TV show, you have to see this
Let's be honest: who hasn't complained that you really don't know what to watch anymore? Well, we can certainly whine. It's just a luxury problem, of course. There are so many good titles; but which one do you choose? We feel your struggle; but don't worry, we got you. We selected the five must-see TV shows for you. The only thing you need to do? Plop down on the couch and hit play.
The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Whoever said you don't learn anything from TV shows has never had to wait for a new season. That's pretty much the ultimate lesson in having patience. And then you also have to deal with just one episode a week. Okay, sorry, we're starting to complain again, back to what it's really about: ‘The Morning Show’ is back. Alex Levy (Jennifer Aniston) and Bradley Jackson (Reese Witherspoon) are finally back on-air. Quick recap. Before Alex started working with Bradley, Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) was her partner. He had to leave due to sexual misconduct, leading to the formation of the new duo. In season two, the editorial team also can't escape the Covid pandemic, causing business and personal unrest. The presentation paths of Alex and Bradley ultimately go in different directions. Fortunately, the separation doesn't last long. In the third season, the power duo is back, and that's desperately needed. Their network UBA is on the brink of financial ruin.
What's next? In this fourth season, we see the consequences of the merger between UBA and NBN. The editorial team has to learn to work together again, but it seems not everyone is being honest about their motives. Trusting each other is becoming increasingly difficult in the world of deepfakes and conspiracy theories. In the fictional world, you can escape a lot, but apparently not from fake news. The series will thus wink at reality here and there, guaranteed ‘oh yes’ moments. For the next ten weeks, you can binge, especially if you still have some catching up to do. But believe me, it’s worth it.
Big Little Lies (HBO Max)
We're sticking with Reese Witherspoon for a bit, because why not? Earlier, she played one of the lead roles in the TV show ‘Big Little Lies’. It's a bit her baby; this was the first major project she made with her own production company Pacific Standard. But it's soon clear that Reese has been around in Hollywood for a while. The series is just really good. The story is based on the eponymous novel by Liane Moriarty and is set in Monterey, California. A town where you really need to have a Range Rover parked out front to belong. The three mothers Madeline Martha Mackenzie (Witherspoon), Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman) and Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley) all live their perfect lives. Well, they mainly want the outside world to think that. When a fundraising event at the local elementary school ends in a murder, it strongly seems that the secrets and rivalries among the mothers have something to do with it. Goodbye perfect picture, hello drama.
So far, there are two seasons out, each with seven episodes. But whispers have been circulating for a while: there are plans for new episodes. We don't need to be mysterious anymore: season 3 is officially in the works. We still have to wait until next year. But with our perfectly trained patience, ahem, and a little rewatch, that should work. HBO klonk al een tijdje gefluister: er zouden plannen zijn voor nieuwe afleveringen. Geheimzinnig hoeven we inmiddels niet meer te doen: seizoen 3 is officieel in de maak. We moeten wel nog wachten tot volgend jaar. Maar met ons perfect getrainde geduld, uhum, én een kleine rewatch moet dat toch lukken.
Anatomy of a Scandal (Netflix)
Starting a TV show with many seasons is quite a commitment. It especially takes so long before you can let go of the fear of spoilers. And are you like me, someone who immediately wants to look up everything about a fun show? Then you really have to hold back. With a mini-series, you don't have that struggle, and that's delightful. If I may recommend one, it would be ‘Anatomy of a Scandal’. That series just had to be released all at once. The story is based on the eponymous book by Sarah Vaughan. Politician James Whitehouse (Rupert Friend) has an affair with his assistant Olivia Lytton (Naomi Scott), but after five months, their relationship comes to an end. In the elevator of the parliament building, they have sex one last time. According to James, to put a definitive end to it, but according to Olivia, this was not voluntary at all. She accuses him of rape, and thus their big secret comes to light.
The accusation is not only a disaster for James’ career but also for his family. His wife Sophie (Sienna Miller) is now forced to bear the consequences of her husband's actions. As their life slowly collapses, the big question remains: what is the truth? And the creators manage to present it in such a way that you keep doubting until the end.
The Bold Type (Videoland)
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ already gave us a glimpse into how things work in the world of magazines. It's not a true behind-the-scenes, of course. The creators took some liberties to embellish everything just a bit. Does that make it less interesting? Certainly not. While we eagerly await the sequel to the film, we don't have to be bored. The TV show ‘The Bold Type’ satisfies our curiosity.
This time, we don't knock on Vogue, but at Cosmopolitan; which for the story is now called Scarlet. The series is a tribute to Joanna Coles, who was the editor-in-chief from 2012 to 2016. We follow three young women trying to find their way within the magazine while also struggling with discovering their identity, friendships, and love life. Of course, always in the perfect outfit, because that's how it should be. What’s extra fun: Coles is herself an executive producer of the series. So we can assume that many of the events find their seeds in the truth. Although the creators have also let loose a bit here and there.
Industry (HBO Max)
There are TV shows that you think: that could have stopped after one season. Others only get better and better, like ‘Industry’ on HBO Max. I’m not the only one who thinks so; the rising Rotten Tomatoes scores from 76 to 98 percent are proof of that. In the series, we follow a group of recent graduates who want to secure a spot at Pierpoint & Co; the most prestigious investment bank in London. One little problem: there are more candidates than available positions. That means the newcomers have to do everything they can to prove themselves. They seem to know very few boundaries in doing so. It’s hard against hard. And, yes, all that excitement also leads to a few romances in the workplace. Who says finance is boring? Well, that is absolutely not the case here.
Good news: season four is already in the works. We don't know an exact date; but the expectation is that we can continue watching sometime next year. What awaits us? The creators are still being delightfully mysterious. When asked if he could share any details, showrunner Mickey Down replied very briefly: “As always: money and class. What else is there?” Well, we’ll have to make do with that. Are we curious? Just a little bit.
