My Netflix watchlist is never-ending. Every so often I cull it by admitting what feels like defeat. It’s comprised of movies that I need to be in the right mood to watch, as well movies that are so loved I can run the entire film through my head in the length of an extended GIF. Basically I never watch either category. Then there are the shows I’ve got cued up for when I’m ready to start something new, but don’t want to spend time figuring out what. These occasionally get seen but can be overlooked for a fresh Netflix original release. Keep reading to know which shows had me clicking Next Episode.
Dead to Me, 2 Seasons
Dark Comedy TV-MA, Netflix
If you like female-centric shows that appeal to a broad audience, think Grace and Frankie meets Big Little Lies, then you’ll enjoy Dead to Me. A special thank you to whoever thought of putting Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini together. To see women of equal caliber playing as equals is a joy.
Jen, played by Applegate, is grieving the loss of her husband. His death, due to a hit-and-run, is sudden and unresolved. She meets Cardellini’s character, Judy, at a grief support group. Judy an artist attuned to eastern philosophy is a sharp contrast to the realtor and newly single mom, Jen. This not so meet-cute is the beginning of a strong friendship that is hard to come by in mid-life.
Adam McKay and Will Ferrell serve as producers and you’ll notice the cast also includes a fellow Anchorman 2 alum of Applegate and Ferrell, James Marsden. Creator, Liz Feldman provides sharp writing that balances between quirky dark and quirky light. All of this combined makes a show that will have you shouting Yes, I’m still watching Netflix!
Season 1 was by far one of my most favorite shows last year and I was excited for season 2. At first, the second season seems doomed to fall into the trap of sequels. There is a significant portion of the story that lends itself to hitting all the marks that worked in the first installment, but each episode reveals plenty of fresh storylines and pleasant surprise twists. Where season 1 gets an A++, season 2 gets a solid A.
It’s been renewed for a third and final season. This is good news. Aside from resolving the cliffhanger, I do love when a show can write towards a series finale.
Dynasty, 3 Seasons
Drama, Soap TV-14, The CW
The CW remake of the 80’s primetime soap promptly arrives at the end of its network season run to Netflix. I was skeptical of this show when it debuted in the fall of 2017 but it came recommended by a good friend that also enjoys an over-the-top soap with all the glitz and romps. I watched the first 2 seasons week-to-weekish – I’d let a few episodes pile up and watch 3 in one go. This made me realize Dynasty is better binged.
There is a revolving door of cast members at Dynasty, especially if your character’s name is Cristal. There are a few Day 1 mainstays. Soap alums Grant Show (Melrose Place) and Alan Dale (The OC) as the family patriarch and loyal butler help anchor the younger leads. Victorious alum, Elizabeth Gilles, plays ambitious Fallon. Rafael de la Fuente, previously seen on Empire, plays lovable Sam. Think Wilson Cruz’s Rickie from My So-Called Life, but what he would be like after high school.
The reboot has been developed by Stephanie Savage and Josh Shwartz both of whom count The OC and Gossip Girl amongst their past productions. Despite being based on a Regan-Era soap about greed, it is contemporary. Set in Atlanta, the cast includes Black and Latinx actors playing characters of all backgrounds. Diversity is an integral part of the show’s DNA allowing for storylines more relevant to today’s audiences – think immigration and equal rights.
If you’re in the market for a guilty pleasure show, you know the one you watch while you’re getting dinner ready or when you want background noise to all the scrolling you’re doing on your phone, then this may be right up your street. There are a lot of episodes seeing as it’s a network show, but it’s much easier to get through on Netflix.
What shows on Netflix had you up into the night in June?
