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.
"Little Fires Everywhere" is a television miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Celeste Ng. The show premiered on Hulu in 2020 and consists of eight episodes. It is set in the 1990s and follows the intertwined lives of the wealthy Richardson family and a struggling single mother and her daughter.
The plot revolves around the themes of motherhood, identity, and privilege. The Richardson family hires the single mother, Mia, as their housekeeper, and their lives become entangled as secrets are revealed and tensions rise. Mia's daughter, Pearl, befriends the Richardson children, adding another layer of complexity to their relationships.
The show has been praised for its compelling performances, nuanced storytelling, and exploration of complex social issues. It received several award nominations and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. Overall, "Little Fires Everywhere" is a thought-provoking and emotional miniseries that delves into the complexities of family, class, and identity in America.
"A Teacher" is a TV miniseries that explores the complex and controversial relationship between a high school teacher, Claire, and her student, Eric. The show follows their illicit affair over the course of several years, revealing the damaging impact it has on both of their lives.
The show addresses the power dynamic inherent in a relationship between a teacher and a student, highlighting the abuse of authority and trust that can occur. It also portrays the emotional toll the relationship takes on both Claire and Eric, as well as the people around them. The show raises important questions about consent, accountability, and the consequences of actions.
Overall, "A Teacher" is a thought-provoking exploration of a taboo subject that challenges viewers to think critically about the boundaries of appropriate behavior and the devastating effects of crossing those boundaries.
Empire is a television series that first aired in 2015 and ran for six seasons. The show centers around the Lyon family, who run a successful music company called Empire Entertainment. The patriarch, Lucious Lyon, is a former drug dealer turned music mogul who is diagnosed with a terminal illness at the beginning of the series. As he struggles to choose which of his three sons will inherit his business, tensions rise and family secrets are revealed.
Throughout the series, the Lyon family faces various obstacles, including rival music companies, legal battles, and personal struggles. The show also features a diverse cast of characters, including talented musicians, ruthless businesspeople, and loyal friends. Music plays a significant role in the series, with original songs and performances by the cast featured in each episode.
Empire was a critical and commercial success during its run, earning multiple award nominations and high ratings. The show tackled important issues such as homophobia, mental illness, and the music industry's exploitation of black artists. It also provided a platform for diverse representation in mainstream media and showcased the talents of its predominantly black cast.
"The Girl from Plainville" is a five-part television miniseries based on the true story of Michelle Carter, a teenager from Plainville, Massachusetts. The series follows the events leading up to the death of Conrad Roy, Michelle's boyfriend, who died by suicide in 2014. Michelle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging Conrad to take his own life through text messages and was sentenced to 15 months in jail.
The series explores Michelle's complex relationship with Conrad and the mental health issues that both of them were facing at the time. It also delves into the legal implications of the case and the impact of social media on modern-day communication.
The miniseries stars Elle Fanning as Michelle Carter and is based on the Esquire article "The Girl from Plainville" by Jesse Barron. The series premiered on Hulu in August 2020 and received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of a difficult and controversial case.
"The Great" is a satirical historical comedy-drama television series that premiered on Hulu in 2020. It tells a fictionalized story of Catherine the Great, the Empress of Russia, during her early years of marriage to Emperor Peter III. The series is created by Tony McNamara, who also wrote the screenplay for the critically acclaimed film "The Favourite."
"The Great" features Elle Fanning as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult as Peter III. The show explores the power struggle between the couple and their efforts to rule the country. The series uses a mix of comedy and drama to highlight the absurdities of the Russian court and the difficulties of being a woman in a male-dominated society.
The show has received positive reviews for its writing, performances, and production design. It has been praised for its witty humor and engaging storytelling. "The Great" has been renewed for a second season, which is set to premiere in 2022.
"Reservation Dogs" is a television series that was created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. It was released in 2021 and is a comedy-drama that follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers living in rural Oklahoma. The show is unique in that it features an all-Indigenous cast and crew, and showcases the culture and experiences of Indigenous people.
The show is centered around the daily lives of the four main characters - Bear, Elora Danan, Willie Jack, and Cheese. They are a tight-knit group who live on a reservation and dream of leaving their hometown to start a new life in California. However, they are faced with challenges and obstacles, both within their community and from the outside world, that make it difficult for them to achieve their goals.
"Reservation Dogs" has received critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal of Indigenous culture and its ability to balance humor with serious issues. The show explores themes of identity, loss, and community, and sheds light on the experiences of Indigenous youth in the United States. It has been praised for its strong writing, acting, and direction, and has been described as a groundbreaking series that is pushing the boundaries of representation in television.
Fantasy Island is a television series that premiered in 2021. It is a reboot of the 1977 series of the same name. The show follows the adventures of Elena Roarke, who runs a luxurious resort on a remote island. The island has a special power to make people's dreams come true, but with unexpected consequences.
Each episode features a group of guests who arrive at the island with their deepest desires and fantasies. Elena and her team work to make these dreams a reality, but as they soon discover, there are often unexpected twists and turns. The guests must confront the unintended consequences of their wishes and learn valuable lessons about themselves in the process.
The show explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and self-discovery through a mix of drama, suspense, and supernatural elements. The cast includes Roselyn Sánchez as Elena Roarke, Kiara Barnes, John Gabriel Rodriquez, and others. The show has received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its fresh take on the original series and others finding it lacking in depth.
