As the fall season approaches and the weather becomes colder, one of my favorite things is snuggling up on the couch with tea and a good show. With so many to choose from, I have selected some of my favorite HBO limited series that I believe are some of the best. These shows span from addressing some of society’s biggest issues to solving crimes and are guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
1. Big Little Lies
Now this one has been out for a while, but if you have yet to watch it you are missing out! This show is based on the book Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty. It follows the growth of a friendship between five women living in California. When a horrible accident takes place at a PTA event, the women must come together to conceal the truth and protect each other. The first season unpacks the events that lead up to the night of the incident and what really happened during the PTA event. For some, lying comes easy, but others must confront the debilitating guilt. Season one ends unfinished, and fortunately for us, season two is already available and features the one and only Meryl Streep.
TW: sexual assault and domestic abuse
2. The Flight Attendant
Sticking with the mystery theme, The Flight Attendant is one to be sure to keep you on your toes. This limited series starring Kaley Cuoco follows a flight attendant who spends her night off with a passenger and wakes up to him dead. Cuoco’s character, Cassie, goes on to figure out who killed this man and why, but ends up uncovering more than she intended to. In order to clear her own name, Cassie must look deep into the passenger’s past and try to stay alive while doing it. Bonus: Season 2 is underway!
TW: violence
3. The Undoing
A third murder mystery for you all (can you tell I like this genre) is The Undoing. This show features the incredible Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant, who find themselves as suspects in the murder of a mother at their son’s school. Did one of them murder her? Did they both murder her? The series follows Nicole Kidman’s character, Grace, and her attempt to find out whether or not her husband — Hugh Grant’s character — was involved in this murder. Grace must question everything she had believed about her family and community.
TW: sexual abuse and domestic violence
4. White Lotus
When new guests arrive at the White Lotus hotel in Hawaii, they expect the most relaxing and posh experience possible. However, their vacation does not turn out as they hoped it would when a murder takes place right on the property. This show addresses major societal issues such as white privilege, the upper class, and imperialism. The apparent ignorance of the wealthy white guests displays the way individuals’ actions impact the lives of others. To add to all of the societal issues addressed in the show, there is a murder mystery aspect as well. The episodes lead up to the moment where you find out who the killer is and who died.
So if you enjoy murder mysteries that you can binge within a day, these are the series for you! I hope these shows provide you with some entertainment for a quiet Sunday evening in.
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