The Queen’s Gambit
An engrossing chess drama wasn’t on our 2020 bingo card, but Netflix’s ingenious adaptation of Walter Tevis’ The Queen’s Gambit has given us the series we didn’t know we needed. Anya Taylor-Joy stars as chess mastermind Beth Harmon, a young woman who is determined to become the very best in the world. Beth’s potential to visualize chess movies in her mind brings the game to life in unpredictable ways. However, Beth’s inner demons may stand in the way of her aspirations.
Created by: Scott Frank, Allan Scott
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram
Number of seasons: 1
Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.
If I were you, I wouldn’t get too accustomed to seeing Marvel content on Netflix now that Disney+ is a competitor. Fortunately for Netflix fans, the complete 7-season run of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is still available and brings back to life, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and his crew of nonconformists in the MCU.
While initial seasons of the show were rather closely associated with the Marvel films, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. eventually took over its own corner of the universe. The concluding season features an even wilder time-travel tale than Avengers: Endgame. If you need a enjoyable Marvel fix, this might just be the show you need.
Created by: Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen
Cast: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet
Number of seasons: 7
Dawson’s Creek
Ah, Dawson’s Creek. It’s the quintessential teenage romance/drama that launched James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, and Michelle Williams into stardom. It also initiated creativity and led to the development of some memorable memes. Cry Dawson, cry! All six seasons of the soapy series are showcasing on Netflix this month. That means it’s a worthwhile opportunity to revisit the life and times of Dawson Leery and his friends in the astonishing, eventful town of Capeside. If you’re looking for a fun nostalgic show to watch, it’s hard to go wrong with this one.
Created by: Kevin Williamson
Cast: James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes
Number of seasons: 6
Available on Netflix beginning November 1
Unsolved Mysteries
The original Unsolved Mysteries had a long run on network television as it tackled possible paranormal activity and very gripping real-life cases. Fortunetly, that show also led to some of those cases being solved. Netflix’s reboot doesn’t have the same track record yet, but it does offer a compelling mix of fresh cases and stories. Unsolved Mysteries’ revival has also renounced the idea of using a host, because who could ever replace the incomparable Robert Stack? Regardless, the documentary-style approach suits the new show well. Stay tuned and maybe you could uncover the deeper truths within those mysteries.
Created by: John Cosgrove, Terry Dunn Meurer.
Cast: N/A
Number of seasons: 2
Ratched
The American Horror Story and American Crime Story star, Sarah Paulson, plays the lead in Ratched, a television series that is inspired by One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Paulson takes on the role of Nurse Mildred Ratched for a prequel to the famed novel and film. And if you believed that Ratched was horrific before, then this series is going to be a jaw dropper. Set in 1947, Ratched finds her way into a respected mental health institute. Outwardly, Ratched is a perfect nurse and a quintessence for others to admire. But underneath the surface, Ratched ruthlessly pursues her own personal agenda, irrespective of who she has to maim or murder. There are more than a few twists to be found, even the fact that love can be found by anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Created by: Evan Romansky
Cast: Sarah Paulson, Finn Wittrock, Cynthia Nixon
Number of seasons: 1
The Haunting of Bly Manor
First things first: The Haunting of Bly Manor is not the second season of The Haunting of Hill House, despite both being creations of Mike Flanagan. Instead of a sequel to Hill House, Flanagan has envisioned Bly Manor as its own separate story, which was inspired by Henry James’ classic novel, The Turn of the Screw. Victoria Pedretti headlines the series as Dani, a young governess who has been hired to watch over “two very unusual children.” Pedretti’s fellow Hill House veterans, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas, and Kate Siegel, will also be starring in new roles that are in no relation to the previous series. The one thing we can guarantee is that fresh scares are on the way and you might want to consider watching this new show with the lights on.
Created by: Mike Flanagan
Cast: Victoria Pedretti, Henry Thomas, Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Number of seasons: 1
Pose
Pose is one of the rare TV dramas that fully embraces its LGBTQ cast, which is essential to the period and premise of the show. The series begins in the late ‘80s and chronicles the lives of several gay and gender-nonconforming dancers in the ballroom culture scene. One of the main focus within the series is highlighting the dangers of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, which hits the community hard just when the subculture starts branching out towards the mainstream in the early ‘90s. It’s truly a TV show like no other.
Created by: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Steven Canals
Cast: Evan Peters, Kate Mara, James Van Der Beek
Number of seasons: 2
American Crime Story
The real-life legal saga of O.J. Simpson was both a spectacle and the trial of the century. The first season of American Crime Story dived into that tale in full throttle mode with The People v. O. J. Simpson. Remarkably, the series offered a very grounded, humanitarian approach on all of its principal figures. That’s especially true of Sarah Paulson’s Marcia Clark and Sterling K. Brown’s Christopher Darden, the prosecutors assigned to put O.J. Simpson (Cuba Gooding Jr.) behind bars.
Created by: Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, Tom Rob Smith
Cast: Sterling K. Brown, Cuba Gooding Jr. Sarah Paulson
Number of seasons: 2
The Crown
Britain’s current and longest-reigning monarch is also one of its most self-effacing ones. Elizabeth II ascended to the throne as a result of repercussions due to World War II, at a time when the monarchy had relenquished much of its power to Parliament and the Prime Minister. Despite a lack of governmental or authoritative figures, the Queen remains one of the most important heads of state in the world, and civic duties abound. Netflix’s The Crown traces Elizabeth’s (Claire Foy) life from her marriage to Prince Philip (Matt Smith) in 1947 to the present day, digging into the web of agendas and alliances the Queen must navigate. Heavy on political intrigue, The Crown is sure to satisfy viewers who appreciate Machiavellian television, as well as those who love the decor of TV shows like Downton Abbey. On the contrary, the show also has an intimate side through which it examines Elizabeth’s personal relationships and the toll exacted by her duties as Queen.
Created by: Peter Morgan
Cast: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Matt Smith
Number of seasons: 5
