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.
Oh Hell is a TV series that follows the story of Helene, a 24-year-old woman who is going through a quarter-life crisis. Helene, who is also known as "Hell," is struggling to figure out who she is and what she wants in life.
In order to move forward, Hell realizes that she must confront the obstacles that are holding her back. She must first learn to understand herself and overcome her own limitations. She must also figure out how to get out of her own way and take action towards her goals.
The show explores the ups and downs of Hell's journey as she navigates the challenges of adulthood. It deals with themes of self-discovery, growth, and overcoming obstacles. The series is relatable to many young adults who are going through a similar stage in life and provides an entertaining and engaging look into the journey of finding oneself.
Succession is an HBO drama created by Jesse Armstrong, following the Roy family — owners of the global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo — as its ageing patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) circles the question of who will take over when he steps back.
Season 4, which premiered on March 26, 2023, was announced in advance as the show's final run. It opens with the Roy siblings — Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin) — in open revolt against their father, launching a rival venture while Logan pursues the sale of Waystar to Swedish tech magnate Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård). What follows is ten episodes of shifting alliances, a genuinely destabilising mid-season turn, and a corporate endgame that doubles as a family autopsy.
The final season was met with extraordinary acclaim and swept the 2023 Emmys, taking Outstanding Drama Series along with acting wins for Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, and Matthew Macfadyen. It is widely regarded as one of the strongest closing seasons in modern television.
Euphoria is a television series that premiered on HBO in 2019. The show follows a group of high school students as they navigate the complexities of adolescence, including drug addiction, mental health issues, and relationships. The series has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of these issues and its ability to capture the highs and lows of teenage life.
The show's creator, Sam Levinson, drew inspiration from his own experiences as a teenager and worked closely with a team of experts to ensure that the show's portrayal of sensitive topics was accurate and responsible. The series features a diverse cast of characters, including transgender and non-binary individuals, and has been lauded for its representation of marginalized communities.
Euphoria has been both a critical and commercial success, with many viewers praising the show's performances, direction, and writing. The series has been renewed for a second season and has already spawned a number of spin-offs, including a special episode that aired during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, Euphoria has established itself as a powerful and thought-provoking drama that tackles important issues facing young people today.
"The Staircase" is a biographical drama streaming television miniseries created by Antonio Campos and based on the 2004 true crime docuseries of the same name by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. The show follows the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist who is accused of killing his wife, Kathleen Peterson. Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and as the investigation unfolds, Michael's family becomes embroiled in a legal battle.
The show stars Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson, as well as Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Michael's lawyer, and Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson, Michael's oldest son from his first marriage who has his own legal issues. The series also features Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from her first marriage, and Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson, Michael's youngest son from his first marriage. Other notable cast members include Sophie Turner, Parker Posey, Juliette Binoche, and Rosemarie DeWitt.
"The Staircase" premiered on HBO Max on May 5, 2022. The show explores the complexities of the legal system and the emotional toll that a high-profile murder case can have on a family. The series has received critical acclaim for its performances, writing, and direction. It is a gripping and thought-provoking show that delves into the nuances of a controversial case and its impact on those involved.
"The Gilded Age" is a television drama series that premiered on HBO in 2022. The show is set in the late 19th century in New York City and follows the lives of wealthy American families during the time period known as the Gilded Age. The show's themes include social class, gender roles, politics, and the effects of industrialization on American society.
The story focuses on Marian Brook, a young woman from a modest background who finds herself drawn into the world of the rich and powerful when she moves to New York City to live with her aunt. Along the way, she becomes involved with a variety of characters, including railroad magnate George Russell, who is running for mayor of New York, and his wife Bertha, who is determined to maintain her position in high society at any cost.
The show features an ensemble cast, including Christine Baranski, Cynthia Nixon, and Morgan Spector. The series was created by Julian Fellowes, the creator of "Downton Abbey," and has been praised for its lavish production design and engaging storytelling. Overall, "The Gilded Age" offers a compelling look at the social and cultural upheavals of the late 19th century in America.
"Scenes from a Marriage" is a five-episode miniseries that first aired on HBO in September 2021. It is a remake of a Swedish television series of the same name from the 1970s. The series follows the lives of a married couple, Mira and Jonathan, over several years as they navigate the highs and lows of their relationship.
The series is known for its intimate and emotionally raw portrayal of marriage, with each episode focusing on a different stage in Mira and Jonathan's relationship. The first episode explores the early days of their marriage, while the later episodes delve into the challenges they face as their relationship becomes strained.
The series has been praised for its realistic portrayal of marriage, with many viewers and critics finding the characters relatable and the storylines thought-provoking. The performances of the two lead actors, Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac, have also been widely praised for their nuanced and powerful portrayals of the complex emotions that come with being in a long-term relationship.
Lovecraft Country is a television series based on the novel of the same name by Matt Ruff. The show is set in the 1950s and follows the story of Atticus Freeman, a Black man living in Jim Crow-era America who embarks on a journey with his family to find his missing father. Along the way, they encounter supernatural creatures and face racism from both humans and otherworldly beings.
The series explores themes of racism, family, and the horror genre. It addresses the pervasive racism that Black people faced during that time period, including segregation, police brutality, and the fear of being lynched. The show also highlights the strength and resilience of Black families in the face of such adversity, as well as the importance of community and belonging.
Lovecraft Country subverts the horror genre by incorporating the real-life horrors of racism into the supernatural storyline. It also features a diverse cast and crew, with a majority of the main cast being people of color and women. The series has received critical acclaim for its unique blend of horror and social commentary, as well as its representation of marginalized groups in mainstream media.
