Looking for something new to watch? Here are 12 great TV shows to help tie you over until your favorites return in the fall, in fact, one of these just might become your new favorite!
It’s the dead of summer, and all your favorite tv shows are off the air for at least another two months. And either you’re watching reruns of seasons past, or you’re searching for something new and exciting to keep you entertained on those rainy summer days. I’ll be honest, we haven’t been watching much TV since Pokemon Go came out (I’m a level 21 as of today!), but we still squeeze and hour or so in a night.
This week we’ve been watching the new Netflix Original Stranger Things, it’s not on this list, but it probably should be. This show channels everything you love about early King and Speilberg stories, think Close Encounters meets E.T. Meets Stand By Me (but a little bit creepier). Young and old alike are sure to enjoy it. However, take note, it’s not wise to watch an episode before going Pokemon hunting after dark.
Anyways, luckily, I was able to fit quite a bit of watching in before Pokemon and work took over my life. Last year I posted about the 9 TV Shows You Should Be Watching on Netflix (But Probably Aren’t), well, this is a follow-up. However, you won’t just find them on Netflix, but rather all kinds of different networks.
These 12 TV shows deserve the attention. Some of them have won major awards, but that doesn’t necessarily mean people are tuning into them as much as they should be, so here I am to give you a little push because each of these shows is fantastic in their own way. You’ll find a mix of comedy, dark drama, documentary-style, and all around fun shows on this list. If you don’t find at least one you want to watch, I’d be shocked! What great shows have you watched lately?
What It’s About: Mr. Robot follows Elliot, a young programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and a vigilante hacker by night. Elliot finds himself at a crossroads when the mysterious leader of an underground hacker group recruits him to destroy the corporation he is paid to protect.
Why You Should be Watching: I bet a lot of you are probably like my husband and I when it comes to this show. You’ve heard of it, a few internet articles have told you it’s good, buy guys; it’s REALLY freakin’ good! Elliot, played by Rami Malek, is a slightly effed up thanks to superior intelligence, drugs, and a messed up childhood, but he’s a unique and intriguing character. This show will have your head spinning with some WTF moments, but it will only take a couple of episodes to see why it won Best Television Series Drama at the Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice, and others this year.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Dexter
Where to Watch: Live on USA Network. Past seasons on Amazon Prime. Season 2 premieres summer 2016.
What It’s About: A glimpse into an alternate history of North America. What life after WWII may have been like if the Nazis had won the war.
Why You Should be Watching: I’ve tried watching a couple of Amazon Originals and just couldn’t get into them, but this one had my attention from the very beginning. The premise is super intriguing to me as I love books, movies, and TV centered around WWII, and I actually might pick up the book this is based on while I wait for season 2 later this year. My husband called the big twist 20 minutes into the pilot and when it’s more or less confirmed it definitely adds a whole new dimension to the show which has me eager for more. The characters, the story, the setting, it’s all done so well, and I’ve been recommending this show to EVERYONE!
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Homeland and The Americans.
Where to Watch: Amazon Original Series.
What It’s About: A woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.
Why You Should be Watching: First of all, if you don’t adore Ellie Kemper, there’s something wrong with you! But it’s the whole cast that really makes this show and will have you laughing out loud at least once per episode. You should watch this if you’re sad 30 Rock isn’t on the air anymore. And much like Arrested Development, there are so many jokes in the show that you’ll miss half of them if you’re not paying attention. Plus, it’s written by Tina Fey.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: 30 Rock, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Mindy Project, and Parks and Recreation.
Where to Watch: Netflix Original.
What It’s About: A modern update finds the famous sleuth and his doctor partner solving crime in 21st century London.
Why You Should be Watching: Because House has been off the air for a few years now and you’ll love the murder mysteries with a touch of fun. Most of today’s crime dramas get really dark and even when Sherlock dives deep, it maintains a certain level of clever humor. You’ll love the familiar stories like The Hound of the Baskervilles. And Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are a fun duo on screen.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Elementary, The Mentalist, and House.
Where to Watch: Original Networks are BBC and PBS. Watch past seasons on Netflix and
What It’s About: Based on the book series by Diana Gabaldon, the show follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Why You Should be Watching: Because… Jamie Fraser… end of story.
No, but really, this show is fantastic. Time and time again, film and television adaptations don’t live up to our beloved book series, but this one does! The cast is superb, and the setting will have you booking tickets to Scotland after the first episode! I firmly believe Diana Gabaldon is one of the best writers out there right now, and Jamie and Claire’s love story is one for the ages. This show has passion, history, action, humor, and so much more!
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, Reign, and Poldark.
Where to Watch: Live on Starz and Starz subscription service through Amazon Prime.
What It’s About: Jack travels the world seeking out the most adventurous and cultural drinking traditions.
Why You Should be Watching: Because you think you know a lot about booze, but you really don’t. This is a fantastic insight into global cultures and the way they make, think about, and consume alcohol.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern or if you enjoy travel and drinking.
Where to Watch: Live on Travel Channel. Past seasons on Netflix.
What It’s About: A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, England and centered on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby, who means to move up in the world.
Why You Should be Watching: If the theme song isn’t enough to draw you in (it will get stuck in your head), then Tommy Shelby surely will. This show is smart and filled with twists and turns you don’t see coming. When you think of mobs, you instantly think of Italy or Russia, not post-WWI Britain. It’s not a super original story, but it is a unique setting and has some very intriguing characters.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Breaking Bad, House of Cards, Sons of Anarchy and Fargo.
Where to Watch: Live on BBC. Past seasons on Netflix.
What It’s About: A charismatic woman learns she is a succubus, a supernatural being who feeds off the sexual energy of humans. While trying to find out more about her past, she faces a choice between the light and the dark side of an underworld group of other supernatural beings known as Faes.
Why You Should be Watching: If you’re into the Supernatural but looking for something outside vampires and werewolves, this is it! Though it does include both, it more or less focuses on the Fae. It’s sexy, fun, and entertaining! And if you’re a Supernatural fan and waiting patiently for season 12 this fall, this will be a great show to tie you over.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Supernatural, The Originals, Haven, Grimm, Bitten, and Warehouse 13.
Where to Watch: Live on Showcase (Canada) and SyFy. Past seasons on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
What It’s About: After finding out he has an STD, Dylan must get back in touch with every girl he has ever had sex with to let them know the bad news.
Why You Should be Watching: Because How I Met Your Mother is over. It’s very similar to HIMYM, and as a British sitcom, it holds up! It’s realistic and funny with plenty of sweet moments that will tug at your heartstrings. Plus, you can watch the whole first season in less than 2.5 hours!
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: How I Met Your Mother and Master of None.
Where to Watch: Now a Netflix Original, though the first season originally aired on Channel 4 in Great Britain.
What It’s About: Comedy about a husband and wife trying to raise their five kids in a New York two-bedroom apartment.
Why You Should be Watching: If you’re a fan of Mr. Gaffigan, you’ll love this show. It’s pretty much based on his life, and it’s a very clean humored show. If you’re in need of a few good laughs surrounding the ridiculousness of life and the crap it throws at you, this show is for you!
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Seinfeld and How I Met Your Mother.
Where to Watch: Live on TVLAND, past seasons on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
What It’s About: The world of the Vikings is brought to life through the journey of Ragnar Lothbrok, the first Viking to emerge from Norse legend and onto the pages of history – a man on the edge of myth.
Why You Should be Watching: Because you liked Sons of Anarchy, but also like shows with a plot. This will be a great show to tie you over while Game of Thrones is off the air for the next year. What I love most about this show is that the female characters are just as badass as the male characters. I’m not gonna lie, though, there are scenes that will make you cringe – human sacrifices anyone – but really good shows are supposed to make you feel things, right?
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Game of Thrones, Sons of Anarchy, and Black Sails.
Where to Watch: Live on History Channel. Watch past seasons on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix.
What It’s About: Anthony Bourdain visits country’s and delves into political issues as well as indigenous food and culture.
Why You Should be Watching: It’s a cheap way to travel the world. Bourdain visits some of the least traveled places on the globe and explores their people, politics, religion, and food. It’s absolutely fascinating. He actually did an episode on Maine and captured its essence beautifully. My favorite episode would have to be Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza. What I really love about this show is that it isn’t serial show, meaning you can watch episodes in any order you want.
You Might Like it if You Enjoyed: Any of Bourdain’s other shows or if you just enjoy travel and culture.
Where to Watch: Live on CNN, past seasons on Netflix.
Vivi says
July 24, 2016 at 7:44 amI watch “Mr. Robert”, “Unbreakable Kimmy…”, and “…Parts Unknown”. But I’m very intrigued about “Scrotal Recall” mainly because I see my girl from “Misfits” is on the show.
Glad to know another fellow TV watcher.
Rebecca says
July 24, 2016 at 9:11 amYes, Vivi! It’s such a fun show, and nice and short so you can binge it in an afternoon. I’ve never seen Misfits, is it good?