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I can’t speak for all of us, but once the weekend rolls around, I spend more time scrolling through the rotation of streaming platforms than I do actually enjoying some downtime in front of the television. I am an avid rewatcher, and more often than not, return to a beloved old favourite once my thumb has grown tired of this infinite scroll.
I’ve also found that television shows that span a seemingly never-ending amount of seasons just aren’t for me any more (yes, I’m looking at you Grey’s Anatomy), and if I see another movie that’s longer than three hours in length, I’m going to riot at dawn. Does anyone really have the brain capacity for that after a long, long week? I digress.
Miniseries really are where it’s at. Though it may translate as hypocritical, given my sentiments about excessively long films, I will happily sit through hours of episodes of a new miniseries so that I can get through it in one sitting. This is mostly due to my lack of self-control and my inability to go to bed without knowing exactly how things will end for my new favourite characters with whom I only became acquainted earlier that day.
If you think about it, a television binge-watch is actually a really valuable way to spend a weekend and should be lauded as such. Short and sweet but hugely satisfying upon completion, here are some of the miniseries I’ve been gorging myself on lately…
Myself, my sister and my mother broke this eight-episode Australian dark comedy-drama up over two evenings, and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. As the name might suggest, Class of ‘07 is all about a ten-year high school reunion, but there’s a little twist: a tidal wave hits, cutting this group of girls who haven’t seen each other for years off from the rest of civilisation and leaving them to survive the apocalypse (or the pocco, as they call it) at their own discretion. The first few episodes are frivolous and verge on a little bit slapstick at times, which isn’t exactly my bag, but I urge you to stick with it. By the climactic end, you’ll be rooting for every one of these girls. And yes, that is Frankie from The Sleepover Club.
From the producers of Killing Eve, this superhero series stars Irish actors Máiréad Tyers and Siobhan McSweeney and follows the life of 25-year-old, socially awkward and self-aware Jen. Relatable?! Living in a world where everyone has a superpower (except her), Jen endeavours to find her greatest strength and her place in the world at large. On a search for meaning and a sense of belonging, it’s equal parts side-splitting and genuinely moving. Plus, who doesn’t love hearing the Cork accent?
I actually watched this series years ago, but I think of it often as one of the most compelling miniseries I’ve ever seen. This one isn’t an easy watch, but it’s also essential viewing. Inspired by real events, a teen (Book Smart’s Kaitlyn Dever) reports and eventually recants her reported rape, while two female detectives (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) investigate evidence that could reveal the truth. It has been described as ‘a story of unspeakable trauma, unwavering tenacity, and astounding resilience’, and even that doesn’t do it justice.
I haven’t actually seen this one yet, but it’s been highly praised by close friends, so it’s up next on my watch list. The comedy-drama stars (and is co-created by) Jason Segal, who I’ve loved very dearly since his Freaks and Geeks days, as a grieving therapist who begins to break the rules by telling his clients exactly what he thinks. He has lost his wife and wants to try a new approach to his loss, but it is unclear how this will help others. Harrison Ford also stars.
If you’ve still got a big huge enormous hole left in your life by Fleabag, this six-episode miniseries written, created and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge might just fill the gap. The series follows six people who live in an abandoned hospital as they try with all their might to deal with their relationships with each other. Think Fresh Meat, but for mid to late 20-year-olds. It’s obviously hilarious, painfully awkward at times, and touches on some very real emotions in a unique way. Phoebe Waller-Bridge also seductively slips around in a puddle of spilled curry in one stand-out scene. I just feel that’s worth mentioning.
Feature image courtesy of Apple TV+. This article was originally published in March 2023.