Exam season has arrived – a time for nothing but stress, textbooks and summarising of notes that you have not looked at since you (or a dedicated friend) jotted them down in class. However, if we’re being honest with each other, procrastination is just as much a part of exam season as the exams are themselves. For some, procrastination means cleaning your room and study area ‘til your baggy eyes reflect off of every surface but for others it means series – lots and lots of series. If you are of the latter and have access to a Netflix account then this is the article for you. Five shows on Netflix (that are not Stranger Things or Dear White People) that are both underappreciated and bingeable.
1. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann
Let’s face it, everyone loves a well-made good docu-series. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann follows the real life haunting tale of the popular 3 year old British girl, Madeleine McCann, who went missing while her family was on vacation in Portugal. The docu-series covers all bases surrounding the unsolved mystery that is her disappearance – it is griping, very bingeable but also very tragic.
2. Elite
Full disclosure – this is not an English show, however you do have the option of watching it dubbed with English vocals but trust me, you’re better off using English subtitles. Elite is a tough one to describe without giving away too many spoilers, but it is a beautiful marriage between How To Get Away With Murder and Gossip Girl – your standard ‘who done it’ with an attractive cast. With only one season on Netflix, this is the perfect exam time binge.
3. On My Block
If you’re old enough to remember (and enjoyed) the Mtv show Awkward, then there’s a high chance that you will enjoy On My Block. A show that follows the lives of four best friends located in Freeridge – a crime ridden neighbourhood, On My Block is a show written for teenagers but masterfully allows older audiences to enjoy the show just the same. This show is hearty, topical and well thought out with a script that is near perfect. To top it all off, episodes are no longer than 30 minutes, making them good for your study breaks.
4. Russian Doll
Listen, Natasha Lyonne kills this role – I mean, on top of the fact that she acted as executive producer for the entire show. Russian Doll follows software engineer, Nadia Vulvokov (played by Lyonne), who keeps dying (then reliving) her 36th birthday and tries to figure out how to get out of the endless loop. Much like majority of the shows on this list, fans are anticipating the second season of this addictive show so it’s time to hop on the binge train.
5. Please Like Me
Probably the least popular but most deserving of a mention on this list, Please Like Me is the show you’ll regret not having watched sooner. Perfectly walking the line between absolutely hilarious and gut-wrenchingly sad, Please Like Me follows Joshua Thomas as he comes to terms with his sexuality and dealing with his hilarious, sad and messy family dynamic. With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this show is an easy watch.
Good luck with exams, friends. Don’t forget to study in between your procrastinating.
