Easy Shows to Binge Watch on Netflix

Netflix has had its ups and downs, enduring criticism for getting rid of good shows or movies that had become people’s favorites. Some of this dissing is underserved as there are plenty of good shows that Netflix has recently released that are notable and binge-worthy. These shows are easy to get into, but are underrated and no one is really talking about them–give them a chance! Here is a preview of the plot of each of these new shows, and also a list of some well-known actors and actresses who might catch your attention.  

“Bridgerton” is a one-season, eight-episode ongoing series, as of right now. Currently in the top 10 on Netflix, this television show created by Chris Van Dusen is based off a collection of novels written by Julia Quinn. Each book is the story of one of the eight children of the widow Violet   Dowager Viscountess Bridgerton: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. The first season focuses on her eldest daughter, Daphne. The show takes place during the years 1813-1827. If you enjoyed anything written by Jane Austen or the movies “Pride and Prejudice” or “Little Women”, you would enjoy this show. 

The main characters are played by Rege-Jean Page, who plays Simon Bassett, also known for his role in  “For The People”. Phoebe Dynevor plays Daphne Brigerton. Phoebe Dynevor is in “Snatch”, however these actors are relatively unknown at this point.

  This series covers what life was like in the 1800s and how stressful it was for women when they were coming of age to marry rich so they didn’t become indentured servants. This series is also very engaging because everyone knows everybody else’s business and is involved in everyone’s romance and drama. 

“Trailer Park Boys” is a twelve-season series with many side-shows and movies; this is a BIG franchise. This series is like “My Name is Earl” and “The Office”. It’s ridiculous, but it is so funny. It’s super easy to follow along with, so you don’t need to be staring at the tv to know what’s going on; each episode is a new adventure. This show is about three boys Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles. Basically, a camera crew follows these boys around to film a documentary. Usually each season ends with Ricky and Julian going to jail and the season starts with them getting out. Of course there has to be an antagonist, in this case it is Mr. Lahey the trailer park supervisor, and his sidekick, Randy. This show is well-known and liked and highly recommended if you just want to have a good laugh. It’s one of those shows you either love or hate. Mike Smith plays Bubbles, Robb Wells is Ricky, and John Paul Tremblay plays Julian. 

“Big Mouth” is a four-season series and is another easy-to-follow show where you don’t have to watch carefully to know what’s going on, however, in some episodes they do relate to past scenes or characters, so you do need to pay attention a little. This animated show is based on some teenagers in school. When puberty hits them each differently they each get assigned a hormone monster that follows them around to help them with puberty. These monsters do also cause problems, but the funny kind. John Mulaney plays Andrew, whom you may know from “SNL” skits, and Maya Rudolph who plays Connie. Nick Kroll plays Nick and a few others, and Jenny Slate plays Missy Foreman-Greenwald. 

“The Vampire Diaries” is more on the dramatic and romantic side for those of you who like this genre.  This show is eight seasons long, and most fans were happy with the series overall, but had some difficulty with the ending.  Perhaps it is the highly attractive cast they can’t get enough of, or maybe it is the deeper meaning the show carries throughout the seasons, whatever it is, it’s highly addictive, and fans continue to have the show on repeat.  Ian Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore, you may know him from “V-Wars” or “Lost”. Nina Dobrev plays Elena Gilbert whom you may know her from “Let’s Be Cops” or “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, Candice King plays Caoline Forbes, you may know her from the new movie “After We Collided” or “Deadgirl”, and Paul Wesley plays Stefan Salvatore, you may know him from “Tell Me a Story” or “Fallen”. 

“Outer Banks” is one season, soon to be two, and it is a short season, leaving you wanting more.  Again this show features good looking actors and actresses and the concept of the show reminds me a lot of the movie “Goonies”, except dragged out with more drama and romance to make a full show. This is another show you either get into or you don’t, but definitely give it a chance. This show is based on two groups of people– one group is the “Pogues”, and the other is the “Kooks”.  The Pogues are the outcasts almost; they fend for themselves and need to work harder than the Kooks to survive. The Kooks are the “rich” ones and they have much nicer things than the Pogues. The Kooks and Pogues don’t get along and fight whenever they are with each other. In this series, Madelyn Cline who plays Sarah Cameron, is a Kook, and she goes with the Pogues because she likes them better; they’re nicer, and not as stuck up.  She also falls in love with Chase Stokes who plays John B. John B finds a treasure map and his friends set out to find the hidden treasure that they believe is gold, while along the way, people keep trying to get John B. to put him in foster care, because he is too young to live on his own. Rudy Pankow is featured as JJ, Jonathan Daviss plays Pope, and Madison Bailey plays Kiara.  

“13 Reasons Why” is a four-season, VERY dark show that brings attention to a lot of problems and struggles people of all ages, especially high schoolers, face.  The show tackles the issues teens deal with on their own, but also shows the effects that peoples’ decisions have on others. As a trigger warning, some main themes are rape, suicide, and violence.  There aren’t a lot of happy moments in the show, however, the show can teach a lot to an audience. The impact the show may have on the viewer will be different for everyone, but as mentioned, there are some triggers so be forewarned. Dylan Minnette plays Clay Jensen; you may know him from “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No  Good, Very Bad Day” or “Open House”. Brandon Flynn plays Justin Foley; you may know him from “Looks That Kill” or “Ratched”.   Katherine Langford is featured as Hannah Baker, you may know her from “Knives Out” or “Cursed”, and Kate Walsh is Mrs. Baker whom you may know from “Grey’s Anatomy” or “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”. 

“The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” is four seasons, with only seven one-hour episodes per season. This show is based off of the show “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, made in 1996, and I think is underrated. Directors didn’t get enough funding, therefore they had to wrap up the last season kind of quickly. This series is about a witch, Sabrina, who comes of age and gets her powers.  Sabrina has to leave her human life to go to a witch school to learn to control her powers. However, with her human boyfriend and best friends she decides to split her time between both schools. They face a series of obstacles that leave her friends finding out she is a witch and what they have to overcome to accept that about her. They face many monsters and threats to both worlds, but Sabrina manages to keep that winning streak going. Kiernan Shipka plays Sabrina Spellman, you may know her from “Mad Man”. Ross Lynch is Harvey Kinkle from “Austin and Ally” or Teen Beach Movie” or “My Friend Dahmer”.  Finally, Gavin Leatherwood is featured as Nicholas Scratch, whom you may know him from ”#WhenTodayEnds” . 

“Gilmore Girls” has seven seasons with a shorter series spin-off called “A Year in the Life”. While this show is hard to put into a category, it has a variety of moments that range from heart-warming, to sad, to funny, or romantic moments. This show is about Lorelai and her daughter, Rory, and how she was a single mom who didn’t get along with her parents.  Lorelai ends up raising her daughter with the help of the small town. This show follows all the relationships and heartbreaks between both girls. It features all of their accomplishments and how much they grow to become successful–from big league schools, to owning their own companies, to finding love. Viewers can really see the chemistry in the (again, extremely good looking) cast. These episodes tend to be a little longer, but they are definitely worth the watch. You will quickly fall in love with everyone who comes into the show.  Melissa McCarthy is Sookie St. James, Alexis Bledel plays Rory Gilmore, Lauren Graham is Lorelai Gilmore, Scott Patterson plays Luke Danes, and Milo Ventimiglia plays Jess Mariano.