The Crown - The hard task of ruling (2016-)

Blog Rating: 8.80 out of 10

The Netflix series (released in November 2016) centers on 25-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, who is faced with the daunting task of leading the world's most famous monarchy while building her relationship with the legendary Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the political world is in disarray, and an inexperienced young woman must ascend the throne at the dawn of a new age.

Claire Foy

Without wanting to be ultra-political, she relies very lucidly on the intrigues of the halls of Buckingham Palace and takes us to discover the intimacy of the longest-lived monarch in England. The production got it right with the choice of Claire Foy who lights up the screen every second, slipping into the skin of Elizabeth of Windsor with disconcerting ease. She portrays a fragile, determined, loving woman at times, vulnerable and tenacious.

Matt Smith

Next to her, Prince Philip (Matt Smith) is struggling to play his role as Prince consort, her sister Margaret (Vanessa Kirby) is constantly struggling to live the life she wants and the life that her birthplace imposes on her. Her father George VI (Jared Harris) and Winston Churchill (John Lithgow) are trying to rebuild the country at the end of World War II. In short, Elizabeth will have to face many challenges, despite her twenty-five years and her lack of experience.

John Lithgow

The British royal family is very well known and it was necessary to erase everything that is known about them through the media to show the most unknown side of its members, starting with King Philip, who we will learn to know better.

Vanessa Kirby

The Crown shows the British style: its nobility, its comfort, its style and a classy image without being too saturated; it is easy to enter this world and be able to imagine the atmosphere of the 40s.

Victoria Hamilton

From a purely technical standpoint, The Crown is flawless. The visuals are sumptuous, Michele Clapton's costumes are sublime, and Rupert Gregson-Williams' music is perfect. Highly recommended.

Call the Midwife - A beautiful story of joy and kindness (2012-)

Blog Rating: 9.15 out of 10

A beautiful story based on the memoir of 22-year-old Jennifer Worth, who in 1957 leaves her comfortable home to become a midwife in London's East End.

This is how she comes to live in a convent (Nonnatus House), where she will work alongside other very experienced nurses and nuns.

In the England of the mid-twentieth century, the harsh living conditions of the slums are shown, but also the warmth of its people and the courage of their mothers. 

   

Even after Jenny leaves Nonnatus, she continues to recount the lives of the midwives who have become her family.

The first season of Call The Midwife, which debuted in 2012 when Jenny Lee came to Poplar to start work on her, became the BBC's highest-rated drama in a decade.

In its third series, the drama continued to attract more than 10 million viewers every Sunday night.

The characters are very nice and the acting, even by the guest actors, is brilliant. However, the main reason I recommend Call the Midwife is that it is so well written, not avoiding the harsh realities of life, but full of hope and incredible human connection.