From a hilarious vampire mockumentary to a heartfelt drama about a cleaner and a creepy show set in a fishing village, here are the series that lit up your year
I know Squid Game is the K-drama that took the world by storm, but I found so much in the Korean Netflix show Vincenzo. It’s a surreal black comedy, with hyper-violence, bold twists, and a very flawed antihero lead. The characters are well-written, and it’s a great exploration into corporate corruption and capitalism – plus a memorable scene where a flock of pigeons takes aim at a hitman.
I still have two episodes to go, but wow! I was only recently aware of the opioid crisis in the US from watching shows like Justified. But to see how one company put profit over safety and created this crisis is shocking. Then there are the people behind the scenes trying to fight back. It’s a true eye-opener and a tragic tale with an amazing cast, screenplay and direction.A mix of Stephen King, Lost, Guillermo del Toro and Nietzsche ... Midnight Mass.
It’s a Sin should be compulsory viewing. This marvellous television series takes us back to the Aids crisis and gives us a special insight into the times as we follow its characters through terror, confusion and fun. Nobody could have done this better than Russell T Davies and the superb cast, and I want to thank them all.I wish I could illuminate a hidden gem that deserves more attention, but I kept returning to one show.
The best show I watched this year was the miniseries Maid. It is brutal at times, but balanced with heartfelt emotion. Margaret Qualley was fantastic in the lead role as a house cleaner who dreams of being a writer, but nearly outshone by her mother .The one series that blew me away was Mare of Easttown. Kate Winslet gives a career-defining performance as the moody and troubled cop Mare Sheehan, whose dedication to her job and the townsfolk she loves often leads her into further trouble.