There is nothing better than catching up or rewatching shows in your free time. What better time to do it than winter break?
Written by: Cimira Crews
Exams are over, school is out and you have almost two months’ worth of freedom. For me the semester felt like I was constantly drowning in work, so I barely got to turn on my TV. With the weather turning from cold to freezing, what’s better than catching up on the shows you missed during the semester — or revisiting some oldies? From Netflix to Hulu, the options are endless on shows to watch. In no order, here are some shows to binge watch during your winter break, depending on what you like.
With the weather turning from cold to freezing, what’s better than catching up on the shows you missed during the semester — or revisiting some oldies?
If you like the cult classics
The Office
This show is a mockumentary of office workers of a paper company and their workday, but the day consists of unprofessional behavior and the humorous and bizarre moments between the employees. “The Office” can be streamed on Amazon Prime, Hulu or NBC Peacock.
Grey’s Anatomy
“Grey’s Anatomy” is an all-time favorite; it is a medical drama focused on the personal and professional lives of surgeons at Seattle Grace Hospital. You’ll experience romance, grief and drama while watching this show. It can be streamed on Netflix and Hulu.
Criminal Minds
The show focuses on the F.B.I. Behavioral Analysis Unit while they profile serial killers and try to prevent heinous crimes from continuing and repeating. “Criminal Minds” can be streamed on Netflix.
If you like drama
Scandal
Olivia Pope, a former White House communications director, starts her own crisis management firm. She deals with her clients’ numerous secrets while attempting to juggle her own. “Scandal” can be streamed on Hulu.
The Good Doctor
This show follows Shaun Murphy, a surgeon with autism and savant syndrome, and his experience navigating through his career as a doctor and the challenges he’s faced within his personal life, all while managing his disability. The series can be watched on ABC or streamed on Hulu.
If you like sci-fi / fantasy
Locke & Key
After the tragic murder of Rendell Locke, his wife Nina, and their kids Tyler, Kinsey and Bode make the move back to his hometown to gain more insight on who he was. As they investigate, the kids begin to find reality bending keys around the house that unravel family secrets. The show is available to stream on Netflix.
Black Mirror
An episodic series about the future when technology turns against mankind in different ways. Sometimes it feels too accurate to what is happening in real life, but that’s the fun of it. This show is great if you like a jaw dropper for literally every episode. “Black Mirror” can be streamed on Netflix.
If you like Black dramas
Queen Sugar
“Queen Sugar” follows the Bordelon family: Nova, an activist and journalist; Charlie, a former NBA agent and businesswoman; and Ralph-Angel, the baby brother who was formerly incarcerated. After a sudden tragedy, the siblings are forced to all put their differences aside and take care of their family sugar-cane farm while also combating the issues in their personal lives. The show airs on OWN but is also streamed on Hulu after the entire season is aired.
Snowfall
“Snowfall” is set in Los Angeles in the 80s, at the very beginning of the War on Drugs. It follows Franklin, a young Black man looking for fast money and power; Teddy, a CIA agent placed in Los Angeles to push the government operations and fund the war; and Lucia and Gustavo, daughter of a drug lord and former wrestler, respectively, also looking for a better life. The series airs on FX but you can also stream on Hulu.
If you like age-relatable shows
Grown-ish
A spinoff of the hit ABC show, “Black-ish,” “Grown-ish” covers the complicated college experience of Zoey Johnson and her friend group. The show manages to cover serious and relatable issues from every character’s perspective, while still bringing the drama and the comedy. This show can be streamed on Hulu.
Insecure
This series unpacks the stories from the Black female experience from the perspective of women in their late 20s. They navigate social and racial issues while adding a realistic perspective of how Black women also deal with the struggle of maintaining friendships, relationships and jobs throughout their constant internal struggles. This show can be streamed on HBO Max.
If you like Korean dramas
Hospital Playlist
This show follows a group of college friends in their professional lives as doctors, as well as their personal lives. Each episode covers a general topic, connecting their personal and professional lives together and is followed by the college friend’s monthly band session. This show can be found on Netflix.
Voice
This show is suspenseful, telling the story of a detective whose wife was killed by a serial murderer and a gifted voice profiler dealing with the grief of her father’s murder. Together they team up to stop other crimes and to avenge their loved ones' deaths. “Voice” can be streamed on Netflix.
If you like the Black throwbacks
A Different World
This show covers the life of a group of students attending a historically Black college and their daily struggles through school and life in general. “A Different World” can be streamed on HBO Max.
Girlfriends
This show takes a look at the lives of four different women (who also happen to be friend) and their struggles with love, friendship and life. “Girlfriends” is considered a comedy but it also does get serious sometimes. This can be streamed on Netflix.
If you like reality TV
The Real Housewives Franchise
The Real Housewives franchise covers cities in the United States and internationally, including Atlanta, New York City, Orange County, Salt Lake City, New Jersey and Cheshire. It covers the lives of successful businesswomen, celebrities or city elites and their drama with each other or in their individual storylines. This show is great if you like a lot of melodrama. This series can be streamed on Hulu and Bravo Now.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
The iconic series follows the popular Kardashian-Jenner family through their fights, controversies, marriages and their rise to stardom, all while keeping the sense of family alive. The series went on for 20 seasons before ending this year and can be streamed on Hulu and Bravo Now.
If you like Documentaries
Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
This docu-series covers the investigation of a Facebook group looking to track down a guy who posted a disturbing video involving kittens. This showcases the power of social media, even in it’s beginning stages, and how the story of Luka Magnotta quickly turned sour. This series can be streamed on Netflix.
Murder Among the Mormons
This three-episode documentary series covers historical documents that threaten to end the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the mysterious deaths of the ones who held that information. The series uses archived footage and present-day interviews to convey the story. “Murder Among the Mormons” can be streamed on Netflix.