel of Darkness" and follows the same team as they investigate the kidnapping of a Spanish diplomat's infant daughter.
"Deadwood" is a critically acclaimed American Western television series that aired on HBO from 2004 to 2006. The show takes place in the late 1800s in the lawless town of Deadwood, South Dakota, during the Gold Rush. The show was praised for its authentic portrayal of the historical period and its use of language.
The show follows a diverse group of characters, including historical figures such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, as they navigate life in the dangerous and corrupt town of Deadwood. The show explores themes of power, greed, and morality as the characters struggle to survive in a world where violence and deception are commonplace.
"Deadwood" was praised for its strong writing, complex characters, and excellent performances by its cast. The show was canceled after its third season, much to the disappointment of its dedicated fan base. However, it has since gained a cult following and is considered one of the greatest television dramas of all time.
4 Blocks is a German TV series that follows the story of a Lebanese family living in Berlin. The show premiered in 2017 and ran for three seasons, ending in 2019. It revolves around Ali "Toni" Hamady, who attempts to leave his criminal past behind and start a legitimate business, but his efforts are hindered by his brother's recklessness and a rival gang's thirst for power.
The series is lauded for its realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld in Berlin, as well as its portrayal of complex characters. The show delves into themes of identity, family, and cultural conflict. 4 Blocks was a hit in Germany and was also picked up by Amazon Prime Video for international distribution.
The show has garnered many accolades, including the Grimme-Preis and the International Emmy Award for Best Drama Series. 4 Blocks is often compared to other well-known crime dramas like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad and is considered a significant milestone in German television.
"Prófugos" is a Chilean television drama series that premiered in 2011. It tells the story of four men who become involved in the drug trade and end up being pursued by the authorities. The series was created by Pablo Larraín, who is known for his critically acclaimed films.
The show is set in Chile and follows the characters as they navigate the dangerous world of drug trafficking. The four men are forced to work together to survive as they are chased by the police and rival gangs. Along the way, they must confront their own personal demons and make difficult choices.
The series was well-received by critics and audiences alike, with particular praise for its strong performances and intense, suspenseful storyline. It ran for two seasons and has been described as one of the best Chilean television shows of all time.
