TV | No Netflix? No problem! Here are 5 Shows you can watch
I previously wrote about 10 shows and miniseries my husband and I watched together that are from networks other than Netflix. Here are a few more that grabbed my attention recently, especially when we don't have any new episodes from the Traitors UK, our favourite.
Good American Family (2025)
Where to watch: Hulu
This 8-episode miniseries, produced by Ellen Pompeo (aka Meredith Grey!), is based on the real story of the adoption of Natalia Grace, a young Ukrainian girl with dwarfism. Living in America, she was adopted firstly by a family that gave her away and that is how she entered the lives of Michael (played by Mark Duplass) and Kristine Barnett (played by Ellen Pompeo herself) at the alleged age of 7. The Barnetts were already parents of 3 young boys and had their hands full raising their oldest, Jacob, who had autism and was misdiagnosed at a young age. Kristine took the lead in her son's health and education and that made her more resilient at taking care of children with specific needs.
Alas when they welcomed Natalia, things turned sour very quickly. From the Barnett's side, especially Kristine's, there was no bond from the get go as there were bouts of anger and violence from Natalia towards her. From Michael's point of view, everything was going well - as Natalia favoured him - but he had to take sides under the pressure of his wife. From Natalia's side, she felt admonished and berated by Kristine, who took legal and medical action to declare her as an adult, at the prospect of the adoption agency's fraud allegations. So... who is right? Who is lying? Was Natalia 7 or over 18 when she was adopted?
Jess
Étoile (2025)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
I fell head over pointe shoes in love with this witty show. The fast paced dialogues, the heartfelt moments mixed with the most eccentric of scenes, these is all the signature and legacy of Amy Sherman Palladino & Daniel Palladino, the duo behind Gilmore Girls (which I watched religiously and discovered thanks to my friend Jasmine), Bunheads (which made me discover Sutton Foster!) and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (which I have never seen. If you did, do you recommend it?).
Étoile - a reference to how the principal ballerina is called in the french ballet - bridges two sides of a same coin: the pressure of world famous ballet management in New York with Metropolitan Ballet Theater (MBT) and the classic world of Le Ballet National (LBN) from Paris. Unveiling the world of dance made me think of the Crazy Horse and how it is pure Parisian history and discipline.
Jess
Both companies are struggling in the post-pandemic world and swap their greatest dancers and choreographers to sell tickets and foster new engagement in both sides of the pond. The American side of things is represented by Jack McMillan (played by Luke Kirby) and the Parisian side is represented by Geneviève Lavigne (played by the exquisite Charlotte Gainsbourg, with her superb English... she is the daughter of Jane Birkin after all!).
The Pitt (2025)
Where to watch: Max
The Pitt is a new Max (former HBO) 15-episode show. Created by R. Scott Gemmill, you might feel some familiarities with his previous work ER. I was very young when this show was out but I know of its legacy into medical drama and how it launched George Clooney and Julianna Margulies into stardom.
First, The Pitt is a medical drama, it's also produced by John Wells and it stars Noah Wyle, one of the main stars on ER. He isn't young Dr. John Carter any longer. He plays senior attending Dr. Michael Robinavitch but everybody calls him Dr. Robby.
There is something really captivating about this show: every episode shows one hour each of the 15-hour shift (starting at 7AM) at an emergency department in a hospital in Pittsburgh, United States. This premise might remind you of the show 24 which I loved, that also tackled hour by hour in each of its 24 episodes per season.
This structure drew me back to the way classic drama tv shows were made, and having a new episode per week (instead of the drop Netflix and such has accustomed us to) made me have a positive blast from the past.
“It’s the most realistic medical show I’ve seen,” said Kathy Sikora, a registered nurse who is director of emergency services at AGH
The reviews from the medical field are very positive about the show's accuracy and also with dealing with lack of resources, staff shortages, overcrowding and PTSD after COVID.
I don't want to spoil you with details but here are a few things I love about the show:
Disclaimer: as this is a Max show, be ready for hard core & explicit scenes. IYKYK.
The Bear (2022)
Where to watch: Hulu or FX
We arrived late to the party and just binge watched this show for the past two weeks but better late than never. The Bear is just so good. To be honest, it's as good as it is absolutely nerve-wracking. Three seasons in, the show can be considered a series of small movies, from 20-minute episodes to 60-minute masterpieces you could be watching at the movies. It makes us tag along Carmen "Bear" or "Carmy" Barzotto, a young chef who goes back home to Chicago after his older brother Mikey passes away, giving him his restaurant through his will. Carmy was an upcoming and James Beard awarded chef at the world's greatest restaurant in New York (of course...), having also worked at Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark, and now he has to deal with a rundown neighbourhood restaurant. He arrives with a bang, having to deal with unorganised finances, disjointed staff and a roof that seems to be wanting to fall over their heads at every episode. This series is so good, we both completely recommend.
Jess
Expats (2024)
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
This miniseries talks about family, loss and multiculturalism. Set in a luxury building in Hong Kong, we follow the lives of several expatriate women, the main ones are the employers and the others are their (prospective) employees.
First we have Margaret (played by the hardest working actress in Hollywood, Nicole Kidman), who recently lost her younger son and is trying to keep afloat with her loving husband and two older children. In the expatriation process aimed to follow her husband's career and professional progression, she had to leave her family, friends. Her estranged neighbour is Hilary (played by Sarayu Blue, who also plays a secondary role on the aforementioned Good American Family miniseries) and with her we tackle the loneliness and family sacrifices that the expatriation process shoves under the rug. And then we have Mercy, Essie, Puri who are live the less glamorous life of Hong Kong, a society who survives on the back of service such as housekeepers, drivers, nannies. Just like Angola, where I live.
This is a story of empathy, resilience and grief. It made me want to read the book The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee it was based on to deep dive more into these complex characters.
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