A self-proclaimed film lover who frequently binge-watches TV series has shared three dramas they believe are essential viewing. While many new shows have premiered this year, including the second series of Beef, Industry, and The New Years, the author says revisiting older series often yields the best experiences.
Ozark
One of the author's all-time favourite crime series is Ozark, which they initially overlooked despite being a fan of Breaking Bad and Narcos. Starring Laura Linney and Jason Bateman, the Netflix drama follows financial advisor Marty Byrde, who is forced to relocate his family to the Missouri Ozarks to launder money for a drug cartel. When his scheme goes wrong, he must establish a larger operation to appease the cartel leader and save his family. The Byrdes become entangled with local criminals, deepening their involvement in organised crime with each season.
Mindhunter
Mindhunter took the author by surprise, as they do not usually enjoy true-crime serial killer dramas. Created by David Fincher and starring Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, the show ended after just two series, though there are calls for a third season. The series depicts the early days of criminal profiling in the late 1970s and early 1980s, following FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, and psychologist Wendy Carr. They pioneered the Behavioural Science Unit by interviewing incarcerated serial killers to understand their motivations and develop theories for solving crimes.
SAS Rogue Heroes
The author admits a bias towards SAS Rogue Heroes because Jack O'Connell is a favourite actor, but calls it a top-tier war drama not to be missed. Created by Steven Knight, the 2022 British historical drama depicts the origins of the British Army Special Air Service (SAS) during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II. The author, a history lover, found it fascinating and praises its character development, eagerly anticipating series three.
