I’ve been using Netflix for more than a decade, so it’s safe to say I’ve watched much of its catalog. This means I’ve seen some of the best TV shows ever created, but also sat through my fair share of duds. I’m not getting that time back, so let me save you from making the same mistakes.
To that end, here are three Netflix shows that are well worth binge-watching this weekend.
### The Crown
Even if you don’t have any interest in the British royal family, you can’t deny that Queen Elizabeth II was a fascinating person, if only for the fact that her life was unlike any other. Elizabeth took the throne in February 1952 and reigned until her death in September 2022, making her the longest-serving British monarch. She lived through wars, 15 UK prime ministers, and plenty of Windsor family controversies.
Much of her reign is portrayed in Netflix’s brilliant historical drama series *The Crown*. Set across six seasons, the show spans from 1947 to 2005, including events from Elizabeth’s life such as her coronation, the marriage and eventual divorce of Diana and Charles, and the deaths of key figures like Princess Margaret. This is all framed against contemporary world events like the Suez Crisis.
Although dramatic liberties have been taken—no one can know exactly what was said behind closed doors—everything feels authentic, in part thanks to the stunning sets, costumes, and performances. The cast changes every two seasons as the show moves through different eras. It’s still clearly the same character, but each actor brings a different energy to the role.
The supporting cast is fittingly made up of acting royalty too, including John Lithgow, Gillian Anderson, and Lesley Manville. Credit also goes to the intelligent and witty writing, ensuring the characters steer clear of caricature. Undoubtedly, *The Crown* is a Netflix drama that changed TV forever.
### The Umbrella Academy
Comic book adaptations can be hit or miss, so I cautiously approached *The Umbrella Academy* when it debuted in 2019. Based on the comics written by My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way, the show is about a group of superpowered humans who were all simultaneously born to women who showed no signs of pregnancy.
An odd billionaire, Reginald Hargreeves (Colm Feore), adopts some of them—not out of any fatherly desire but to develop them into a superhero team, assigning them numbers rather than names. The siblings become estranged, but they reunite at Hargreeves’ funeral, and time-traveling Five (Aidan Gallagher) returns from the future to warn them of an impending apocalypse.
It’s a bonkers start, and it gets wilder from there, with some great visuals and music. When they’re not saving the world, the siblings argue and bond, and the show gives space for each of them to shine, whether it’s Tom Hopper’s super-strength astronaut or Emmy Raver-Lampman’s mind-controlling actress.
All that to say, *The Umbrella Academy* is a successful live-action adaptation. However, it doesn’t maintain its high quality throughout all four seasons; I think the first two are the best. While the show has a healthy mix of action, drama, and humor, it does occasionally feel like it’s retreading old ground. Despite that, it’s bursting with panache and is fun overall.
### BoJack Horseman
Despite its bright and charming visuals, *BoJack Horseman* is not for children. It’s about the titular anthropomorphic horse (voiced by Will Arnett), an actor who reached the heady heights of fame and success in the ‘90s thanks to a sitcom called *Horsin’ Around*. In the present day, BoJack is a middle-aged alcoholic living in Hollywood, at the lowest point of his career.
He partners with ghostwriter Diane (Alison Brie) after his agent, Princess Carolyn (Amy Sedaris), encourages him to write an autobiography. Alongside this trio is BoJack’s slacker friend Todd (Aaron Paul) and former sitcom rival Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins).
It’s difficult to pick a favorite character, and they all evolve wonderfully over the seasons, but Mr. Peanutbutter may take the crown for me because of how deliriously optimistic and naive he is. The voice cast is unanimously fantastic; their chemistry feels real, to the point that it’s easy to forget you’re watching an adult animated series set in a world of humans and talking animals.
*BoJack Horseman* explores many things, including depression, addiction, fame, and families, and at times it gets very heavy. BoJack himself is an atypical protagonist because he isn’t naturally likeable—in fact, he makes some awful decisions—but ultimately he is trying to better himself.
Part of what makes the show so great is that it balances this dark tone with plenty of humor in its dialogue and visuals. The fact that actress Margo Martindale repeatedly appears as a crime-loving version of herself is hilarious. It’s a show unlike any other, and it only gets better as it goes on.
https://www.howtogeek.com/netflix-shows-weekend-binge-september-26/
