With summer right around the corner, it is inevitable that most of us might have a little extra free time on our hands. If you are looking for new shows to indulge in this summer, do not worry. I have my top four favorite original Netflix series that you will undoubtedly love.
For those of you who might not know, Netflix is a service first created in 1997. The original Netflix was a service that allowed you to rent out movies and then send them back for new ones.
As time progressed and the digital age took over, Netflix reinvented itself and turned into a streaming service back in 2007 according to Intrestingengeneering.com. Now, you can purchase Netflix online and watch it on your phone, tablets or on your smart televisions.
The great thing about Netflix is that it holds over 15,000 titles according to camparitech. The streaming service has also started producing their own original shows which are called ‘Netflix Originals’.
As an active watcher of new original shows, I have compiled a list of three binge-worthy shows that are a must-watch for anyone with Netflix.
The first original show I watched on Netflix was Orange Is the New Black. The series takes place at Litchfield Penitentiary in Litchfield, New York. Prior to watching this show, I was never big on crime/reform television series, but shortly after the first episode, I was hooked.
The series was first put onto Netflix streaming service in 2013 and was based on the novel Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison. This was a memoir written by Piper Kerman in 2010 and was based on her 13-month experience in a women’s prison.
In the series, they kept the author’s first name but changed the last. The plot revolved around the main character Piper Chapman who was played by Taylor Schilling and Alex Vause played by Laura Prepon. On the show, Vause is a successful drug smuggler who travels the world to transport drugs. Chapman and Vause end up finding each other and falling in love.
Although Chapman knew of Vause’s work, she never got involved, except for one time. Shortly after Vause and Chapman inevitably break up due to complications, Vause was arrested. In order to shorten her term, she snitched on Chapman which landed her in Litchfield Penitentiary.
The show first debuted on Netflix on July 11, 2013, and ran for a total of seven seasons wrapping up July 26, 2019. Over the course of its running, the show has been nominated for a total of 143 awards and won a total of 52. This includes multiple Emmy awards for the best supporting actress, and best guest actress according to imbd.com.
The second Netflix Original binge-worthy show that is a must-watch is Dead to Me. This series first premiered on Netflix on May 3, 2019, making it a fairly new show. The series features actress Christina Applegate playing Jen Harding, and Linda Cardellini playing Judy Hale.
While it is still a newer show, it has already been critically acclaimed and does a great job at keeping the viewer’s attention for the entirety of an episode. During the first season, we get an insight into Hale’s mentality and desire to make right with Harding. One night when Hale was driving while intoxicated, she ran over a man and killed him with her fiance at the time. The man they ran over happened to be Harding’s husband.
Not being able to sleep at night, Hale began going insane with the crime she had just committed. In hopes to gain peace, she stalked Harding’s character and worked her way into her home and life to try and repay her for murdering her husband. While it was working at first, the guilt was eating Hale alive and she ended up confessing her crime which resulted in a huge blow-up between the two. Season one ends with Hale’s ex-fiance showing up at Harding’s house to try and convince her not to call the cops. After intimidating her, Harding shot and killed Hale’s fiance and now needed Hale’s help to hide the body.
This series is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping the suspense high at all times. As of now, there are only two seasons available on Netflix, but according to thrilllist.com, Netflix has already begun production for a third and final season of the series.
The final series that is a must-watch for anyone looking for a new and engaging show is called You. This is also a newer series on Netflix which debuted September 9, 2018. This action-packed show revolved around the main character Joe Goldberg played by actor Penn Badgley.
For this series still being new, it has already created a lot of buzz on social media surrounding the main character and his psycho tendencies. There were even multiple memes people created that went viral on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
In the series, Goldberg runs a small bookstore located in New York City. As Goldberg is organizing some bookshelves, he notices a beautiful lady across the store who needs helped. The character Beck played by Elizabeth Lail ends up approaching Goldberg in need of some assistance which makes him believe they were destined to be.
Goldberg then falls madly in love with Beck and begins stalking her everywhere she goes. He even goes to the extent of stealing her phone so he can track her every move physically and virtually.
As time goes on Beck becomes suspicious of Goldberg’s strange behavior. After realizing that he was a psychopath she tries to leave Goldberg but ends up dead instead. In a panic, Goldberg flees the city to start a new life in California but is still haunted by Beck and even believes she is still alive.
As of now there are only two seasons available on Netflix’s, but they have begun production and promotion for season three which is set to be released later this year.
If action packed suspenseful shows are your thing, then I highly recommend checking these shows out if you haven’t already.
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