10 boxsets to binge-watch this holiday season

It’s finally holiday time, and that means ample spare time to watch all of those television shows you’ve been promising to start all year. Rather than binging on leftover… read more
10 boxsets to binge-watch this holiday season
It’s finally holiday time, and that means ample spare time to watch all of those television shows you’ve been promising to start all year. Rather than binging on leftover turkey and all those chocolate gift-sets, you could binge on some of the best television the year has to offer. Merry Christmas!
Ripper Street
If you’ve somehow missed Amazon’s fantastic reincarnation of BBC One hit Ripper Street, this is something to fix immediately, as a new series is out in January 2016. Season 3 sees Long Susan turn villain as the group struggle to deal with the consequences of a horrific locomotive accident, while Reid encounters a shocking face from the past.
Buy | Stream
Outlander
A really fab adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s long-loved book series, Outlander brings depth and character to the stories we learnt in history lessons. The story follows Claire Randall, a former WWII nurse, who is mysteriously transported to eighteenth century Scotland and the arms of dishy Scottish soldier Jamie Fraser. She’s thrown straight into the midst of a cause that she knows will fail. It’s an emotional ride, but one certainly worth it.
Buy | Stream
House of Cards
It’s never too late to get started on this widely-acclaimed political thriller, which is perfect for binge-watching. It stars Kevin Spacey as the corrupt and conniving Frank Underwood, a politician with all the ambition and lack of morality to park himself in the White House. Watch the rise of Frank and equally ambitious wife Claire to the top, bask in glory as that perfection begins to crumble in season three, then wait in frustration for season four like the rest of us.
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Jessica Jones
The newest – and best – addition to the Netflix/Marvel mashup, Jessica Jones stars Krysten Ritter in the title role. Jessica Jones is a former superhero traumatised by a former life and the actions of the villainous Kilgrave (played expertly by David Tennant). As she endeavours to continue life as a private investigator, she is repeatedly returned to unfinished business with Kilgrave until she accepts she must right the many wrongs he has committed.
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Doctor Foster
One of the year’s biggest hits, Doctor Foster stars Suranne Jones in a career high as the high-flying woman who discovers her husband is cheating on her with a teenager. As her picture-perfect life begins to crumble beyond her control, Doctor Foster is determined to find answers and some semblance of dignity in the tatters that her life becomes. Expertly written, acted, and heartfelt drama.
Buy
The Affair
An interesting and highly-acclaimed portrayal of an affair and the impact it has on all those involved, told from two perspectives. Each episode features two accounts of the same story, with the audience left to decide the truth. It’s a thought-provoking, nuanced piece of television that is certainly worthy of its very many plaudits.
Buy | Stream
Better Call Saul
Breaking Bad fans rejoice – Better Call Saul is just as clever and surprising as its predecessor, and needs your immediate attention if this one has skipped you by. It stars Bob Odenkirk in a return to the character of scheming lawyer Saul Goodman as the show examines the character’s rise to the Albuquerque villain’s get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s also filled with bad-ass Breaking Bad cameos that any fan of the original series will enjoy.
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Humans
This thought-provoking and innovative drama from Channel 4 and HBO had us shocked, engaged, and obsessed in a way we haven’t felt since the mass of confusion that was Utopia. It’s definitely one to have on the list to binge-watch this Christmas, if it may leave you pondering philosophical questions at the dinner table.
Buy
Poldark
Anyone who missed the sexy scything storm of 2015 is in sore need of enlightenment, and that’s exactly what this DVD will do. Aiden Turner’s broody turn as the sexy soldier Ross Poldark is worth the watch alone, but the period drama is more than a hot protagonist. A striking story, stunning setting and excellent acting put this drama on a perch above some of the very many British period dramas.
Buy
Scandal
If you’re looking for a sexy, intelligent telly import that will never get repetitive, try a season of Shonda Rhime’s absolutely shocking Scandal series. Addictive, fresh and constantly surprising even us seasoned telly forecasters, Scandal isn’t for the light-hearted but boy is it worth the payoff.
Buy | Stream