Essential series to watch in one sitting

Most people like to watch a good drama series. These days, however, few have the patience to wait around for the next episode to air. Fear not, we have a list of series for you to completely binge-watch. Episode after episode of non-stop drama, comedy, and adventure.

What better way to kick off this list than with this spectacular HBO classic? We are talking about 'True Detective', consisting of three seasons of eight episodes each, in which different detectives are in charge of solving serious cases full of dark secrets. Serious binging material. The first and possibly the best series with Matthew McConaughey (giving possibly his greatest performance ever), and Woody Harrelson, set the tone beautifully before the baton is handed to Colin Farrell and Mahershala Ali.

This HBO miniseries from 2016 is composed of only eight episodes. Police investigations, judicial processes, and the prison system, with the story focused on a young Pakistani man accused of murdering a girl on the Upper West Side of New York. With a cast headed by John Turturro, Bill Camp, Michael K. Williams, and Riz Ahmed, it is one of those series that you have to just jump to the next episode. Again and again.

We go even further back in time to remember another classic from HBO. 'Carnivale' only has two seasons and 24 episodes. It takes us back to the years of the Great Depression in the United States - delving into a story that mixes the world of the circus and the fight between good and evil. All whilst following a young man with healing powers and a Methodist pastor who personifies the devil himself.

More HBO. 'The Leftovers' has three seasons, with a total of 28 episodes. Suddenly, 140 million people completely disappear due to some strange phenomenon, while the people left behind struggle to rebuild their lives. Starring Justin Theroux.

Image: HBO

This production based on the comic of the same name by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson is a real show. For those who believe it is a traditional superhero series, you are gravely mistaken. If superheroes were real this is how they would behave. Shocking scenes and real anti-heroes will leave you throwing up and jumping to the next episode. A stroke of Amazon Prime genius.

Image: Amazon Prime Video

There are some series like 'Game of Thrones' or 'Vikings', for example, that are so long, time itself needs to stand still to get through them! But are you looking for something similar? Ladies and gentlemen, I give you 'The Witcher'. A fantastic story following the monster-hunting wizard Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) as he struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove worse than the beasts he is hunting. You now have 16 episodes to devour in the blink of an eye.

Image: Netflix

Three strangers share an unusual obsession with true crime but suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one. When a gruesome death occurs inside their Upper West Side apartment building, the three neighbors suspect murder is afoot and use their knowledge and fascination with true crime to investigate the truth. Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be closer than they think as they race to deduce the ever-increasing clues before it's too late.

Image: Disney+

Set during the Cold War era, orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon fights addiction and misogyny in a journey to become the greatest chess player in the world. Brilliant and well-acted. In fact, the lead actress, Anya Taylor-Joy, is mesmerizing.

Image: Netflix

'Black Mirror' is always a good option if you haven't seen it yet. Or even if you have. 22 episodes with 22 completely different stories, all of them related to the world of technology. A series of stories that could just be science fiction as well as real. Shocking and entertaining with writing that will blow your mind.

Image: Netflix

A really interesting Netflix black comedy based on yet another Norwegian series and has such names as Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, and Justin Theroux, among others. Throughout its ten episodes, it unravels the story of two strangers who are part of the final phase of a mysterious pharmaceutical trial - but the consequences are not what was expected.

Image: Netflix

From fiction to reality, critically acclaimed and wonderfully acted. 'Chernobyl' tells us what happened with the terrible nuclear catastrophe that took place on April 26, 1986, in Ukraine and its consequences. A perfect option for lovers of historical stories to raise awareness and a timely reminder of the devastation that can occur when we try to fly too close to the sun. A brilliant HBO series.

Image: HBO

We are told about the life of the Lyons brothers, a British family from Manchester, in just 6 episodes - or 6 parts. We watch the family over the span of 15 years that were key to British society due to political, economic, and technological changes. Any series with Emma Thompson in it is going to be good, with outstanding support from Rory Kinnear and the rest of the cast.

Image: HBO

Two seasons and 14 episodes for this series with a cast that says it all: Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and Meryl Streep, among others. It tells the dark and mysterious story of three mothers (Madeline, Celeste, and Jane) from Northern California whose seemingly perfect lives are turned upside down by a murder that takes place during a fundraiser at their children's school.

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Based on the stories that came from the head of the writer of mystery and suspense novels Harlan Coben. Quick to watch and very enjoyable. Take note of these ones in particular: 'Stay by my side', 'Not a word', 'Safe', 'Don't talk to strangers', 'Forest inside', 'The innocent' and 'Forever and ever'.

Image: Netflix

We return to the classics and historical accounts. For lovers of war productions, you simply can't miss these two big-budget productions, 'Band of Brothers' and 'The Pacific', both produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. The series is based on battles that took place in Europe against the Germans and also in Asia, against the Japanese, during the Second World War.

Image: HBO

For lovers of the 'Star Wars' universe and fans of science fiction in general, there is 'The Mandalorian', a Disney+ series that is truly excellent. The show takes us into the Star Wars story between the fall of the Empire and the appearance of the First Order. The new and old characters won't disappoint even the most devout fans of Star Wars.

Image: Disney+

Another good Disney+ proposal, this time from the Marvel universe. A miniseries of only 9 episodes focused on the characters of Wanda Maximoff and Vision, two superheroes who live an idyllic life that is not quite what it seems. The series is full of original ideas and each episode is in the style of a classic sitcom. A unique and brave attempt to maintain the Marvel/Disney collaboration and, yes, it works really well.

Image: Disney+

The world of Marvel now offers so many possibilities when we talk about series, as is the case with 'Loki,' the production for Disney+ about Thor's mischievous brother -starring Tom Hiddleston. The series is just 6 episodes but will leave anyone wanting more. Panic not, they have already planned for a second season... You just can't binge-watch it yet.

Image: Disney+

Summer series, set in Ibiza, but not exactly about a dream holiday. It focuses on the disappearance and murder of a British DJ on a beautiful Spanish island followed by the investigation that is carried out, with the help of the DJ's sister. A single season and 10 episodes to binge on Netflix.

Image: Netflix

A classic from 2003 and not as short as other series we have mentioned since it has 4 seasons and 92 episodes. Still, it's essential for the binge-watching list, because... who doesn't like drama and romance in Californian Newport Beach?

Image: HBO Max

Action, adventure, mystery, and forbidden love during an unforgettable summer for a group of teenagers from the Outer Banks (North Carolina) who embark on a search for a legendary treasure. Beautiful people, summer, and beaches… What can go wrong?

Image: Netflix

A comedy that has 3 seasons spread over 26 episodes in which they tell us the story of a young tennis player -played by Craig Roberts - and his life as an employee at the prestigious and exclusive Red Oaks club in the 80s. A very original series that completely stands out over other super-bad boy comedies.

Image: Amazon Prime Video

We could add many more series to our binge list so, for those who need to keep going, there will always be classics such as 'Baywatch', 'Pacific Blue', 'Tropical Heat', 'Blue Summer', 'Hawaii 5.0' and even 'Lost'. Happy bingeing.