Many people in the U.S. are gearing up for the Presidents Day weekend and if you’re looking to put in some quality time on your couch, I have some suggestions for binge watching. However, they aren’t about presidents or even focused on men. Instead, here are three shows about inspiring women to binge watch this long weekend. All are period dramas about talented ladies who were powerful and yet underestimated, often by those closest to them.
The Crown on Netflix
10 episodes, each 1 hour long
A friend who also loved Downton Abbey asked what I was watching these day to fill the void. We were at a party and everyone around me answered at the same time, “The Crown!” It follows Queen Elizabeth II as she becomes ruler of the British Empire and the early years of her reign, exploring both familial and political relationships she had.
Each episode feels like a movie. After seeing it, I wasn’t surprised to learn it is the most expensive television show every made. The acting is is superb. Claire Foy is a wonderful Elizabeth, and John Lithgow does a great job as Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
I learned a fair amount about post-war London and appreciate the series attention to detail and accuracy. I can’t wait for Season 2, which will cover 1955-1964 and is thought to be coming to Netflix in the fall of 2017.
Z: The Beginning of Everything on Amazon
10 episodes, each approximately 30 minutes
This series is based on a book about Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, wife of famous novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald. Though you may be more familiar with him, there’s no doubt Zelda, played by Christina Ricci, is the star of the show. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler inspired the series. Portions were filmed in Savannah, Georgia, which has a special place in my heart as that’s where I married my husband. It’s a fascinating portrayal of the Fitzgeralds’ relationship as well as the Jazz Age of the 1920’s. Both were tumultuous.
Victoria on Masterpiece on PBS (Also available on Amazon)
7 episodes, The first episode is two hours long, the rest are one hour
The costumes alone had me swooning over “Victoria,” which features Jenna Coleman in the titular role. Although it is perfectly enjoyable, I admit that I didn’t love it as much as I loved “The Crown.” If you have to pick one queen, I’d go with Elizabeth II. (The critic at the L.A. Times agrees. You can read that review here.) There’s a bit more romance and courtship excitement in “Victoria,” which is fun. And Victoria isn’t bad, it’s just not as good as The Crown. It’s possible that has something to do with the fact that the budget for Victoria wasn’t “the biggest ever.”
What are you watching that you love? Please let me know what I should check out next!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
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