15 shows to watch during the #lockdownSA

Being trapped in our homes – for those lucky enough to have homes – is sure to give us cabin fever. Some of us are still doing 9 to 5, but in a new way. Others are studying. And some are catching up on their very long to-read book list (raise your hand if you buy new books when you still haven’t read your other books).

The lockdown is also a good time to catch up on series. That’s why the Destiny Careers team has put together a list of unmissable TV, from old series to the ones everyone’s talking about right now.

Happy bingeing! In alphabetical order, the shows are:

 

1. Breaking Bad

Genre Crime Drama

How many seasons 5

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? No

What it’s about Walter ‘Walt’ White is a high school chemistry teacher who, with the help of one of his former pupils, starts making meth to fund White’s cancer treatment. Over the seasons, you watch this sweet, dedicated family man turn into a brutal and ruthless drug lord while also trying to keep up appearances at home. It’s universally lauded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

Why you’ll love it It’s riveting, brilliant television. The relationship between Walt and his pupil-turned-business-partner Jesse Pinkman is a focal point that will infuriate and frustrate you as much as it will tug at your heartstrings. It’s a show filled with incredible performances, from Walt and Jesse right down to the B-grade supporting cast.

Fun fact The show has resulted in a spinoff, Better Call Saul, and a Netflix movie, El Camino, about what happened to Jesse after the series finale.

– Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

 

2. Euphoria

Genre Gen Z Drama

How many seasons 1

Where to watch it Showmax

Is it family-friendly? Hell no

What it’s about Teens in high school dealing with the complexities of sex when you’re young, toxic relationships, sex work, transitioning (as in gender-wise), body image issues, social hierarchy, violence, abuse and drug addiction. The show starts with lead character Rue having an overdose in her mother’s kitchen in front of her 13-year-old sister. Dark. It’s reminiscent of the movie Thirteen.

Why you’ll love it It’s visually delicious: the colours, makeup, wardrobe, cinematography and editing (the transitions between scenes is impressive). Zendaya has range – she plays the self-sabotaging and messy Rue with charm, intensity, sensitivity and nuance.

– Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

 

3. Fleabag

Genre Comedy

How many seasons 2

Where to watch it Prime Video

Is it family-friendly? Nope

What it’s about Written by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, we follow the life of the unnamed lead character as she navigates tricky interpersonal relationships (usually in a bad state because of her actions), guilt, self-loathing, sex, sexism and grief – and all while she’s teetering on the edge of financial ruin. The strong supporting cast includes Oscar winner Olivia Colman (also in Netflix’s The Crown, also worth a watch) as the not so much evil as she is stone cold stepmother.

Why you’ll love it Waller-Bridge is full of charisma, so it quickly stops feeling weird when she breaks the fourth wall. Fleabag is super funny and also super uncomfortable to watch.

– Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

 

4. Gentefied

Genre Dramatic Comedy

How many seasons 1

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Yes

What it’s about It’s about three Mexican cousins who are trying to make their dreams come true. However, they are confronted with the complex dilemma of choosing to take the family legacy (their grandfather’s taco shop) forward or choosing to branch out. It also touches on the dynamics of progressiveness, culture, gentrification and so much more.

Why you’ll love it It’s funny. It also gives some much-needed insight into the changes that other cultures deal with and again, although people of colour are diverse, we do share similar struggles.

– Maki Molapo

 

5. Kingdom

Genre Zombie Period Drama

How many seasons 2

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Noooo!

What it’s about The South Korean show is set in 1500s Korea, post-Japanese invasion. A crown prince is in exile, while his pregnant young stepmother (a magnificent character who truly comes to life in season 2 – which exceeds season 1) and her overbearing, powerful father keep him from the throne and away from his father, the king (who is now a zombie, but that’s a secret). The prince must fight for his throne while also leading the fight against a zombie apocalypse and dealing with trusted insiders betraying him.

Why you’ll love it It has a fantastic script and the acting from everyone is superb. It has moments of humour and it’s multi-layered: it’s not just about zombies – at its heart it’s about power and politics. The cinematography will take your breath away, the colours are rich and the costumes award-worthy. Easily one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

­– Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

 

6. Money Heist

Genre Crime Drama

How many seasons 4-part series with the 4th part due today (3 April)

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Not at all

What it’s about: A team of individuals, that have committed all sorts of crimes before, are gathered by a man with the code name “Professor” to go on a mission of not stealing but to print themselves billions of Euros at the Royal Mint of Spain in Madrid.

Why you’ll love it The suspense is on another level! Intricate planning at its best. Rules are that are set, pre-heist, are broken all in the name of love.

– Mafika Mkhwanazi

 

 

7. On My Block

Genre Teen-comedy drama

How many seasons 3 (10 episodes each, except for season 3 which has 8 ☹)

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Yes

What it’s about The series is a Latinx coming-of-age story that starts off with best friends, three boys and a girl, who are about to go to high school. It follows these four funny, smart and street-smart teenagers who go through life-changing events that are heavily influenced by the dynamics in their neighbourhood. It’s based in an area called Freeridge, Los Angeles, and it touches on gang violence, romance, friendship and survival. It has a ‘90s feel about it, which makes it extra cool.

Why you’ll love it It’s a dope story that explores teenagers who have to deal with a lot of heavy stuff just to survive. It’s also interesting to see how similar our stories are as people of colour. Plus, these teens are just amazing human beings – I feel like I know them personally.

– Maki Molapo

 

8. Pose

Genre Drama

How many seasons  2 (18 episodes all in all) and season 3 is on the way.

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Not 100% but for the most part, yes.

What it’s about The story is based in New York and follows the evolution of the LGBTQIA+’s ballroom culture in the ‘80s. It touches on what family is for them, fashion, love, the pursuit of their dreams, dealing with HIV/AIDS at a time where it was relatively new, and a true sense of community.

Why you’ll love it Firstly, I learnt what vogueing really means (did I just reveal my age?). Secondly, it’s a story that doesn’t paint an exaggerated and one-dimensional picture of the LGBTIQIA+ community, it beautifully shows diversity within the culture. You also learn that the more things change, the more they stay the same. I also honestly found it empowering.

– Maki Molapo

 

9. Queen Sono

Genre Action-drama

How many seasons 1 (6 episodes)

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Yes

What it’s about It’s about a highly skilled South African spy, Queen Sono, a character played by Pearl Thusi, who works for the government and takes on a dangerous mission of taking down some Russians. The story also touches on aspects of Queen’s romantic life, family and the effects of history.

Why you’ll love it If you’ve lived in South Africa or know its history then this series will feel like a story you’ve seen before but it’s so much better. The action scenes are amazing – they really delivered. Also, seeing an African woman kick ass like that? You have to see it!

– Maki Molapo

 

10. Self Made

Genre Drama

Where to watch it Netflix

How many seasons Limited Series (4 episodes)

Is it family-friendly? Yes

What it’s about Aspiring to be more than a washerwoman, Sarah grows determined to sell Addie’s hair product. But when she’s cruelly rebuffed, the gloves come off.

Why you’ll love it  Historically, there was a free black woman who made millions from selling hair product to black women in America during a period where it was unheard of. It’s unbelievable but cute to watch.

– Lawrence Manyapelo

 

11. Sex Education

Genre: Drama (I think it’s really a mashup of drama & comedy)

How many seasons: 2 seasons, each with 8 episodes

Where to watch it: Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Nope (16+)

What it’s about: A teenager (Otis Milburn), whose mother is a sex therapist who runs her practice from home, is on a journey of self-discovery and ends up mistakenly giving advice to a fellow students for making money.

Why you’ll love it: It highlights a range of issues that a lot of young people go through on a day-to-day. Regardless of their challenges, young people continue to thrive.

– Mafika Mkhwanazi

 

12. Tiger King

Genre Limited documentary series

How many seasons 1 (7 episodes)

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Not quite

What it’s about The show everyone is talking about. This documentary follows feuding animal lovers (sort of) in Ohio: Joe Exotic, who owns over 200 tigers and lions, and Carole Baskin, who rescues said animals from their cages – only to place them in cages at her farm. It ends with someone in jail.

Why you’ll love it It’s dramatic, it’s messy and you can’t stop watching. It has everything: jealousy, murder allegations, suicide, conspiracies, God complexes, scammers, Walmart managers, politics and country music.

– Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

 

13. Westworld

Genre Science fiction-thriller

How many seasons 3 (10 episodes each for seasons 1 and 2; but 8 episodes for season 3)

Where to watch it Showmax

Is it family-friendly? Nope, too dark

What it’s about Westworld is an exclusive theme park where those who can afford the expensive entry can live without limits. Partners Arnold Weber and Robert Ford create lifelike robots that pass for humans called hosts. The hosts allow guests to live out their fantasies (without harming humans). The hosts are mass produced and programmed to offer the guests a fully realistic and gratifying experience including sex, violence and execution of power.

Why you’ll love it  It’s an immersive exploration of sentience that is bound to leave you with many burdensome questions about your existence. Also, if you’re into plotlines that aren’t spoon-fed to you then you’ve come to the right place. You’ll spend plenty of time trying to figure out, who’s a robot, who’s not? And who’s dead, who’s not? (On multiple timelines). The question, “Is this now?” is asked by the hosts several times. You’ll find yourself asking the same question throughout.

– Unathi Shologu

 

14. What/If

Genre Thriller

How many seasons 1 (10 Episodes)

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? I’m not sure

What it’s about The show is about a woman of extreme wealth who makes young scientist Lisa a steamy proposal. Lisa is on the verge of a breakthrough that would save the lives of millions of kids, but she needs funding to go through with the trials and eventually bring her technique to the market. Other venture capitalists have turned Lisa down, but Anne Montgomery makes her an unexpected offer — one that comes with a twist. In order to give Lisa the money, Anne wants to spend a night alone with Lisa’s husband, Sean, a former professional athlete

Why you’ll love it It’s really messy, so twisted and will definitely make you forget about lockdown for a moment.  Anne Montgomery, with a really messy childhood trauma, and it forces a couple to choose between their marriage and morals if they choose to get involved in business with her.

– Lawrence Manyapelo

 

15. The 100

Genres: Science Fiction, Drama, Mystery,

How many seasons 6

Where to watch it Netflix

Is it family-friendly? Yes

What’s it about 100 young exiles from a dying space station are sent to Earth 97 years after a nuclear apocalypse, to test if the planet is now inhabitable.

Why you’ll love it It’s a window to the future that awaits humans. In the future, when we’re really done destroying the earth and agreed to save the human race by sending some people on a Noah’s Arc space station: in it are engineers, doctors, scientists and prisoners.