Water-cooler shows Game of Thrones and Mad Men return to the air next month so now is the time to catch up if you don’t want to feel left out on Monday mornings. Already caught up? Then we have some other shows for you to binge this month too!
What it is: AMC’s breakout hit shows the ins and outs of a 1960s ad agency in New York City helmed by the mysterious, philandering, booze-swillin’ Don Draper (Jon Hamm).
Why you should watch it: This year Mad Men ends forever and the last batch of episodes starts on Sunday, Apr. 5. If you’ve noticed the rise of retro over the past decade, then you’re already aware of Mad Men‘s cultural influence. With acclaimed performances by Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, John Slattery, and Christina Hendricks, Mad Men has been a critics’ darling over its seven-year run.
Where to watch: Seasons one through six are on Netflix and the first half of season seven will drop March 22. Every episode is also available on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, Vudu, and XBox.
Commitment: 70 hours.
What it is: George RR Martin’s epic Song of Fire and Ice fantasy novels come alive in HBO’s four seasons of blood-spurting, sibling-bedding, dragon-breathing action, set in a fictional, highly political, medieval world.
Why you should watch it: With season five returning to HBO on Sunday, Apr. 12 at 9 pm, this is your chance to get in on the conversation. Immersing you in the world of Westeros, Game of Thrones has many well-developed characters whose arcs take shocking turns. Certified Fresh for all four seasons, the show is also incredible to look at with big-budget production values that rival any blockbuster film.
Where to watch: Seasons one through four are available on HBO Go, DVD, and Blu-ray.
Commitment: 40 hours.
What it is: In this Batman prequel set in the corruption of Gotham City, Detectives Jim Gordon (Benjamin McKenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) investigate the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents, while running up against a number of villains from the Batman universe.
Why you should watch it: Currently on hiatus until Apr. 13, you have time to catch up on Fox’s Monday night drama that often successfully blends the fun of the comic books with a gritty police procedural. Plus, any episode featuring Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot is a win.
Where to watch: Catch all of season one on Vudu,
Google Play, and
Commitment: 18 hours.
What it is: Based on the bestselling books by Diana Gabaldon, Outlander is the story of Claire Beauchamp Randall (Caitriona Balfe), a married WWII nurse who finds herself mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 where she meets an irresistible Scottish warrior (Sam Heughan).
Why you should watch it: In addition to bringing two separate historical time periods to life, the Certified Fresh Outlander will win you over with its heroine Claire, whose sexy, feisty nature is anything but dated. Season one returns with new episodes on Saturday, Apr. 4, on Starz.
Where to watch: All eight episodes of season one are available on Starz Play.
Commitment: 8 hours.
What it is: Hayley Atwell, who made appearances as Peggy Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., has her own show on ABC set in post-WWII America. By day, Peggy holds down a routine office gig, but by night, she is a special agent for Howard Stark.
Why you should watch it: The season one finale aired last month, so now you can watch all the episodes without having to wait a week in between, which — with the number of cliffhangers in the critically acclaimed first season — is a very good thing.
Where to watch: All eight episodes of season one are available on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes, and Vudu.
Commitment: 8 hours.
What it is: In this French TV series brought to the U.S. by SundanceTV, a handful of residents materialize after being dead for a number of years. No one is really sure whether to celebrate or run for the hills.
Why you should watch it: Although the American reboot on A&E is a decent version (this week’s debut was Fresh at 66 percent), the Certified Fresh original is a superior alternative for people who don’t mind subtitles. Totally creepy and engrossing, the French version also has a superb cast who gives these undead some je ne ce quoi!
Where to watch: Watch season one of the French version of The Returned on Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, and iTunes.
Commitment: 8 hours.
What it is: Ellie Kemper plays Kimmy Schmidt, who after living as a “mole woman” in an Indiana cult for 15 years, escapes to a new life in New York City in the Netflix original from Tina Fey.
Why you should watch it: Currently Certified Fresh at 95 percent, critics agree that Kemper shines as Kimmy, whose spirit cannot be broken by the challenges of life in the five boroughs. Add 30 Rock-style humor from a hilarious cast that includes Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, and Carol Kane, and this is one binge that will leave you smiling all weekend.
Where to watch: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is only available on Netflix.
Commitment: 6 hours.
What it is: David Tennant stars as a hot-shot barrister with a knack for defending the guilty who finds himself haunted by his own guilt in this three-part PBS Masterpiece Mystery from last year.
Why you should watch it: Anyone watching Broadchurch season two on BBC America will no doubt want something to fill the void from Wednesday to Wednesday and this self-contained British mystery not only thrills but also captures the emotional fallout of unspeakable crimes.
Where to watch: The three episodes of The Escape Artist are available on Amazon Prime, Vudu, Vudu, iTunes, and Google Play.
Commitment: 3 hours.
Which of these shows would you recommend to a friend? Let us know in the comments section below!
