Difficult to find in the impressive range of series that presents itself to us, especially with the proliferation of listening platforms.
So here is a list of the best international series that have shaped 2022 in one way or another, but which have primarily provided entertainment.
[1] “The House of the Dragon” (“House of the Dragon”)
HBO Max / Crave / Super Screen
Fans of the amazing Game of Thrones (2011-2019) series will be delighted with this preview, based on the novel Fire & Blood by author George RR Martin. The impressively resourced series is set around 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” and depicts the elements that will lead to the downfall of House Targaryen. With many nods to the series that made the universe famous, this first season of House of the Dragon focuses on the friendship that heiress to the throne, Rhaenerya Targaryen (Milly Alcook and Emma D’Arcy), the queen consort, connects , Alicent Hightower (Emilie Carey and Olivia Cooke) and the rivalry they will face as adults.
[2] “Stranger Things”
Netflix
Photo courtesy Netflix
Penultimate episode of this Netflix event series signed by the Duffer brothers. Back in the Grip by Dr. Brenner (Matthew Modine) taps into El’s (Millie Bobby Brown) traumatic past to reclaim his gifts that are promised to him even more powerful, while Mike, Will, Jonathan and his new friend go to any lengths to find them before the authorities . In Hawkins, the rest of the gang must find a way to stop Vecna before it’s too late. Joy (Winona Ryder) and Murray (Brett Gelman) try to travel to Russia to free Hopper (David Harbour). As befits the series, it broke ratings records when it released in July, dusting off Kate Bush’s forgotten 1980s hit “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).”
[3] “The Dropout”
Hulu/Disney+/Star
Based on a true story that’s still relevant today, the series, available on Disney+, chronicles the beginnings and setbacks of Silicon Valley-based biotechnology company Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes, interpreted by Amanda Seyfried. It’s hard to watch this series without searching the internet for the television interviews that Ms. Holmes took part in. The similarities between the CEO and the actress who plays her on the small screen are striking. Seyfried received special recognition for his performance in the role at the last Primetime Emmy Awards as well as at the Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards.
[4] “Physical – Breaking the Chains”
apple tv
Created for Apple TV+ and set in the 1980s, this black comedy follows the unhealthy but well-intentioned journey of Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne), a jaded mother of her husband who regains control of her life through aerobics. Sheila is now trying to sell her aerobics VHS, but must ignore some of her values and form alliances in order to get closer to her ultimate goal of empire building. The road to get there is long and very winding, but all in all it’s a paradigm shift that’s happening between the different characters this season. The series, renewed for a third season, also stars Rory Scovel and Paul Sparks.
[5] “dissociation” (“severance pay”)
apple tv
Mark Scout (Adam Scott) leads a team whose members have undergone surgery that affects their memories of their professional and personal lives. In this tension, Mark finds himself at the heart of a mystery and a long search for the truth about the nature of his work… and his own.
[6] “The Scarlet Maid” (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Hulu/Prime Video/Club illico
A refugee in Canada with her friends, her husband Luke and their daughter Nichole, June (Elisabeth Moss) hasn’t given up the idea of finding her daughter Hannah, who stayed in Gilead. Gradually, his new host country begins to sink under the influence of the religious right. On her escape she will face Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) and her son Noah. The destinies of the two women – enemies – will be linked more than ever.
[7] “The White Lotus”
HBO Max / Crave / Super Screen
After a remarkable first season — the most honored at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, winning 10 awards — the second season, released last October, trades the gorgeous landscapes of Hawaii for the lush territory of Sicily. As with the first season, Mike White’s series, intended to be a scathing social satire, claws at its characters to the viewer’s delight. Moreover, it is their dysfunctions that guide their stay at the fictional resort chain White Lotus.
[8] “Gazlit”
Desire / Starz
Starring Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, this twist-and-turn historical miniseries delves into the heart of the Watergate affair, this time from a new angle. Simultaneously political, raw and vulgar, the series takes a special interest in the character of Martha Mitchell, a socialite nicknamed “The Mouth of the South” by the press. She is the wife of Attorney General John Mitchell and the first person to publicly sound the alarm about Nixon’s involvement in Watergate. The prosecutor will inevitably have to choose between his wife and the President.
[9] “The bear”
Hulu/Disney
Photo courtesy of Disney+
After the death of his brother Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a promising young chef from the food service world returns to Chicago to run the family sandwich shop. The young chef is confronted with the overwhelming responsibilities of his small business, a rebellious workforce and strained family relationships, all with a good dose of adrenaline. With an interesting and sensitive excursion into the world of gastronomy, the series is touching, funny and rhythmic at the same time.
[10]”The Serpent Queen”
Starz/Crave
The life of Catherine de’ Medici, played by Samantha Morton and Liv Hill, is portrayed in an interesting way in this series full of dark humor and scenes of torture. Created by Justin Haythe (“Red Sparrow”) for the Starz Channel, the miniseries is adapted from the British novel Catherine de Medici: Rebirth Queen of France by Leonie Frieda (2004).