Lupin (BEST)
Seasons: 1 season, 10 episodes. Starring: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme, Vincent Londez, Soufiane Guerrab, and, Shirine Boutella. Lupin is a French mystery thriller. Omar Sy’s character is based on one created over 100 years ago, in 1900, Arsène Lupin. It tells the tale of a professional thief who manages to make his way in the world with determination, hypocrisy, and illegal ways.
Why is this a keeper: Lupin is one of the few non-English speaking TV series that really made it big. It manages to take a story that was written over one hundred years ago and pumps life back into it as if it was written only yesterday.
13 Reasons Why (SO-SO)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 39 episodes. Starring: Katherine Langford, Dylan Minnette, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Miles Heizer, and Kate Walsh. Description: In the aftermath of Hannah’s suicide, 13 tapes are found, which she had prepared prior to her death. Each tape is addressed to a specific person and details one of the 13 reasons why she decided to kill herself and how their actions contributed to her breakdown. For those who received the tapes, this is an eye-opening moment and not just a chance to reflect on themselves but each other.
Why it’s a keeper: The nature of the show was always going to be controversial, but 13 Reasons Why tackles suicide and bullying head-on. It has sparked countless debates around the subject, and while it might not make for comfortable viewing, it is opening up a conversation which has been considered taboo for too long. Our only criticism is it could have remained a mini-series, and carrying the story into a second season feels somewhat unnecessary.
House of Cards (SO-SO)
Seasons: 6 seasons, 73 episodes Starring: Robin Wright, Kevin Spacey, Molly Parker, Michael Kelly, Constance Zimmer, and Corey Stoll. Description: House of cards is another behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the White House and the US presidency. Frank Underwood (played by the brilliant Kevin Spacey) is the Speaker of the House who has a meteoric rise and is elected as President. Things start to get a bit more complicated when his wife no longer wants to support him, but there are plenty more twists and turns along the way. Supposedly one of the more accurate depictions of political life, Frank and Claire are best when they are working together. But that doesn’t last long.
Why it’s lukewarm: The first season of House of Cards was a runaway hit and the talk of Hollywood. Following on from the first season has been difficult, but it’s still a political thriller that has captured much of the inner workings of the White House. As often happens in politics, House of Cards has been plagued by drama and controversy, with Kevin Spacey being axed from the cast following allegations of assault.
I Am Not Okay With This (BEST)
Seasons: 1 season, 7 episodes. Starring: Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff, Sofia Bryant, and, Kathleen Rose Perkins. Although I Am Not Okay With This features the story of teenagers, it is not a teen show in any way. It covers the story of an adolescent dealing with, sexuality, life obstacles, and superpowers.
Why is this a keeper: I Am Not Okay With This is controversial. It was nominated for Best Adaptation from Comic Book Novel, but on the other hand, it was too authentic at times and some found it disturbing.
The Queen's Gambit (BEST)
Seasons: 1 season, 7 episodes. Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Isla Johnston, Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Marielle Heller, Harry Melling, Patrick Kennedy, and, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd. The Queen's Gambit is about loneliness, addiction, longing to be the best, and becoming the greatest chess player in the world.
Why is this a keeper: Taylor-Joy is in one of her best parts and shines in her role as the queen of the game of kings. The series is summed up in seven episodes, assuring the series won't overstay its welcome.