|
ORIGINALS WE LIKE
You may have noticed a trend as of late, the huge increase in new "original productions" on Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. Other services are cranking out new original productions as well. There is no doubt that we've entered a new "golden age" of television – the “golden streaming age”, perhaps. While we've watched some of them, we confess we’re way behind, and working to catch up with the newer stuff! Of the “Originals” we’ve seen, from both networks and streaming services, here are some of our current favorites:
|
|
"Wednesday" (2022 — ) Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Emma Myers, Hunter Doohan, Jamie McShane, Percy Hynes White, Joy Sunday, Christina Ricci, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, Isaac Ordonez. Available on Netflix.
|
"All Creatures Great and Small" (2020 — ) Nicholas Ralph, Samuel West, Anna Madeley, Callum Woodhouse, Rachel Shenton, Imogen Clawson, Matthew Lewis, Diana Rigg. Seasons 1 & 2 Available on PBS Passport.
|
|
|
"Ted Lasso" (2020 — Apple TV+) Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Toheeb Jimoh, Kola Bokinni, Cristo Fernández. Seasons 1 & 2 Available on Apple TV.
|
"Westworld" (2016 — HBO) Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton, James Marsden, Jimmi Simpson, Rodrigo Santoro, Aaron Paul. Available on HBO.
|
|
|
"World on Fire" (2019 — Mammoth Screen) Jonah Hauer-King, Julia Brown, Sean Bean, Helen Hunt, Sofia Wichlacz, Lesley Manville, Eryk Biedunkiewicz, Ansu Kabia, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Brian J. Smith and more.
|
|
"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (2017 — Amazon Prime Video) Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Zegen, Matilda Szydagis, Marin Hinkle, Kevin Pollak, Jane Lynch. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
|
- We’ve watched the series twice already and plan to view it again because Season Three is now available on Amazon Prime Video. The story takes us back to New York City in 1958. It follows Miriam Maisel, a housewife who has recently discovered a unique talent for stand-up comedy. For those of you who are wary of period pieces, don’t be afraid. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is refreshing and outrageously funny. Filled with rich characters and witty dialog Mrs. Maisel will have you strapped to the sofa ready for the next episode. We particularly love the characters of Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) and Abe Weissman (Tony Shalhoub.) The Catskills episodes are our favorites! Don’t wait, watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel immediately!
"Russian Doll" (2019 — Netflix) Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Elizabeth Ashley, Greta Lee, Dascha Polanco, Rebecca Henderson, Jeremy Bobb. Seasons 1 & 2 currently available on Netflix.
|
"Them" (2021 Sony Pictures Television) Deborha Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Melody Hurd, Alison Pill, Ryan Kwanten, Liam McIntyre, Jeremiah Brikett, Christopher Heyerdahl. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
|
Deborah Ayorinde in "Them" (2021 Sony Pictures Television)
|
"Outer Banks" (2020 — Netflix) Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Rudy Pankow, Madison daily Jonathan Davies Austin North, Charles Esten, Drew Starkey, Adina Porter. Seasons 1 & 2 currently available on Netflix.
|
|
- Outer Banks is teen angst cranked up to eleven, so much so, that the “Pogues” (not to be confused with the band) “scubby gang” even has an “Angst” bumper sticker on their VW bus. The writers are constantly writing themselves into corners, which they can only blast their way out of using dynamite. We’re not kidding. These teens take so many beatings you can’t stop wondering how they’re not dead from concussions! The parents are so ineffective; they may as well be Charlie Brown’s parents “wamp wamp, wamp wamp wamp waaaaaaa.” All that aside, as we said, you just won’t be able to stop yourselves from wanting to see more. We hope Netflix keeps this going for many summers to come!
"The Great" (2020 - Hulu) Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Sacha Dhawan, Charity Wakefield, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley, Douglas Hodge, Belinda Bromilow. Seasons 1 & 2 currently Available on Hulu.
|
|
"After Life" (2019 - 2022 Netflix) Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Tony Way, Ashley Jensen, Kerry Godliman, Mandeep Dhillon, Diane Morgan, Penelope Wilton, David Bradley. Available on Netflix. All three seasons available on Netflix.
|
We love it in this short series format! As a short series “After Life” gives us something that a feature film can’t, this unique format allows us to experience the main character’s emotional growth from start to finish. As a viewer, you feel the sense of loss that Tony (Gervais) is dealing with, and recognize the things that help. Anyone who’s ever owned or spent any time caring for a dog will certainly appreciate how pets have a huge role in helping humans through their grief.
“After Life” has its dark moments and this series may not be for everyone. Still, if you’re a deep thinker, or have a love of highly intelligent entertainment, you’ll enjoy it. Featuring rich performances by Gervais, and cast, including fantastic appearances by Penelope Wilton and David Bradley, we thoroughly enjoyed all of “After Life.” The good news is, all 3 seasons are now available. Enjoy seasons 1, 2 and 3 on Netflix today! |
AMAZON ORIGINAL "FLEABAG" SEASON TWO TRAILOR
|
“Fleabag” (2016 - 2019 BBC Three/Amazon Studios) Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Slifford, Olivia Colman, Brett Gelman, Jenny Rainsford, Bill Paterson, Angus Imrie, Hugh Skinner, Andrew Scott. Available on Amazon Prime Video.
|
“I Am Not Okay With This” (Netflix 2020 - ) Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff, Sofia Bryant, Richard Ellis, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Aidan Wojtak-Hissong, Zachary S. Williams, David Theune. 1 Season Available on Netflix.
|
|

"Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" (2018 — Netflix) Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis, Miranda Otto, Chance Perdomo, Lachlan Watson, Jaz Sinclair. Available on Netflix.
- We wonder if the writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo ever imagined back in 1962 that Sabrina the Teenage Witch would evolve into the enormously popular franchise that it is today. She was introduced as a mere side character in the “Archie Comics”, yet “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” became a fan favorite, eventually jumping from comic book format to the popular sit-com of the late 90’s starring Melissa Joan Hart (a nice seven season run originally on ABC, and wrapping up on the The WB), to an animated film and then to one of the last great Saturday morning cartoons, “Sabrina’s Secret Life”.
- Hold on to your hat! The most recent incarnation of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”, is not your mother’s Sabrina, and we are loving this new, original series. The “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” is dark, yet humorous — and it grabs you almost immediately. Each episode builds up to the fantastic season finale which leaves you desperate for more (you’re in luck, the third season began streaming on Netflix in late January 2020) Season 4, the final season is expected December 31, 2020. If you haven’t enjoyed the “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” yet, put it on the top of your list of things to binge!
"The Haunting of Hill House" (2018 Netflix) Timothy Hutton, Henry Thomas, Carla Gugino, Michiel Huisman, Victoria Pedretti, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel. Available on Netflix.
|
- Flanagan’s Netflix adaptation explores a group of siblings who, as children, grew up in what would go on to become the most famous haunted house in the country. As adults, the family is forced back together in the face of tragedy and must finally confront the ghosts of their past — and for all it is hard to discern which are just memories, ones stalking the shadows of Hill House. Flashing between past and present, the fractured family confronts haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it. The award-destined series was created, directed and executive-produced by Mike Flanagan (Hush, Oculus).
|
Images link to Amazon. Buttons link to Apple iTunes Store.
|
|
"The Good Place" (2016- NBC) Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D'Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto. Available on NBC.COM, Seasons 1 & 2 available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
|
|
"American Horror Story" (2011- FX) Jessica Lang, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, Taissa Farmiga, Gabourey Sidibe, Frances Conroy. Earlier seasons available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
|
|
“Poldark” (2015- Mammoth Screen/BBC/PBS) Aidan Turner, Elenor Tomlinson.
Earlier seasons available on Amazon Prime the Apple TV. Also on PBS, pbs.org, and for streaming with a PBS Passport Membership.
|
|
“Better Call Saul” (2015- ), Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Michael McKean, Patrick Fabian. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.
|
|
“Ozark” (2017- Netflix Original), Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and a stellar performance from Julia Garner. Available on Netfilx.
|
“The Handmaid’s Tale” (2017- Hulu), Elisabeth Moss, Max Minghella, Yevonne Strahovski, Joseph Fiennes. Available on Hulu
|
"Orange is the New Black" (2013-2019 Netflix Original) Taylor Schilling, Danielle Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne. New episodes Available on Netflix.
|
"Lost In Space" (2018- Netflix Original) Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins, Parker Posey. Available on Netflix.
|
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" (2015- Netflix Original) Ellie Kemper, Titus Burgess, Carol Kane, Jane Krakowski. Available on Netflix.
|
"Love" (2016-2018 Netflix Original) Gillian Jacobs, Paul Rust, Claudia O'Doherty, Mike Mitchell, Chris Witaske, Iris Apatow. Available on Netflix.
|
"Stranger Things" (2016- Netflix Original) Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Winona Ryder, David Harbour. Available on Netflix.
|
“Fear The Walking Dead” (2015- ), Kim Dickens, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Colman Domingo, Lennie James. Available on Amazon Prime or Apple TV.
|
|
"The Goldbergs" (2013- ABC) Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone, Jeff Garlin, Troy Gentile, Hayley Orrantia, Patton Oswalt, and George Segal. Season 6 expected to begin airing September 26th, 2018 on ABC, Seasons 1- 5 available on Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
|
|