May 21, 2020
By Kevin Garcia
Staff Writer
While the world endures this pandemic, it can be easy to feel bored or isolated. It is important to stay entertained and positive during this time, which is why these eight shows on Netflix are the perfect distractions to keep your mind at ease.
“All American”
This sports drama series follows the character Spencer James as a rising high school football star from South Los Angeles who is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High School, but the transition proves to be more challenging than he expected. The show was inspired by the life of professional American football player Spencer Paysinger. The second season ended on March 9 on The CW. Both seasons are available for viewing on Netflix with the series being renewed for a third season.
“Dexter”
This crime drama mystery takes place in Miami and focuses on the anti-hero Dexter Morgan, who is a forensic analyst by day and a vigilante serial killer by night. He hunts down murderers who avoid punishment and takes justice into his own hands. The series ran for eight seasons on Showtime before ending on Sept. 22, 2013, with the finale being the most-watched in Showtime’s history.
“Lucifer”
This Netflix original urban fantasy series revolves around Lucifer Morningstar, who is based on the DC comic character who abandons hell for Los Angeles. He runs a nightclub and is a consultant for the L.A. Police Department, but wherever the devil goes, trouble follows. This highly acclaimed series keeps viewers wanting more. Originally canceled by Fox after its third season, the show was picked up by Netflix and has been renewed for a fifth season.
“Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)”
This Spanish crime drama series, which originally aired on Antena 3, centers around eight thieves code-named after cities recruited by “The Professor” to perform a seemingly impossible heist on the Royal Mint of Spain. The show, which offers audio in English, has received critical acclaim for its sophisticated plot and for revolutionizing Spanish television. Seasons 1 and 2 each consist of two parts. The second part of season 2 was released on April 3.
“On My Block”
This Netflix original teen comedy-drama follows friends Cesar Diaz, Monse Finnie, Ruby Martinez and Jamal Turner as they navigate high school while dealing with the dangers of life in Southern Los Angeles. The series premiered on March 16, 2018 to positive reviews and praise for its diversity and wholesome themes. The show’s third season premiered on March 11.
“Ozark”
This Netflix original crime drama series centers on a financial advisor named Martin Byrde who is forced to relocate his family to the Ozark region in Missouri after a money-laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel goes wrong. Soon after the Byrde family arrives in Missouri, they become entangled with local criminals and fall into a dangerous path. This thrilling series is starred, produced and directed by Jason Bateman. The third season premiered on March 27 to critical acclaim.
“That ’70s Show”
This Fox period sitcom series concluded on May 18, 2006. It had an eight-season run and continues to be popular even a decade-and-a-half after it went off the air. The show centers around six teenage friends living in Point Place, Wis. in the 1970s. This show is the perfect throwback to watch right now because of its engaging humor and upbeat theme song.
“The Umbrella Academy”
This Netflix original fantasy superhero series tells the story of seven gifted children who were born simultaneously and adopted by eccentric billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves to be made into superheroes. After his death, the now-adult children are reunited once again to stop an impending apocalypse. The show was watched by 45 million households in its first month of release and has since been renewed for a second season.
