The UK is back in lockdown, following suit with many other countries around the world. As the pandemic drags on, we’re set for a dull winter – especially when it comes to our entertainment choices. Production of new films and TV series has either slowed or halted entirely. But if you’re asking yourself what to watch in lockdown, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
You can already check out our top documentary recommendations, and seeing as we’ve all got more spare time on our hands we reckon you’ll be able to squeeze some TV shows in while you’re at it. So here are three great series that will help you pass the time during the latest lockdown. Hopefully we don’t have to write many more of these lockdown lists, though…
Better Call Saul
We’ve all seen Breaking Bad and that’s precisely why it isn’t featured on this list. Having said that, you might have skipped over its prequel – and Better Call Saul is definitely not one to miss. It follows struggling attorney Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) six years prior to the events of the legendary original series and details his gradual transformation into the corrupt criminal lawyer Saul Goodman.
Better Call Saul’s slow pace can be somewhat frustrating and is perhaps why many either gave up on it or never gave it a chance to begin with. But make no mistake – it lives up to its predecessor’s reputation and then some. Many even believe it has now surpassed Breaking Bad in terms of quality, and that’s saying something. This is a subtle, intricate show that demands your concentration and patience. Its cinematography is utterly gorgeous from the start, and there are plenty of fan-pleasing nods to Breaking Bad that help drive the plot towards its predetermined future. With five seasons available now and an eventual sixth and final season on the way, Better Call Saul will make for perfect viewing if you’re scratching your head over what to watch in lockdown. But only if you’re patient and give it chance to tell its immaculate story.
Dark
German sci-fi thriller Dark is one of Netflix’s lesser known critical hits. I’ve never seen it appear in Netflix UK’s top 10, even when its final season debuted back in June. Despite this, all three seasons of Dark were praised across the board and for good reason. There is nothing (and I mean nothing) like it. Its complex, mind-bending narrative spans multiple time periods and generations, each brought to life by impeccable casting decisions and set design. This is coupled with an assortment of gripping mysteries that underpin its narrative, meaning you’re in for an absolute treat as you explore the ominous town of Winden and meet its troubled inhabitants.
Dark is the type of show that has you up until 2am watching episode after episode. You’ll be desperate to solve its puzzles, and just when you think you know where it’s going it changes course and subverts your expectations. And for all its complexities and timey-wimey madness, it isn’t confusing. It abides by its own rules and ensures your understanding with every twist and turn. This is a rare example of conspiracy-laden television that plants the seeds of its enigmas and allows them to grow into something spectacular and meaningful.
Mindhunter
Before I get into Mindhunter, I must point out that it’s on indefinite hold and may never return to screens. With just two seasons and 19 episodes under its belt, Joe Penhall’s psychological crime thriller was about to hit its stride right before executive produce David Fincher slammed on the brakes due to other commitments.
Mindhunter centres on FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and their work in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Across the show’s two seasons, Ford and Tench visit detained serial killers and interview them in the hope their conversations will inform unsolved cases and help them understand the minds of mass murderers. Uniquely, the series is based on the true-crime book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit and includes fictional portrayals of real serial killers such as the Son of Sam, Charles Manson, Edmund Kemper and many others. Each performance is distinctly true-to-life, with Cameron Britton’s performance as Kemper standing out in particular – it’s as unnerving as it is convincing.
While Mindhunter is unfinished and may never be completed, Netflix have said another season might materialise “in five years” time. Obviously, for fans of the series, that’s massively disappointing news. Half a decade is such a long time in the fast-moving world of streaming services, and most people will have probably moved on by the time season 3 sees the light of day. With that being said, Mindhunter is an enthralling watch that will surely spark your morbid curiosity. It’s a one-of-a-kind show that deserves your time, and even if the second season really is the end at least you can say you went along for the thrilling – albeit brief – ride.
Are you stuck trying to decide what to watch in lockdown? Did our list help you? Let us know in the comment section below, and don’t forget to share your recommendations for what to watch in lockdown!
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Featured Image Credit: Sony Pictures Television/AMC
