Set in London, where gratification is only an app away, the story centers on Arabella, a carefree, self-assured Londoner with a group of great friends, a boyfriend in Italy, and a burgeoning writing career. But when her drink is spiked, she must question and rebuild every element of her life.
The take
Arabella is a Twitter-famous writer from London who has one night to submit a draft of her second book. She gives herself an hour's break that night to go out for a drink with a close friend. When she gets back, she realizes that far more than one hour had passed, that she had blacked out, and that she had bruises all over her body. Like the excellent Chewing Gum, the BBC/HBO miniseries I May Destroy You is a Michaela Coel one-woman show: she is the showrunner, the writer, co-director, and leading actress. And whatever Coel touches, she makes it personal and without compromises. I May Destroy you is based on her experience of being sexually assaulted while making Chewing Gum. To make sure she told this story right, she turned down a $1 million deal from Netflix over creative ownership. It is not only dizzyingly told and brave, but also original and funny. A timely drama if there ever was one!
An ambitious mini-series that succeeds in adapting the classic magic realist novel
8.0
Ethos
A level of attention to aesthetics usually reserved for the most elaborate films, mixed with a complex and relevant story, make this series from Turkey unmatched in its quality
9.9
The Sticky
Margo Martindale stands out in this true-story-based Canadian maple syrup heist
7.1
Black Doves
A tale of espionage, romance, and friendship all tied in a neat bow, just in time for Christmas
8.1
Caliphate
A psychological thriller that provides insight on what drove so many young people to ISIS.
8.9
Say Nothing
A powerful take on the Northern Ireland conflict that smartly shows all sides
8.5
Occupied
Norway's most expensive show ever is a timely thrill ride with a grim geopolitical premise.
8.7
Unorthodox
A well-acted fact-based thriller about untangling the grip of a close-knit community
8.5
Escape at Dannemora
Based on a true prison escape story, this slow-burn suspense thriller features once-in-a-lifetime performances by a star-studded cast
9.3
The Looming Tower
A well-written thriller miniseries about the rivalry between the CIA and the FBI and how they failed to prevent 9/11.