Aussie streaming service Binge really lives up to its name – there is no better place to binge some of the best TV shows ever made. We’ve put together a list of the best TV shows streaming on Binge right now
RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES
Why you should watch: There’s so much to stream at the moment, that I somehow missed this comedic “gem.” Created, directed by and starring Danny McBride, I found myself laughing out loud at the shenanigans of the evangelical Gemstone family. McBride is part of a terrific ensemble cast led by John Goodman as patriarch Dr. Eli Gemstone, a man who hasn’t always been a man of God. He has reinvented himself as the head of a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work. My favourite Gemstone would have to be Kelvin, played by Adam Devine. There are two seasons available. Hilarious viewing. Definitely good for the soul.
Director: JODY HILL, DANNY MCBRIDE, DAVID GORDON GREEN, JONATHAN WATSON
Cast: JOHN GOODMAN, DANNY MCBRIDE, ADAM DEVINE, EDI PATTERSON, CASSIDY FREEMAN, TONY CAVALERO, TIM BALTZ, JODY HILL
BUPKIS
Why you should watch: Loved this comedy, created by and starring Pete Davidson, which is a fictionalised version of his real life. The series combines grounded storytelling with absurd elements from the unfiltered and completely original worldview for which Pete is well known. Joining Davidson as his mum is Edie Falco, with Joe Pesci as his grandfather, who just about steals the show. If you loved The King of Staten Island, you’ll like this, but if you’re not a Davidson fan, then I’d steer clear of this one.
Director: JASON ORLEY, OZ RODRIGUEZ
Cast: PETE DAVIDSON, EDIE FALCO, JOE PESCI, BRAD GARRETT, PHILIP ETTINGER, JAMES A DESIMONE, OONA ROVHE, DEREK GAINES
RAIN DOGS
Why you should watch: I guess for some, this comedy-drama from the UK, created by Cash Carraway, could be a little confronting and depressing, but there are comedic moments amidst the dramatic chaos. The main attraction for me was the inclusion of Jack Farthing as Selby. The story follows Costello Jones, a devoted mother who wants more for her precocious young daughter, Iris. As she hustles to survive, Costello leans on Selby, Iris’ pseudo father (and Costello’s pseudo soulmate), and Gloria, the duo’s loyal yet chaotic godmother/best friend – together forming a makeshift, dysfunctional family bound by a complex but deep-rooted love and defiance towards a system built against them. Adrian Edmondson is wonderful as Lenny, another member of this unusual family. Excellent viewing with a great soundtrack.
Director: RICHARD LAXTON, JENNIFER PERROTT
Cast: DAISY MAY COOPER, JACK FARTHING, FLEUR TASHJIAN, RONKE ADEKOLUEJO, ADRIAN EDMONDSON, SAM HAZELDINE
BASED ON A TRUE STORY
Why you should watch: This is an entertaining black comedy, which does go off the rails a bit at times, but is still worth a look. Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina star as realtor Ava, and former tennis star Nathan, who team up with their plumber, Matt, to seize a unique opportunity to capitalise on America’s obsession with true crime. Ava and Nathan begin a podcast about a serial killer who is on the loose in LA, which they see as a way out of their financial woes. Of course, nothing is ever as easy as it appears. It is humorous, but it’s also very gory. It is about a serial killer, after all. Cuoco was pregnant at the time of filming and had this written into the show.
Director: JENNIFER ARNOLD, ALEXANDER BUONO, FRANCESCA GREGORINI, ANU VALIA
Cast: KALEY CUOCO, CHRIS MESSINA, TOM BATEMAN, PRISCILLA QUINTANA, MILES MUSSENDEN, AARON STATON, TIMM SHARP
TRUE BLOOD
Why you should watch: This excellent drama series was considered groundbreaking stuff, back in 2008. If you’d like to become reacquainted with these amazing characters, there are seven seasons available on Binge. There’s a talented ensemble cast attached to this one, where vampires roam the Earth and are humans’ mortal enemies, until a substitute is found for human blood, which vampires can consume with the same effect as human blood. This is True Blood. Now humans and vampires can co-exist in harmony, and even form relationships. But there will always be rogue elements on both sides ready to exploit the uneasy truce. One of the best series ever produced in this viewer’s opinion. Up there with Breaking Bad.
Director: MICHAEL LEHMANN, SCOTT WINANT, DANIEL MINAHAN, JOHN DAHL
Cast: ANNA PAQUIN, STEPHEN MOYER, SAM TRAMMELL, RYAN KWANTEN, CHRIS BAUER, CARRIE PRESTON, ALEXANDER SKARSGARD
THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ARE BASED ON A PACK OF LIES
Why you should watch: Yet another dark comedy based around the unsettling subject of women who are taken in by ruthless scoundrels. In this series two very different women, Alice, a would-be designer, and Cheryl, a best-selling fantasy author, become trapped in a triangle of epic proportions with Rob, a conman posing as an ecopreneur who may or may not be trying to destroy them both. The plot is a little loose at times, but it’s still one to take a look at.
Director: ROBERT MCKILLOP, NICOLE CHARLES
Cast: REBEKAH STATON, MARIANNE JEAN-BAPTISTE, ROMOLA GARAI, JULIAN BARRATT, KARL JOHNSON, SIAN REEVES, DEREK JACOBI
THE CATCH
Why you should watch: Although I did work out who the nasty person was fairly early on – comes from watching far too much crime drama – this is still great viewing with an excellent ensemble cast attached. Jason Watkins stars as fisherman Ed Collier, who is highly protective over his family, which includes wife Claire and daughter Abbie. However, when a rich young man by the name of Ryan Wilson starts to take an interest in his daughter, Ed feels her becoming increasingly distant and fears he may lose her for good. There’s a lot going on here at times, but it all sorts itself out in the end, of course.
Director: BEN REID
Cast: JASON WATKINS, ANEURIN BARNARD, POPPY GILBERT, CATHY BELTON, IAN PIRIE, MORGAN PALMERIA, BRENDA FRICKER
THE LOVERS
Why you should watch: Look, I must confess that if Johnny Flynn was doing the weather, I’d watch it, so he was the drawcard here. However, I did enjoy this romantic comedy series set mostly in Ireland. Roisin Gallagher is superb as Janet, a foul-mouthed, hilarious, Belfast supermarket worker who doesn’t care about anything, including her life. Seamus (Flynn) is a handsome, self-centred, political broadcaster with what looks to be a perfect London life and a celebrity girlfriend. When they unexpectedly meet, they instantly clash – and yet also find themselves inextricably drawn to each other. Yes, it’s a familiar plot, but it does get a revamp here and is entertaining viewing.
Director: JUSTIN MARTIN
Cast: ROISIN GALLAGHER, JOHNNY FLYNN, ALICE EVE, MARTIN QUINN, CONLETH HILL, JENN MURRAY, EVELYN MILLER, SUNETRA SARKER
SAVIOR COMPLEX
Why you should watch: Religion is responsible for some good in this world, but also a lot of damage. This documentary series chronicles the controversial story surrounding Renee Bach, a young American missionary who felt called by God to set up a charity for malnourished children in Jinja, Uganda. But shocking allegations arose that Renee was treating the sick children herself, without any medical qualifications. When whistle-blowers intervene, they learn that over 100 children have died in the charity’s care over the years. An activist group called No White Saviors ignites a social media firestorm to raise attention to the story, leading to a civil lawsuit brought against Renee and her charity. Interesting, albeit disturbing, viewing.
Director: JACKIE JESKO