‘Outer Banks,’ ‘Sex Education’ & 6 More Netflix Originals to Watch for an Easy Binge
Nothing says “summertime” like waking up on a Saturday and starting a full day of TV-binging. With much of the public closed down this summer due to the pandemic, everyone will need a way to fill up their free time. Luckily, watching Netflix in bed is quite the low-risk activity.
If you’re anything like us, it can sometimes be difficult to get hooked on a TV series. Oftentimes, they’re too slow paced or don’t have an intriguing storyline. However, when a show draws us in, we can speed through every season quite quickly.
For those days when you simply cannot get yourself out of bed, Netflix has your back. Throughout their countless amount of original series, they have produced some golden, binge-worthy material in all genres, from the drama of Outer Banks to the comedy of Big Mouth.
When you’re not in the office, by the pool, or working out, we hope you’ll try out some of these Netflix classics that anybody can binge in the blink of an eye.
Big Mouth
Adult animated shows certainly aren’t for everyone, but this Netflix original could pull even anti-animation viewers in. Exploring the all-too-true concept of teenage puberty through a comedic lens, the 20- to 30-minute episodes are each jam-packed with content that almost anybody can relate to. Throughout the three seasons, viewers often find themselves crying of laughter and cringing through the awkwardness. Plus, the voices bringing life to the characters include comedy heroes such as Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, and Maya Rudolph. Once you’ve started, it’s almost impossible to stop watching.
Orange is the New Black
While tagged as a drama, this one is dry humor central. In the middle of her extremely successful life, Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) is sentenced to prison for her involvement in drug dealing earlier in life. The series follows Piper through her culture shocks, as she meets people from all walks of life, all criminals in different ways. She toughens up, and viewers can see her develop into a different version of herself than the one that entered the jail. Expect some heavy drama, but also be prepared to laugh.
Queer Eye
Join the Fab 5 as they travel around the United States (and Japan!) to make positive change in the lives of individuals who deserve it. After being nominated by friends and family, the heroes (the people whom the Fab 5 makeover) receive an upgrade in all areas of their life—not only wardrobe, hairstyle, and home design, but also in their relationships and outlook. The Fab 5 always have something up their sleeve, and almost all episodes guarantee tears of joy by the end. Reality TV fan or not, this show will have you hooked.
When They See Us
This based-on-a-true-story series recaps the events of the 1989 assault and rape of a jogger in Central Park in New York City. A group of five individuals were thought to be responsible, but the group, dubbed the Central Park Five, pleaded innocent throughout the whole case. This drama explores the intersection of race and the criminal justice system and is extremely detail-rich and educational. It’s a series that everybody should see.
Unbelievable
If you like intense drama series, this one will have you clicking ‘Next Episode’ before you can even think about it. Based on a true story, it recounts the story of Marie (Kaitlyn Dever), who reports being raped but later says her story was not true. As there is clear evidence of a possible rape, two detectives seek to find out if it actually happened or not.
Sex Education
When the child of a sex therapist starts a sex advice counseling company with a classmate at his school for pay, things are bound to get crazy. With the perfect mix of comedy, real intense situations, and emotional relationships, this British comedy-drama series never gets boring. Follow Otis (Asa Butterfield) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) as they navigate the twists and turns of high school romance and along the way develop feelings for each other. Plus, their hometown is gorgeous.
Outer Banks
This teen drama adventure will be addictive for anybody who was a fan of older hits such as Pretty Little Liars or Gossip Girl. When teenager John B’s (Chase Stokes) father goes missing, he and his group of friends, who named themselves “Pogues,” set out on an adventure around their homeland, North Carolina’s Outer Banks, in hopes of getting answers. They navigate cops, rich kids, tough relationships, and more along the way. Although many of the Outer Banks actors are fairly new to the industry, there are many characters that are easy to love, and by the end, you’ll realize that you’re still watching simply because you feel as though you’ve formed relationships with the people on screen.
The Haunting of Hill House
For those who have a love for horror, this one will satisfy your craving for a chilling, shocking turn-of-events series. Starring phenomenal actors such as Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, and Henry Thomas, it follows the story of five siblings and their connection with the Hill House mansion, where they experience multiple instances of paranormal activity. On one fateful night, the family flees the mansion, but the reason why is unknown. As the series progresses, viewers get clues and answers that lead them towards understanding what happened. With crisp cinematography and rich plot, you are guaranteed to get your fair share of creeps and frights.
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