Netflix is a staple of the college experience. Not only are there numerous movies that you can stream instantly on Netflix, there are also a variety of popular TV shows you can delve into to keep yourself occupied for days or even weeks on end. Nothing beats a weekend-long marathon with no commercials, so without further ado, here are some of NCC students’ favorite Netflix TV series.
“Orange is the New Black”
Based on a true story, this Netflix original comedy created by Jengi Kohan was first released in 2013. The series, produced by Titled Productions in association with Lionsgate Television, follows Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), a middle-class woman living in New York City, who is sentenced to 15 months in a women’s federal prison called Litchfield Penitentiary as a result of a drug-related crime she committed a decade prior to the start of the series. “Orange is the New Black” is based upon the real-life Piper Kerman, who wrote a memoir, “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Woman’s Prison,” based on her money-laundering days and her experiences in prison.
The drama is often funny, with hilarious interactions between cellmates, although there are also some dark and serious themes. In July of 2014, the series received 12 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and won three awards. Kate Mulgrew, as Galina ‘Red’ Reznikov won Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series, Jennifer Euston, as Casting Director won Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series and Uzo Aduba, as Suzanne ‘Crazy Eyes’ Warren won Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series. Netflix currently offers seasons one and two while season three will premiere on June 12, 2015.
“House of Cards”
This Netflix-produced series is rated as one of the best political dramas since “The West Wing.” Produced by Beau Willimon, the series is set in present-day Washington, D.C. and revolves around protagonist Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey), the U.S. Senate Majority Whip who initiates an elaborate plan to get himself into a position of greater power. His relationship with environmental lobbyist Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) is arguably one of the best alliances on TV, showcasing just how far the two characters are willing to go to beat their opponents and catapult, or even destroy, approval ratings. For its first season, “House of Cards” received nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations, becoming the first original online-only web TV series to receive major Emmy nominations. The show also earned four Golden Globe Award nominations and Wright won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series Drama. For the show’s second season, the series received 13 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and earned three nominations at the Golden Globes with Spacey winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama. “House of Cards” has been renewed for a fourth season, which will premiere in 2016.
“The Walking Dead”
AMC’s zombie-centric show produced by Frank Darabont is based on Robert Kirkman’s series of graphic novels of the same name, which follows sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) who awakens from a coma to find himself in an abandoned hospital amidst a post-apocalyptic world dominated by flesh-eating zombies, commonly referred to as “walkers.”
Rick sets out to find his family and encounters many other survivors along the way. Undead aside, there is plenty of human-to-human drama as well as the development and dynamic changes in each of the characters’ personalities throughout the series. “The Walking Dead” premiered in 2010 on the cable television channel AMC and has won a variety of different awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards and Satellite Awards. The show has been nominated for 68 awards and has won 22 awards.
“Breaking Bad”
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past couple of years, chances are you have already seen Vince Gilligan’s epic drama “Breaking Bad.” The show tells the story of Walter White (Brian Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with stage-three terminal lung cancer. In a desperate attempt to secure his family’s finances before he dies, White uses his chemistry background to cook and deal premium blue crystal methamphetamine. His partner is a former student and burn-out Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).
The show is teeming with family issues, moral consequences and is as addictive as the crystal meth Walt cooks up in his beat-up RV in the desert. By the time the season finale aired, “Breaking Bad” was among the most-watched television cable shows on American television. The series received numerous awards, including 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, eight Satellite Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and a People’s Choice Award. For his leading performance, Cranston won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series four times.
