Amazon | Know It All Nev

Prime Movie & TV Manufacturing Corporations Are the Unsung Heroes of the Streaming Wars

Amazon, Apple, disney, HBO Max, Hulu, mgm, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, ViacomCBS, Warner Bros. | 25/08/202125/08/2021

Hyperactive production companies are the engine behind Hollywood’s current content feeding frenzy. Pixabay
Right now, nearly every major conglomerate with a toe in Hollywood is trying desperately to attract a large subscriber base to their streaming service in order to appease Wall Street. To do that, these companies need to build out their SVOD platforms with prodigious libraries of both exclusive original films and television series as well as pre-existing catalogues to keep those subscribers on the hook. As a result, Hollywood finds itself in a content consolidation craze as this feeding frenzy is spurring the merger and acquisition market.
This cascading feedback loop has elevated the value of production companies. Why? Because studios are hungry for the mass production framework and talent relations they bring to the table. For the most part, each major studio — Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, etc. — has an in-house production arm. But there are still independents working the market and increasing their own value in the process.
Here are the top movie and television production companies in the United States in terms of their contributions to major SVOD platforms, according to Reelgood’s Q2 2021 SVOD Catalog and Viewing Insights report.
Top Movie Production Companies in the United States
Top 10 U.S. Production Companies by SVOD Movie Viewing Share Reelgood
Top 10 U.S. Production Companies by Movies Available via SVOD Reelgood
While studios are often the owners of high-profile intellectual property, production companies can also come complete with their own war chest of IP. Amazon dropped $8.45 billion on MGM primarily for a library that includes Rocky, Legally Blonde, and partial rights to the James Bond franchise.
Looking at viewing shares among SVOD platforms in the United States during Q2 2021, Reelgood — a streaming aggregator that tracks every TV show and movie available online for its 2 million-plus users — determined which production companies’ libraries are generating the most attention among streaming audiences at the moment.
On the film side, Warner Bros.’ contributions to HBO Max are attracting the most views for the production company’s movies. That’s what happens when a studio releases its entire 2021 film slate day-and-date in theaters and on streaming. From Godzilla vs. Kong and Mortal Kombat through Space Jam: A New Legacy and The Suicide Squad, WB’s films have helped HBO Max recover from a rocky start. The streamer is on pace to add more than 11 million new subscribers in 2021.
Films from Walt Disney Pictures, the majority of which can be found on Disney+, dropped three places in the ranking compared to Q2 of last year. Universal Pictures and Columbia Pictures (Sony) went up in ranking, with the most views coming from Netflix even though most of both companies’ content are on Peacock Premium and STARZ, respectively. Sony is the only major studio without a premium SVOD platform, enabling them to sign lucrative licensing and content deals with the likes of Netflix, Disney, and Amazon. Paramount remained in second place, with Prime Video logging the most views for the company, although Paramount+ holds most of its catalog. ViacomCBS’s split content endeavors has put a ceiling on Paramount+, which likely could be performing better in the streaming arena.
Top TV Show Production Companies in the United States
Top 10 Prod Companies by TV Shows Available via SVOD as of June 30, 2021 Reelgood
Top 10 Prod Companies by SVOD TV Show Viewing Shares in Q2 2021 Reelgood
In terms of TV shows, Warner Bros. remains the most popular among streaming audiences. However, Netflix is the platform garnering the most eyeballs for the production company’s titles, as the streamer currently has the most series from Warner Bros. Television compared to other SVODs. These include saved originals such as Lucifer, licensed content such as Riverdale and Gotham, as well as day 1 originals such as The Kominsky Method.
Universal Television, whose small screen library is mostly are streaming on Peacock, and 20th Century Television rounded out the top three, buoyed by views from Hulu. Hulu’s licensed library remains one of the most in demand in the streaming field. The same is true for MGM and Paramount Television, though the latter’s catalog is mainly available through Paramount+.
Surprisingly, content from the British Broadcasting Corp. did not have enough viewing share to make the top ten, even though it currently has the most TV shows licensed by SVOD platforms, including its own BritBox streaming service, Prime Video, Hulu, and Netflix.

Nifty Nev

Alexa, Alexa doorbell, Amazon, Amazon Echo, How To, proactive evergreen, Smart Home | 24/08/202124/08/2021

Your Amazon Echo is packed with smart features that can vary based on the other smart devices you are using around your home. One capability that users may not know about is using the Echo as a doorbell chime, so whenever your doorbell is activated, your Echo will chime too, allowing you to hear it as long you’re near the smart speaker. Interested in setting that up? Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Install a compatible doorbell

Amazon’s Echo — and Alexa working with it — need a compatible smart doorbell to make a connection. Without the right doorbell, none of this is possible. Amazon has a whole list of various doorbells that are compatible with Alexa, but for this particular example, we’re going to choose a Ring Video Doorbell. Ring’s doorbells are some of the best video doorbells on the market, and they work very well with Alexa, so they make for an excellent demonstration. We also have a complete guide on how to install your Ring Doorbell.
Mount your video doorbell, make sure it’s turned on, and use the video doorbell app to set it up, connect it to your Wi-Fi, and get everything in working order. Once you are satisfied, it’s time to work with your Echo.
Step 2: Enable the corresponding skill on the Alexa app

Open up your Alexa app, select the More button in the lower-right corner, and then select Skills & Games from the new list.

Now you will want to search for the corresponding Alexa Skill for your smart device. Select the Magnifying Glass in the upper-right corner, and type in “Ring,” then select the Ring skill when it appears in the results.
Note: You can also say something like, “Alexa, search for new smart devices,” to get started, but this can be a little clunky if Alexa struggles to recognize the Ring Video Doorbell at first. It’s a good idea to use the app if voice commands aren’t working as well.
Step 3: Link the two devices

Select Enable to Use on the Ring Skill. Alexa will now walk you through the steps to link your Ring Video Doorbell to your Echo, starting with having you log in to the Ring app with your Ring account information (have this handy). Follow all the prompts, and give Alexa permission to access your Ring data when asked.
When you are finished, you should see a notification that the Ring Doorbell is now linked with Alexa. However, this doesn’t always mean that your Echo is fully connected yet. Wait for about a minute, then head to the Alexa app again, select Devices, and select All Devices. Look for your Ring Video Doorbell’s name to make sure the Ring Doorbell is found and connected. If it isn’t, select the Plus Sign in the upper-right so Alexa can locate it and connect properly.
Step 4: Visit your doorbell page on the Alexa App

Since you’re already in Devices, this next step won’t take long! Select your Ring Doorbell, and examine the settings. You will see two separate sections, one for Doorbell Announcement and one for Motion Announcement. You can enable both of them if you want, but for a true doorbell chime, you will want to make sure that at least Doorbell Announcement is enabled.
Now select the option that says Doorbell Sound. Here, you can pick from a variety of different chimes that your Echo will make when the doorbell is activated. Pick your preferred option here.
Note: If you have an Echo Show model, you can also command it to show a livestream of the Ring Video Doorbell’s feed whenever you get an alert. This saves some time if you are busy around your home and don’t have your phone handy to bring up a feed there.
Step 5: Check that your Echo is ready to chime

Your Echo should be ready to act as a doorbell chime now, but there’s one last step you should take. Head back to your Alexa app home screen and select Devices again, and then select All Devices and find the Echo that you want to chime. Select Communications from the Echo menu.

Make sure that Communications itself is enabled and that Announcements are enabled. Now you should be good to go!
Step 6: Add other Alexa skills as preferred
You don’t need to do anything else to receive doorbell chimes from your Echo, but if you want to experiment, you can check out skills like Door Chimes to add new sounds to your doorbell.

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Nifty Nev

Amazon, box office, disney, Marvel, MCU, Netflix, Sony, Spider-Man | 22/08/202122/08/2021

Despite what you may have heard, Disney isn’t buying Sony’s roster of Marvel characters. Sony
A quick perusal around the internet over the last 24 hours will reveal a juicy yet baseless rumor making the rounds: Disney is going to buy Sony Pictures specifically to acquire the remainder of the Marvel Comics character library. As enticing as this gossip may sound for comic book obsessives who would love to see the Disney-owned Marvel Studios complete its collection, logic has other plans.
Here’s every reason why Disney will not be buying out Sony when it comes to Marvel.
Sony isn’t for sale
Sony Pictures has long been a source of speculation when it comes to Hollywood’s ravenous merger and acquisition appetite. Sony Group, which was once rumored to be eyeing an exit from Hollywood to better focus on its core businesses, could make a pretty penny on the open market by dangling the entertainment division. But in May, CEO Yoshida Kenichiro shot down that possibility by reaffirming that Sony Pictures is not for sale. Definitively.
The CEO is happy with Sony Pictures’ position as the lone major content arms dealer in Hollywood, which has led to big money licensing deals with the industry’s biggest studios. Speaking of which…
Sony and Disney have already struck a licensing deal
Back in April, Sony and Netflix agreed to a massive Pay 1 window licensing deal rumored to be worth $3 billion. Two weeks later, the company struck a Pay 2 licensing pact with Disney. You simply don’t lock in those two long-term agreements if a sale is in the near-term future. (You also don’t go out and spend $1.2 billion to acquire anime streaming service Crunchyroll, as Sony did in April, if you want to rid yourself of your entertainment division). It’s just not a sound strategy and would further complicate a future sale, not expedite it.
And if you’re Disney, you don’t fork over a massive licensing sum for the less valuable Pay 2 window if you’re angling to buy the joint. Double dipping may be common at Super Bowl parties, but not at the corporate executive levels of Hollywood.
Disney probably couldn’t buy Sony
Disney has become known for its splashy acquisitions during the Bob Iger era. This include Pixar ($7.4 billion), Marvel ($4 billion), Lucasfilm ($4.05 billion), and Fox ($71 billion). Sony Pictures Entertainment could fetch around $30 billion, a tall order after such a spending spree over the last 15 years, even for a company with a market cap of $315 billion. While Disney isn’t going to turn away from a competitive advantage, the company doesn’t appear to be in the market for a major addition at the moment.
More importantly, the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission would have a conniption if such a move was proposed. Disney has already absorbed one major studio in Fox. Would regulatory powers really allow the company to acquire a second? Chair of the FTC Lina Khan has been vocal about her desire to crack down on monopolies. Though she’s mostly focused on big tech companies such as Amazon and Apple, a Disney power play of this magnitude would elicit backlash.
Sony is banking on its Marvel roster
The other reason Disney is unlikely to buy out Sony and acquire its roster of Marvel characters is because Sony is, uhh, using them! The studio is all in on its terribly named Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (SPUMC).
Tom Hardy’s Venom somehow earned $856 million worldwide back in 2018, Jared Leto’s Morbius and Venom: Let There Be Carnage are due out in the near future despite COVID-related delays, and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man may very well be reclaimed exclusively for Sony’s burgeoning continuity. Plus, there’s a Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel in the works.
In 2019, Sony tapped Phil Lord and Chris Miller (21 Jump Street, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) to create a Marvel TV universe for the studio with a five-year, nine-figure deal. Amazon Prime Video is expected to be the on-screen home for the upcoming deluge of series.
Spider-Man: Far From Home ($1.1 billion) is Sony’s highest-grossing film worldwide of all time. The studio isn’t throwing away its most prized asset(s) in a one-off deal when it can instead leverage them for lucrative recurring revenue and value long-term. As the lone high-profile third-party film and TV provider to an industry desperate for streaming success, Sony finds itself in a unique position cushioned with payment potential.

Nifty Nev

Amazon, best of everything, Home Theater, Movies & TV, Prime Series, streaming, T1E | 21/08/202121/08/2021

Whether you’re in the mood for romance (try Modern Love), action (The Boys), or maybe you want a good laugh (30 Rock), Amazon Prime Video is home to tons of great series. Many of them, like the first two mentioned above, are Amazon originals. The slate of originals includes quality programming, as is evidenced by Amazon Prime Video’s many Emmy nominations this year. But look through the library and you’ll also find other titles that are available to stream, including shows that aired on some of your favorite linear networks way back when. Not sure what to watch? We’re here to help you get the most out of your Amazon Prime subscription beyond keeping your supply of toilet paper sufficiently stocked each month.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best movies on Disney+.

How I Met Your Mother
“Ha-ave you met Ted?” Told from the perspective of Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) talking to his teenage kids in the year 2030, the premise of this sitcom is the story of how Ted met their mother. But like any long-winded dad regaling stories of his past, before Ted can recall how he met the love of his life, he waxes nostalgic about all of the women he dated first. Naturally, going into detail about being a single man in his late ’20s and early ’30s in New York means delving into everything else in his life at that time, including his career and, most importantly, his close-knit group of friends. The sitcom is Friends for a new generation, and the ensemble cast is made for comedy gold. While there are nine seasons and a total of 208 episodes to get through, it’s worth the investment of time, not only for the big reveal (who’s mom?) but mostly so you can finally be in on the joke when friends and family quote the endless one-liners and references from the show.
Created by: Carter Bays, Craig ThomasCast: Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson HanniganNumber of seasons: 9
Watch on Amazon Prime

Modern Love
A weekly column in The New York Times inspired this romantic comedy anthology series, which premiered in 2019 and features an impressive cast of A-list actors in the first two seasons of eight episodes each. The series follows various residents of New York City as they deal with the trials and tribulations of finding romance and keeping it alive in the modern era. Among the actors appearing in the series’ half-hour episodes are Kit Harington, Anna Paquin, Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy García, Dev Patel, John Slattery, Catherine Keener, Cristin Milioti, Sofia Boutella, Ed Sheeran, and Judd Hirsch.
Created by: N/ACast: Kit Harington, Anna Paquin, Ben Rappaport, Garrett Hedlund, Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy García, Dev Patel, Cristin Milioti, Ed Sheeran, Judd HirschNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

30 Rock
This satirical sitcom created by and starring Tina Fey was inspired by her experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live and ran for seven seasons, earning an astounding 103 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and winning 16 times over the course of its run. The series follows the showrunner of a sketch comedy series who’s forced to juggle the competing interests of her brash network boss, narcissistic actors, and sensitive writers as she attempts to keep her show on the air and successful. Along with Fey, the series’ impressive cast included Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Judah Friedlander, among other familiar faces.
Created by: Tina FeyCast: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Alec BaldwinNumber of seasons: 7
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Pursuit of Love
Set in pre-World War II Europe, Linda and Fanny are cousins who are on the hunt to find true love, marriage, and the perfect husband. But as their priorities change and their lives begin to go in different directions, their friendship is tested. With a decent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this British romance drama has been lauded for its spot-on casting and “stylish proceedings.” The New Yorker calls the series, which was created by Emily Mortimer (The Newsroom) and is based on the novel by Nancy Mitford, a “scathing satire of the British upper class.”
Created by: Emily MortimerCast: Lily James, Andrew Scott, Emily Beecham, Dominic West, Dolly Wells, John Heffernan, Beattie Edmondson, Assaad Bouab, Shazad Latif, Freddie Fox, Emily MortimerNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Underground Railroad
Imagine if the Underground Railroad, the hidden routes and safe houses that were used to help enslaved Black people escape in the 1800s, was an actual railroad? This is the premise taken in this historical drama based on the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. Made by the same creative team that produced the Oscar-winning film Moonlight, critics praise the “superb ensemble” and director Barry Jenkins’ “singular eye” and call the story “challenging and necessary.” At the heart of the story is Cora, who meets Caesar, and together they try to make it to the train and ride toward freedom.
Created by: Barry JenkinsCast: Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Aaron Pierre, Joel EdgertonNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Bones
If you’re looking for your basic and predictable yet thoroughly entertaining crime procedural comedy-drama, Bones will fit the bill. And there are a dozen seasons to get through. As is typical of the genre, each episode deals with a new FBI case file involving human remains and the special agent who works alongside a forensic anthropologist to try and solve it. Stories also delve into the personal lives of the main characters. Loosely based on the life of real forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs and her novels, it’s an interesting look at the intersection and debates between science and empirical evidence and faith and intuition.
Created by: Hart HansonCast: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, Eric Millegan, T.J. Thyne, Jonathan Adams, Tamara TaylorNumber of seasons: 12
Watch on Amazon Prime

One Mississippi
The death of a loved one does not seem like the most auspicious start to a comedy series, but One Mississippi is anything but conventional. Starring comedian Tig Notaro as a fictionalized version of herself, the show draws on several tragedies in her real life. Still reeling from breast cancer, fictional Tig returns to her hometown in Mississippi to witness her mother being taken off life support and decides to stay and reconnect with her stepfather and brother. Despite the depressing first chapter, One Mississippi is not an unrelenting drama. The show balances grief and joy in equal measure, examining the long, up-and-down process of trauma and recovery.
Created by: Tig Notaro, Diablo CodyCast: Tig Notaro, Noah Harpster, John RothmanNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Mr. Robot
As information technology creeps into every aspect of life, one can’t help but look at the people controlling that technology (corporations, government agencies) with a wary eye. The modern world, at times, seems like the prelude to a cyberpunk dystopia, at least the way Mr. Robot portrays it. The show follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a paranoid security engineer who, in addition to his day job working for a massive corporation, engages in acts of vigilante hacking.
When Elliot is courted by a mysterious activist-hacker known as “Mr. Robot,” he has a chance to use his skills for more than acts of petty justice. Mr. Robot has a grand plan to topple society, and Alderson could play a key role. Mr. Robot is a cyber-thriller with a keen grasp of the technology it represents, but don’t mistake technical accuracy for realism — the show dives headfirst down a rabbit hole of paranoia and espionage, with a plot that constantly challenges the viewer’s perceptions.
Created by: Sam EsmailCast: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly ChaikinNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Bosch
Titus Welliver plays Los Angeles homicide detective Harry Bosch in this Amazon Studios original series based on Michael Connelly’s series of novels. The first season of the critically acclaimed series has Bosch standing trial for the killing of a serial murder suspect while simultaneously confronting his past when a cold case involving a missing boy suddenly heats up again. After six well-received seasons, Bosch was renewed for a seventh and final season in February 2020.
Created by: Eric Overmyer, Daniel Pyne, Michael Connelly, Henrik Bastin, Pieter Jan Brugge, John MankiewiczCast: Titus Welliver, Annie Wersching, Amy Price-FrancisNumber of seasons: 7
Watch on Amazon Prime

Tales from the Loop
Inspired by the futuristic paintings and designs of Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, the Amazon original series Tales from the Loop centers on a small rural town where people live above “The Loop,” a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe. Duncan Joiner and Rebecca Hall star in this drama that aims to make the science fiction appear more real-life than ever.
Created by: Nathaniel HalpernCast: Duncan Joiner, Rebecca WilliamsNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Flack
In her first big television role since True Blood, Anna Paquin trades vampire blood for high heels as Robyn, a public relations executive from America navigating the industry in Britain. Despite her best efforts, however, it seems that at every turn, her clients, which include high-maintenance personalities in entertainment, fashion, and sports, keep getting themselves into ridiculous messes, leaving her (alongside her sassy colleagues) to pick up the pieces. Ironically, while Robyn always knows just what to do to get her clients out of tough situations, her sharp wit translates to self-sabotage when it comes to her own personal life.
Created by: Oliver LansleyCast: Anna Paquin, Sophie Okonedo, Genevieve Angelson, Lydia Wilson, Rebecca Benson, Arinze Kene, Marc Warren, Rufus JonesNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Man in the High Castle
World War II seems to be the most common source for the “What if?” scenario in fiction. The Man in the High Castle, based on Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name, starts with the premise that not only did the Axis powers win the war, but they also occupied the United States afterward, with Imperial Japan governing the West Coast and the Nazis controlling the territory east of the Rockies. The show follows a few different characters living in different regions as they try to endure the occupation and simultaneously investigate a mysterious film reel that depicts an alternate universe where the Allies actually won the war. Dick was a true visionary author, and The Man in the High Castle captures the otherworldly, authoritarian nature of the world he imagined. Rich with intrigue and superb direction, The Man in the High Castle is an exciting thriller. The series wrapped up its impressive run with November 2019’s season 4.
Created by: Frank SpotnitzCast: Alex Davalos, Luke Kleintank, Geoffery Blake, Rupert Evans, Luke KleintankNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Comrade Detective
In the 1980s, with the Cold War getting warmer, American pop culture produced a bounty of movies expressing the anxieties and patriotism of the era: Films like Red Dawn, or 1985’s lesser-known Invasion U.S.A. (starring Chuck Norris). Comrade Detective lifts the aesthetics of ’80s action cinema and filters them through a (sardonic) communist lens, following a pair of Romanian detectives investigating a plot by Western imperialists to subvert the communist order. The show — which is framed as an actual show from Romania, dubbed over in English with voices from actors like Channing Tatum and Joseph-Gordon Levitt — begins with detective Gregor Anghel (a hard-nosed cop who plays by his own rules but gets results) and his partner busting drug dealers, only for a sniper to shoot Anghel’s partner. Out for vengeance, Anghel and his new partner, Iosif Baciu, hunt the killer but stumble on a conspiracy of international proportions. Comrade Detective is a strange show even by the inventive standards of modern television, a parody wrapped in a layer of faux-authenticity, but its odd charms are worth watching.
Created by: Brian GatewoodCast: Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jenny SlateNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Americans
It’s 1981, President Ronald Reagan has just been elected, and like most Americans, Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) are enjoying the country’s rising prosperity as the Cold War heats up. Unlike most Americans, however, the Jennings are actually KGB spies. From that singular premise emerges one of the most exciting thrillers on the air today. The political intrigue is exciting, but what makes The Americans stand out is its focus on the Jennings’ marriage. In examining the tensions of married life, the show demonstrates that personal issues like spousal conflict can be every bit as exciting as geopolitical maneuvers.
Created by: Joseph WeisbergCast: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Holly TaylorNumber of seasons: 6
Watch on Amazon Prime

Dexter
Taking Jeff Lindsay’s dark and disturbing series of novels and turning them into a compelling crime drama mystery series, Dexter is easily one of the best shows to ever grace the small screen. The sub-par ending aside (redemption may come with the limited series revival), the story of a vigilante serial killer who learns to follow his father’s code and harness his dark urges to only kill criminals who “deserve it” will quickly get you addicted to its unique premise. Viewers find themselves puzzlingly rooting for and sympathizing with the title character (Michael C. Hall), even though he’s, well, a cold-blooded killer. Dexter struggles to appear “normal” despite just going through the motions of life, mimicking the behavior of others. His day job helps him accomplish his after-hours pleasures with ease: He’s a skilled blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police, using his access to research victims before he kills. It’s a deliciously devilish series that’ll have you anxious for the upcoming revival.
Created by: James Manos Jr. (based on Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay)Cast: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Erik King, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Desmond HarringtonNumber of seasons: 8
Watch on Amazon Prime

House
Over the course of eight seasons, actor Hugh Laurie turned the irascible Gregory House into one of pop culture’s most iconic physicians in this medical drama that ranked among the most popular shows in the world during its run. The series followed House as he used his unique insights to diagnosis puzzling illnesses while simultaneously battling his own addictions. Laurie’s unconventional medical genius was the show’s titular star, but his supporting cast played a big role in making House one of the highest-rated series in the U.S. between 2004 and 2012.
Created by: David ShoreCast: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Robert Sean LeonardNumber of seasons: 8
Watch on Amazon Prime

Red Oaks
Red Oaks doesn’t offer much in the way of length. However, while you could easily binge the entire three seasons over a single weekend, the casual pacing makes it more suitable for quick installments. Set during the 1980s, the show is centered on a young tennis player (Craig Roberts) who opts for a job at the exclusive Red Oaks Country Club during the summer between his sophomore and junior year of college. What ensues is a warm and heartfelt nod to the sex comedies that were a staple of that decade. Boasting dry humor and a solid ensemble that includes Ennis Esmer as the hilarious tennis pro, Nash, Red Oaks rises above the raucousness to create characters you really care about.
Created by: Gregory Jacobs, Joe GangemiCast: Craig Roberts, Jennifer Grey, Paul ReiserNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Tick
People who watched Fox in the early 2000s may have vague memories of a short-lived superhero sitcom called The Tick (based on the comic of the same name), in which a blue-costumed superhero played by the unmistakable Patrick Warburton dealt with supervillains and awkward situations. Amazon’s The Tick is a fresh adaptation of the franchise, with no Warburton in sight (he was just as disappointed as we were), but it maintains the comic’s absurd, cheerful sense of humor.
The show follows a superhero called The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz) and his companion, Arthur (Griffin Newman), who fight crime and investigate a conspiracy involving an infamous supervillain called The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley). The Tick is an upbeat palate-cleanser after years of more dour superhero tales, even if it only lasted two seasons before cancellation.
Created by: Ben EdlundCast: Peter Serafinowicz, Griffin Newman, Jackie Earle HaleyNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Invincible
With a star-studded cast and Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead universe, behind it, it’s no surprise that this new Amazon original series is already receiving rave reviews. While it’s an animated superhero series, Invincible isn’t a show to watch with the kids. As per Kirkman’s signature style, there’s a lot of violence and gore. At the heart of the story is Mark Grayson (voiced by The Walking Dead‘s Steven Yeun), the teenage son of the world’s most powerful superhero, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). Once Mark turns 18, he begins to develop his own superhero skills and must balance becoming Invincible with being a typical coming-of-age teenage boy, and learning the truth about his dad. Keep an ear out for the members of the Guardians of the Globe superhero team, loosely based on the Justice League, all of whom are voiced by Walking Dead cast members, past and present. Also lending their local talents to the series are A-listers like Zachary Quinto, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins, Seth Rogen, Mark Hamill, Mahershala Ali, and Zazie Beetz.
Created by: Robert KirkmanCast: Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. SimmonsNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime
Ken Woroner / BBC America
Orphan Black
In this critically acclaimed Canadian series, a young woman named Sarah (Tatiana Maslany) has a chance encounter with a woman who looks just like her. This sets Sarah down a path to discovering that she is one of several clones who have been created as part of an ongoing experiment. Soon, she is at odds with the corporation that created her and a mysterious organization that wants to get rid of her. It’s a fast-paced thriller that takes the time to explore themes of self-identity and bioethics. And Maslany does a beautifully captivating job of playing several clones, each of whom has very a distinct personality, mannerisms, and style. Her performance alone, which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 2016, is worth watching, with the fascinating story surrounding it as icing on the cake.
Created by: Graeme Manson, John FawcettCast: Tatiana Maslany, Jordan Gavaris, Dylan BruceNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Amazon Prime

Jack Ryan
Tom Clancy’s “Ryanverse” franchise makes the leap from film to TV with this spy thriller that premiered in 2018 and casts John Krasinski as the titular CIA analyst who finds himself investigating one far-reaching international threat after another. Lost co-creator Carlton Cuse serves as co-creator and executive producer on the Amazon Original series along with Krasinski and Michael Bay (among others), and the show has offered up two well-received seasons so far, with a third on the way.
Created by: Graham Roland, Carlton CuseCast: John Krasinski, Abbie Cornish, Wendell PierceNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams
You could call this Amazon Prime’s Black Mirror, and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Show is an anthology sci-fi series based on stories from the late science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, whose work inspired Blade Runner and Amazon series The Man in the High Castle. Electric Dreams‘ first season explores injectable consciousness, mind readers, humans beings replaced by robots, and a genocidal presidential candidate, to name a few. The production value is impressive, with Hidden Figures and Moonlight actress Janelle Monae playing an artificially intelligent robot in a metallic suit that looks convincingly realistic. Like Black Mirror, Amazon’s sci-fi series employs some major stars, including Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, and Anna Paquin. Those looking for a gripping dose of dark sci-fi will definitely find it here.
Created by: N/ACast: Geraldine Chaplin, Steve Buscemi, Richard MaddenNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Star Trek: The Original Series
A groundbreaking science fiction series from Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek follows the crew of the Starship Enterprise as they travel on a five-year mission of peace and exploration. Starring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in the roles that launched them into stardom, the Original Series’ 79 episodes serve as a cornerstone of television history that spawned nine more (and counting) TV series, both live-action and animated, and 13 feature films. Each episode explores timeless philosophical and social ideas. Star Trek also was famous for its ethnically diverse cast in the tumultuous 1960s, making the series far ahead of its time. Roddenberry envisioned a future where humanity would bring its best traits and ideals into space, and the show shares his boundless idealism. The primitive special effects can make Star Trek seem a bit cheesy to the modern eye, but even its most inept action scenes have a certain bizarre charm to them.
Created by: Gene RodenberryCast: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest KelleyNumber of seasons: 3

Chuck
Consumer tech clerk Chuck Bartowski suddenly finds himself at the center of an international battle between rival spy organizations in this series that aired on NBC for five seasons and starred Zachary Levi and Yvonne Strahovski. Levi portrays slacker hero Bartowski, whose college pal puts him on the CIA’s radar when he sends him an email containing many of the agency’s most important secrets — a treasure trove of data that ends up stuck in Bartowski’s brain. His predicament soon finds him paired with CIA agent Sarah Walker (Strahovski), who must work with Bartowski to use the information in his head and somehow keep him alive while doing so.
Created by: Josh Schwartz, Chris FedakCast: Zachary Levi, Yvonne StrahovskiNumber of seasons: 5
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Mozart in the Jungle
One of Amazon’s first original series was created by Roman Coppola, Jason Schwartzman, and Alex Timbers and stars Gael García Bernal, Malcolm McDowell, and Bernadette Peters as luminaries in the modern classical music scene. Not a bad get for the platform’s first show. Bernal stars as Rodrigo, the brash new conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra, whose style clashes with the more straight-laced symphony benefactors behind the scenes. However, his talent is undeniable, and as he strikes up a friendship with an up-and-coming oboist (Lola Kirke), it becomes clear that the two of them can bring out the best in each other.
Created by: N/ACast: Gael García Bernal, Lola Kirke, Malcolm McDowell, Bernadette PetersNumber of seasons: 4

Monk
An eight-time Emmy Award winner, Monk casts Tony Shalhoub as private detective Adrian Monk, who assists the homicide department of the San Francisco Police Department with various cases. His powerful deductive skills are matched only by his myriad phobias, which — along with his obsessive-compulsive disorder — complicate his work with police investigators. The series concluded its eight-season run in 2009 with a finale that wrapped up one of the show’s longest-running mysteries.
Created by: David HobermanCast: Tony Shalhoub, Traylor Howard, Ted LevineNumber of seasons: 8
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The Grand Tour
For years, the trio of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond drove cool cars and clowned around with each other on the BBC’s Top Gear. Despite their departure from that series, however, the good times keep rolling on The Grand Tour, which reunites the three snarky hosts for a show that is very similar in format to Top Gear. Episodes often feature studio segments and test drives on the show’s test track, the “Eboladrome.” As with Top Gear, the best episodes are the ones where the hosts venture to foreign lands, testing unique vehicles on unfamiliar terrain. For car enthusiasts or Top Gear fans not satisfied by that show’s new hosts, The Grand Tour is a welcome return to form.
Created by: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May, Andy WilmanCast: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James MayNumber of seasons: 4

Billions
Check out the first three of the current five seasons of this riveting Showtime drama that follows Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a ruthless hedge fund manager in New York who continues to grow his wealthy portfolio, and increase the power that comes with it. He doesn’t accomplish this on the up-and-up, though, and his sometimes illegal dealings have caught the attention of prosecutor Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), who is intent on taking Axelrod down. With a mix of fiction and storylines that mirror real-life financial crimes, the series has been lauded for its fresh narrative each season and new character introductions that represent a who’s who of the A-list Hollywood scene.
Created by: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross SorkinCast: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Malin Akerman, Toby Leonard Moore, David Costabile, Condola RashadNumber of seasons: 5
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The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
If you want to watch a star being born, stop what you’re doing and immerse yourself in Rachel Brosnahan’s work as Miriam “Midge” Maisel on the 1950s-set comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Midge is a housewife who pursues a career in stand-up comedy after her husband, Joe Maisel (Michael Zegen), unexpectedly leaves her. After a drunken, impromptu, and mile-a-minute stand-up set that ends with Midge being arrested, hard-nosed venue employee Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) takes Midge under her wing in hopes of molding a diamond in the rough. The show has won numerous awards and is on track for a fourth season.
Created by: Amy Sherman-PalladinoCast: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael ZegenNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Expanse
Imagine a future in which humans have colonized every part of the solar system. The Expanse turns that hypothetical future into a powerhouse sci-fi drama. The series is set 200 years from now and centers on a conspiracy that threatens to wipe out the human race. Don’t let the CGI effects and space setting fool you, The Expanse is a riveting drama that tackles the nuances of human conflict in a way that rivals shows like Game of Thrones and Westworld. Here’s a list of the best sci-fi movies on Amazon if you’re looking for more like this.
Created by: N/ACast: Thomas Jane, Steven Strait, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Cas Anvar, Dominique TipperNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Downton Abbey
Set in the English countryside shortly after the turn of the 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their hierarchy of servants. A fascinating look at the English aristocracy at the dawn of the modern age, Downton Abbey deftly balances historical drama with the steamy character-driven conflicts that exist within the family and the staff.
Created by: Julian FellowsCast: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim CarterNumber of seasons: 6
Watch on Amazon Prime

American Horror Story
The horror anthology that is Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, though novel, continues to surpass expectations with every passing season. Each essentially functions as a self-contained miniseries, focusing on a repertory cast of characters and a storyline that features its own beginning, middle, and end. Each season — whether it revolves around a coven of witches, an insane asylum, or a haunted house in the middle of Los Angeles — features lavish set pieces and campy aesthetics, which add to sterling performances from the likes of Lady Gaga and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning Jessica Lange. Many of the seasons even take jabs at current social issues, and they often leave a weird and wonderful impression. Well, that, and an awful taste in your mouth.
Created by: Ryan MurphyCast: Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott, Evan PetersNumber of seasons: 9
Watch on Amazon Prime

Upload
In 2033, people who are near death can be “uploaded” into virtual reality afterlives of their choosing. These VR afterlives are run by six tech firms, setting up a new kind of corporate competition over human death. When Los Angeles party boy Nathan’s (Robbie Amell) self-driving car crashes, his girlfriend uploads him into the luxurious Lakeview digital afterlife. There, he meets Nora, a customer service representative for Lakeview, who onboards Nathan to his version of heaven. The series follows their friendship as Nathan grows accustomed to life away from his loved ones while Nora balances her connection with the virtual Nathan with her real-life financial and personal struggles.
Created by: Greg DanielsCast: Robbie Amell, Andy Allo, Chris WilliamsNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Wilds (2020)
This addictive series captures the trials and tribulations of being a teenage girl, combining them with the trauma of being stranded on a deserted island following a supposed plane crash. The Lost meets angsty teen drama examines each young girl, all from very different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and the hardships they face back home that have shaped their reactions and actions on the island. But to survive the elements means banding together, despite their differences, to make it out alive, even though they all dread what the real world has waiting for them if they do eventually get back home. Viewers are let in on the juicy twist early: The girls didn’t end up on the island by accident. It’s a thrilling series that has quickly become one of the best Amazon originals.
Created by: Sarah StreicherCast: Rachel Griffiths, Sophia Taylor Ali, Shannon Berry, Sarah Pidgeon, Erana James, Jenna Clause, David Sullivan, Troy Winbush, Helena Howard, Reign Edwards, Mia HealeyNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Affair
What ripple effects do extramarital affairs have? This intriguing drama explores the answer to that question with a star-studded cast that includes Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, and Joshua Jackson. In a unique format, every episode is divided in two, with each half being told from the perspective of one party involved in the infidelity. Naturally, memory bias comes into play as events are recalled far differently by one person than they are by the other.
Airing on Showtime for five seasons, the first season, which is now available for streaming, focuses on the perspectives of husband and father Noah (West) and Alison (Wilson), a married waitress with whom he begins a torrid affair. Viewers get to see things from each person’s lens, with subsequent seasons focusing on other characters and how they view the situation.
Created by: Sarah Treem, Hagai LeviCast: Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, Joshua Jackson, Julia Goldani Telles, Jake Siciliano, and othersNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Amazon Prime

Small Axe
This British anthology film series by Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave) has garnered almost universal praise, with the first episode called Mangrove lauded for its strong performances and fierce convictions. It has been described as a “powerful indictment of institutional racism.” Organized as six independent films to make up season 1, episodes are set in the 1960s, ’70s, or ’80s, and each focuses on a different story that involves London’s West Indian community and its fight against racism and discrimination. Episode 1, which stars Leticia Wright (Black Panther, Black Mirror) and Shaun Parkes (Lost in Space), follows a group of Black protestors who are wrongfully arrested and charged with inciting a riot and the trial that follows. In episode 3, titled “Red, White, and Blue,” John Boyega (the Star Wars sequel trilogy) stars as a young Black man who wants to join the police force but must fight racism to achieve his goals of changing the institution from within.
Created by: Steve McQueenCast: Leticia Wright, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, John Boyega, and othersNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime
Luke Varley / Amazon Prime
Fleabag
At times introspective and moody, at others absurd and raunchy, Fleabag defies easy categorization. In its funnier moments — such as the intro, which is an elegant, extended soliloquy ending in a sudden smack of a sex joke — it is one of the sharpest comedies around (season 2 won the 2019 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series), but underneath it all runs a current of sadness. The show follows a lady known only as “Fleabag” (Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who took home Emmys herself for acting and writing), a neurotic woman juggling a failing business and disastrous personal life.
The term fleabag immediately conjures images of filth, and the protagonist’s problems run deeper than her name. Selfish, wanton, and a compulsive liar, she fits in with the various antiheroes that have become popular on television. Uniquely, Fleabag does not keep its damaged lead at a distance; she frequently speaks directly to the viewer in frantic monologues, offering insight into her unquiet mind.
Created by: Phoebe Waller-BridgeCast: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ben Aldridge, Sian CliffordNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Scrubs
Streaming services are flooded with various medical shows, but none quite like this comedy-drama that takes a far more comedic look at the life of medical interns (eventually doctors), nurses, hospital administrators, and even the hilarious hospital janitor. The chemistry between the two leads, Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who play co-workers, doctors, and super-close best friends (who often still act like they’re in college), is off the charts. But it’s the entire cast, brilliant writing, and unique concept that sees the protagonist John “J.D.” Dorian (Braff) narrating his story, interspersed with daydream sequences, that make it stand out from the many other more serious and intense medical dramas.
Created by: Bill LawrenceCast: Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, Judy Reyes, Eliza Coupe, Kerry Bishe, Michael Mosley, Dave FrancoNumber of seasons: 9
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Boys
Of all the superhero movies and TV shows out there, none of them are quite like The Boys, a dark, depraved deconstruction of super-powered heroes and villains. Based on Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic book series of the same name, The Boys follows a group of vigilantes who take it upon themselves to police the super-powered heroes who abuse their abilities and take advantage of the trust the public has placed in them.
As grim and shockingly violent as it is clever, the series is set in a world in which superpowers, corporate greed, and media consolidation have bled together to create a particularly frightening form of corruption. The audience sees it all through the eyes of Hughie, an average guy whose chance encounter with a superhero changes his life forever.
Created by: Garth Ennis, Darick Robertson, Eric KripkeCast: Jack Quaid, Elisabeth Shue, Jessie T. Usher, Karl Urban, Antony Starr, Erin MoriartyNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Mr. Bean
Rowan Atkinson drags audiences along on an adventure in ineptitude in this British sitcom created by Atkinson and Richard Curtis. Originally broadcast in the early 1990s, the 15-episode series follows the titular Mr. Bean (Atkinson) as he throws the most mundane tasks into chaos, pinballing from one scenario to the next as he goes about his day. The series earned international acclaim and countless awards for its simple, silly stories that often use little to no dialogue and rely on Atkinson’s gift for physical comedy.
Created by: Rowan Atkinson, Richard CurtisCast: Rowan AtkinsonNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Tumble Leaf
Tumble Leaf, Amazon’s heralded foray into the realm of children’s programming, is a stunning example of what a children’s show should be. The recent stop-motion title is based on the short film Miro and aimed at preschool-aged children, though it remains charming enough to entertain adults who want to further engage with their children.
Each episode follows Fig the Fox (Christopher Downs) and his science-centric escapades around the whimsical world of Tumble Leaf, a woodland locale laced with a melange of quirky creatures with whom Fig is friends. Together, the humanoid creatures discover how reflections, shadows, and other facets of our natural world work, examining the value of friendship and kindness as they do so. The scenery is as vibrant and colorful as are the characters, rendering it both eye candy and a conversation starter.
Created by: Drew HodgesCast: Christopher Downs, Zac McDowell, Alex TrugmanNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Dino Dana
If you’re looking for a family-friendly series for the young dinosaur enthusiast in your household that adults can enjoy as well, add Dino Dana to the list of must-see TV. The popular Amazon Original series is a spinoff of the Dino Dan series, but improves on the original show’s formula with better dinosaur effects, clever dialogue, and a diverse cast of characters that both kids and older viewers will find endearing. The series follows a young girl named Dana (Michela Luci) who uses her ability to see dinosaurs in the world around her to conduct “dino experiments” that not only teach her about the aforementioned creatures, but often teach a valuable lesson about life. The series encompasses three seasons and a feature-length film, Dino Dana: The Movie, which was released in September.
Created by: J.J. JohnsonCast: Michela Luci, Saara Chaudry, Nicola Correia-Damude, Amish PatelNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Amazon Prime

Alias
The show that really put now super-creator J.J. Abrams on the map, as well as its star Jennifer Garner, Alias is a sexy, high-octane thriller that aired on ABC for five seasons — all of which are available on Amazon Prime. The story follows superspy Sydney Bristow in her adventures and battles against shadowy intelligence agencies, along with her own wacky family. Famous for over-the-top characters, hilarious disguises, and jaw-dropping twists, Alias is alternatively good-humored fun and provocatively dark.
Created by: J.J. AbramsCast: Jennifer Garner, Victor Garber, Mia MaestroNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Amazon Prime

Catastrophe
One of Amazon’s most popular Original Series, Catastrophe follows two unlikely parents after a weekend tryst turns into a lifelong commitment. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney write and star in this series as an Irish woman and a Boston ad exec who have a torrid affair in London only to accidentally get pregnant. Despite this “catastrophe,” they decide to try to make it work. Delaney and Horgan are both outstanding as well-meaning, deeply temperamental people who are desperately trying to make the best of this new life they didn’t really choose.
Created by: Rob Delaney, Sharon HorganCast: Rob Delaney, Sharon HorganNumber of seasons: 4
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Transparent
A trailblazing, original series straight from Amazon, Transparent follows Maura Pfefferman (Jeffrey Tambor), a transgender woman who comes out to her family. Not content to merely present a novel premise, the show explores the relationships and neuroses of Maura and her children. A show that never wavers in its attempt to mine the depths of the human condition, it’s a bold offering from Amazon. Transparent is also the first show from a streaming service to win a Golden Globe for Best Series, which likely bodes well for the future of Amazon’s original content. Harassment allegations levied against Tambor put a damper on the show’s legacy, and the actor didn’t return for Transparent‘s final season, but it’s a special show anyway. It’s worth watching for its musical series finale alone.
Created by: Joey SolowayCast: Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Gaby Hoffmann, Jay DuplassNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Amazon Prime

Sneaky Pete
Amazon’s original series Sneaky Pete crafts a nail-biting drama out of an intricate case of identity theft. Marius Josipovic (Giovanni Ribisi) is a con man recently released from prison who assumes the identity of his former cellmate, Pete Murphy, who spent years regaling him with childhood stories of his tight-knit family (who he hadn’t seen since he was a child) and their bail bonds business. The show shines thanks to its ensemble of critically acclaimed actors including The Americans’ Margo Martindale, but the core of its brilliance lies in the clever writing. Watch all three seasons, which complete the series as it was canceled in 2019.
Created by: Bryan Cranston, David ShoreCast: Giovanni Ribisi, Marin Ireland, Margo MartindaleNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Amazon Prime

Undone
From the creators of BoJack Horseman, Undone is an Amazon Original Series that tells a young woman’s complex journey to solve the mystery of her father’s death and uncover the keys to her past. A genre-bending animated series, Undone sees Alma Winograd-Diaz (Rosa Salazar) come apart at the seams after a near-fatal accident induces visions of her late father, Jacob. The persistent visions begin to tap into a mysterious ability that allows her to pass through space and time, with the ultimate goal of stopping his untimely death.
Created by: Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Kate PurdyCast: Rosa Salazar, Angelique Cabral, Bob OdenkirkNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Poldark
After three years fighting in the American Revolution, Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) returns to his home in Cornwall, England, only to find his estate in shambles and his lover, Elizabeth (Heida Reed), married to his cousin. As Ross attempts to rebuild his family’s tin mines, he rescues a young woman named Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) and gives her a job as a maid. Making things more complicated for Ross is his rival, George Warleggan, an ambitious industrialist.
Based on a series of 20th-century novels, this adaptation of Poldark moves at a brisk pace befitting a modern show, deftly juggling romance, action, and political maneuvering.
Created by: Debbie HorsfieldCast: Aiden Turner, Heida Reed, Eleanor TomlinsonNumber of seasons: 5
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Hanna
Esme Creed-Miles stars as the title character, a young teenager who was raised in isolation in a remote forest in Poland with a man named Erik (Joel Kinnaman), who escaped the CIA with her. She was part of a program called UTRAX where children were given enhanced DNA to become super soldiers. But when Erik fell in love with Hanna’s mother, he fled with her to protect the young girl. Based on the 2011 film of the same name, and called a “gritty reimagining” of it, season 2 follows Hanna along her journey now that she knows who and what she is. She also discovers that UTRAX never actually shut down after her escape and that there might be other “sisters” out there like her.
Created by: David FarrCast: Esme Creed-Miles, Mireille Enos, Joel KinnamanNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Farscape
This cult-favorite series that premiered in 1999 follows a modern-day astronaut whose accidental journey through a wormhole finds him joining the colorful crew of a living spaceship in an unknown region far from Earth. On the run from a powerful military force known as the Peacekeepers, he and the crew attempt to find sanctuary — and a way home — in a strange galaxy. The award-winning series is notable for being a production of The Jim Henson Company and including multiple featured characters created by the company’s Creature Shop. The show’s four-season run was followed by a three-hour miniseries that concluded the story, and also inspired a long list of spinoff stories in novels, comic books, and other formats.
Created by: Rockne S. O’BannonCast: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony SimcoeNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Vikings
For those who enjoy the political maneuvering and messy military battles of Game of Thrones but want something a bit more grounded, Vikings is sure to please. A down-to-earth historical fantasy saga, Vikings chronicles the rise of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel) from farmer to legendary warrior. Ragnar sails around Northern Europe searching for plunder, accompanied by his warrior wife, Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick), and other allies.
It’s a grim series, drawing on the legends surrounding Viking raids in the Middle Ages. Although not the most historically accurate show, Vikings does maintain a grittier aesthetic than some of its fantasy contemporaries; there’s a lot of blood and a lot of mud.
Created by: Michael HirstCast: Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Alexander LudwigNumber of seasons: 6
Watch on Amazon Prime

Shaun the Sheep
From Aardman Studios — the creators of Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Creature Comforts — comes the children’s series Shaun the Sheep. Shaun is a sheep who doesn’t follow the herd. In fact, he often brazenly leads them into all sorts of madcap shenanigans around Mossy Bottom Farm. The show also features the iconic studio’s stop-motion animation and remains free of dialogue, which is actually a welcome reprieve for parents who simply can’t get on board with the high-pitched voices and exuberant makeup of many modern children’s shows.
Created by: Nick ParkCast: John Sparkes, Justin Fletcher, Richard WebberNumber of seasons: 6

Editors’ Recommendations

Nifty Nev

Amazon, box office, HBO, HBO Max, Netflix, Showtime | 20/08/202120/08/2021

Dwayne Johnson is among the highest-paid stars in all of Hollywood. Frank Masi/NETFLIX © 2021
The entertainment industry is currently trapped in a vortex of attention, skepticism and hard fought negotiations as it pertains to talent compensation, but its highest earners are still cashing colossal paychecks. As the ways in which major studios distribute their biggest products changes, so too must the ways in which Hollywood’s biggest stars are paid. In the pandemic, that has forced both sides to navigate the ever evolving landscape of shortened theatrical windows, premium video on demand, straight-to-streaming, and hybrid releases. This has led to some high-profile headlines surrounding Warner Bros.’ decision to send its entire 2021 film slate to HBO Max and Scarlett Johansson’s ongoing lawsuit against Disney over Black Widow.
But what does the actual top-tier A-list hierarchy look like in terms of Hollywood salaries? From the outside looking in, pretty darn comfortable! The envy-inducing totals these highly paid stars receive may sour your mood for the rest of the day. But thanks to Variety‘s reports on the biggest film and TV salaries, we at least have an understanding of modern talent compensation at the highest levels. Here’s the Top 10 for both mediums.
Film Salaries:

Daniel Craig ($100 million for two Knives Out sequels)
Dwayne Johnson ($50M for Red One)
Will Smith ($40M for King Richard)
Denzel Washington ($40M for The Little Things)
Leonardo DiCaprio ($30M for Don’t Look Up)
Mark Wahlberg ($30M for Spenser Confidential)
Jennifer Lawrence ($25M for Don’t Look Up)
Julia Roberts ($25M for Leave the World Behind)
Sandra Bullock ($20M for The Lost City of D)
Ryan Gosling ($20M for The Grey Man)

(Note: these sums include streaming backend buyouts)
Netflix’s $469 million acquisition of two Knives Out sequels from filmmaker Rian Johnson netted Daniel Craig a mind-boggling windfall. Who would have thought Benoit Blanc might out-earn James Bond? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has often been among Hollywood’s highest-paid stars and his upcoming universe-building collaboration with Amazon, the Christmas-themed Red One, is no exception.
What’s interesting to note about the film list is that five titles — Knives Out sequels, Don’t Look Up, Spenser Confidential, Leave the World Behind, The Grey Man — all belong to Netflix. Perhaps it’s no surprise that the Netflix Model of talent compensation, large upfront sums that buyout the backend, are becoming the norm across the industry.
TV Salaries:

Chris Pratt ($1.4M per episode for Terminal List)
Jeff Bridges ($1M per episode for The Old Man)
Bryan Cranston ($750k per episode for Your Honor)
Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis ($650k-$750k per episode for And Just Like That…)
Kate Winslet ($650k per episode for Mare of Easttown)
Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gillian Anderson ($600k per episode for The First Lady)
Pedro Pascal ($600k per episode for The Last of Us)
Steve Martin, Martin Short ($600k per episode for Only Murders in the Building)
Alec Baldwin ($575k for Dr. Death)
Brian Cox ($400k-$500k for Succession)

Not a single series among television’s Top 10 salaries hails from broadcast. Instead, the list is dominated by streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video (Terminal List), Hulu (The Old Man) and HBO Max (And Just Like That…) as well as premium cable such as HBO (Mare of Easttown, Succession, The Last of Us) and Showtime (The First Lady). It goes to show you where the small screen power lies these days. Variety also reports that Robert Downey Jr. is rumored to have earned $2 million per episode for A24’s Vietnam War thriller The Sympathizer on HBO, though the outlet did not include this on its official list.

Nifty Nev

Amazon, department store, News, Retail | 20/08/202120/08/2021

Amazon is planning to dramatically expand its brick-and-mortar footprint with the opening of large sites similar to department stores, a report claimed on Thursday, August 19.
The company that made its name with online shopping has in recent years taken a growing interest in physical outlets, opening bookstores, grocery stores, and premises selling its growing range of electronics, among other items.
But a Wall Street Journal report this week says the e-commerce giant is planning to open multiple “large stores” to “extend its reach in sales of clothing, household items, electronics, and other areas,” with shelves featuring Amazon’s own-label products as well as goods from “top consumer brands,” people with knowledge of the matter said.
The first openings are likely to take place in California and Ohio, with the stores expected to cover an area of around 30,000 square feet. That’s almost 10 times larger than Amazon’s existing 4-Star sites, and similar in size to the smaller stores that have been opened recently by the likes of Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
The Journal’s report comes a year after a similar one from the same publication 12 months ago that suggested Amazon could even move into sites vacated by the likes of Sears and J.C. Penney, whose businesses have been hit by Amazon’s hugely successful online operation. No, the irony of Amazon’s reported retail expansion will not be lost on those hammered by the company’s meteoric rise since its launch 27 year ago.
This week’s update from the Journal makes no mention of when Amazon might open its first large store, but the report appears to confirm that the Seattle-based company is moving forward with its apparent plan to further expand its physical retail presence.
While many may see it as a bold step considering the growing popularity of online shopping, the reported move suggests Amazon is enjoying success with its current retail outlets and is now ready to explore a new format in terms of its own store operations.
Amazon opened its first retail store six years ago as a way to sell more books. Since then, it’s launched more bookstores and opened cashier-free grocery stores called Go that use cameras to track customers’ selections before automatically charging their account. It also opened Amazon Fresh grocery stores and in 2017 acquired Whole Foods, which has around 500 sites. In a further expansion into real-world retail stores, Amazon launched its 4-Star format that offers popular items from its online site.

Editors’ Recommendations

Nifty Nev

Amazon, Amazon Prime, Home Theater, Movies & TV, movies and TV, streaming, what to watch | 20/08/202120/08/2021

We all succumb to a bout of binge-watching from time to time. But while it’s easy to binge half-hour comedies, it takes a truly great drama to suck you into episode after episode. Fortunately, Amazon Prime Video is loaded with binge-worthy dramas. While Prime Video doesn’t have the volume of original content that other major streamers do, it makes up for it with quality. Plus, it also offers an impressive lineup of dramas from other studios. If you’re looking for your next binge-able show, check out our list of the best dramas series that you can stream on Amazon Prime Video right now.
If you’ve already burned through the Amazon Prime Video catalog and need more ideas, we’ve also put together a list of the best original series on Amazon Prime Video.

Modern Love
Modern Love has previously been nominated in the Emmy Awards’ comedy categories, but it also works equally well as a drama. This anthology series has gathered a very impressive lineup of stars for one-off episodes, including Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andrew Scott, Andy Garcia, Cristin Milioti, Olivia Cooke, and more. Each episode tells a story that relates to love in some way, even if it’s not romantic. Platonic relationships are given their due, as are family and other entanglements. There are even episodes of self-reflection that allow the lead characters to make peace with their romantic past. And because the stories are so short, fans can quickly go from one tale to the next.
Created by: John CarneyCast: Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Andy García, Dev Patel, Arabella Olivia Clark, Caitlin McGeeNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is a breakout original series for TNT, but the first four seasons are currently on Prime Video as well. Finn Cole stars in the series as Joshua “J” Cody, a teenager who is brought into the fold of his criminal family. J’s grandmother, Janine “Smurf” Cody (Ellen Barkin), is the matriarch of the family, and few dare to cross her. J’s father, Barry “Baz” Blackwell (Scott Speedman), is also Smurf’s adopted son, alongside her biological children Andrew “Pope” Cody (Shawn Hatosy), Craig (Ben Robson), and Deran (Jake Weary). There’s definitely some sibling rivalry, but the family’s enemies come from within and without. It’s a jungle out there, and only the fittest will survive.
Created by: David MichôdCast: Ellen Barkin, Scott Speedman, Shawn Hatosy, Ben Robson, Jake WearyNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Vikings
History’s Vikings is not entirely accurate with history as we understand it. But it was a hit that found an audience both on History and on Prime Video. The show is loosely inspired by the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok (Travis Fimmel), a ninth-century Viking chieftain. Ragnar’s rise to power is explored in the early seasons before the focus shifts to his children and descendants who continued to carry on the family tradition. Living as a Viking is hard and not everyone is cut out for it. But this is where legends are born, and Valhalla is always calling.
Created by: Michael HirstCast: Travis Fimmel, Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf SkarsgårdNumber of seasons: 6
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Panic
Life in Carp, Texas isn’t exactly ideal, but would anyone die to escape being stuck in this small town? In Panic, the answer is yes. When her plans to leave are derailed by the theft of her college money, Heather Nill (Olivia Welch) joins Panic out of desperation. It’s an annual competition among the high school graduates for a chance to get a large cash prize that would let them reinvent themselves in a new place. But when the reward is great, so is the risk. Heather and her fellow competitors are risking their lives for a chance, and it’s not going to work out for everyone.
Created by: Lauren OliverCast: Olivia Welch, Mike Faist, Jessica Sula, Ray Nicholson, Camron JonesNumber of seasons: 1
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The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad takes more than a few liberties with the actual history of slavery in America. For example, the titular railroad is literally an underground railroad built to smuggle slaves out of the south years before the Civil War. But it’s still a very compelling story about Cora Randall (Thuso Mbedu) and her journey to freedom. After Cora and Caesar Garner (Aaron Pierre) flee from their owner, they are relentlessly pursued by a slave catcher, Arnold Ridgeway (Joel Edgerton). Along the way, Cora meets new friends and allies. But far too often, Cora winds up in more danger when she comes face to face with the dark side of America.
Created by: Barry JenkinsCast: Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Joel Edgerton, Fred Hechinger, Peter MullanNumber of seasons: 1
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DOM
Amazon Prime Video has expanded its international reach with the Brazilian drama DOM. This is a father-son story set against the drug trade in Rio de Janeiro. The father, Victor Dantas (Flavio Tolezani), is a cop who has fearlessly fought to bring down the dealers and cartels. However, his son, Pedro (Gabriel Leone), is an addict and a thief who is estranged from Victor. Regardless, Victor doesn’t give up on trying to save his son from himself. Through flashbacks, we see Victor as a younger man whose actions impact the present. And in the modern-day setting, Pedro’s choices threaten his father’s efforts to bring his prey to justice.
Created by: Breno SilveiraCast: Gabriel Leone, Flávio Tolezani, Filipe BragançaNumber of seasons: 1
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The Affair
Although The Affair was a Showtime original series, all five seasons are now on Amazon Prime Video. And as the title implies, the focus of the show is an extramarital affair between Noah Solloway (Dominic West) and Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson). Both Noah and Alison are unsatisfied or unhappy in their respective marriages to Helen (Maura Tierney) and Cole (Joshua Jackson). The most intriguing aspect of the show is that events are depicted differently from Noah and Alison’s perspectives, while Helen and Cole eventually share their own takes on the dissolutions of their marriages. Noah and Alison’s choices reverberate far into the future, sometimes with fatal consequences.
Created by: Sarah Treem, Hagai LeviCast: Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, Joshua Jackson, Julia Goldani Telles, Jake SicilianoNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Amazon Prime

Poldark
Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have a lot of historical romance dramas, but the British series Poldark fills that void nicely. The series stars Aidan Turner as Captain Ross Vennor Poldark, a British soldier who fought in the American Revolutionary War. After returning home to Cornwall in 1783, Ross discovers that his family life is in turmoil. His former lover, Elizabeth Chynoweth (Heida Reed), is now engaged to Ross’ cousin, Francis Poldark (Kyle Soller). And the Poldark family’s finances have taken a severe downward turn in his absence. But as Ross begins to rebuild, he finds new love with Demelza Carne (Eleanor Tomlinson) despite their different social backgrounds.
Created by: Debbie HorsfieldCast: Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Heida Reed, Ruby Bentall, Jack Farthing, Luke NorrisNumber of seasons: 5
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ZeroZeroZero
ZeroZeroZero is an Italian crime drama with a masterfully complex story that takes place in three countries. In Italy, Don Damiano “Minu” La Pian (Adriano Chiaramida) tries to revive the fortunes of his crime family with a massive shipment of cocaine. Don Minu’s grandson, Stefano La Piana (Giuseppe De Domenico), sabotages the deal, which causes problems in America as smuggling brokers Emma (Andrea Riseborough) and Chris Lynwood (Dane DeHaan) face severe consequences for the delay. And in Mexico, the Lynwood family’s interests with the narcos Jacinto Leyra (Flavio Medina) and Enrique Leyra (Víctor Huggo Martin) take a deadly turn in the ongoing battle with Mexican special forces.
Created by: Stefano Sollima, Leonardo Fasoli, Mauricio KatzCast: Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, Giuseppe De Domenico, Adriano Chiaramida, Harold TorresNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Hunters
Hunters is one of the most high-profile original series on Amazon Prime, thanks in part to Al Pacino headlining a TV show for the first time. Pacino plays Holocaust survivor Meyer Offerman, the leader of a group of Nazi Hunters in the late ’70s. Meyer brings Jonah Heidelbaum (Logan Lerman) onto the team following his grandmother’s death by a Nazi agent. FBI agent Millie Morris (Jerrika Hinton) also becomes involved as it becomes clear that Nazis are operating within the United States and covertly forming a Fourth Reich. This is about more than just revenge for the Hunters. And the battle is only beginning to take shape.
Created by: David WeilCast: Al Pacino, Logan Lerman, Jerrika Hinton, Lena Olin, Saul RubinekNumber of seasons: 1
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Tell Me Your Secrets
Tell Me Your Secrets runs through three interconnected stories about Emma Hall (Lily Rabe), Mary Barlow (Amy Brenneman), and John Tyler (Hamish Linklater). Years ago, Emma was the girlfriend of serial killer Xavier Samuel (Kit Parker), the man who murdered Mary’s daughter, Theresa Barlow (Stella Baker). However, Mary is convinced that Theresa is still alive. So she hires John to find Emma and get her some answers. But despite the passage of years, Emma’s life is endangered by another killer waiting in the wings. This is a tale of potential redemption, and not everyone is as innocent as they initially appear to be.
Created by: Harriet WarnerCast: Lily Rabe, Amy Brenneman, Hamish Linklater, Enrique MurcianoNumber of seasons: 1
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The Wilds
There are definitely some shades of Lost in The Wilds since it involves a group stranded on a seemingly deserted island interspersed with flashbacks and flash-forwards. But in this case, we know that there’s something off from the start. Gretchen Klein (Rachel Griffiths) invited Fatin Jadmani (Sophia Ali) and eight other teenage girls to attend her Dawn of Eve retreat. However, that was just a ruse to engineer a plane crash and allow Gretchen the opportunity to perform a sociology experiment by secretly observing the survivors through hidden cameras on the island. Naturally, there’s some friction between the girls. Yet their problems are far bigger than they imagine.
Created by: Sarah StreicherCast: Sophia Ali, Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause, Reign Edwards, Mia Healey, Helena HowardNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Them
It would not be inaccurate to say that Them is a spiritual descendant of American Horror Story, since both shows embrace a seasonal anthology format. But Them dives deeper into real-world horror in addition to its otherworldly thrills. Season 1 takes place in 1953, as Henry (Ashley Thomas) and Livia “Lucky” Emory (Deborah Ayorinde) move their family from North Carolina to Los Angeles in a bid to escape the racism of their former home. But the city of angels has plenty of racism bubbling just beneath the surface, and the Emory family has to deal with dark threats beyond the scope of their understanding as well as the malevolent actions of their own neighbors.
Created by: Little MarvinCast: Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Alison Pill, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Melody Hurd, Ryan KwantenNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Vineyard
The Vineyard is another recent addition to Amazon Prime Video that brings an international flavor to its epic tale of romance and tragedy in the 19th century. The story of Mauro Larrea (Rafael Novoa) and Soledad Montalvo (Leonor Watling) keeps them apart for most of the first season as they struggle to face challenges that threaten to destroy them and their families. But when Mauro and Soledad finally come face to face in Mexico, they find that they desperately need each other. And perhaps something greater can grow from their mutual attraction as well.
Created by: Susana López Rubio, Javier HolgadoCast: Leonor Watling, Rafael Novoa, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba, Juana AcostaNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Night Manager
The Night Manager has a cast that would be the envy of any movie or TV show, with Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie in the leading roles alongside Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, and Elizabeth Debicki. In this adaptation of John le Carré’s classic novel, Hiddletson plays Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier turned night manager for a luxury hotel. After Jonathan becomes too close to one of his guests, British intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Colman) uses that as leverage to convince him to help her take down an international arms dealer named Richard Roper (Laurie). But the deeper Jonathan goes into Richard’s world, the harder it becomes to pull himself out.
Created by: David FarrCast: Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, Elizabeth DebickiNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

Good Girls Revolt
Good Girls Revolt was one of the earliest original dramas on Amazon, and it probably should have had a much longer run than just a single season. Regardless, this is a compelling period drama that takes place in 1969. Patricia “Patti” Robinson (Genevieve Angelson), Jane Hollander (Anna Camp), and Cindy Reston (Erin Darke) are overworked and underpaid researchers at News of the Week. Slowly, all three women realize that their male counterparts are getting all of the credit and far bigger paychecks. As they come together to challenge the status quo at work, they also become more assertive in their personal lives.
Created by: Dana CalvoCast: Genevieve Angelson, Anna Camp, Erin Darke, Hunter Parrish, Chris DiamantopoulosNumber of seasons: 1
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Americans
Originally produced for FX, The Americans is a criminally underrated period drama set during the Cold War in the ‘80s. Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell play a seemingly all-American couple, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings. On the surface, the Jenningses are loving parents and loyal citizens. But in reality, Philip and Elizabeth are KGB spies tasked with some of the Soviet Union’s most dangerous espionage missions in Washington D.C. Although initially placed together in a loveless marriage, the Jennings’ feelings for each other become a reality even as Philip clearly has more of an affinity for his adopted country than his homeland.
Created by: Joe WeisbergCast: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Holly Taylor, Noah EmmerichNumber of seasons: 6
Watch on Amazon Prime

Billions
Billions is currently one of Showtime’s signature dramas, but Amazon Prime subscribers can watch the series through season 3. Paul Giamatti stars as Charles “Chuck” Rhoades, Jr., a U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York who is obsessed with bringing down Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a wealthy hedge fund manager whose activities tend to be illegal. Further complicating their rivalry is Wendy Rhoades (Maggie Siff), Chuck’s wife and a longtime employee of Bobby’s Axe Capital. Wendy also feels a great deal of loyalty to Bobby, which puts additional strain on her marriage to Chuck. This high-stakes cat-and-mouse game is still unfolding, and there are no winners yet.
Created by: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross SorkinCast: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Malin ÅkermanNumber of seasons: 4
Watch on Amazon Prime

Bosch
Police procedurals are pretty common on network TV, but less so on streaming services. Regardless, Amazon’s Bosch is among the best in the genre, and it is also a largely faithful adaptation of Michael Connelly’s novels. Titus Welliver stars as the title character, Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch. Harry is a homicide detective for the LAPD who has a knack for finding himself in trouble and in the middle of major cases. In addition to navigating his dangerous job, Harry also tries to maintain his bond with his daughter, Madeline “Maddie” Bosch (Madison Lintz). It’s never an easy road, but Bosch is a cut above other police dramas.
Created by: Eric OvermyerCast: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance ReddickNumber of seasons: 6
Watch on Amazon Prime

Downton Abbey
Streaming services tend to mine British TV shows to round out their programming, and Amazon picked a winner with Downton Abbey. This period drama was an international sensation for six seasons. It takes place in the early 20th century, as Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville) and his wife, Cora (Elizabeth McGovern), face the very real prospect that their ancestral home, Downton Abbey, may not be inherited by their daughters despite their plans. Additionally, the series fleshes out the lives of the Crawley family’s servants and support staff, many of whom have romances, personality clashes, and even betrayals in the name of advancing their lot in life. There’s always intrigue in Downton Abbey, whether from above or below.
Created by: Eric OvermyerCast: Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Phyllis Logan, Jim CarterNumber of seasons: 6
Watch on Amazon Prime

Homecoming
Amazon recruited Julia Roberts to headline its original thriller, Homecoming, and it’s one of the most compelling shows on Prime. In season 1, Roberts plays Heidi Bergman, a social worker for the Homecoming Transitional Support Center. In the past, Heidi’s job was to help U.S. war veterans readjust to civilian life. A few years later, Heidi is working as a waitress with few memories about her time at Homecoming. But when Heidi eventually goes looking for answers about her missing past, she won’t like what she finds. Season 2 picks up with a new story, as Janelle Monáe’s Jacqueline Calico also finds herself bereft of her memories and her identity.
Created by: Eli Horowitz, Micah BloombergCast: Julia Roberts, Bobby Cannavale, Janelle Monáe, Stephan JamesNumber of seasons: 2
Watch on Amazon Prime

House
House really turned medical procedure dramas on their ear, thanks to a dynamite performance by Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House. The good doctor is uncommonly talented when it comes to diagnosing patients, but less so when it comes to bedside manners. Additionally, Dr. House is less than shy about telling his patients what he really thinks of them. But at the end of the day, House and his team — Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer), Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps) — will do anything and everything they can to save lives.
Created by: David ShoreCast: Hugh Laurie, Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer MorrisonNumber of seasons: 8
Watch on Amazon Prime

Mr. Robot
Hackers have become fairly commonplace in fiction, but Mr. Robot is one of the few dramas that has actually made it compelling in and of itself. Rami Malek stars as Elliot Alderson, a gifted hacker turned cybersecurity engineer for Allsafe. Elliot also deals with crippling depression and mental illness. The titular Mr. Robot (Christian Slater) introduces a new level of chaos to Elliot’s life when he recruits him for a mission to destroy all records of debt within the files of Allsafe’s biggest client. No matter which path Elliot chooses, he will have to compromise himself.
Created by: Sam EsmailCast: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, Portia DoubledayNumber of seasons: 4
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Small Axe
Small Axe is the junction where television and film intersect. Writer and director Steve McQueen created Small Axe as an anthology series that explores the lives of London’s West Indian immigrants from the ‘60s to the ‘80s. Each episode stands alone as a full-length film, with a fantastic lineup of performers that includes Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Malachi Kirby, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Alex Jennings, and Jack Lowden.
Created by: Steve McQueenCast: Letitia Wright, Shaun Parkes, John Boyega, Sheyi ColeNumber of seasons: 1
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The Expanse
The Expanse has been favorably described as a sci-fi series with the scale and gravitas of Game of Thrones. The show’s large ensemble cast navigates a difficult future in which humanity has colonized the solar system. However, Earth and Mars are locked in a buildup to war, while the Belters in the outer colonies feel exploited by both factions. During this volatile period, James Holden (Steven Strait) and the surviving members of his crew stumble across the biggest conspiracy in human history and proof that an alien protomolecule exists. However, the protomolecule has an agenda of its own, and it may wipe out humanity in its wake.
Created by: Mark Fergus, Hawk OstbyCast: Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, Thomas JaneNumber of seasons: 5
Watch on Amazon Prime

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
It’s a testament to the skill behind The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel that the series works equally well as a drama and a comedy. Rachel Brosnahan stars as Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a housewife in the late ‘50s whose husband, Joel (Michael Zegen), abandons her and their children. In response, Midge strikes out on a daring career as a standup comedian, with Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) as her manager. However, Midge makes an enemy out of Sophie Lennon (Jane Lynch), a rival comedian who becomes eager to crush her competition.
Created by: Amy Sherman-PalladinoCast: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen, Marin HinkleNumber of seasons: 3
Watch on Amazon Prime

Editors’ Recommendations

Nifty Nev

Amazon, Amazon 2021, commerce 2021, Deals, Home Theater, Home Theater Deals, TV Deals, TVs | 19/08/202119/08/2021

If you’re shopping for a new television, don’t make the mistake of overlooking Amazon TV deals during your hunt. Everybody knows this online retailer sells everything from tech gadgets and entertainment media to clothes and even groceries now, but when it comes to big items like televisions and furniture, many people still grab their car keys and head off to their local big-box stores.
With these Amazon TV sales, however, you don’t even have to leave your couch to shop some great 4K TV deals (or even 8K TV deals if you like to live on the bleeding edge of technology). And we can give you an even bigger edge over other shoppers because we’ve already put together a hand-picked list of all the best Amazon TV deals available right now. If your home theater could use an upgrade, read on:
Today’s best Amazon TV deals

Should you buy a TV at Amazon?
Amazon sells about every product that can be purchased online, but somewhat surprisingly, this online retail giant can be a little hit-and-miss when it comes to pricier tech such as laptops. However, that’s generally not the case with TVs. This is to say that you should definitely consider buying a television here, as there are always some solid Amazon TV deals on tap.
In fact, Amazon TV sales are usually every bit as good or even better than Walmart TV deals and Best Buy TV deals, and it’s not uncommon to see the exact same bargains that you’ll find in big-box stores also just a mouse-click away on Amazon. Amazon is increasingly competing with brick-and-mortar retail stores while those same big-box outlets are trying to compete more aggressively with Amazon’s dominant online presence, with the real winner of this contest being you, the savvy shopper.
Amazon is a particularly great place to find Fire TV deals. Although the retailer doesn’t yet make its own branded televisions (its Fire TV streaming devices notwithstanding), a couple of TV brands make sets that use Fire streaming software, and they go on sale on Amazon a lot. If you’re a Prime member who streams a lot of Prime Video, or if you already use a Fire device and want a TV that shares this software ecosystem, then Amazon TV sales should be the first ones you check out.
Of course, Amazon carries almost all the popular brands of 4K and 8K televisions, so your selection is hardly limited here. If you don’t quite know what you’re looking for yet and need some more info before you set off to find any Amazon TV deals, though, then read on for some buying advice.
How to choose a TV
Pretty much all of the big TV brands — LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Toshiba, and Vizio, among others — can be found on Amazon, so you’ve got a lot of options to choose from when shopping for Amazon TV deals. Before you jump in, though, it’s a good idea to decide on a budget and familiarize yourself with today’s smart TV market, which will help you to find the right set for your needs as well as make it easier for you to get the most bang for your buck. The first thing you should do is figure out what size TV is best for the room you plan to put it in. Then, it’s time to start looking at different panel types and resolutions.
Ultra HD, more commonly known as 4K (referring to its horizontal pixel resolution), is the industry standard now, although newer 8K televisions have also started hitting the market lately. These 8K panels offer 4x the resolution of 4K, just as Ultra HD boasts 4x the resolution as 1080p. However, 8K TVs are still pretty cutting-edge, and as of 2021, they’re incredibly expensive. That’s not to say you shouldn’t buy one — but our advice is to wait a while for prices to come down.
If you want an upgrade over standard 4K UHD, then you might instead want to consider looking for QLED and OLED televisions among these Amazon TV sales. These are more advanced LED technologies that enhance (or replace, in the case of OLED) traditional backlighting. Typically, LED panels — be it a flat-screen TV or computer display — are illuminated from the back and sides by “backlights” placed inside the television frame. This design is simple and effective but sometimes inefficient. You can see distracting light bleed and artifacting during darker scenes, and black will often look more like dark gray because the screen is lit up as long as the TV is on.
QLED (quantum-dot light-emitting diode) and OLED (organic LED) attack these problems in unique ways. QLED panels feature tiny nanoparticles that capture light, amplifying it to produce greater contrast and more vibrant colors than standard LED displays. They can’t fully recreate true black contrast, however, but OLED does. In lieu of traditional backlighting, OLED screens utilize individual particles that light up independent of one another, allowing parts of the panel to be completely unlit even when the TV is on. This makes OLED TVs capable of recreating truly dark colors (such as during nighttime or space scenes) without the washing-out and artifacting you often see with standard LED displays.
As you might expect, these technologies come at a premium. QLED TVs are more expensive than LED TVs, and OLED TVs are the most expensive of the three. Prices have come down a bit in recent years, though, and you can even find some sub-$1,000 QLED televisions among these Amazon TV deals nowadays. For an OLED television, you can still expect to pay four figures. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not the juice is worth the squeeze.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with good old LED TVs, and these provide a lot of value if you’re not the type who needs (or wants to pay for) the latest bells and whistles. Brand-name 4K LED TVs from trusted makers will still deliver great picture quality and viewing enjoyment for streaming and gaming even if they don’t offer the most refined dynamic contrast and the absolute best color accuracy. For most people, particularly those on a budget, these more common 4K LED sets will do just fine, with the added benefit of being considerably cheaper than their QLED, OLED, and 8K counterparts.
We’ve so far assumed that you’re looking for a 4K TV, but if you’re specifically in the market for something on the smaller side, there are still 720p HD and 1080p full HD sets on the market, and you’ll definitely see those when shopping through any Amazon TV sales. For anything over 40 inches, we strongly recommend sticking with 4K, but full HD is viable for a screen that’s in the 30- to 40-inch bracket (720p is a little long in the tooth in 2021).
Finally, don’t get too hung up on what pre-loaded software your smart TV comes with, whether it’s Roku, Android, Samsung Tizen, LG WebOS, Fire, or something else. All of these can run the most popular streaming apps and services, so you won’t get locked out of your content libraries. Only let this guide your search for Amazon TV deals if you already have a smart streaming software ecosystem you really like and want to stick with.
We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and we choose what we cover carefully and independently. The prices, details, and availability of the products and deals in this post may be subject to change at anytime. Be sure to check that they are still in effect before making a purchase.Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

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Nifty Nev

212 Fifth Avenue, Amazon, Blue Origin, celebrity homes, celebrity real estate, Manhattan | 19/08/202119/08/2021

Jeff Bezos is building a mansion in the sky in New York.
Even though nearly 200,000 internet trolls signed a petition to prevent Jeff Bezos from returning to Earth after Blue Origin’s inaugural flight last month, the Amazon founder and executive chairman did, indeed, safely land from his spaceflight on July 20.
Aside from embarking on his first-ever space adventure and getting into big disputes with NASA, the billionaire has also been keeping busy creating a truly palatial mansion in the sky in New York. Bezos just purchased yet another sleek apartment at 212 Fifth Avenue, the same building where he already owns a three-story penthouse as well as the three units directly below.
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Bezos paid precisely $23 million for his latest 4,155-square-foot apartment on the 20th floor of the Flatiron condominium, according to the New York Post. Bezos reportedly reached a deal for the four-bedroom, four-bathroom aerie in July, and closed earlier this month.
A foyer with coffered ceilings and marble floor leads into the apartment. There are high ceilings and solid hardwood floors throughout, as well as plenty of gallery walls to display artwork.
212 Fifth Avenue.
The kitchen is equipped with Gaggenau appliances, milled wood cabinetry and Calacatta marble countertops, as well as a large center island and built-in seating nook. It’s open to a dining area.
The owner’s suite contains a bathroom with radiant heated stone floors, Carrara marble walls, a freestanding tub and a steam shower, with Waterworks fixtures. There’s also a large walk-in closet.
Bezos’s newest real estate acquisition brings his spending total in the 24-story building to a staggering $119 million, which is an absolutely obscene amount of money but apparently doesn’t put much of a dent in the bank account of a man who is worth over $190 billion.
While it’s not entirely certain what Bezos plans to do with his *five* apartments in the ritzy building, he previously filed permits to combine at least three of the units, so it seems likely that the billionaire is creating a ridiculously over-the-top five-story mansion in the sky. Sure, it might not be the same view as from the Blue Origin flight (which were apparently somewhat subpar), but the New York City vistas are still quite nice.

Nifty Nev

Amazon, bitcoin, blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Kroger, Overstock, tZero, Walmart | 18/08/202118/08/2021

America’s largest retailers are rumored to plan accepting Bitcoin as a payment method. Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images
From Square to PayPal, Silicon Valley’s fintech companies are embracing Bitcoin as if it’s the real future of money. But as economists say, Bitcoin is not a real currency until everybody uses it day to day for grocery and household shopping. That day could come soon, as the nation’s largest retailers seem to be mulling their own cryptocurrency efforts.
Walmart, the largest retailer in the U.S., on Sunday posted a job opening on its website looking for a “digital currency and cryptocurrency product lead.”
Based in the company’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, this person will be responsible for “developing the digital currency strategy and product roadmap” and “identify technology and customer trends and the investments needed to build on those trends,” according to the job posting.
The ideal candidate should have more than 10 years of experience in product or program management and “possess significant functional knowledge of the cryptocurrency ecosystem and players involved.”
It’s the first senior-level crypto position Walmart has put out. Three weeks earlier, the nation’s second largest retailer, Amazon, made a similar move, posting a job ad for a “cryptocurrency and blockchain lead” who can “leverage domain expertise in blockchain, distributed ledger, central bank digital currencies and cryptocurrency…to drive overall vision and product strategy, and gain leadership buy-in and investment for new capabilities.”
In February, Amazon posted a blockchain position for a digital currency project in its Mexico office.
An anonymous insider told the British newspaper City A.M. in July that Amazon was planning to accept Bitcoin as a payment method and was ready to launch a “full-on” cryptocurrency project. However, Amazon later denied such speculation. “Notwithstanding our interest in the space, the speculation that has ensued around our specific plans for cryptocurrencies is not true,” an Amazon spokesperson said.
Walmart hasn’t responded to Observer’s inquiry regarding its crypto efforts.
Some retailers have experimented with cryptocurrencies in their own ways. Most haven’t found a meaning use for their core business.
In 2014, the struggling e-commerce site Overstock became the first major general retailer to accept Bitcoin as payment. Four years later, the company launched a cryptocurrency trading platform called tZero and a digital token of the same name through its blockchain subsidiary, Medici Ventures. Since then, Overstock’s stock price has been heavily influenced by fluctuations in the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, rather than its retail business.
Last November, Kroger partnered up with cryptocurrency exchange Lolli to reward shoppers with Bitcoin on grocery orders.
Tesla, which sells electric vehicles, software and solar panels online, briefly accepted Bitcoin as a payment method earlier this year before CEO Elon Musk paused the program for environmental reasons.

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