What feels like the longest work week is pretty much over. If you’ve done your Christmas shopping, now is the perfect time to get a head start on binging some of the best television that 2018 had to offer. So, get that wrapping done because these shows will require your full attention. Trust me. You’ll love getting hooked.
Succession
Succession was my favourite show this past summer when it aired on HBO Canada. The dark comedy followed the Roy family, who control one of the biggest media and entertainment/theme park conglomerates in the world. Over the course of ten episodes, we watch and gasp as Logan Roy’s children contemplate what the future holds for them when they realize their ageing father may step away from the company.
“Take What’s Yours” by binging Succession over the holidays. The first season of Succession is available to stream in Canada on Crave. It is also available to own from HBO Home Entertainment. Check it out on Amazon here.
Bodyguard
Game of Thrones’s Richard Madden stars in the intense British series Bodyguard. This should definitely fill the void left by Homeland which still doesn’t have a season eight premiere date.
The 6-part series is set around Madden’s character, Police Sergeant David Budd, who is also an army vet suffering from PTSD. Budd’s new assignment is to protect the ambitious Home Secretary Julia Montague – someone whose viewpoints he may not share.
Although it was a rating hit for the BBC in the UK, a second season has yet to be announced. Canadians can watch the first season of Bodyguard on Netflix.
Vanderpump Rules
In this era of prestige TV, shows like Bodyguard and Succession should definitely be savoured: put away your phones, dim the lights, grab a snack and watch full episodes uninterrupted. Then there’s US reality staple Vanderpump Rules. You’ll want to keep the phone away for this one too just because you won’t want to miss a salacious comment or hookup.
It’s hard getting into an established reality show like one that’s been on the air for five years when Slice doesn’t really air previous seasons. Luckily, we’ve got reality streaming platform hayu to give us this fix.
A spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, this reality series is set in Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant, SUR.
How’s this for a strong character arc? One woman goes from accusing her boyfriend of cheating on her in the first season to planning his engagement party in season seven. Yes, there are seven seasons, but you’ll definitely enjoy the ride.
All episodes of Vanderpump Rules are available to stream on hayu in Canada, including season seven (new episodes debut on Tuesdays). Find out why it’s NOT about the pasta!
The Romanoffs
Amazon Prime Video’s The Romanoffs made its anticipated debut this October – right when all the broadcast networks debuted their fall programming, so it may have slipped under your radar.
From Mad Men’s Matthew Weiner, The Romanoffs follows a group of people who believe themselves to be descendants of the Russian royal family. Pretty much everyone is in this, so I won’t name them all.
Canadians can stream the 8-episode first season of The Romanoffs on Amazon Prime Video.
Schitt’s Creek
Can you believe that after four seasons, some people have yet to discover Canadian hit Schitt’s Creek? Okay, well if you are among them – catch up now!
Schitt’s Creek is about the formerly-wealthy Rose family who must relocate to the small town of Schitt’s Creek after they are defrauded by their business manager.
If you’ve already watched, check it out all again before the fifth season premieres on January 8, 2019. Canadians can stream all four seasons of Schitt’s Creek on Netflix and CBC Gem, however, the CBC streaming app includes the recent Christmas special!
