When it was first mentioned, we all thought locking down or quarantining was going to be a sick, horrible joke when really, the joke was on us. Amid CO-VID19, we’ve all had our fair share of struggles to try and stay healthy and if we couldn’t do that, stay away from others. Working out has gotten old after the first week due to lack of motivation; online shopping is pointless since you have nowhere to wear your new clothes; and cleaning the house seems laborious since it somehow gets messy only after a few short days! The one and only form of entertainment that never fails to keep us comfortable, cozy, and relaxed would have to be… you guessed it, Netflix.
Netflix Recommendations
Netflix is easily one of the most popular online streaming services that we’ve all experienced and heard of. While the availability of each offering varies based on country, there are plenty of great, dramatic, legal options for you to spend time enjoying during lockdown in the United Kingdom.
Suits
Starring the handsome Gabriel Macht and Patrick J. Adams as Harvey Specter and Mike Ross respectively, Suits is based on a brilliant young college dropout, Mike, who slips into a job interview with one of New York’s best legal closers, Harvey, while running from a drug deal gone wrong. Tired of cookie-cutter law-school grads, Harvey takes a gamble by hiring Mike on the spot after recognizing his raw talent and photographic memory, where eventually they end up making a winning, ingenious team. Mike is intelligent and gifted, but he’s got much to learn about the law, while Harvey is cold-blooded and emotionless. The two make a great pair in order to help one another realize why they’re going into business and taking on law practices together. Proving to be an irrepressible duo, Mike and Harvey must keep their secret from everyone, including managing partner Jessica, starring Gina Torres, and Harvey’s archnemesis Louis Litt, starring Rick Hoffman, who insist on making Mike’s life as difficult as possible along the way.
Better Call Saul
If you’re a fan of the infamous Breaking Bad, then this recommendation is something that you’ll enjoy as it is known as the prequel, spanning from 2002 to 2008. Starring Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill, otherwise known as Saul Goodman in a later series, the show follows the story of a conman turned struggling lawyer, Jimmy, who initially uses the back room of a nail salon as his home and office. Better Call Saul follows the transformation of Jimmy as he’s trying to go from former con artist to a respectable lawyer, and eventually into the criminal lawyer personality, Saul Goodman, over the six-year period prior to the events of Breaking Bad. Jimmy is inspired by his brother Chuck McGill (Michael McKean), senior partner in the Albuquerque law firm Hamlin & McGill, Howard Hamlin (Patrick Fabian), as well as Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), one of the firm’s legal associates who becomes Jimmy’s romantic interest (spoiler alert!). Jimmy’s initial pursuits during this time are focused on the public defense and earnest attempts to fight for proper justice while trying desperately to get ahead. Soon after, his life and career start to intersect with the illegal drug trade in the region, featuring characters and story arcs that continue into Breaking Bad.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with its sequel, Better Call Saul was critically acclaimed and praised for its acting, characters, and cinematography, garnering various nominations and awards.
American Crime Story
Inspired by actual events, American Crime Story tells the story of infamous crimes from start to finish. FX’s first season, or installment, of the series is The People v. O.J. Simpson and the second is The Assassination of Gianni Versace.
The first season includes Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J., David Schwimmer as one of his legal attorneys, Robert Kardashian, and John Travolta as Robert Shapiro, his other legal attorney, the three of them better known as the “Dream Team”. The series takes you through the legal and personal matters of the death of Nicole Brown Simpson, O.J.’s ex-wife, and her friend, Rob Goldman, who are found stabbed to death outside of Brown’s home in LA. Crazy twists and turns will occur throughout the series, but you’ll get a better picture of what really went on in the courtroom of this infamous murder trial in 1994.
The second season of ACS depicts the Versace fashion empire in the wake of the 1997 Miami Beach murder of the legendary Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) by spree killer Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss), who was heavily obsessed with wealthy, businessmen like Versace himself. Penelope Cruz stars as Donatella Versace, Gianni’s sister, who is the protagonist in the show, and who takes over the Versace empire after his death. This season emphasizes more of Cunanan’s path to the steps of Versace’s mansion and his motivations through his other murder plots as he’s hunted down by the authorities.
There is a vast difference between the two seasons as the first holds the entertainment of the trial, whereas the second gives away the murderer almost immediately. Both are equally entertaining and based on true, unfortunate events, so if you’d like to learn a bit of history while being entertained, ACS is the pick for you.
Other Recommendations
If, for some odd, crazy reason, you’ve never heard of Netflix, or you simply just don’t have it, here are a few more binge-worthy, drama recommendations that you can stream through other outlets.
How to Get Away with Murder
If you want to be on the edge of your seat and mind-blown away at a sexy, suspense-driven thriller, then this is the winner for you. Viola Davis stars as Annalise Keating, a prestigious law professor at a Philadelphia university, where she becomes intertwined in a murder plot with her five students Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee), Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King), Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry), Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza), and Wes Gibbins (Alfred Enoch). The series goes back and forward in time in order to fully show viewers exactly what went on, as well as to let your imagination run free with your own assumptions. Annalise is not only great at her job, but she does whatever she can to shield her students and protect them from legal harm, until matters start to get worse and worse.
At the time of writing, this series is not available on Netflix UK, but is currently on Sky.
Billions
If you’re interested Another great series, Billions tells the story of a hedge fund manager, Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), as he accumulates wealth and power in the world of finance. Axelrod’s aggressive tactics to secure high returns frequently cross over into the illegal acts that US Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) attempts to prosecute. The story is based on true events and mirrors real-life prosecutions of financial crime by federal authorities, so if you’re looking to learn a thing or two, this is the right choice for you.
You can watch Billions on Sky.
Let CarterJay Know what you Think!
If you’re trying to make use of your lockdown time but are overwhelmed by the shows recommended above, do some further research and go watch the trailers of each and then bring it down to your top two… then binge both of them! Each legal series is easy to get hooked on and will most definitely make you think outside of the box while learning a few things. CarterJay would love to know your opinions on the shows so don’t be afraid to reach out to us at peter@carterjay.co.uk!
CarterJay Legal is a boutique legal recruitment agency based in London. We specialise in private practice roles with a large variety of law firms, catering for associates and partners alike. Call us on 07834 436775 to find out more.
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