Through the awfulness of the COVID outbreak, one positive of social distancing is to be able to catch up on all the TV shows we keep meaning to watch. Very quickly though, I found myself indecisively scrolling through Netflix and ending up loading the same Friends episode for the fifth time. So instead of continuing with my aimless scrolling, I thought I would compile a list of my favourite shows to make social distancing more entertaining.

Love Is Blind (Netflix)

If you are looking for some mindless reality dating show I would highly recommend this. This show removes the premise of looks as a factor in finding a ‘soulmate’ and the show’s couples get engaged based on emotional connection only. They are unable to see each other until they have chosen their ‘love’ a.k.a. Love Is Blind. Note: It is completely unrealistic but addictive all the time. I and many others are eagerly awaiting further seasons.

Sex Education (Netflix)

This is a show that appeals to everyone, based on high school comedy touching on important themes around sex and relationships in an amusing and lighthearted way. Everyone who has seen this was somewhat unsure at first but after the first episode absolutely adored it.     

Friends/Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother (Netflix/Amazon Prime)

If you haven’t seen these sitcoms, first of all have you been living under a rock? Now is the time, 12+ weeks of uninterrupted time to become cultured so next time the quote “Joey doesn’t share food” is mentioned you can avoid the awkward moment of feeling obliged to laugh.

Power (Netflix)

If you are looking for a show to grip you and make you want to stay in bed all day bingeing this, this is your show. It is about a successful club owner who uses the club as a front for his drug-dealing business. It is genuinely amazing, anyone that I’ve recommended it to has been hooked. Note: Some scenes may be R rated for younger viewers.

Prison Break (Netflix)

This is a fast-paced action drama where a brother commits a crime to break his brother, who was wrongly put on death row, out of prison by tattooing the prison map onto his entire body. The first season in particular is amazing, I watched the entire thing in one sitting.

Medical Dramas (Netflix/Amazon Prime)

Medical dramas such as Grey’s Anatomy, Good Doctor, The Resident, New Amsterdam and House MD (there are many more of course) are a great way to spend the time. Currently loving the Good Doctor as the quite unique concept of following an autistic doctor was novel and really interesting.

The Stranger (Netflix)

If you are on the lookout for a mystery thriller type show, this might be your kind of thing. Watching the first episode leaves you confused but the concept is addictive and you can’t help but want to know the outcome. The basic storyline is a stranger tells a husband that his wife has faked her miscarriage and his children might not be his. This makes the husband question everything and attempt to untangle the lies.

White Collar (Netflix)

This is an intelligent and compelling show about a con-man who makes a consulting deal with the FBI and uses his knowledge to help catch criminals in exchange for his freedom. The protagonist, played by Matt Bomer, is charming and smart making you root for him from the first minute.

Documentaries (Netflix/Amazon Prime)

If you want something slightly more realistic and less fictional there are so many great documentaries.

My current recommendations include:

1. The trials of Gabriel Fernandez. Note this is quite a heavy watch, really good though.

2. Blue Planet II/Planet Earth. Two words. David Attenborough.

3. Making a Murderer