As we prep for festivities and unwind afterwards, it’s nice to catch up on the shows everyone’s been talking about … and maybe find some gems of your own to share. We’ve compiled an updated binge-watch list of TV series perfect for the holiday break. Whether you’re looking for a bit of drama and suspense or some side-splitting laughs, we have you covered.
SUSPENSEFUL THRILLERS
The Penguin
This HBO mini-series and Batman spin-off dives into the gritty underworld of Gotham City. It focuses on the fascinating transformation of Oz Cobb (played, bewilderingly, by a completely transformed Colin Farrel) from a disfigured nobody to a relentless Gotham gangster. With its noir aesthetic, villainous characters, and sharp writing, The Penguin is a feast for both the eyes and the mind.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Max
Presumed Innocent
This legal thriller makes you question every character’s motives while clutching your popcorn. Jake Gyllenhaal steps into the courtroom drama as Rusty Sabich, a prosecutor who finds himself on the other side of the law and is accused of murdering his colleague and lover. Each episode dives into the murky waters of office politics, forbidden affairs, and the justice system’s dark corners, peeling back layer after layer of deceit. (You won’t believe the ending.)
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Slow Horses
Oscar-winner Gary Oldman leads a vibrant cast of dysfunctional characters in this quicky-witted British spy drama. An assorted team of M15 agents and their relentless boss try to outwit many forces for the good of their country. The show’s fourth season just wrapped, so you’ll have a lot to binge!
Number of seasons: 4
Where to watch: Apple TV+
The Diplomat
In this utterly binge-able show, the diplomat (Keri Russell) is juggling global crises, a crumbling marriage, and enough backroom scheming to make House of Cards look like amateur hour. The stakes are high, the dialogue is whip-smart, and every episode leaves you wondering if she can actually quell the latest fire.
Number of seasons: 2
Where to watch: Netflix
DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA
Disclaimer
This new limited series is juicy, addictive, and mind-bending. Cate Blanchett stars as Catherine Ravenscroft, a journalist whose skeletons come tap-dancing out of the closet when a mysterious novel lands on her doorstep, exposing a scandalous affair and a tragic past. The series masterfully blends psychological thriller elements with a non-linear narrative that keeps you guessing until the last episode. Just watch the trailer …
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Tell Me Lies
This show is like watching a crash you cannot look away from. Set against a backdrop of messy college years, toxic relationships, and questionable life choices, it just seems to get better and twistier with each season. It’s a worthy masterclass in narcissism and psychological abuse.
Number of seasons: 2
Where to watch: Hulu
Shōgun
This epic historical drama perfectly blends political intrigue, tension-ridden romance, feudal Japanese culture, and lots of samurai action. The costumes and the scenery? Absolutely stunning. If you’re in the mood for something beautifully shot, wildly gripping, and unapologetically dramatic, put Shōgun on your holiday binge-watch list.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: FX on Hulu
The Perfect Couple
If the wedding of the year had a murder mystery on the menu, that’s The Perfect Couple. Set in picturesque Nantucket, this show kicks off with a lavish wedding that goes awry when a body turns up, and soon every guest is a suspect. The matriarch (Nicole Kidman) and the whole cast are just a huge cocktail of deceit, affairs, and plot twists to keep you guessing until the end.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Netflix
Silo
Silo is a haunting dystopian drama about an isolated community trapped within an enormous silo. The moment anyone declares they want to leave, they’re forced to walk outside of the silo to clean a window that connects silo residents to the outside world. The same thing keeps happening … until it doesn’t. It’s currently week-to-week in its second season, and things are getting insane. Catch up and join the mystery.
Number of seasons: 2
Where to watch: Apple TV+
DRAMEDY
Bad Sisters
Dark comedy, murder mystery, and sibling drama … oh my! This show will make you simultaneously cackle and gasp. In season one, a group of sisters gang up against their truly horrendous brother-in-law, and things spiral from there. Season two (so far) is just as sharp, twisted, and oddly heartwarming. The Irish humor and family chaos will have you hooked.
And the second season JUST came out!
Number of seasons: 2
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Hacks
Hacks is the kind of comedy that feels like a masterclass in snark, and it’s got the Emmys to show for it. Jean Smart plays a legendary comedian trying to stay relevant in a TikTok-addicted world. Enter her entitled, down-on-her-luck millennial writer, and you’ve got a dynamic duo with endless witty banter, hilarious insults, and emotional moments that sneak up on you.
Number of seasons: 3
Where to watch: Max
High Potential
Morgan (played by Kaitlin Olson) is like if Sherlock Holmes had a messy bun and three kids to juggle. The single mom with a 160 IQ stumbles into crime-busting while cleaning at the LAPD. Morgan’s unconventional methods and sharp wit breathe fresh life into the crime procedural genre, making each episode a delightful mix of mystery and humor within a new case to solve.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: ABC on Hulu
Nobody Wants This
Netflix’s celebrated new rom-com pairs Kristen Bell as an agnostic podcaster with Adam Brody as an unconventional rabbi. Their chemistry is electric, but nobody wants them to be together. The show tackles interfaith romance with humor and depth, making you root for this unlikely duo and Google when the next season is coming. Watch the trailer.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Netflix
Only Murders in The Building
This is the ultimate whodunit for true-crime podcast junkies and comedy lovers alike. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez form the unlikeliest trio of amateur sleuths, blending sharp humor, witty banter, and surprisingly heartfelt moments as they unravel murders in their fancy NYC apartment building. And wait until you see the star-studded guest cast!
Number of seasons: 4
Where to watch: Hulu
The Lincoln Lawyer
This LA-based courtroom drama has returned for a third season. It’s funny, romantic, and a little cheesy at times but wrapped around a compelling central mystery. Lawyer Mickey Haller and his scrappy team take cases of all severity and size, and you never know which ones are connected.
Number of seasons: 3
Where to watch: Netflix
BASED ON TRUE EVENTS & DOCUSERIES
Chimp Crazy
If you were entertained by Tiger King, this one’s for you. This docuseries explores the chaotic world of Tonia Haddix, the self-proclaimed “Dolly Parton of Chimps.” Her obsession with her primate pals leads to a cat-and-mouse game with authorities and PETA. Each episode serves up so many twists that even the producers are often at a loss.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Max
Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story
This new FX series examines the rise and catastrophic fall of NFL star Aaron Hernandez, exploring his double life as a celebrated athlete and convicted murderer. Binge-worthy even for the least sporty viewer, you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: FX on Hulu
Sweet Bobby: My Catfish Nightmare
Whether or not you listened to the wildly popular podcast of the same name, this docuseries is a must-watch. Comprised of new interviews with the real people involved, we get even more of the jaw-dropping true story of a woman who discovers her decade-long online romance was actually one of, if not THE most elaborate online catfishing scheme ever.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Netflix
Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story
This addictive Netflix series unpacks the infamous case of the brothers who shook up 90s Beverly Hills when they murdered their parents. It blends courtroom theatrics with psychological twists, and every performance is incredibly compelling.
Number of seasons: 1
Where to watch: Netflix
The Great British Baking Show
There are few cozier, more heart-warming shows than Bake Off, as it’s called in the UK. Over thirteen weeks, you’ll get to love thirteen amateur bakers (who’ve fought against extreme odds to get on the show). They bake their hearts outs each week to get to the next round until a winner is crowned. A brand-new season is out, so you have much to binge!
Number of seasons: 8 (Collections 5 through 11)
Where to watch: Netflix
Happy binging!
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