I know, I know, you don’t have time to watch TV. I don’t either. But sometimes you need to take a break when your studying for your Orgo II exam, or need something to get you to sleep so you can wake up early for your 8 am. So here’s a list of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO GO shows you can watch to take your mind off things.
Baby
This is one of my favorite shows right now. It was created by Netflix Italy but is on the Netflix USA platform (you just need to turn on your English subtitles). It is based on the story of two real-life Italian teens from a rich district of Rome, Italy. They are ignored by their parents, betrayed by their friends, and simply seeking to find someone who truly cares about them. It touches on real-life topics such as sex-shaming, Islamophobia, divorce, substance abuse, homophobia, and classism. This toxic environment leads the two main characters, Chiara and Ludovica, to get caught up in a prostitution ring as they search for a new world and attention.
Insecure
Insecure is one of the best shows out there if you want a laugh. You can find it on HBO GO and there is even a new season coming out soon. Insecure follows best friends Issa and Molly as they navigate life in their mid-thirties as single women in LA. Molly is a powerhouse lawyer who has (almost) everything she wants in life and Issa is dedicated to serving the children in her community through non-profit social work. If you want to see two powerful women making the best out of life without a relationship, this show is for you.
Euphoria
Euphoria without a doubt is one of the most deep and well-written shows ever made. Zendaya stars as well as new actors Hunter Schafer, Barbie Ferreria, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow, Alexa Demie, and Jacob Elordi. Zendaya plays Rue, a drug addict that struggles with staying sober, yet finds hope when a new girl, Jules moves to town. However, their story is not the only one focused on. Euphoria follows the stories of Kat (Barbie), Nate (Jacob), Maddy (Alexa), Lexi (Maude), Cassie (Sydney) and their struggles as teenagers trying to find their place in a complicated world full of judgment and peer pressure.
Madam Secretary
Madam Secretary didn’t originate on Netflix, but you can find all of its available seasons there. It is my absolute favorite show of all time. Tea Leoni plays Elizabeth McCord, an ex-CIA agent who becomes the Secretary of State when her old friend, the president, calls her and asks her to take the position. This show tackles a new complex foreign policy issue every episode and the suspense can keep you watching for hours. Madam Secretary is also an awesome show because it’s one of the only places on television that you can watch a healthy and happy family that cares for each other no matter what. If you like political dramas, this one is for you.
Covert Affairs
I found this on amazon prime a long time ago and it has been a go-to for me to watch for years. This show follows Annie, a CIA agent that lives in D.C. with her sister. Annie goes on missions throughout the world while hiding her identity from those she loves most. Her best friend Auggie is blind, yet he still helps her run these missions. It’s amazing to see representation for disabled persons on TV because it doesn’t happen often and it’s amazing that Auggie often saves the day while overcoming the obstacles his disability causes him.