Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Telly addicts

Related: Film discussion forum.

Original poster

Looking for a really long mind-engaging quality drama series

127 replies

Yetmorebeanstocount · 30/04/2024 21:04

I enjoyed:
The Expanse
The Man in the High Castle

Only Amazon or i-Player, NOT Netflix or Sky or any other service.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Atomickittyxx · 01/05/2024 10:46

The Gilded age is from the creator of Downton abbey it's not quite as good but getting better in my opinion, Poldark is brilliant and I think it's available on prime. Home fires is set during the war and though it doesn't have many episodes (they cancelled it 😭) it was really good and worth a watch.

StamppotAndGravy · 01/05/2024 13:20

Borgen if you liked the West Wing. I'm really enjoying Farscape on Amazon, but you have to give it until season 2 to get going.

Rainallnight · 01/05/2024 13:22

Have you already watched Transparent on Amazon? Brilliant and fits what you’re looking for

Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:36

Hi All, I'm back - to find five pages! Thanks to everyone. I will start replying to posts.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:41

Yetmorebeanstocount · 30/04/2024 21:27

Unfortunately Dopesick only has 8 episodes. I was hoping for 24 or more.

I don't fancy police or crime stuff.
I like sci-fi, or otherwise any normal/realistic setting with strong portrayal of relationships. I like historical or modern settings.

To clarify - it is police procedurals I am not much into. I don't mind things like spies, or a general background of a crime-related situation, as long as the characters drive the plot.

I am not into fast-paced thrillers, as fight or action scenes are so boring. Two exceptions to this: James Bond (of course), and the epic car chase in the film The Blues Brothers.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:43

Iudncuewbccgrcb · 30/04/2024 21:54

The Handmaid's Tale is also available on prime of you haven't seen it.

I highly reccomend The Marvellous Mrs Maisel as well, it's not highbrow but it's women centred, dark in places, funny, very entertaining, at times extremely well shot / cinematic and the clothes are FABULOUS

Edited

I had heard that the Handmaid's Tale got increasingly violent and misogynistic once they got beyond the material in the book,. I haven't read the book yet, but I think I would rather read than watch.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:44

Iudncuewbccgrcb · 30/04/2024 22:27

Mrs Maisel season2 episode 4 'we're going to the Catskills' is worth watching in its own right just for the continuously filmed scene where they first arrive at the Catskills.

Plus if you havent watched series 2 you have missed out on Suzie the plumber.

My personal opinion is that Maisel only gets better as it progresses

Show quote history

Thanks, I will give it another go.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:46

tobyj · 30/04/2024 22:30

How old are you prepared to go? The Jewel in the Crown is still my absolute favourite (though also second the Wire and Spiral if you can bear a police drama). More recent, how about My Brilliant Friend? It's a great adaptation, and there are three series (about to be a fourth).

Age is not a problem. The Jewel in the Crown is now on my list, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:47

toadinthebucket · 30/04/2024 22:57

In that case Versailles and Harlots. Both 3+ series and on BBC.

For scifi - His Dark Materials

Show quote history

I watched His Dark Materials. It is good, but (as always) the books are even better. Definitely read the books.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:49

QueenBitch666 · 30/04/2024 22:59

Spiral
Braquo
The Killing ( not remake )
Borgan
Schitts Creek
Rome
The Sopranos
Gomorrah

Old school...
I Claudius
The Pallisers
Northern Exposure

I recall bits of I Claudius that my parents watched when it was originally on TV. Derek Jacobi is one of the greats. I will definitely look out for that one.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:52

SheilaFentiman · 01/05/2024 00:58

Doctor Who - all on iplayer now. Start with new who, it will still give you plenty

I used to watch it religiously. It is a bit patchy though. Some series are better than others. The best series are the ones with Rose, and with Amy and Rory, and also Clara. Also loved River Song.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:55

FeatheryStroker · 01/05/2024 07:44

Larkrise to Candleford on ITV

Great for soapy costume drama - I saw all of this, and also Cranford with the fabulous Judy Dench.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:57

martinisforeveryone · 01/05/2024 09:42

Noted that you don’t want police or crime stuff.

Can you clarify when you say no other platforms, do you specifically mean no other subscription services, or are you excluding the apps for ITV, channels 4 and 5 and the Drama app I linked to above, which are all free to air?

There are two series of six episodes of The Newsreader on Iplayer and I enjoyed that more than The Morning Show. It’s set in mid 80s Australia and references real life events.

That said, for people who have Apple+ or who take a trial, there’s quite a bit on there. The Morning Show as mentioned, Slow Horses which is brilliant, highly acclaimed, but about spies and so sits alongside the crime genre. The New Look, which I also loved. Set in Paris during World War II. Ostensibly about couture fashion, Coco Chanel and Christian Dior, it’s about so much more. Would recommend.

Show quote history

Sorry I meant I don't have any other paid platforms. I forgot abut C4, ITV, etc. catch up - yes they are possibilities.

OP posts:
stepfordwifey · 01/05/2024 19:59

Spiral
The Borgias
This is Us
Outlander
Yellowstone and the prequels
Shrinking - Harrison Ford very dry and funny

Mad Men- was totally bereft when it finished
Tex Lasso- same and I bloody hate football.

Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 19:59

StamppotAndGravy · 01/05/2024 13:20

Borgen if you liked the West Wing. I'm really enjoying Farscape on Amazon, but you have to give it until season 2 to get going.

Farscape is great. Would definitely recommend for fans of Star Trek and similar.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 20:01

So many great suggestions of series that I missed when they were on TV - Mad Men, Sopranos, Poldark, Cold Feet. Things I meant to watch but never did.

Too many replies for me to respond to everyone, but thank to you all.

OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 01/05/2024 20:49

Don't know if it's still on Netflix, but ' unbelievable' with Toni Collette was very good
I did watch it a while ago though.

SpaSpa · 01/05/2024 20:51

Oh yes Unbelievable is very good.

SheilaFentiman · 01/05/2024 21:08

@Yetmorebeanstocount did you watch Class, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood?

(torchwood went downhill but the first 2-3 series were good)

Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 21:13

SheilaFentiman · 01/05/2024 21:08

@Yetmorebeanstocount did you watch Class, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood?

(torchwood went downhill but the first 2-3 series were good)

Hi, yes I watched Torchwood and Sarah Jane - as you say Torchwood went downhill but it was very good to start.
Not seen Class - I'll check it out.

OP posts:
Mookie81 · 01/05/2024 21:17

Yetmorebeanstocount · 30/04/2024 21:37

Medici on Amazon brings up a 12 part documentary? Is that what you meant?

I have just found The Borgias, which looks fun.

Cesare Borgia 🤤

SpaSpa · 01/05/2024 21:20

Would you pay to watch Game of Thrones?

VerlynWebbe · 01/05/2024 21:22

My suggestions and seconding/thirding/fourthing:

Spiral
The Wire
The Americans - definitely (WHAT an ending!) (spies in the 80s)
Line of Duty (bit silly in parts but gripping)
Slow Horses (spies not police)
Dix Pour Cent (Call My Agent! the French one; actors and agents, a bit soapy but so great)
The Bureau (French spies)

And if you wait for a bit till series 2 comes out: Severance. Amazing.

Original poster
Yetmorebeanstocount · 01/05/2024 21:23

SpaSpa · 01/05/2024 21:20

Would you pay to watch Game of Thrones?

I've heard it is a bit gory, so probably not.

I would read the books, but apparently the writer has not even written the final one, so the TV company made up their own ending! Tip: never start a series of books unless the author has already written them all.
It is bad enough when they pull the plug on a TV show, so it doesn't end properly. Even films rarely end properly as they are always leaving the option open for a second film.

OP posts:
toadinthebucket · 01/05/2024 22:14

How about This Life? Loved it in the 1990s.

Swipe left for the next trending thread