Ask any avid binge-watcher and they’ll confirm with shudders running down their spine – the moment the credit rolls down on a show’s season finale, is one of penultimate doom. Unnerved senses can only come up with this one sacred question, “what now?” And no, movies, anime and documentaries just won’t do! The thirst for something cool to watch is real. To remedy just that here are some of my personal recommendations airing soon on Zee Cafe. You may thank me later.
1. Taboo
Who’s In It: Tom Hardy’s stellar performance as the eponymous James Delaney is a visual treat. If that doesn’t get tongues wagging, then names such as Ridley Scott, Oona Chaplin (yes, the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin), Mark Gatiss, Franka Potente & Jonathan Pryce are sure to pique your interests.
Why Watch It: Set in England of the early 1800, James Delaney comes back home to claim his father’s shipping empire after rumoured to be dead and gone. How he gets embroiled in an incestuous relationship with Zilpha, his married half-sister (played by Oona Chaplin) while battling for his legacy forms the rest of the tale. Slick, dark, and downright sinister, Taboo is the eight-part series that pulls you deep into the underbelly of betrayal, clips your wings and keeps you captive till you’re helpless with awe. Also, a show produced by Ridley Scott and written by Tom Hardy himself screams ‘must-watch.’
Premiers On: 19th October, Thursday at 9 P.M. on Zee Cafe
2. 11.22.63
Who’s In It: James Franco plays the lead to perfection and brings to life the growing doom of a man out of place. Also starring Daniel Webber, Josh Duhamel, Chris Cooper & Sarah Gadon, this electrifying science fiction drama is choc-a-block with a glittering ensemble cast.
Why Watch It: Jake Epping, a divorced high-school teacher stumbles into a mysterious closet and lands in the 60’s. Tasked with preventing the assassination of John F. Kennedy, Jake must navigate the Texas of 1960’s while exploring the secrets of Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin. But here’s the thing, when you’re out to change the outcomes of dark events from the past, sometimes forces push back violently. Adapted from Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the series explores themes of mystery and nail-biting suspense. Plus, J.J. Abrams of Star Wars fame being at the helm of this show along with James Franco himself has got to account for something too, amirite?
Premiers On: 18th October, Wednesday at 9 P.M. on Zee Cafe.
3. The Young Pope
Who’s In it: Jude Law graces the role of Lenny Belardo with a vengeance never before seen on screen. In equal, if not overpowering tandem is Diane Keaton playing the foil to his power in every way possible. And we can’t get enough of their power-packed chemistry on screen.
Why Watch It: What began as a simple ploy to put an American in the highest seat of religion, now is becoming a difficult pawn to control for the College of Cardinals. Providing an in-depth and almost clinical insight into the flawed world of religion, The Young Pope is a fascinating mix of power, blasphemy and freedom. If those words don’t start a fire in your mind, let the fact that Head of Christianity is a sensual, amoral and power-hungry blighter sink in!
Premiers On: 16th October, Monday at 9 P.M. on Zee Cafe.
4. The Son
Who’s In It: A gun-toting Pierce Brosnan does justice to the role of Eli McCullough and how! Mere minutes into the trailer, you’d find yourself sweating slightly under the screen presence of Brosnan’s hirsute and menacingly formidable self.
Why Watch It: Two words – Pierce. Brosnan. And if that is not enough to get you going, then watch it for the multi-generational saga of bloodshed, corruption, power and the price you pay for it. ‘The Son’ is a show that’ll keep you holding onto the edge of your seat for dear life. Tropes of Native American attacks, gunslinging and Catholicism are generously sprinkled all throughout it. This is one family drama that you’ll annoy your friends into watching.
Premiers On: 17th October, Tuesday at 9 P.M. on Zee Cafe
5. Guerrilla
Who’s In It: Can we take a moment to swoon over how ideal the casting of this show has been? Freida Pinto, Babou Ceesay, Idris Elba and Rory Kinnear set the screen on fire with their emotionally charged performances, so much so that you forget the actor and lose yourself in the character completely.
Why Watch It: Of all the on-screen portrayals of the Immigration Act of 1971 or the Black Power movement, none guts our senses so violently as this show and still stays so damn poetic. Set in these turbulent times, a bi-racial couple takes up arms against a prejudiced government to lobby for equal rights for all. Watch it because after ’12 Years A Slave’ Academy Award-winning writer-director John Ridley is at the helm and most of all, watch it because this is one show that sums up the terrible beauty of humanity.
Premiers On: 20th October, Friday at 9 P.M. on Zee Cafe.
Now that’s a lot of Hollywood to catch up on. Let the series-marathon begin!
