Mini-Series You Need to Watch

In my opinion, there's really nothing quite like a good mini-series. It sits at the perfect intersection between a movie and a traditional TV show, giving a story enough time to fully develop, build its characters, and create a truly fleshed-out narrative, while still being short enough to binge-watch over the course of a single weekend. You get all the depth and storytelling of a great TV series, without having to commit to multiple seasons or spend weeks working your way through it. And honestly, some of the best, most compelling, and genuinely enjoyable cinematic stories have been told in the mini-series format.

With that in mind, here are my recommendations for some of the best mini-series out there:

When They See Us

This is my personal favourite mini-series of all time, but if you haven't seen it yet, I need to warn you right from the start: this is a very tough watch. Created by the brilliant Ava DuVernay, When They See Us tells the harrowing true story of the 1989 Central Park jogger case, in which five Black and Latino teenage boys were wrongfully accused, prosecuted, and convicted in connection with the rape and assault of a White woman in Central Park, New York. This series is an absolute piece of art, but it's also one of the most heartbreaking, infuriating, and devastating stories you will probably ever watch. It’s a really difficult series to get through, but it tells an important story that deserves to be heard, and I genuinely think everyone should watch it at least once. And if that isn't enough to convince you, Jharrel Jerome, who plays the real-life figure Korey Wise, delivers what I consider to be one of the greatest acting performances of all time.

The Haunting of Hill House

The reign of Mike Flanagan really began with this series. Although he had already worked on several films before, The Haunting of Hill House was the show that earned him widespread critical acclaim and truly established him as one of the biggest names in modern horror. And honestly, what better time to watch or rewatch this show than in the lead-up to Halloween? The Haunting of Hill House is a masterclass in storytelling and character development, with every episode and every scene so carefully written that you genuinely can't take your eyes off the screen. It's sad, genuinely terrifying, and deeply nostalgic, but despite all its creepiness, there's something strangely cosy and familiar about it.

The Cry

This is one mini-series I always find myself recommending to people, mainly because I don't know nearly enough people who have actually seen it. At just four episodes long, The Cry manages to be absolutely gripping from beginning to end, slowly building an atmosphere of tension and unease that makes it incredibly difficult to stop watching. Starring Jenna Coleman, who gives a fantastic performance in the lead role, the series follows a young mother whose baby goes missing during a stop at a gas station while travelling with her partner. What follows is a chilling and emotionally intense story that keeps you questioning what you're seeing and where the truth really lies.

Adolescence

Even though this mini-series took the world by storm and is anything but unknown or underrated, I simply couldn't put together a list of the best mini-series without mentioning it. When Adolescence dropped on Netflix, it became a global sensation almost overnight, and for good reason. It's been over a year since I last watched it, and I still find myself thinking about it quite often. The series tackles an incredibly important and increasingly relevant subject, exploring the ways in which misogyny, online culture, and harmful attitudes towards girls and women can influence young boys and men, sometimes with devastating consequences. At a time when femicide is rising at an alarming rate, Adolescence feels particularly important. It's not just a brilliantly made and compelling piece of television, but a series that tackles a difficult subject that we really need to be talking about. And that's exactly why I think it's more than just a good watch; it's a necessary one.

Queen’s Gambit

This one is a true pandemic throwback. Released in the second half of 2020, The Queen's Gambit takes me straight back to lockdown, when I remember watching it and discussing it with my friends as we all tried to find something new to keep ourselves entertained. And honestly, what a fun, bold, and refreshingly different series it was. Anya Taylor-Joy is an absolute joy to watch in the lead role, and who would have thought that a show about chess would have us all in a chokehold? Somehow, The Queen's Gambit managed to turn chess into a global obsession, and if you managed to miss it back in 2020, consider this your sign to finally give it a watch.

True Story

This is another mini-series that I rarely see anyone talk about, and I genuinely think it flew under the radar for a lot of people. Kevin Hart takes on the lead role in a performance that's completely different from anything we've come to expect from him. A crime drama and psychological thriller, True Story follows a famous comedian who, while on a tour stop in Philadelphia, finds himself caught up in something incredibly sinister that threatens to destroy both his life and his career. It's definitely worth checking out if you're in the mood for something darker than Kevin Hart's usual work.

Defending Jacob

Let me tell you something: Apple TV has some of the best original content out of all the streaming services, and Defending Jacob is one of its best. Based on the novel of the same name, the series has a fantastic cast, including Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, and J.K. Simmons. It's a very human story that feels surprisingly close to home, because you can't help but think that something like this could happen to any of us. Chris Evans plays a respected assistant district attorney who leads a quiet, happy life with his wife and son, until his entire world is turned upside down when his son is charged with murder. It's a really interesting look at what happens when a family is forced to deal with something like this, and how quickly everything can change.

Normal People

If you're a hopeless romantic, or someone who cries easily at love stories, you'll want to have the tissues ready for this one. Another pandemic throwback, Normal People was released in April 2020 and quickly became a sensation as we all found ourselves stuck at home with nothing better to do than binge-watch TV. And what a series it was! Not only did we get a beautiful, heartbreaking story about love, friendship, and the complicated relationship between two people who keep finding their way back to each other, but we were also introduced to Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, both of whom have since skyrocketed to fame. The best part about Normal People is that it shows that, sometimes, two people can love each other and still not be able to make things work, which is a much more realistic take on love than the happily-ever-after stories we're so used to seeing on screen.

And there you have it! Whether you're looking for a gripping thriller, a heartbreaking true story, or something completely different to get you hooked over a weekend, hopefully, there's something on this list for you. Now all that's left to do is grab some snacks, get comfortable, and pick your next watch. And if you have any mini-series recommendations of your own, I'm always happy to discover something new!