Flossie and Jim

Had a few Netflix binges lately...

Another Happy Valley fan here!

Also did Scott and Bailey (which has some of the same actors from Happy Valley) and really enjoyed it. Ended up getting Series 4 from the library because we couldn't wait!

Then I got into The Detectives - its a 'real life' documentary about Manchester's sex crimes unit and super interesting if you like your crime stuff - I can see that Scott & Bailey writers must have got some tips from these guys!

My favourite series so far this year has been The Bridge. I think it might have just dropped off Netflix though. Swedish with subtitles, very dark, great Scandinavian scenery, bit scary, some good plot twists, sometimes, suspense, great characters - loved 'Saga' the cop lady in particular. Found series 2 at the library recently and it was also a good viewing.

Any suggestions on what to try next?

mikelincs

If uyou liked 'The Bridge' then you should like 'The Tunnel' English/French versison, two series so far.

BristolUK

I suppose definitions of binge watching will vary. Once I finally got around to Breaking Bad I was watching about 3 episodes a day, maybe 4 but not all back to back. Does that count?

A couple of weeks back I got around to Peaky Blinders - half hoping I wouldn't like it and could concentrate on other stuff from my backlog - but I was hooked (not everyone's taste of course) and I was watching 2 or 3 daily until last week when I was right up to date and watching the same day it was shown in the UK.

It was weird having a whole week between episodes.

If you're happy with subtitles and you've not seen Spiral (French - Engrenages) then try that. Brilliant series.

I've not seen The Bridge (in the backlog) but there's a series of stand alone movies about a former social worker turned private detective - Varg Veum in Norway.

They're all individual stories but worth watching in order if you can lay your hands on all of them - which I did via streaming.

I don't know if you're familiar with those "if you liked that you might like this" or "similar" suggestions on Amazon and IMDB but very often they have the most tenuous link or just sharing an actor or something and there's really no reason to think they are similar at all.

However, when it comes to the foreign stuff - Scando especially - the "People who liked this also liked..." suggestions on IMDB are definitely worth investigating. IMDB does TV as well as movies.

On the MBTTUK forum here, there's a thread called Broadchurch and other UK TV. I picked up a lot of useful suggestions there. You get to see who of the regulars there like what and if you share a 'like' it's worth checking something else they recommend.

I recently watched a Brit mini series - Hidden - which was good.

Atlantic Xpat

Also on Netflix ... The Last Kingdom - a reasonable enough adaptation of Bernard Cornwells novel of Saxons and Vikings. (And the first of a 9 book ..so far.. Series)

BristolUK

I've wondered about that. I have such a big backlog of things to try I wasn't sure whether to add it, especially as it seems stand alone rather than serial. I made an exception for Varg Veum as they are individual movies, but generally I prefer serials.

But I downloaded the first one to give it a go.

plasticcanuck

If you enjoy crime stories have a look at The Secret on ITV. A 4 part true story about a NI fanatically religious dentist who committed a heinous crime and got away with it for close to 20 years before his religion caused the uncovering of the crime. It stars James Nesbitt as the dentist. It's quite the fascinating story.

Flossie and Jim

There are few times that stories continue through the episodes and in the background you have the character development going on in parallel which makes you want to watch the next episode.

Thanks for all the other great tips - will be putting them to good use later!

Also, the libraries here in Calgary are great as they have a lot of UK and foreign stuff and its free to loan. The only hassle is loan for DVD's is just a week, so you might have to fit in 12 episodes of a series now and again ;0

Tangram

Can't remember if I said but River was excellent, BBC on Netflix

BristolUK

I have that lined up thanks to the comments of a CBC radio presenter over the weekends.

Hawkmoon77

I enjoyed TLK. It actually covers the first 2 books in the series.

Although Uhtred differed from the physical description in the novels, I enjoyed it. Looking forward to the second series.

Oink

I liked that too. Especially the funny names. IMO it was much better than GOT as even after watching the whole of the first season I couldn't take to that.

Atlantic Xpat

My wife was rather disgusted by that. "Pussy Boy" she muttered....

I was disappointed by the exclusion of Steapa the Stupid but it was nice to see the gym teacher from "Teachers" doing well for himself as a Leothric.

MillieF

I too enjoyed TLK. I can't find Peaky Blinders...it's not on Canadian Netflix perhaps? I have just been watching Fleming, about Ian Fleming, and really enjoyed that. Well worth the watch.

BristolUK

Here's where I've been watching.

But someone else here seems to have been getting some odd results from the links. I've never had any problems with this site.

mikelincs

There will be another Peaky Blinders next year.