For some, a long weekend isn’t about getting in touch with nature or filling a calendar to the extent that there is not a second spent alone, but rather a golden opportunity to watch an obscene amount of television.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite series of the year so far. From a shocking docuseries about a deadly cult to Lulu Wang’s drama about politics and privilege, it seems there’s no better time to throw on your comfy pants, stock up on your favourite snacks and chuck on the telly.
And if you make it through them all, scroll to the bottom of the list to see which upcoming releases we cannot wait to binge.
One Day
Yes, you’ve probably read the book and seen the not-so-great 2011 movie adaptation starring Anna Hathaway, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also watch the love story’s latest iteration as a Netflix series. Starring Leo Woodall (the pretend-nephew from season two of The White Lotus) and Ambika Mod, their chemistry is what the best rom-coms are made of. Add to the mix a killer soundtrack and bite-sized episodes, and you’ve got yourself an exquisitely bingeable series. (Netflix)
Palm Royale
Set in a Slim Aarons looking country club in the 1960s, this AppleTV+ comedy series is worth watching for the costumes and set alone. Featuring a star-studded cast including Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Kaia Gerber, and Ricky Martin, Palm Royale follows Maxine (Wiig), a former beauty pageant queen who is trying to find her way into a group of elite women who rule the Palm Beach enclave. The first four episodes are out now. (AppleTV+)
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God
If you’re curious about a how a former McDonald’s manager with three young children became a cult leader known as ‘Mother God’, who believed she could cure cancer and was spiritually connected to Robin Williams, and who eventually died from chronic ingestion of colloidal silver… then do I have a recommendation for you. Love Has Won is a three-part HBO docuseries that chronicles the life and death of Amy Carlson, who, along with a string of male partners she referred to as ‘Father God’, built a cult through her online manifestos and live-streaming sessions. Completely shocking and captivating! (Binge)
Feud: Capote vs Swan
A retelling of the real-life scandal that erupted between Truman Capote and his New York socialite circle and one-time friends, the ‘Swans’, after the author revealed their dark secrets. The definition of a star-studded cast, the series features Naomi Watts, Chloe Sevigny, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, Calista Flockhart, Molly Ringwald and Tom Hollander as Capote. Reviews have said that the series is more vibes than substance, but I could overlook this based on some incredible performances (Watts is perfection as Babe Paley), and the stunning portrayal of New York high society. (Binge)
Mr and Mrs Smith
I have zero interest in action blockbusters, but when Maya Erskine and Donald Glover are cast to play a couple, I tune in, no matter the genre. Starring as Jane and Jone in the latest reboot of Mr & Mrs Smith, every episode of this spy caper is infused with charm and intelligence and humour. Very fun and very refreshing with bonus points for the excellent fashion. (Prime Video)
The Curse
If you like your TV bizarre, uncomfortable and with a strong undercurrent of satire, then The Curse is your new favourite series. Directed by Nathan Fielder and starring Emma Stone, the series takes viewers behind the scenes of a reality TV show about eco-conscious housing designed by self-proclaimed “good people” in the fictional town of Española. It’s about performative altruism, privilege, and, sometimes, the supernatural. You will cringe and laugh, and you will not be able to look away. (Paramount+)
Boy Swallows Universe
Set in 1980s Brisbane, this widely acclaimed adaptation of Trent Dalton’s bestselling novel showed the world a very different side of Australia to that of Summer Bay. For starters, its central character Eli Bell spends most of his time after school hanging at home with his drug-addicted mum and mute older brother, or fishing with a notorious ex-crim. There are plenty of grim moments, but the cracking plot and stellar ensemble cast (Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Anthony LaPaglia, Deborah Mailman…) keep you on the edge of your seat and, somehow, smiling. We challenge anyone to watch just one episode at a time.
Expats
From The Farewell director Lulu Wang comes a deeply layered and haunting series about three women united by tragedy, privilege and regret. Set in Hong Kong in 2014, the year of the Umbrella Movement, Expats stars Nicole Kidman as a woman reeling from the disappearance of her youngest child. But the real star of the show is the city of Hong Kong itself. The miniseries showcases little-seen sections of the city, from the Mong Kok night markets to luxurious hotels to the places the Filipina nannies visit on their days off. (Prime Video)
Upcoming Series
If the trailer and early reviews are anything to go by, Ripley—a black and white miniseries adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel—will be stunning and immersive (Netflix, 4 April).
It must be the season for book-to-TV adaptations as there are two more we are keenly anticipating: Amor Towles’ A Gentleman In Moscow, starring Ewan McGregor (Paramount+, March 29); and Viet Thanh Nguyen’s The Sympathizer (Binge, 15 April).
Finally, we can’t wait to see Elisabeth Moss play a MI6 agent in The Veil – a six-part series from the Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight (Disney+, 30 April).
BY Laura Brading
Laura is PRIMER's books editor
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