People are always banging on about the TV shows they watch. In fact, the topic seems to be just below talking about the weather in line to the awkward chat throne. Staying in is the new going out, but there’s only so much HBO, Netflix, and iPlayer you can watch when real life is happening all around you. One of the best things about Christmas is that whether you’re a student or a real person with a job, you generally get a bit of time off. Time off during what is usually the coldest time of the year when, if you’re lucky, you’re required to do little more than eat, drink, and lounge about: prime television time. Wondering what you should do with your newfound viewing freedom? Immerse yourself in a whole new world of escapism and join your new friends as they solve horrific Scandi crimes, make sexy Viking love and navigate the zombie apocalypse. Merry Christmas!
1. Vikings
“If you’re in need of distraction and motivation, this is the ultimate. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because it’s brought to you by the History Channel I’m trying to force you to watch a boring, narrated educational tool. This is no BBC historical drama; this is a brutal, very graphic rollercoaster of emotions throughout which a brilliant cast of very attractive blondes hack each other apart, have a lot of sex and use all the worst (best) words. Sacrifices are made, gods are worshipped and raids on England are commonplace. Vikings is basically Game of Thrones based on Nordic legend, only with better hair and less storylines to follow. With three whole seasons to get stuck into and another due in 2016, your pagan love affair starts here.” Francesca Dunn, Assistant Music Editor
2. Scream Queens
“Emma Roberts is basically the same character she played in Wild Child, arguably the best high school movie this side of the millennium (bar Mean Girls duh), only more murderous (she wants to deep fry her maid), Ariana Grande’s deathbed tweet is possibly the most epic in the history of social media, and Carrie Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd won’t take her earmuffs off not because Princess Leia sported a similar hairstyle, but because the guy she dated last year became obsessed with her ears and threatened to cut them off for his own use if he ever saw them again. She’s also Charles Manson’s daughter. Suspicious much? Other notable cameos include Nick Jonas and Tavi Gevinson. To conclude, what more could want to kick back with, when the weather outside is frightful, than a tub of Phish Food, a duvet den and Scream Queens? You’ll enjoy if you also like cult classics like Halloween and Heathers.” Felicity Kinsella, Assistant Editor
3. The Walking Dead
“Because who doesn’t love an apocalyptic, zombie-infested world? I have a well thought-out escape route all planned out and after a couple of episodes of TWD, you’ll realize that you should too. Not for the squeamish or fainthearted, Season 1 is an emotional rollercoaster of suspense, fear, gory deaths and the graphic hacking of body parts – both human and zombie. As you can imagine, things get pretty intense. But with Rick Grimes as your leader, if you stay in his good books then you’ll probably, hopefully, survive. Existing fans have just watched the dramatic mid-season finale of Season 6, so there’s plenty of horror to catch up on. While it can be a little slow at times, once you get to know the characters and the world, you’ll be completely obsessed.” Rebecca Boyd-Wallis, Designer
4. The Bridge
“I’m a sucker for those brilliantly bleak crime dramas the Scandis do so well and The Bridge is by far the most watchable of the bunch. I like them because I can watch a couple of episodes and convince myself I speak Danish. I like them because the same people seem to pop up in each, confirming my suspicion that Scandinavia has only 12 fully-professional actors. In fact, I like them so much I literally bought a cat and named her Saga after The Bridge‘s main character Saga Noren (I changed it a week later when it became apparent she looked more like a Frida). We’re on the third series now but you need to start at S1E1, when a body is found right in the middle of the Malmo to Copenhagen bridge. It’s enough to have you hiding under the sheets of your Malm IKEA bed.” Matthew Whitehouse, Video Development Producer
5. First Dates
“Some might argue that First Dates doesn’t belong on this list sandwiched between critically-acclaimed shows, but I beg to differ. if you want to be entertained, the people of Britain filmed on lunch time dates at a soulless restaurant in St Paul’s are pure gold. The restaurant welcomes the full spectrum of British singles through its doors, from dancing octogenarians, shufflers and tattoo models to PhD students, with a stream of commentary on their quest for love from the restaurant’s cheesy but mostly adorable maitre d’ Fred. The latest series saw the return of (Queen) Anna of Essex who during her first appearance shuffled into the restaurant for a date with a man she christened the ‘black Phil Mitchell’, before declaring she only wanted to drink, which is possibly as awkward a start to a date as there can be. His reaction is nothing if not a lesson in diplomacy for aspiring Casanovas.” Tessa Griffith, Office Manager
6. Master of None
“Lush interiors, a carefully considered cast, and sharp, socially-aware dialogue. The debut sitcom from sketch comedian, stand-up and comedy actor Aziz Ansari tackles racial diversity in the media, family flashbacks and real, real love. With a cast featuring Eric Wareheim (one half of bizarro-director duo Tim + Eric), ex-SNL cast member Noel Wells, a cameo from the voice of Bob’s Burgers’ Bob himself, H. Jon Benjamin and the real life Mr & Mrs Ansari, Master of None is peppered with familiar voices, but it’s Ansari’s unique take on growing up that guides us through. Master of None also holds the last writing credits of comedian Harris Wittels before his tragic passing last year. You’ll like it if you like Louie, Girls, and other nonsensical comedy masked with realism.” Tom Ivin, Production Coordinator
7. How to Get Away with Murder
“Let me apologize to you now, as what I’m trying to introduce you to will be the end of your social life as you know it. Part of the Shondaland empire (who are responsible for Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy) How to Get Away with Murder is exactly what it says on the tin and will have you calling your friends begging for spoilers. A combination of law, betrayal, a really really complicated love triangle and a lot of dodgy shit, you’ll probably think that you have it all figured out until, well, you realize that you don’t. At all. Viola Davis quite rightly won an Emmy for her completely badass role as a cold-blooded criminal defense lawyer/professor/mistress/murder suspect. Oops, have I said too much?” Fatima Omar, Junior Account Executive
8. Transparent
“Minorities, dreamers and thinkers rejoice! There’s a TV show for you! Transparent is the LGBTQ-Jewish Amazon Prime show that should be niche, but is enjoying widespread popularity thanks to its intelligent writing, messy characters and seductive LA setting. Season one of Jill Soloway‘s show is ostensibly about Morton Pfefferman (Emmy-winning Jeffrey Tambor) transitioning into Maura, and coming out to his kids and ex-wife. But while Maura drives the central narrative, the beauty of the show is in the combined strength of all strands of the story. Ali, Sarah, Josh and Shelley are all curious, questioning and completely self-obsessed, making for personal dramas that even begin to overshadow Maura’s own journey. Now in its second season – and happily feeling far less radical after Caitlyn Jenner’s coincidental coming out has begun to normalize the trans experience in more minds – it is nonetheless a rare show in that it pays respect to its viewers’ intelligence and their desire to be challenged, as well as entertained. And fear not, while there are bucketloads of queer theory, therapy lingo and casual intersectionality, the show is also out for a belly laugh, with Ali’s (Gaby Hoffman) disastrous drug-fuelled threesome being one of the most guffaw-inducing sex scenes ever committed to a streaming service.” Stuart Brumfitt, Features Editor
9. Ru Paul’s Drag Race
“This is a bit of a cop-out as I have seen EVERY episode of EVERY season of Ru Paul’s Drag Race but I can’t think of anything that will fill my heart with festive cheer more than watching re-runs of Alyssa Edwards pulling her mirror faces, Bianca Del Rio reading filth to anyone who dares come in her wake or listening to Latrice Royale’s immortal words “Large and in charge, chunky yet funky, bold and beautiful, I AM Latriceeee Royale!” The girls on the show are truly queens; fucking fierce, wickedly funny and hearts of gold (except Willam) and if you have never watched an episode, I DARE you not laugh to tears and fall head over (platform) heels for Ru Paul’s ‘goilsssss’!” Lynette Nylander, Deputy Editor
10. The Man in the High Castle
“It was a struggle choosing between this absorbing ten-parter and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but with so much Christmas cheer around us, we could all do with a dystopian drama to distract us. A visually stunning adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel of the same name, Man in the High Castle presents an alternate history where the United States lost World War II. Set in the 1960s, the East Coast is controlled by Nazi Germany while the West Coast is occupied by Imperial Japan. Wrapped in a leather trench and SS uniform, Rufus Sewell steals the show with his portrayal of an all-American Nazi. I should warn you that there are times when the dialogue stutters but this tale is powerful enough to captivate – I watched the entire series over one long hangover of a weekend and you’ll have plenty of opportunity this festive season to do the same.” Steve Salter, Online Editor
Credits
Text Francesca Dunn