TV series recommendations for 2020

Since Lockdown has begun I have watch a variety of TV series on all the streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Some of these series that I have watched, have been out for some time but I’ve only just had the time to discover them or they are new series of shows that I have previously watched and enjoyed.

Below, are some of my recommendations and what I have been watching during Lockdown, a brief description and I’ve also given them mark out of 5. So have a read and enjoy!

Home before Dark: 

My rating 5/5

A great American mystery drama series which is only available on Apple TV +, it follows a 9 year old reporter, whose family from a big city has recently moved to their father’s old childhood town, Erie Harbour. She solves a crime that has been playing on her father’s mind for years, by uncovering clues to an unsolved crime that happened when her father was a child. It stars an incredible young actress Brooklyn Price who plays the lead. The series kept me on the edge of my seat and I watched the attire series within 3 days (it’s only 10 episodes). It is confirmed that there will be a second series, but no confirmed realised date yet, but I think it will be around early 2021

Race Across the World: 

My rating 5/5.

This series has been a great form of escapism as now travel plans have been cancelled, borders closed and our dreams of getting on a plane and exploring the world have been stopped for now, and when it all gets back to normal it will be somewhat different. 

For those who haven’t seen it, It is a competition where 5 pairs of people race from Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina without flying and only having the cost of the airfare per person. They had to travel to various checkpoints across the journey. This was the second series of the show. The second series was far better than the first, also the They are both available now on BBC iPlayer. 

Apparently there is a celebrity spin-off series due, but production has been delayed due to the coronavirus. I have a feeling that series 3 will also be delayed to the coronavirus too, but it is something to look forward to after all this coronavirus.

This is Us:

My rating 4/5.

This has been out on Amazon Prime for a while, but it is definitely worth a watch if you haven't already. There are three seasons available on Amazon Prime right now, I think season 4 will be available on Amazon Prime later this year hopefully. The series follows a set of triplets, throughout their lives using flashbacks to their pass and tells the story from their side. It's such a heartwarming show that will guarantee that you will cry and laugh. I'm looking forward to season 4. 

The A Word: 

My rating 4/5.

The third series is now on BBC iPlayer but seeing as my husband hasn’t watched any of the series before we are watching from the start. It is a family drama with a son who has autism and their family having to come to terms with that. Overall all the series are a heartwarming family drama, despite the dysfunctional family members who clearly have there own problems to deal with. The young boy, Max Vento who plays the lead Joe, is an amazing actor who takes on the role amazingly well, considering that the actor doesn’t have autism, He plays it extremely well. Other well-known stars include Christopher Eccleston, Molly Wright, Lee Ingleby and many more! Series three also stars Coronation Street and Broadchurch actress Julie Hesmondhalgn as Heather, Joe’s teacher at school. Series three starts Joe (Max Vento) struggling with the terms of his parent’s separation and now living 100 miles apart, and the troubles that brings. There is no word yet if there will be another series but each series has a few years between each one, so who knows if there will be one in the future. 

Defending Jacob: 

My rating 3.5/5

A thriller drama series where a family’s life turn upside down when their son is accused of a murder of a classmate in a small town. Based on an adaptation of the novel by William Landay. Starring Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery and Jaeden Martell.  It’s available on Apple TV, with a new episode currently dropping every Friday.

Afterlife

My rating: 3/5.

A great show written and starring Ricky Gervais. A British dark comedy, with two series available on Netflix with the main character (Ricky Gervais) coming to terms with the loss of his wife to cancer and grief, after he had the perfect life before. The series shows his dealing with grief and hating the world and everyone in it. 

Man with a plan:

My rating 3/5. 

A US sitcom starring F.R.I.E.N.D.S star, Matt L Blanc, that is available for those in the UK on Channel 4 on demand. It is a light-hearted sitcom, where the wife returns to work, and the father (Matt L Blanc) has to balanced working and running his own business with his brother as well as being a more hands-on parent to his three children. There are three series to watch on 4od at the moment.