After the post was so well received on Instagram and was saved hundreds of times, I would like to adapt the topic directly for the blog. Fun Fact: Things used to work the other way around.
In the jungle of streaming services and series, you can quickly lose track of things. There is now news every day. Series that you just watch casually and then immediately forget about. And ones that resonate for a long time. This is exactly what I would like to share with you today: my ten very personal all-time favorite series.
My ten favorite all-time favorite series
Suits
Chris and I were very lucky to only discover this series at the beginning of 2019 – and were therefore able to watch so many episodes at once. The highlight of Suits: the great dialogues between the two main characters Harvey and Mike.
The short version: Harvey Specter, a top lawyer in New York, is looking for new candidates for the law firm Pearson Hardman. Normally this only relies on Harvard graduates. But then he runs into Mike Ross, who doesn’t even have a university degree, but thanks to a photographic memory and a razor-sharp mind, he has more potential than all the other candidates…
I don’t want to say any more here. Just this much: If you really haven’t seen a single episode of Suits, then you’re very lucky! Because now you have nine seasons and a total of 134 episodes ahead of you.
Ted Lasso
One of our absolute favorite series that gave us many nice “just switch off” moments. The focus is on the former college football coach Ted Lasso from Kansas City who, to the surprise of many, is hired as coach of the AFC Richmond soccer team in England. Although Ted has no experience in football, he brings his positive attitude and optimism to the team and motivates his players and employees with his often very unconventional methods. The series is also something for everyone who doesn’t know much about football. Because it represents so much more than “just” sport. Rather, the plot revolves around the cohesion of a team and interpersonal relationships. With a big pinch of humor and a lot of emotion!
Shrinking
In Shrinking Not only is there a reunion with Jason Segel, who embodies one of our favorite How I Met Your Mother characters – Harrison Ford has also joined the series cast. And the two are a great duo in the comedy-drama series, more precisely a trio together with Gaby, played by Jessica Williams. The three work together as therapists in a practice and try not only to solve their patients’ problems, but also their own.
Jimmy (Jason Segel) in particular has to struggle with the grief of his wife, who died in a car accident, and is hopelessly overwhelmed. He decides to tell his patients the unsparing truth from now on and even has a patient staying at his home to help him. A big pinch of humor, paired with good dialogue, very strong characters, life wisdom and serious topics such as grief and loneliness. You constantly vacillate between laughing and shedding tears. There are now three seasons – and the series keeps getting better.
I even dedicated an entire column to the series: How important our togetherness is
Homeland
The plot of most series is stretched out over too many seasons. Unfortunately, this often also means that the quality and tension decrease. Not like that Homeland. Every single season about (former) CIA agent Carrie Mathison is absolutely captivating and always sheds light on current world events.
You can’t help but watch several episodes in one go… Have I ever mentioned that the series is incredibly exciting?
gossip Girl
Also gossip Girl is one of my absolute all-time favorite series. The stories about the high society teenagers of New York’s Upper East Side are not only very entertaining, there are also amusing dialogues, lots of fashion highlights and, last but not least, many impressions of what is probably the most fascinating city in the world. PS: By the way, we were lucky enough to be able to watch the filming several times (here, here and here).
Modern Family
Modern Family is one of those series that you can watch over and over again. The sitcom portrays the life of Jay Pritchett and his family in Los Angeles County in an incredibly entertaining way. Jay is an older man who lives with his younger Colombian wife Gloria and Manny, her son from his first marriage. His adult children, Claire and Mitchell, each have their own families and challenges in life.
The different stories of the individual protagonists and the relationships within the extended family are told with so much humor that we often laughed while watching.
OC, California
When I watched the series when I was a teenager, I decided: I really wanted to live in Newport Beach one day. And yes, when I got to know Orange County years later as part of our trip around the world, I also fell in love “in real life” with this wonderfully beautiful piece of earth. Also OC, California is one of those series that you can watch a second or even third time. Have you not seen the series about Ryan, who grew up in difficult circumstances and is taken in by a wealthy family in Newport Beach? Well then it’s high time!
PS: Who else loved the soundtrack?
Sex and the City
At this point I would be very interested: Is there anyone among you who hasn’t seen this series yet? The nice thing: The last episode was on TV over 20 years ago – and if you haven’t watched it again since then, now is the perfect time for a rewatch!
Even years later, it is still a great pleasure to listen to the humorous dialogues of the four friends, to look forward to a happy ending for Carrie and Mr. Big and to admire the mix of great outfits and New York impressions.
Firefly Lane
One of the most beautiful Netflix series of recent years is the story about Tully (Katherine Heigl) and Kate (Sarah Chalke). Firefly Lane (in German “Always there for you”) portrays the lives of two friends who met in high school in the 1970s and remained connected over the course of several decades. Professionally and privately. Tully becomes one of America’s most famous presenters, while Kate works in the background as a producer. The series follows the evolution of their friendship as Tully and Kate build their careers and relationships and go through their own challenges and traumas. A little “warning”: you’ll need an extra-large portion of tissues for the final episodes of season two!
Parenthood
The story of the Braverman family is a warm-hearted family drama series that shows the life of the extended family in all its ups and downs. Topics such as parenthood, marriage, career and illness are dealt with honestly and emotionally – and the interpersonal relationships are portrayed in a really profound way.
So, what would a top ten list be without an eleventh point: I had it smooth The White Lotus forget. Beautiful settings, great characters and so many brilliant plot twists. Definitely one of the best series of all time and one of my absolute favorites.
And now you: Which series make it onto your favorite list?
