Binge-worthy Netflix shows to discover

During your time of social distancing, why not escape with some of our top picks of binge-worthy Netflix shows?

In this time of social distancing, I will also admit that my grand plans of organising the house, learning Dutch and catching up on my books have given way to entertaining the children and somewhat trying to keep our home in working condition. We all need some down time and a form of escape – and sometimes that escape can come in the form of a good Netflix show.

For those who need a laugh

The Good Place: A critically-acclaimed comedy that takes place in a heavenly afterlife and focuses on a woman who believes she has ended up in ‘the good place’ by accident. Never have I watched a show which I found to be as creative, or kept me more on my toes as to what was going to happen next, as this one.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schimdt: A ‘coming-of-age’ story of a woman who is freed from captivity after 15 years, moves to New York and befriends a very quirky cast of characters.
Derry Girls: Yes, the language of this series is English but it takes place in Northern Ireland – and that distinctive accent is hard to understand even for fluent English speakers – so I watched it with the subtitles on. It is a very quick watch of only 12 short episodes across two series. Watching this group of girls navigate life in Northern Ireland during the 1990s with such humour filled me with the awkwardness of being a teenager again.

For those looking for a little romance

Virgin River: With only one season (and more coming), this is an endearing series of a city girl trying to escape her past and move to a small town. The concept has been done before but it felt fresh when you learn why she is looking to reinvent herself.
Lovesick: An interesting concept of a man reliving his past romances after an STD diagnosis. It’s a fun ride of meeting his exes while experiencing his current day friendships.
Jane the Virgin: Don’t let the title of this series turn you off (like it did for me for years). Once I watched a few episodes, I was immediately hooked on this heartfelt story of family and love with the twists and turns of a telenovela.
Love is Blind: I will admit I found this reality series captivating. A group of men and women date and get engaged to people they have never seen. Once they meet, they have six weeks to date and marry. It’s trending in the United States and looks to answer the question if ‘love is blind.’
The Hook-Up Plan: A charming French series about a woman trying to get over her ex and her friends attempting to help by secretly setting her up with a male escort. This French show made me want to move to Paris and get myself a group of 20-something friends (minus the prostitution).

For fans of thrillers and the supernatural

Lucifer: Who doesn’t like watching a show centered on the charming devil, literally, trying to solve murders? An easy watch that doesn’t disappoint in the suspense or romance department.
Toy Boy: A mix between Magic Mike and a murder mystery, this Spanish drama is in the top 10 in the Netherlands. A story about a wrongly imprisoned male stripper determined to find out who framed him. Set in coastal Spain, I enjoyed practicing my Spanish and pretending I was on holiday.
Money Heist: A very popular Spanish suspense series following a group of criminals who organise the perfect heist. It is full of intrigue as you try to determine everyone’s next moves. Plus, it is one which my husband also enjoyed, making it a great date night.
Elite: Another Spanish series (who knew the Spanish made such great suspense shows?), Elite follows a group of students in an exclusive private school. I will admit my high-school life wasn’t as sexy or as deadly, but I found this series to be a guilty pleasure that I easily binged in just one weekend.
Living With Yourself: A fascinating storyline of a man who inadvertently winds up getting cloned. Paul Rudd stars in this quick, eight-episode series that I found to be a thrilling exploration of relationships and self.