The Bear – If you enjoy chaos and intense, emotional workplace storytelling, I highly recommend this show. Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White (also known for Shameless), is an award-winning chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago after his brother, Michael, suddenly dies.
Carmy takes over his brother’s struggling sandwich shop in hopes of getting it back on its feet. While the show is set in a kitchen, it focuses much more on the characters and their personal struggles, making it an extremely emotional experience. Grab the tissues.
Determined to honor his brother’s legacy while pursuing his own culinary ambitions, Carmy works to transform the sandwich shop into a fine-dining restaurant. He brings in sous chef Sydney and his cousin Richie to help improve the business, but something seems to go wrong every single day. The tension constantly builds as they fear the restaurant may not survive.
Ten out of ten, highly recommend if you love shows that focus on deep character development. The Bear won Emmy Awards for its first and second seasons, solidifying its place as one of the best modern dramas.
S.A.S.: Rogue Heroes – If you liked Peaky Blinders, this is another show for you. S.A.S.: Rogue Heroes is a British war drama about a group of elite soldiers during World War II. These men go deep behind enemy lines to take out the most dangerous targets before the rest of the army moves in.
The series begins in 1941 in North Africa, where a British Army officer comes up with a bold idea: to assemble the toughest, most reckless, and resourceful soldiers into a special commando unit. Their unconventional methods and fearless attitude set them apart from traditional military forces.
British actor Alfie Allen, known for his role in Game of Thrones, plays John “Jock” Lewes, a strong leader with firm values and a strategic mind. Jack O’Connell stars as Paddy Mayne, an Irshis man, wild and unpredictable soldier who has little respect for authority. His character constantly keeps viewers on edge, wondering what reckless move he’ll make next. He of course is my favorite.
If you enjoy war dramas with strong character development, epic historical storytelling, and tense action, S.A.S.: Rogue Heroes is definitely a strong pick.
Landman – Another series from Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan, set in West Texas. The show centers on the oilfield business and follows Tommy Norris, played by Billy Bob Thornton, a seasoned landman whose job requires navigating dangerous situations while dealing with ruthless corporations.
The series explores how wealth, power, and energy shape people’s lives, both personally and professionally. It places strong focus on Tommy’s family and the roles they play within the oil industry. His son, Cooper, is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a landman himself, but he quickly realizes the serious dangers and heavy responsibilities that come with the job. Tommy’s wife/ex-wife, Angela, played by Ali Larter, plays a crucial role in the family dynamic. She is hell on wheels, and it’s hard not to notice that she and Tommy make one of the most toxic yet compelling TV couples. Angela loves fiercely and worries deeply, always making sure the family comes together — even for something as simple as a shared dinner.
The show can be a slow burn, but it delivers big emotional and dramatic explosions if you’re willing to wait for them.
Stranger Things – Stranger Things is a science fiction and horror drama set in the 1980s. A group of kids, who spend their time playing Dungeons & Dragons, stumble upon a mysterious girl hiding in the woods. Known as Eleven (or “L”), she has psychic powers and escapes from a dangerous situation, joining the group of young heroes.
But something strange is happening in the town of Hawkins: lights flicker, bizarre creatures appear, and children go missing. When their friend Will is abducted and the police can’t solve the mystery, the kids take matters into their own hands. Using their wits and Eleven’s special powers, they fight to restore Hawkins to normal.
As the seasons progress, they uncover deeper secrets and darker forces, realizing that the battle against the Upside Down is far from over.
The seasons of this show were released with long gaps in between, so if you haven’t seen it yet, now is a great time to start. No spoilers, but I’ll say this: I was a fan of the final episode, and yes… I was one of those fans secretly hoping for an extra finale. If you love mystery and mind-bending sci-fi, this is a Netflix show you don’t want to miss.
