As summer and indoor weekends return, these are the TV shows you need to give in to. From coked-up record label execs to the Devil playing a friendly neighbourhood cop – this is a year for wild adventure and gritty crime. All from your favourite couch.
1. Vinyl
HBO’s new project with Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger and Terence Winters is one of the most anticipated shows of the year. The fast-paced and oftentimes-cynical account of the 1970’s rock scene in New York City is tells the story of Richie Finestra (Boardwalk Empire’s Bobby Cannavale), and his attempts to resurrect his dying record label. This is a must-watch for music enthusiasts, golden age-syndrome(rs) and HBO loyalists.
2. Love
Created by Judd Apatow, (of The 40-Year-Old Virgin fame), this show follows 20-somethings Mickey and Gus as they try to navigate the murky, confusing and embarrassingly familiar waters of 21st-century relationships. Maintaining the mood of shows like Girls and Broad City, it promises a relatable, no-holds-barred probe of modern love. Watch Love on Netflix.
3. 11/22/63
This mini series, based on Stephen King’s novel 11/22/63, tracks Jake Epping’s (James Franco) attempts to travel back in time to 1960 to prevent the assassination of JFK. The subject material has Kings’ signature creeps with bonus sci-fi touches. This one is on its way to becoming one of 2016’s most acclaimed shows. Watch it on Hulu.
4. The Night Manager
On-screen baddies Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie team up in this British-American thriller. The mini-series is an adaptation of John Le Carre’s novel from 1993 – which follows the story of a former soldier who becomes embroiled in an arms-deal conflict. The script was the subject of a long drawn out bidding war by the network and has finally been picked up by AMC. It will premiere in the US on April 15, 2016.
5. Lucifer
Fantasy, action and comedy come together in this offbeat police drama. The protagonist – Lucifer, played by Tom Ellis – is a character created by Neil Gaiman and Sam Keith in the comic book series Sandman. Bored and unhappy with his job as ‘King of the dark side’, he relocates to Los Angeles to help the LAPD solve their cases. Witty, fast-paced and moving, this is a great show for mid-week kickbacks with cheap take-out.
