In this special ep of the Donna Tha Dead Podcast, discover seven shows worth watching—whether you want horror, humor, mystery, or thrills.
SHOW NOTES FROM YOUR HOST DONNA:
On this episode, I’m doing something a little out of the norm, and I’m talking about some shows you should be watching or at least put on your to-watch list. From a psychological thriller, to a mystery box, some animation, an action thriller, horror action, satirical comedy, a medical drama, and even a post-apocalyptic horror series.
A note from our editor-in-chief:
For devotees of the eerie, the thrilling, and the wonderfully weird, television has undergone a profound transformation. Gone are the days of scarce genre offerings, relegated to late-night slots or niche networks. We are living in a veritable golden age of horror and genre entertainment on the small screen, a landscape teeming with sophisticated storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and characters that burrow deep under your skin.
The sheer volume of exceptional content available today is staggering, offering a rich tapestry of scares, suspense, fantasy, and the uncanny that caters to every shade of genre appreciation.
Prepare to delve into a curated selection of the very best that this remarkable era has to offer, proving that when it comes to genre and creatively boundary-pushing television, we have never had it so good.
MUST-WATCH SHOWS
Donna shares her favorites on this special episode of the Donna Tha Dead Podcast, letting you know what she’s currently obsessed with and why. Here’s a quick rundown of the highlights:
Severance (2 Seasons, Apple TV)
While bingeable, the show’s thematic depth and intricate plotting truly benefit from a more measured viewing, allowing the unsettling implications to sink in.
Common Side Effects is an animated conspiracy theory psychological thriller that follows former high school lab partners Marshall and Frances. Years after graduation, they stumble upon a mind-blowing secret: a rare fungus with the potential to cure all the world’s diseases. However, they soon discover that powerful forces, including big pharma and the government, are actively working to suppress this knowledge.
The ten-episode series follows Marshall and Frances as they navigate a dangerous world of corporate espionage, government cover-ups, and the unpredictable effects of the mysterious fungus itself, all while trying to stay one step ahead of those who want the truth buried.
This animated series offers a unique blend of conspiracy thriller elements with a darkly comedic edge. The animation style is distinctive and adds to the show’s quirky and unsettling atmosphere. The fast-paced plot keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as Marshall and Frances uncover layers of deception and face increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations.
With only ten episodes, Common Side Effects delivers a concise and impactful story that explores timely themes of corporate greed and the fight for truth, making it a highly engaging and thought-provoking watch for genre enthusiasts looking for something a little different.
Reacher (3 Seasons, Prime Video)
Reacher, based on the Jack Reacher book series by Lee Child, stars Alan Ritchson as the formidable former U.S. Army Military Police officer who now lives as a drifter. Each season presents Reacher with a new town and a new mystery to solve, often involving dangerous criminals and conspiracies. The show is known for its self-contained seasonal narratives, allowing viewers to jump in at any point, although the recurring character of Reacher provides a consistent anchor.
Reacher is pure, unadulterated action-mystery entertainment. Alan Ritchson perfectly embodies the imposing and intelligent Jack Reacher, delivering both brutal physicality in fight sequences and sharp deductive reasoning in solving the crimes. The show offers a satisfying blend of badass action and engaging mystery, with each season providing a well-paced and intriguing whodunit.
The stakes are generally “low” in the sense that the show doesn’t delve into overly complex or emotionally draining narratives, making it a super fun and escapist watch. It’s the kind of show you can put on and thoroughly enjoy without needing to invest heavily in intricate lore or long-term character arcs.
If you appreciate a strong, silent protagonist delivering justice with his fists and his wits, Reacher is essential viewing.
The Bondsman, a new action-horror series on Prime Video starring Kevin Bacon, introduces Hub Halloran, a resurrected bounty hunter. After meeting an untimely end, Hub is given a second chance at life by the Devil himself, but with a demonic twist to his old profession. He is now tasked with hunting down demons who have escaped from Hell and are wreaking havoc on Earth.
Alongside his feisty mother, Kitty, and his parole officer, Midge, Hub navigates his resurrected life, his complicated past, including a lost love and a musical career, all while battling supernatural forces and trying to understand the chilling pattern behind the demonic incursions.
The Bondsman offers a unique and entertaining blend of action, horror, and dark humor. Kevin Bacon delivers a charismatic performance as the gruff but charming Hub, and his dynamic with Beth Grant as his demon-hunting mother provides many of the show’s laugh-out-loud moments. The series embraces its outlandish premise with over-the-top gore and violence, reminiscent of shows like Ash vs Evil Dead and Reaper.
While the supernatural horror elements provide the thrills and chills, the show also explores themes of redemption, family, and confronting past sins.
If you enjoy a series that doesn’t take itself too seriously, delivers plenty of action and splatter, and features a compelling lead performance, The Bondsman is a hell of a good time.
The Studio (1 Season, Apple TV)
The Studio is a hilariously uncomfortable, star-studded comedy series that satirizes the inner workings of a Hollywood film studio, Continental Studios. The show centers around Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of the floundering studio, who tries to balance his artistic integrity with the increasingly shallow, IP-driven demands of the industry. He’s constantly navigating the eccentricities of studio executives, the fragile egos of A-list stars, and the ever-shifting landscape of filmmaking.
With a talented ensemble cast including Seth Rogen as Matt, Catherine O’Hara as his former mentor, and Ike Barinholtz as a close friend and studio executive, the series delves into the absurd realities of making movies in the modern era.
While not horror, The Studio is essential viewing for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes chaos and often cringe-inducing situations that can arise in the entertainment industry. Its sharp satire and cringeworthy comedy style, reminiscent of shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office, derive humor from the painfully awkward interactions and the clash between artistic ambition and commercial pressures.
The star-studded cast, with many playing exaggerated versions of industry archetypes or even themselves, adds to the show’s meta humor.
If you enjoy a show that pulls back the curtain on Hollywood with a biting and hilarious perspective, The Studio will leave you both laughing and squirming.
The Last of Us (2 Seasons, HBO)
Based on the acclaimed video game series, The Last of Us is set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a fungal pandemic that turns humans into aggressive, zombie-like creatures. Season one followed Joel Miller, a hardened survivor, as he reluctantly agreed to smuggle Ellie, a teenage girl immune to the infection, across the dangerous United States. Season two picks up the story several years later, adapting the events of The Last of Us Part II game.
Fans of the game know that this season will delve into darker and more morally complex territory, introducing new characters and challenges that will test the bonds between Joel and Ellie and push them to their limits.
The Last of Us has quickly become essential viewing for its exceptional storytelling, compelling characters, and its ability to blend intense horror with profound emotional drama. The performances, particularly Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie, are outstanding, capturing the complex and evolving relationship between the two leads.
Season two promises to deliver even more devastating emotional drama, staying true to the game’s narrative, which explores themes of grief, revenge, and the cyclical nature of violence. Even for those unfamiliar with the games, The Last of Us offers a gripping and emotionally resonant post-apocalyptic tale with genuinely terrifying horror elements.
Knowing the source material, fans are bracing themselves for a season that will be both heartbreaking and unforgettable.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Donna Tha Dead is a podcast for lovers of horror, cult classics, and other genres of cinemas. Your host, Donna, is a confirmed ghost story and horror film addict. To those that can hear Donna’s voice, she invites you to come hold her hand in the darkness and listen.
New episodes typically post every other week, and you can listen right here on morbidlybeautiful.com or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
You can connect with Donna on Instagram and Twitter @donna_tha_dead.
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