The Killing (2011 - 2014)

Blog Rating: 8.60 out of 10

"The Killing", a series that has been adapted in different countries, but this time we will talk about the US version.

The plot revolves around the murder of Rosie Larsen, a 17-year-old girl who was found dead in Seattle. Two detectives, Sarah Linden and Stephen Holder, are in charge of investigating the case and discovering the culprit. But not everything is so simple, since the investigation will affect the political career of a young mayoral candidate and will test the personal lives of the detectives.

Mireille Enos as Sarah Linden

What makes "The Killing" special is that each season focuses on a single case, unlike other series where detectives solve a different case each episode. Also, the series takes its time to develop the plot and characters, allowing the viewer to get more involved in the story.

The actors are exceptional in their roles. Mireille Enos stars as Sarah Linden, a dedicated detective but with personal problems that make her vulnerable. Joel Kinnaman stars as Stephen Holder, Sarah's partner, an ex-cop undercover with secrets of his own. Together, they form a dynamic duo that keeps the viewer glued to the screen.

Joel Kinnaman as Stephen Holder

Another remarkable aspect of "The Killing" is its setting. The rainy city of Seattle is the perfect setting for a crime series. The photography is impeccable and the music creates a tense and mysterious atmosphere.

In summary, "The Killing" is a series that cannot be missed if you are a fan of the crime genre. With an intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and an impeccable setting, this series is a gem not to be missed.

Anne with an E (2017-2019)

Blog rating: 8.80 out of 10

I must admit that I have not read the novel on which this series is based (Anne of Green Gables written by Lucy Maud Montgomery and published in 1908), but it is a very well constructed work with beautiful characters and moving stories of hope and people of good soul.

Each chapter is good for the heart because they are simple stories like its protagonist, an orphan girl with red hair, freckles and a very long tongue. Anne is hyperactive and full of imagination, and comes to change the monotonous life of two brothers, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, due to a simple mistake.

Amybeth McNulty as Anne

In the first chapter Matthew Cuthbert goes to the train station to look for a boy to help at his Green Gables farm on the outskirts of the city of Avonlea, but instead he finds the young red-haired girl who starts talking to him in a well educated way but almost without taking a break, about how happy and excited she is about to become part of his family. 

This misunderstanding lasts most of the episode, and perhaps at the beginning it is difficult to get used to her rhythm and use of words, but during the course of the series you will become fond of her because of how well constructed her character is. And not only Anne, but the others around her.

R.H.Thomson as Matthew

The dimension of the protagonist Anne of 13 years, who asks to be called with an “E” to sound more distinguished, is considerably wide and actress Amybeth McNulty (who is actually 15 years old) conquers perfectly with her character, playing an Anne who, besides being talkative, nervous, funny, impulsive and happy, hides her dark side. Excessive imagination will lead her to imagine splendid, as well as spooky things. In the series we see how the girl silences the traumas she acquired when she worked in other houses previously helping with chores, and we will discover them and suffer them along with her.

As we mentioned, the first one is Matthew Cuthbert, an affable, gentle and quiet man. Marilla is the name of the sister, the most hostile, coarse and apathetic of the two, becoming the perfect villain for Anne at the beginning of her stay at this farm. Here we will see how she will transform her personality thanks to the experience of living with her new daughter, a simply masterful performance.

Geraldine James as Marilla

Then Marilla's neighbor and friend, named Rachel Lynde, appears. She welcomes Anne to the hard life of people who don't think about the other. There will also be the unconscious judgment of the small classmates of the school, or their mothers, or the bestiality of the young boys. But we will also have the best friend, Diana Barry (Odd Squad), and the only classic companion who understands her and she falls in love, Gilbert Blythe, played by Lucas Jade Zumann.

As we will see, Anne is the key piece that assembles everything, and at the same time transforms these characters, which help to highlight each dilemma and important theme that appears in each chapter. The series discusses many universal themes, such as forbidden love, death, lies or using imagination to defend oneself from the traumas lived, the difficult adaptation to new places, fatherhood / motherhood and traditional loves. However, Anne with all her wonderful imagination, innocence, intelligence and transparency, gives a different, new, fun and modern look to all this, fighting against the outdated vision of the other characters of advanced age.

The look of other female characters will also appear, from an independent old woman who never married, to a group of feminist mothers, who want their daughters to have a future studying and not waiting to serve or marry a man.

In summary, this Canadian series adapted by the winner of 3 Emmys awards for Breaking Bad, Moira Walley-Beckett, is a magnificent work that masterfully illustrates the reality of the time and that through its simple stories conveys a feeling of hope in these times of excessive reality.

Title: Anne With an E

Direction: Niki Caro, David Evans, Amanda Tapping

Screenplay: Moira Walley-Beckett (Novel: Lucy Maud Montgomery)

Cast: Amybeth McNulty, Geraldine James, R.H. Thomson, Dalila Bela, Lucas Jade Zumann, Aymeric Jett Montaz, Helen Johns, Christian Martyn, Kyla Matthews, Corrine Koslo, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Ella Jonas Farlinger, Stephen Tracey, Kyle Meagher, Janet Porter, Helene Robbie, Tyler Barish.

Succession (2018- )

Blog Rating: 9.40 out of 10

Logan Roy (Brian Cox) is the owner of Waystar Royco, one of the largest media corporations in the world. Of his four children, Kendall (Jeremy Strong) is the only one who works in the company and seems to have the confidence of his father to take control of the business.

Brian Cox as Logan Roy

   

However, upon turning 80, Logan reveals that he has no intention of relinquishing control of Waystar, completely foiling Kendall's plans and embarrassing him in front of his brothers. In addition, the millionaire wants his children to sign a document that will allow his current wife, Marcia (Hiam Abbass), to have two votes in the assembly that will elect his successor. This fact is logically not welcomed by Kendall, Roman (Kieran Culkin), Connor (Alan Ruck) and Shiv (Sarah Snook), who are extremely concerned about the decisions his father is making.

Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy

After an afternoon of family sports, Logan suffers a stroke while returning home by helicopter. Now, with Logan in the hospital, the family must act quickly to prevent this tragic event from profoundly affecting the company's stock. It is here where all the intrigues begin to be plotted to pursue the leadership of the companies.

Despite the ongoing machinations to take control by most of the sons, there is always room for scenes that include a certain amount of black humor.

Kieran Culkin as Roman Roy

As the daughter Shiv decides to work for a Senator who is an enemy of her father, politics is also involved in these power struggles.

With each episode we realize how conflicted the relationship of the Roy family is, to the point that Logan even uses one of his media outlets to spread false news about the drug use of one of his sons.

Sarah Snook as Shiv Roy

The lack of friendliness, the dirty language and the lack of empathy say a lot about the Roys: with extremely individualistic points of view, neither supports the success of the other.

Everything in Succession revolves around interests: what we see throughout ten episodes are rich people fighting each other trying to get something that makes them feel good. Loyalty and honesty are definitely not values ​​that stand out in their actions.

Each of the sons of this dysfunctional family battles for their own interests: Kendall with his permanent struggle for power, Roman with his black humor and his obsession with the father's assistant who could be his mother, Shiv in her constant dilemma between loyalty to her father and her husband and Connor in a more relegated role but who also tries to obtain a share of power through politics.

Definitely a plot that manages to balance well the moments of drama and humor, mainly thanks to the great performances of the actors.

Ozark - A tense and entertaining thriller

Blog Rating: 9.15 out of 10

The Byrdes and their teenage children, Charlotte and Jonah, are for all intents and purposes an ordinary family with ordinary lives. Except for the job of Marty, a Chicago financial advisor who also serves as the top money launderer for the second largest drug cartel in Mexico.

When things go wrong, Marty must uproot his family from the skyscrapers of Chicago and relocate to the serene Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri.

To stay alive, he promised his boss that he could hide several million dollars from the drug business.

However, when they arrive in Ozark, things are not so simple and they agree to take over a strip club to launder the money.

To make matters worse, he gets into trouble with the criminal gang, the Langmores, who want him dead.

Ozark is a rather tense narrative story but very entertaining and easy to follow. Jason Bateman plays a character very similar to the anti-hero of Breaking Bad. Highly recommended.

Line of Duty - Anti Corruption in the British Police

Blog Rating: 9.25 out of 10

Superintendent Hastings (Adrian Dunbar), head of the anti-corruption unit AC-12, is so impressed with the behavior of Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) that he recruits him for his team. Along with the ambitious Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure), they will investigate the police officers who have violated their own rules.

In 2012, this police series written by Jed Mercurio made his debut on British television (BBC Two). Since then, the series became a regular guest at BAFTA awards ceremonies among others.

A special praise deserves here the quality of the dialogues, through which even about 20 minutes of interrogation sequences remain absolutely exciting.

In the course of the series, a simple low profile policeman Steve Arnott develops, sometimes somewhat arrogant and stubborn, to become a fascinating character. For her part, Vicky McClure, whose Kate as an undercover agent often has to use her own acting, she is also a strong character with a rough personality. 

Adrian Dunbar, the boss Ted Hastings sometimes transcends the boundaries of the correct superior, and gives his character the charisma and humanity to turn him into a true protagonist.

The British crime television series are generally characterized by a high level and this is not the exception. This is one of the best police series of the BBC.

Doctor Who - The Adventures of the Lord of Time

Blog Rating: 8.80 out of 10

"I am the doctor!", "Doctor who?", that's how "the Doctor" shows up anywhere.

The Doctor is an eccentric extraterrestrial scientist from the planet Gallifrey, the planet of the Lords of Time, a race of supreme beings who have discovered the secrets of time travel and never interfere with the affairs of other planets, he only observes and collects knowledge.

Gallifrey planet

The doctor leaves his planet and decides to go exploring the universe aboard a space / time machine known as the "TARDIS" (Time and relative dimension in space) that has the shape of a police cabin of the sixties (larger inside than outside).

TARDIS

Like all the lords of time, the doctor can "regenerate" (change his appearance and personality when his body is worn out and he is mortally wounded). The doctor regenerates in a new way, with the same memories, knowledge and mission, but with a different appearance (and of course, other actors). Every few years, the doctor gets a new face and a new companion, which gives producers the opportunity to adjust the series and keep it fresh, without having to throw too much family information overboard. Each reincarnation of the doctor continues to experience adventures in the future and in the past, with some different eccentricities according to each actor.


Doctor Who Dubstep - Soundcloud

During the many years of the Doctor's travels through time and space, several companions join him in his adventures on other planets and other galaxies.


The Doctor fights against the most evil beings in the galaxy: the Daleks, mutants in robotic bodies bent on exterminating all life in the galaxy (led by Davros), the Cybermen, robotic humanoids of the condemned planet Mondas and many other evil beings.

Daleks

The British series produced by the BBC, was broadcast for the first time on November 23rd, 1963, thus celebrating more than 50 years of transmission.

Over the years, "Doctor Who" has evolved from a children's program to a family program, with many followers, better known as the "Whovians".

Doctor Who - Pictures on You Tube

Cybermen

These are the actors who have interpreted the different doctors from the beginning:

Actor	Playing	Period
William Hartnell	First Doctor	1963–66
Patrick Troughton	Second Doctor	1966–69
Jon Pertwee	Third Doctor	1970–74
Tom Baker	Fourth Doctor	1974–81
Peter Davison	Fifth Doctor	1982–84
Colin Baker	Sixth Doctor	1984–86
Sylvester McCoy	Seventh Doctor	1987–89
Paul McGann	Eighth Doctor	1996
Christopher Eccleston	Ninth Doctor	2005
David Tennant	Tenth Doctor	2005–10
Matt Smith	Eleventh Doctor	2010–13
Peter Capaldi	Twelfth Doctor	2014–17
Jodie Whittaker	Thirteenth Doctor	2018–present

Doctor Who in Pinterest

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.

CSA - Peaky Blinders - Birmingham gangsters

Blog Rating: 8.85 out of 10

In the wake of World War I in Birmingham, an industrial city in North West London, criminal gangs are waging a merciless war to control the black market, the liquor trade and gambling. Peaky Blinders, led by the Shelby family, whose thinking boss, Thomas (Cillian Murphy), a traumatized war hero, is a respected figure in the slums. But the Churchill government decided to clean up the city, sending a twisted cop from the Royal Irish Police (Sam Neill), who will soon make Tommy Shelby's arrest a personal matter.

Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby

The story, set in 1919, recounts the clashes between criminals, communist militants, members of the IRA and the police, who betray each other, associate or a combination of both.

The city shows mostly workers who live in slums, close to factories, where dirt, pollution and violence play leading roles.

The central character of the story, Tommy Shelby, is a formidable strategist who initially seems unemotional, a romantic, intelligent and highly charismatic gangster. As the leader of the family he is always in search of power and money, trying to extend his gang business to legal horse gambling. Cillian Murphy's performance as a whole is brilliant.

Peaky Blinders is also distinguished by its partly daring soundtrack that gives the story a modern and timeless dimension.

Peaky Blinders Soundtrack in Spotify 🔈

The Mandalorian (2019-)

Blog Rating: 9.15 out of 10

The Mandalorian is one of the last members of a warrior cult, who makes his way across the galaxy as a bounty hunter. His religion is his weapons and armor, he never takes off his helmet in front of others.

His new mission consists of recovering a specimen that turns out to be a baby, with which he develops a relationship of care in the sun and in the shade.

Pedro Pascal as the Mandalorian

Definitely a very good series that manages to capture all the essence of Star Wars, with a credible and lovable character for his values ​​behind the action of each adventure.

Gina Carano as Cara Dune 

A true space western with a bounty hunter who meets new characters in each episode with just the right action to keep you interested and entertained.

The protagonist is allowed to develop the more human side of him, especially in the paternal relationship that he develops with baby yoda.

An adequate amount of resources and weapons that he adds in each chapter that make it similar to a game where the protagonist gains experience and advances stages.

Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett

The fact that the worlds are less elaborate than any of the films, allows us to know other unknown aspects of the different forces that act.

Misty Rosas as Kuiil & Frog Lady

Another novelty is offered at the end of each chapter, in which the black backgrounds are replaced by beautiful illustrations with the most important scenes from the recently completed chapter.

The Mandalorian is a true ray of hope for the Star Wars franchise, as it shows that the universe continues to offer potential for gripping stories as long as they focus on small, engaging side stories.                               

Giancarlo Esposito as Moff Gideon