Jessica Jones (BEST)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 39 episodes. Season 3 is due to be released in 2019. Starring: Krysten Ritter, David Tennant, Rachael Taylor, Carrie-Anne Moss, Mike Colter, Wil Travel, and Eka Darville. Description: Jessica Jones is based on the Marvel character of the same name who has a brief and failed career as a superhero and is now working as a private investigator. Jessica’s past haunts her, and she drinks heavily to try and suppress the PTSD that she’s dealing with. The show also deals with other dark themes, including forms of assault. The series received critical acclaim, with praise for both Krysten Ritter’s and David Tennant’s performances.
Why it’s a keeper: Jessica Jones does an excellent job at changing the way we think about women and femininity, flipping on its head what is typically believed will make a woman successful. Jessica herself is a compelling character, who for all of her flaws and traumas, has unbelievable strengths. The show is fun and full of action, which is to be expected of anything from the Marvel universe.
Master of None (BEST)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 25 episodes. Starring: Aziz Ansari, Lena Waithe, Noel Wells, Eric Wareheim, Kelvin Yu, and Alessandra Mastronardi. Description: Master of None follows the life of Dev, a 30-year-old actor played by Aziz Ansari. It is a comment on social issues relating to being the child of immigrants but also has themes of romance and professional challenges. It is set in New York City, with the second season having some episodes set in Italy as well. The series was released by Netflix in 2015.
Why it’s a keeper: Most of the episodes are self-contained, so it’s easy to dip in and out of, but as a whole, the series addresses broader issues, such as prejudice, society, and relationships that weave together to create the perfect balance of a light-hearted approach to serious matters. The script is well-written and well-acted and is sure to resonate with other young people who come from similar backgrounds.
Dear White People (BEST)
Seasons: 4 seasons, 40 episodes. Starring: Logan Browning, Marque Richardson, DeRon Horton, Brandon P. Bell, Antoinette Robertson, and John Patrick Amedori. Description: Originally released as a movie back in 2014, this is the story of a group of African American college students studying at an Ivy League university. Each episode focuses on a different member of the cast, and so showcases the various issues each student faces. There are commentaries on institutional prejudice issues and black identity. Some of the actors, including Brandon P. Bell and Marque Richardson, reprise their roles from the original film, alongside Justin Simien, who returned to write and direct a number of the episodes.
Why it’s a keeper: You may think this may make a white audience uncomfortable, but the truth is, it exposes as much of the hypocrisy and conflict that exists among black activists as it does with what exists within these kinds of environments. Yet, the show manages to be funny and entertaining as well as poignant and thought-provoking.
GLOW (BEST)
Seasons: 3 seasons, 30 episodes. Starring: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Sydelle Noel, Britney Young, and Marc Maron. Description: GLOW, which stands for Glorious Ladies of Wrestling, follows the life of Ruthie, who is new to the world of wrestling. Set in the 1980s, the show, created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, brings with it all of the stereotypes and gimmicks of the women’s wrestling scene at the time. Ruthie, who is a struggling actress, finds herself at odds with the wrestling team’s coach, but she is a tough character who proves to be not only resilient but endearing.
Why it’s a keeper: The world of female wrestling might not be in everyone’s interest, but like with most things, there are human elements to the performance that are entertaining and relatable. The characters are all likable, and even if their world may appear to be a little over the top and “showy”, that’s precisely what makes it so enjoyable. Dive into a world that is completely unfamiliar.
Orange Is the New Black (BEST)
Seasons: 7 seasons, 91 episodes. Starring: Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Danielle Brooks, Natasha Lyonne, Michael Harney, Michelle Hurst, Kate Mulgrew, Uzo Aduba, Taryn Manning, Jackie Cruz, and Samira Wiley. Description: Set in a women’s prison, the series tracks the life of Piper Chapman, whose criminal past catches up with her. Although engaged to a man on the outside, Piper is shocked when her co-accomplice and former lover, Alex, arrives to be incarcerated in the same institution. The series, which was based on the book of the same name, gives a behind-the-scenes look at a women’s correctional facility. The relationships and hierarchies that form, and the successes and failures of the system. There are both hilarious and tragic storylines with weird and wonderful elements weaved in between.
Why it’s a keeper: Of all of the brilliant characters in the show, Piper may be the least likable, but through her, the viewer gets to know all of the other characters, as well as the inner workings of the prison. The prison is almost a microcosm of society, with its cliques and hierarchy. There is corruption and crime as well as uplifting moments of friendship and sorority. Orange Is The New Black is not only thought-provoking but also hilarious. It’s no surprise it made our ‘best’ list.