15 Perfect TV Shows to Binge During Your Long Weekend

There’s no better feeling than having a day off after a long week at your 9-to-5 job, and a chance to break up the sometimes frustrating monotony of an office job. Though mid-week breaks are scarce in corporate America, the elusive three-day holiday weekend is always an exciting event to look forward to.

What better way to spend your extra 24-hours (minus however many hours of sleep you need to catch-up on) than by catching up on all of the TV shows you said you were going to watch this year but didn’t ever get to?

If you’re looking to fill your day off with some recent limited-series, one-season-wonders (that probably should have been renewed), or other short binges, look no further than some of the titles below.

In no particular order, here are our picks for the 15 perfect TV shows to watch during your long weekend:

1. The Queen’s Gambit

In what might be the buzziest show of fall 2020, The Queen’s Gambit is one of the best, if not the best, dramas of the year. For a reformed elementary school chess club kid like myself, Anya Taylor Joy’s Netflix limited series is a reminder of simpler times.

For non-chess-nerds, the seven episodes set in the 1950s, are a fascinating view into the mind of a prodigy, whose talented at arguably one of the most strategic games on earth.

Taylor Joy’s Elizabeth Harmon is a character rattled with hardship and addiction, but who knows her own worth and doesn’t back down from a challenge.

Many of us will never dedicate the time to chess that Beth Harmon did because, to be quite frank, it’s way over our heads. But the passion that comes across on The Queen’s Gambit is something that I hope anybody can relate to, and resilience in the face of adversity is a character trait I think we all can strive for.

2. Teenage Bounty Hunters

I would be remiss to leave out what I think is one of the best comedies of the year.

At first pass, the title Teenage Bounty Hunters seems off-putting, like a bad, straight to DVD movie from the early 2000s. I’m here to tell you to add this to your list of, “sounds bad but is actually really great” TV shows.

Unfortunately, too many people didn’t give the Netflix series a chance, as the streamer nixed the series after its debut season. However, I will go down with the ship, and swear till my dying day that Teenage Bounty Hunters is one of the greatest one-hit-wonders of the Netflix generation.

If you like Gen Z humor, memes, and hijinks, this one’s for you.

Throw in a queer love story, the exceptional talents of newcomers Maddie Phillips and Anjelica Bette Fellini, a refreshing take on teenage female sexuality, Gen Z’s outlook on religion, and bounty-hunting teenagers, and you’ve got yourself a one-of-a-kind comedy.

There’s a petition floating around the internet to save Teenage Bounty Hunters or to have another network or streamer pick the comedy (made by the team who brought you Orange is the New Black!) back up for a second season, and I for one, hope the story has a chance to continue.

3. Defending Jacob

Is Chris Evans believable as the father of a teenage boy? Debatable. Does he play the father of a teenage boy well? Yes.

Defending Jacob follows a young family after their teenage son is accused of murdering a fellow classmate.

The Apple TV+ series asks the age-old question, “How far are you willing to go for your child?,” and the answer for Evans’ Andy Barber, is “Pretty damn far.” All eight episodes keep you on the edge of your seat with their twists and turns and keep you guessing until the very last moment.

With a final episode that houses one of the most shocking twists on television this year, Defending Jacob is a thrilling binge that you’ll want to finish all in one sitting.

4. Watchmen

It would be a mistake to not include the winner of 2020’s Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series. Watchmen, a sequel of sorts to the 1980s graphic novel, takes place in the modern-day, though alternate-universe, community of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The HBO limited series was this year’s most-nominated production for the Emmy awards and took home trophies for star Regina King and supporting actor, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Following a character through the events of the 1921 Tulsa massacre, all the way to the racial injustices and white supremacy still rampant today, Watchmen is a timely look at how our country’s past informs its present, and how the imbalance of power can ruin us all.

5. Ted Lasso

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: Ted Lasso is the next great comedy series.

In a vote of confidence, Apple has renewed the rookie series for two more seasons. The easily digestible comedy starring Jason Sudeikis follows an American football coach, attempting to pivot to futbol (aka soccer).

Sudeikis is delightful in his return to character work, and the ensemble cast comes together seamlessly to create the perfect series of television escapism and the perfect way to cure your missing-the-Olympics blues. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, heart-warming, and allows you to feel like a true English “footy” fan.

6. This Way Up

This one is a little more cerebral, and a lot more European.

Aisling Bea, who you may recognize from Paul Rudd’s Living With Yourself, is the creator of this Fleabag-esque comedy, set in the UK.

Bea’s character, Aine (read: Ahn-ya), has a nervous breakdown and is sent to rehab after an overdose, and comes out on the other side trying to keep herself afloat without being too dependent on her older sister.

The series follows the pair as they sort out the aftermath of sisterhood after such a traumatizing event. Aisling Bea’s background in stand-up comedy shines through in the series’ writing, and the incredible cast makes This Way Up a must-watch.

Like many British shows, This Way Up has a very short first (and so far only!) season, but not to worry, the creators have confirmed it will be returning for a sophomore run. Catch it in the States on Hulu.

7. The Morning Show

I mean, Resse Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston should have enough star power to pull anyone into the world of The Morning Show, but the pair, combined with a truly compelling drama, make Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed darling an enjoyable binge.

Reminiscent of Matt Lauer’s “Me Too” downfall, the hour-long drama follows Mitch Kessler (Steve Carell) and his fall from grace as he’s abruptly fired from his longtime co-hosting gig for one of the country’s top morning news programs.

The look behind the curtain of a daily news program makes the series almost educational in some parts, teaching those of us who have never worked in a studio some of the lingo and processes that happen every day to bring the world a TV show.

It also shows just how codependent the entire media machine is on itself; one rotten apple can spoil the whole bunch.

While Witherspoon and Aniston are the women in the spotlight (both were nominated for a Golden Globe), the supporting cast and characters are just as noteworthy.

From Gugu Mbatha-Raw as TMS’s lead talent broker to Bel Powley’s production assistant to Mark Duplass’s executive producer, each character has a place and a storyline that I hope gets explored further during Season 2.

8. Atypical

Atypical is probably one of the best Netflix shows you probably haven’t watched.

The comedy, following a high school student on the Autism spectrum and his family, has three seasons on the streamer and has been renewed for a fourth and final season, bowing sometime in 2021.

The first season follows Sam (Kier Gilchrist), a young man on the autism spectrum, as he decides to start dating girls after getting some advice from his therapist.

Struggling with Sam’s newfound independent spirit, his mother (Academy Award nominee, Jennifer Jason Leigh) begins an affair with a bartender, his father (comedian Michael Rapaport) finds himself as Sam’s new confidant, and his younger sister (Brigette Lundy-Paine) finds herself wrestling with her own independence.

The three seasons on Netlfix now follow Sam’s journey from high school senior to college student, his love of penguins, and yes, his evolving relationship with girlfriends. Lundy-Pain’s Casey has a similar coming-of-age arc, coming into her own sexuality and identity apart from her brother.

After the first season’s initial criticism, the series course-corrected and has been praised for involving autistic people in both the writer’s room and as actors on the show.

9. Warrior Nun

Add this one to your list of “shows with names that are just intriguing enough to get me to watch the first episode.”

Another one of Netflix’s freshman series, Warrior Nun is the story of, you guessed it, warrior nuns.

Set in Spain, the sci-fi series is based on a comic book character, the Warrior Nun Areala. These so-called warrior nuns have been gifted supernatural powers in order to defeat demons on Earth, which begin to take control of people’s bodies as they are tempted more and more by the Devil.

Though the main protagonist of the show is Ava, the most recently formed warrior nun, the true power of the series shines full force when the entire sisterhood is together.

There are other elements to the show, of course, like a scientist determined to open the gates of heaven, a cheesy teenage love story, and the politics within the Catholic faith, but you don’t have to be a believer to enjoy this unique take on religion.

The final episode ends on a massive twist and cliffhanger, so thankfully Netflix has given the green-light for season two.

10. Emily in Paris

Okay, so if you’ve heard the drama surrounding Emily in Paris, you might still be deciding whether or not to give it a chance. I’ll go ahead and throw my hat into the “watch it” category.

Is Emily in Paris a good show? That’s for you to decide. Is it fun? Yes!

For most of 2020, traveling abroad has been severely limited, and so regardless of if you had a trip planned for 2020, it’s nice to watch a show that lets you travel.

Lily Collins is delightful as an American social media manager recently relocated to the City of Love for work, and though she may have an interesting approach to her job, she’s living her best life as a twenty-something single woman in France.

The relationships between Emily and her friends, lovers, and co-workers are what makes the half-hour comedy a fun watch, and the sheer star power of Ashley Park singing La Vie en Rose should be enough to carry you through the entire season.

Emily’s French beau, Gabriel, and Emily’s new friend, Camile, who also happens to be Gabriel’s girlfriend, make a cliche yet compelling love triangle because you don’t really want any of them to lose. Throuple, anyone?

The one thing I didn’t enjoy — the weird thing she has going on with one of her marketing firm’s clients is both completely unprofessional and a little creepy. He may be an extremely attractive Frenchman, but come on Emily, you’re giving Americans a bad name!

11. Mrs. America

There’s no better time to watch a historical political drama about the feminist movement than the year when the first woman has been elected as Vice President, in my opinion.

Whatever side of the divide your allegiance lies, Mrs. America has a little something for you.

The miniseries, stacked with a plethora of A-list talent, is set amidst the 1970s feminist movement and the political fight to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, and it details the rise of the opposition movement, led by conservative activist Phylis Schlafly (Cate Blanchette).

With episodes dedicated to detailing some of the key women involved on both sides of the argument, Mrs. America is a history lesson as much as it is an FX miniseries. With appearances from characters Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisolm, Betty Friedan, and even a little cameo by RBG, the show is a great look at how today’s movements really got their roots.

Spoiler alert (it is history after all): the ERA was not ratified in the 70s, though they had many years to get states on board with the amendment. Phylis Schafly’s STOP ERA movement was successful in planting a seed of doubt around the world, and though she technically won, she also really didn’t.

Curious what that means? All nine episodes of Mrs. America are available on Hulu.

If I could slap a warning label on this one, I would: May Cause Political Arguments Between Family Members. Both sides are pretty fairly represented as the season passes, so keep that in mind.

12. Single Parents

I’ll contend that the best weekend binges are thirty-minute ensemble comedies, and Single Parents fits that bill to a tee. The sitcom was sadly canceled by ABC after two seasons, but there are 45 great episodes to cycle through on your long weekend binge.

Set in California, the comedy follows a motley crew of recently divorced, widowed, or always single parents raising their young children.

The children are hilarious. Shy, awkward Grant, overly-theatrical Rory, mini-adults Emma and Amy, and sweet Sophie steal the show as the children of their single parents.

Are there hijinks? Yep! Is there inter-group romance? You bet! Is there a surprise cameo from Nsync’s Lance Bass? You got it!

The wonderful cast of parents and children in Single Parents, complete the package for a funny, easy-to-watch comedy to add to your list.

13. Normal People

For fans of shows based on books, Hulu’s Normal People should be the next limited series you binge.

Set in Ireland, the normal people in question here are Connell and Marianne, a pair of secondary school students from small-town Ireland. Connell’s mother is the housekeeper for Marianne’s family, and so while they’re not exactly friends, they do have a connection outside of school.

One thing leads to another, and the duo begins a physical relationship, secret to the outside world. Fair warning: there are a lot of sex scenes in Normal People. The dynamic at school is unchanged, and Marianne continues as the outcast.

The show follows the characters over a series of years in their lives, both having continued their education at the same university, where their dynamic has completely flipped.

Drawn together like magnets, and a sort of comfort blanket for each other, Marianne and Connell orbit in and out of each other’s lives throughout their time in school.

With remarkable performances from both leads, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, two stars in the making, the Hulu series is captivating and heartbreaking and will make you nostalgic for your teenage years and the people who have seen you grow through life.

I’m excited about what comes next for these two actors, and I would not be opposed to a continuation of the characters’ stories if the book’s author and the show’s creative team could make it work.

14. Selena + Chef

Selena Gomez, she’s just like us!

Take away the hit albums and songs, take away the hit shows and the producer credits, take away her massive Instagram following and past tabloid-fueling relationships, and Selena Gomez is just another regular twenty-something trying to make the most of a wack year.

Like many around the world in 2020, Selena took up cooking as a new way to pass the time, and like many of us, she had no idea what she was doing. One of the first HBO Max original series to debut with the platform, Selena + Chef is the perfect quarantine cooking show.

Gomez enlisted the help of notable chefs from across the country, from different backgrounds and with different specialties, and she had them teach her how to cook some of their favorite or signature recipes. The recipes are even online for viewers to make at home.

Back when the first season was filmed (yes, HBO Max has ordered more episodes), Selena was quarantining at her LA home with two gal pals and had her grandparents (aka Nana and Papa) staying with her. These four become her sous chefs at various points across the ten episodes.

Nana and Papa are quite the little pranksters with their granddaughter, but they have a keen eye and keep her from including the wrong ingredients. Roommates Raquelle and Liz tend to be as much of a hot mess as Selena, though the girls’ friendship takes me back to college and trying to “adult” with my roommates.

While Gomez’s kitchen is likely nicer than most of our own, the actress is just as hopeless as many of us when it comes to cooking. The episodes are each a treat, with each chef’s personality shining through and Selena’s relatability shining through.

My personal favorites are Antonia Lofaso and Daniel Holzman, though every episode’s dishes look like they taste amazing. Selena has always been a charming personality on camera, and her humility when approaching this new skill reminds me of why she’s managed to achieve so much success and adoration.

Each episode the chefs choose a charity dear to them and a donation is made in their honor, and so while Selena + Chef is a delight to watch, it’s also doing good work in the community.

15. Killing Eve

I’ve told literally anybody who will listen to me to watch the BBC America/AMC drama Killing Eve. If any friend asks me for a show recommendation, this is usually what I tell them to try out. Not only for the insane level of acting talent (hello Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer) but for the incredible locations the show gets to travel to.

All three seasons of Killing Eve are on Hulu, and at eight episodes a pop, you can watch the entire show in two or three days, depending on how committed you are, or how hooked you get.

Following the life of Eve, an MI6 agent who specializes in serial killers and psychopaths, the show is both a spy thriller and a comedy. Jodie Comer, who won an Emmy for her performance as killer Villanelle steals the show, though Sandra Oh’s Eve is a worthy partner with a more muted performance.

The characters in the show are incredibly likable, though deeply flawed. For example: how often are you a fan of the serial killer in the show or rooting for her and her bad guy handler?

Killing Eve is full of incredible fashion, incredible locations, and superb acting, and is one of those rare shows that I wish would never end. Season four is in the works, and I can’t wait for this cast to come back together to continue this crazy story.

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Have we convinced you to give any of these shows a try? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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