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What I’m Watching: Netflix, Amazon Prime & more!

ByAnn Drake

Today we’re going to talk about one of my guilty pleasures…too much TV. I love to sit and watch something that will make me feel better. Or let me visit someplace I would never otherwise see. Or make me smile.

Or sometimes, if I’m really lucky, all three. 

I have been watching shows on Amazon Prime Video for a while but am a Netflix newbie. For those of you who are curious, Amazon Prime Video is one of the perks of being a member of Amazon Prime. It’s an app you can download on your phone or tablet. Netflix is sort of like a giant online video store. Both have free 30-day trial memberships if you would like to try either one, or both. They can also be watched on a Smart TV.

I’ve listed all my current (and past) favorites in no particular order. Let’s go!

 

Sense & Sensibility (2008) | Watch on Amazon Prime
Poldark Seasons 1 & 2 | Season 1 on Amazon Prime. Season 2 coming soon.
The Halcyon | No longer available
Downton Abbey | Watch all 6 seasons on Amazon Prime.

  • This version of Sense & Sensibility is my favorite…and I think I’ve seen them all. I love Hattie Morahan as Elinor and Barton Cottage is absolutely perfect. The only thing that’s not in the other versions is an unnecessary duel between Colonel Brandon and Willoughby…but I didn’t mind it because it’s sort of exciting. Ha!
  • If by some chance you have not watched Seasons 1 & 2 of Poldark, they are a must see.
  • The Halcyon starts at the beginning of WWII and was touted as “the next Downton Abbey.” It’s entertaining and had me hooked from the first show, but it’s slow and the characters are hard to get to know. Definitely NOT the next Downton but still a good show to watch. 
  • I am still watching Downton Abbey. Not too long ago I started from the beginning and watched all the way through to the end of Season 6…and then I did it again. I occasionally watch my favorite episodes when nothing else is on TV. My favorite season is Season 2 and I’m not sure I will ever tire of watching it. Maybe at some point but not yet!

 

 Victoria | Available on Amazon Prime for $19.99 or watch for free
with an Amazon Prime Masterpiece subscription.
The Crown | Watch on Netflix 
Grantchester | Watch on Amazon Prime
Call The Midwife | Watch first 5 seasons on Netflix
Season 6 episodes coming soon.

  • Victoria is the story of Queen Victoria and is airing now on PBS. If you’ve missed any episodes they can be watched on Simply June. It’s beautifully shot and the costumes are stunning. Some things aren’t historically correct which annoys me…but I decided to let that go and just be entertained. Victoria does not disappoint.
  • The Crown is a Netlix original about Queen Elizabeth II and is fascinating. It starts when she was about 25 but has flashbacks to her childhood. I read in Vanity Fair that the tab for the first season was in the neighborhood of $100 million dollars. That is a lot of moolah! They are already filming season 2 and rumor has it you will be able to watch it by the end of the year. 
  • Grantchester is another show shot in the U.K. and is the story of a small town vicar and his detective friend. It takes place in the 50’s in (where else?) Grantchester, which is near Cambridge. The main character is played by the dashing James Norton, who was also featured in War and Peace. There are two seasons, a Christmas special and a third season on the way. Definitely one to watch. 
  • I’ve watched Call The Midwife since the first episode and am still a huge fan. The story revolves around Nonnatus House, which is a convent in the East End of London, and takes place in the 1950’s. The nuns are midwives and are joined by lay nurses who are trained as midwives. Spectacular story-lines and acting have kept this show going for six seasons. I look forward to every episode.

 

Sully | Watch on HBO on Amazon Prime
The Light Between Oceans | Watch On Demand/Purchase or Rent
on Amazon Prime
Heartland | Seasons 1 – 6 on Amazon Prime | Season 1 – 7 on Netflix | Season 8 on UP Faith & Family

  • What can I say about Tom Hanks that hasn’t already been said? I fell in love with him when he played Jim Lovell in Apollo 13 and his latest movie, Sully, made me love him even more.  Based on the story of the “Miracle on The Hudson,” the movie tells the true story of how Captain Sully Sullenberger saved a plane filled with people by landing a jet on The Hudson River in New York City. Laura Linney plays Sully’s wife but she and Tom Hanks never have a scene together. Every scene is shot with them talking on the telephone, which I thought was interesting and frustrating at the same time. This movie will make you feel better about the human race and make you smile. I promise. 
  • The Light Between Oceans is a sad but hauntingly moving story of a married couple living on the coast of Australia and takes place just after World War I. They are the caretakers of a lighthouse and the scenery is breathtaking. There were a couple of jaw-dropping moments in this movie that I didn’t see coming. I also had a very good cry towards the end and that always makes me feel like I got my money’s worth. Definitely one to watch if you like love stories. 
  • Heartland is a Canadian TV show that I never heard of until a few months ago. My dad actually told me about it after finding it on Netflix. It’s the story of a family living in Alberta on a horse ranch. I’m not a horse lover but you don’t have to be to like this show. This family has drama, they disagree and they get hurt…but at the end of the day, they stick together like glue. I love that and I love this show. The first season was a bit hard to get through but after that, I enjoyed every single episode. It’s currently in its 10th season, which is amazing for a TV show these days. That should tell you something for sure. 

More favorites on Netflix:

  • Foyle’s War
  • Broadchurch (There are three seasons. I binge-watched the first season and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Seasons 2 & 3 are good but a bit slower.)
  • Anne with an “E” (another version of Anne of Green Gables)
  • Shetland

Regular TV

  • This is Us: If by some chance you have not watched this show, which airs Tuesday on NBC at 9 p.m. EST, then you have a treat in store. Fire up your On Demand and settle in for a binge-watching party. It’s the story of a family in Pittsburgh that’s told in flashbacks. One scene will be current day and the next will be a flashback. It keeps you on your toes and on the edge of your seat. It’s heartwarming and real. It’s the best thing on TV right now…in my opinion of course. 
  • I still watch Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal…although Scandal has gotten so violent that I am having a hard time with it. I am waiting patiently for Designated Survivor and Dancing With The Stars to start up again next month.

I got in the bad habit (at least I think it’s bad) of working in the evening when there was nothing on TV that I wanted to watch. I felt like I worked all the time. When I started watching Amazon Prime and Netflix, it gave me something to do in the evenings and I found it very relaxing. I close my computer and take a bit of time for myself. One thing that was a game changer for me was getting a Smart TV. I used to watch everything on my phone but the Smart TV is much better and way easier on the eyes! Another option is an Apple TV. This gets hooked to your regular TV so you can access channels via WiFi and is quite affordable. 

**Some links on this page lead to shops and websites (like Amazon) where I am an affiliate. This allows me to make a small commission without changing the purchase price for you. Click HERE for my complete Disclosure Statement. 

Click to: Join Amazon Prime – Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime – Start Free Trial Now.

Click to: Start your free trial of Netflix.

Here is my Smart TV: 40 inch Samsung Ultra HD Black TV. There are probably a ton of great sales out there for President’s Day. Now is the time to get a good deal!

Thank you for “tuning in” today. If you have a favorite show that you’d like to share, please leave us a comment. I’m always looking for something new to watch!

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68 Comments

  1. Thank you (and your readers who posted comments) for sharing these wonderful recommendations. I, too, have an empty nest and after decades of crazy busy nights, the evenings now can be long and boring. I will definitely explore these options and look forward to more enjoyable and worthwhile downtime. Thanks again!

    Reply

  2. I am so excited to have found your blog. I was looking for photography hints and tips and have not been disappointed. Your photos are wonderful. It gives me hope.

    I also love everything about your blog. You and I are kindred spirits in the things we love and love to do.

    Thank you for all your freebies also.

    Looking forward to spending a lot of time here on your blog.

    Thank you,
    Margaret

    Reply
  3. Sheila DelCharco says:

    I needed some recommendations! Hubby and I are watching This is Us and The Crown together. I needed some stuff I could watch on my own and now I have a great list! Thank you for your recommendations!

    Reply
  4. Love Puns says:

    This is a great list, Ann. So many good TV shows this year. You can hardly do anything else than watch TV… -Love :)

    Reply

  5. Perhaps you should mention OUTLANDER on STARZ coming this year in September. This is season 3. Diana Gabaldon has written 8 novels that tell of Clair, a former Army nurse and Jamie (What can I say of this Scottish warrior that women adore) in 18th century Scotland. Wow! What a book and tv series! Fabulous scenery and exciting adventures plus fantastic characters and last of all, sensual love scenes. Check it out, Ann.

    Reply
  6. Rosemary Shea says:

    Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon!

    Reply
  7. Alexandra says:

    We have a 3 smart TVs (family room, bedroom, summer cottage), so I put Netflix, Simply June, etc. on my laptop. I attach the laptop to the TV of choice with an HDMI cable and watch my (many) shows on a 48 inch screen. I bought the cable at Amazon and it came to the door.
    We are just finishing ‘The Doctor Blake Mysteries’ and are about to start ‘Doctor Finlay’, set in Scotland after the war. We also enjoyed ‘Shetland’ and ‘Hinterland’ on Netflix.

    Reply

    1. Wow, i did not know you could connect your laptop to a TV that way — great tip. Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Connie S. says:

    OMG I watched first episode of The Crown & was hooked. It is amazingly good. Highly recommend

    Reply
  9. Patricia Lawlor says:

    loved this post. You and I have the same taste in television watching. I have watched almost all of them except for Halycon and think I should. lol. Anne I also get streamed Acorn TV. It’s from Britain and all of the British shows you are watching come through them and many many more. I had started a couple of years ago watching Foyles War on PBS and then it disappeared. I watched the entire series which was years in the making until it’s end. You would love it I m sure. It needs to be watched in order, absolutely fabulous about world war 2 and MI 5. As a Canadian I watch every week Heartland and which is still running. Another great one on Acorn is Vera which I have just completed up to date and also one of my favourites of all time is Midsommer Murders, still ongoing in England but I watched it on Netflix. Acorntv.com is the site for great programming and is very cheap monthly, even cheaper than Netflix. Good luck and keep on watching great programming.

    Patricia

    Reply
  10. Rebecca Rich says:

    Ann
    I have enjoyed reading your sight for quite some time now.. love your home decorating ideas as well as your recipes.
    Thanks so much for this review of shows someone our age would enjoy. I agree with Downton Abby one of the best ever. The Crown was great. Sully should have gotten an award, my opinion.
    I do have a basic question for you. I saw your boxwood wreath in some picture of your beautiful home and finally mine arrived yesterday… so excited. Now I am just not sure if I should hang it plain or decorate in some way.. I am hanging it high because I have high ceilings and need some focus on the height. Any ideas?

    Thanks Ann

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Rebecca! I’m not sure exactly why, but I’ve never decorated my boxwood wreath. I do hang it with a piece of ribbon which adds a little interest. I’ve also seen them with a simple bow and I like that look very much. Just my opinion but I don’t think they need any decoration. Hope this helps!

      Reply

  11. I love Foyle’s War (Netflix). Set during WWII, in England- each episode is a mystery and you’ll fall in love with the characters!

    Reply

  12. Just finished Bleak House on Amazon Prime….fabulous!

    Reply
  13. Barbara Kemp says:

    Have you watched Foyle’s War? British and takes place during WWII. A local detective solving cases during the war and those who work with him. My husband and I thought the series was great and there are 7 series. Each episode stands alone but best to start at the beginning for character development.

    We have also recently watched, “Roman Holiday” and “A Place in The Sun”. Two fantastic black and white films in which emotion, longing and love are portrayed well with every individual maintaining their dignity. These films are an example of Hollywood at its finest!!!!!

    Reply

  14. WOW! Thanks for the list. I was starting to get bored waiting for my shows to resume their new seasons.

    Reply

  15. I love your blog! You are like a breath of fresh air. Thank you! I just finished watching live stream on Tuesday @ 7:30 Marianne Williamson on my phone, Course In Miracles. Then, I came here to check my emails. Downton Abbey was my favorite. This Is Us is one of the best shows I believe is on tv now. Yes, I’ve upgraded to a Roku tv & Hulu. Best thing I could have done. :)

    Reply

  16. We just got a smart tv for Christmas. ALthough I watch Netflix on it I have been intimidated to hook up prime. We have prime and haven’t taken advantage of it other than the free shipping. I am going to try it!

    Reply
  17. Deb Pemberton says:

    I love your blog and love the variety of things that you talk about! Love many of the shows that your mentioned…thanks for taking the time to introduce me to your favorites! Loved Downton Abbey and Poldark. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job on your blog. I love to visit!

    Reply

  18. Some of these are new to me. I am always looking for something new to watch. I will keep this and scroll thru Netflix looking for them. Victoria is my current favorite. I absolutely loved the 2/19/17 episode. So sweet. I had to study the Victorian era my entire Senior year in HS so I kind of know the storyline but it doesn’t distract one bit. My other favorites are Homeland, Girls, and the brand new ‘continuation’ of The Good Wife that premiered 2/19/17. Sunday nights are a panaroma of good watching!

    Reply

    1. Geez, I mistyped my name, I was so excited!

      Reply

  19. I love all theBrittish shows ! They take me to another world and is amazing how much I learn.Thank you for all these information . Love, love your blog always????

    Reply
  20. Marijean Jenson says:

    I really appreciate all your suggestions on what to watch ! We don’t have cable anymore so if it’s not on network tv I turn to Netflix and Amazon. I agree with you on This is Us. I was a little confused to begin with, but after I caught on I’m hooked. Another show I might add is Mercy Street on PBS. It’s almost to the end of the second season, but you can start with the first one on Amazon. In my opinion it’s very good !

    Reply

  21. In case you didn’t know, I found this awesome, totally free app for Samsung smart TVs that allows you to stream shows from your pad or phone to the TV. It’s called Video and TV Cast for Samsung TV. You add the app to the TV, then to the phone. Anything you can watch on the internet, you can watch on your TV!! It’s a game changer! Thanks for the awesome show suggestions! I’m about to start Grantchester.

    Reply

  22. Our family (all ages) is really enjoying Timeless. It’s good quality and decent.

    Reply
  23. Anne M. Yoder says:

    Thanks for these suggestions. I just discovered Acorn TV, which allows for a very long preview time before signing up for it (and it’s cheap, even then). I watched all of “800 Words” about a man whose wife is killed in an accident, after which he moves with his two children from Australia to New Zealand. The story of how they settle in there is really well done. I’m now watching “A Place to Call Home,” another superb drama about a nurse after WWII.

    Reply
  24. Pamela Gordon says:

    I enjoyed reading about these shows that you enjoy on Netflix and Simply June, which I’ve never heard of before. We live in the country where there is no cable TV and we aren’t interested in satellite TV due to all the sports channels and we are not sports fans at all, so we bought an Apple TV device and watch Netflix on it…..every evening. There are some not too bad shows on the 3 TV stations we get but we prefer Netflix to them. We love watching BBC programs and have watched many of the ones you suggested. Our favourite it Midsomer Murders which is quite a long series and the episodes are about 45 minutes long. Lately we haven’t found any new shows that we’d enjoy so are wondering what we’ll watch once Midsomer is done. I read the book – Light Between Oceans – and can’t wait to see the movie which I hope comes to Netflix someday. Grantchester sounds like one we’d enjoy. I watched Father Brown all last summer. Loved Land Girls and Call the Midwife. Once the nice weather comes in May we won’t watch as much TV in the evenings but Netflix has kept us going for 2 years with some great entertainment. Have a super week!

    Reply

  25. I think it is wonderful and amazing that we are all watching the same/similar programmes no matter which side of the pond we are on. I love the fact the you are watching things like Doc. Martin and Foyles War and are loving them. We have Amazon Prime, but as I mainly watch at night with David, I tend to watch things like Billions, Bosch (I love Bosch, well Titus Wellivar actually) and generally detective stuff. Now that I am retired I can watch things like Victoria in the afternoon. We have not subscribed to Netflix but we do have everything that Sky provides. Tom Hanks, yum, but I am more Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail (and I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched that), and don’t get me started on Fench Kiss with Meg Ryan, I wore one DVD out!

    Reply

  26. Why does it seem in social circles, we shouldn’t speak about the amount of TV we watch? Is it something that should cause us shame? Is it an indication of whether we are an educated person? Does it say (as I’ve been told) we are too lazy to read books?
    I don’t know, but I’m not ashamed, I have a degree in English, I devour books and I LOVE to watch TV! Just last week, my “doctor daughter and I spent an entire Saturday binge watching The Crown, my husband and I have followed Victoria religiously, just had the ppleasure of viewing Sully and This Is Us is one of our “have to watch” TV shows. I might add that I have watched the Downton Abby Series twice. Oh! Anne of Green Gables…don’t get me started. I think TV gives us a different kind of education, perhaps a “reality” education, (not talking Reality TV), have some history lessons and helps us learn a kind of compassion we may never have experienced before. If you’re not watching TV, you have no idea what you are missing! Go ahead, do a binge watch, you’ll be better for it.

    Reply

  27. Diane Smith mentions The Durrells of Corfu below. The estate/ mansion/home featured on the show…where Margo goes to work for the older woman is, in fact, what used to be the Royal Palace and where Prince Phillip was born and lived for some years as a boy.

    Reply
  28. BamaCarol says:

    The only ‘network’ show we watc is Elementary. A take off of Sherlock Holmes with a female Dr. Watson (Joan). Makes you think and is just a good show. We also watch ‘The Americans’ on FX. There are some scenes not for children but it is exciting and also makes you think. That is my favorite thing about television, something that makes me think and is not a laugh track thrown into my lap. That is why I love the British shows so much too.

    Reply
  29. Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads says:

    Binge watching is the only way I like to watch series so This is Us will be next. Just finished The Crown about a week ago and cannot wait for season 2! Thanks for the recommendations. Leo was just scrolling and looking at HBO because it is FREE this weekend on Direct TV.

    Reply

  30. What exactly is a SMART T.V.? Are they any different from our other t.v.’s.

    Reply
    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Colleen!
      Yes they are different in that they have the capability to connect to the internet. Once the WiFi is enabled, you can access channels like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. ~Ann

      Reply

  31. Ann,
    You’re the best! Thanks for all these wonderful suggestions of shows to watch.
    Enjoy your site very much. Like visiting a
    friendly neighbor!
    Cathy

    Reply

  32. I agree with your choices. I have watched many of them. We have amazon prime so I think I’ll be watching The Crown soon. I too am waiting for the return of DWTS!

    Reply
  33. Marilyn McLeod says:

    I’ve a TV junkie too, but only at night. I don’t usually watch anything during the day as I “work” (at my crafting!) during the day.. but nighttime is my relax time, so sitting down to a good series or movie is what I enjoy the most…. and of course, watching my favorite You Tube videos. Many of your faves are mine too… I never could get into Downtown Abbey (don’t shoot me!)…… I tried and tried, but not for me I guess. I don’t usually care for the English shows as the accents are sometimes hard for me to understand what they are saying… but I thoroughly enjoyed Luther (series).. .an English black man and I truly enjoyed it and wish there were more. Another great one on Amazon or Netlflix (not sure which) was Bosch.. wonderful show.. love him! I like you, will rewatch my favorite shows, movies and series over again, when I can’t find something else, or when I just want some comfort. Another great TV show I watched from beginning to end was Medium. I loved her (a sort of psychic) and her husband and family and the whole family dynamics… she works for the police and helps to solve crimes.. was about 7 seasons and I loved it all. Sully is on my “must watch” list also! Oh.. and Heartland (swoon)…. what a wonderful wonderful show.. I can’t say enough about it.. I wish Netflix would put up the rest of the seasons as I’m so addicted to that show! I LOVE Jack.. what a neat guy and wish they’d have him be the main character more often.. and he needs a new love interest! I don’t like that Lisa.. running off to France without him! :-) Take care… Marilyn

    Reply

  34. I love love love to read your blogs. I feel like you’re one of my best friends who has stopped by for a cup of coffee and a visit. You allow us a peek into your heart and personality and I never miss reading what you have to say. Susan in Kansas

    Reply
  35. Martha Hansen says:

    Ann – thank you so much for this post, I will check out Simply June. Love your recommended shows, am familiar with some, but others are new to me. Jane Austen is a favorite, and I love the version of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett. I watch it again and again just for the photography. I dont know if you have ever used Audible, for audio books, but there are two Call The Midwife books, which are wonderful. If you are a fan of the show, give the books a listen, they are worth it and a little more detailed than the TV show (which I never miss). Also, on Audible, All the Light You Cannot See (about a blind girl in France in WWII, great story, good ending), and A Man Called Ove (lovely story, great ending). All of these gave me a good cry and made me feel happy at the same time – a perfect combination! If you are interested in WWII, try listening to Connie Willis’ Blackout, and then All Clear. Stories about historians who travel back in time to London during the Blitz. Long, but so interesting. And then there’s the Outlander series…. Can you tell I love Audible? Love your blog :)

    Reply
  36. Diane Smith says:

    OH! You are so naughty with your guilty pleasure of television…and I’m right there with you! I love many of the shows you mention! Grantchester and Call the Midwife are real gems! This is Us is STELLAR! I also LOVE Last Tango in Halifax (a couple who were fond of one another as teens reconnect 60 years later); AND The Durrells in Corfu (the adventures of an English widow and her four children after moving to the Greek island; as an added bonus, Leslie Caron has a small role). Both GREAT!

    Reply

  37. Great post. Thank you. I already watch a few of the shows you listed but there are some that you have just introduced to me that I believe are worthy of checking out. Thanks again!

    Reply

  38. dear ann,

    what a refreshing, sunny, sunday morning share. thank you for all the potential and positive movies (maybe even books if some of the movies are book based).

    24 hours, 7 days a week blessings.

    elaine

    Reply

  39. Ann, I agree with all your suggestions! All great television viewing . May I suggest you try watching “The Collection” on Simply June. I think you would enjoy it!

    Reply

  40. Thanks for spotlighting so many of my favorites and recommending others that sound equally good. I love all the British series and mysteries. For a change of pace, my husband and I got hooked on Longmire, five seasons on Netflix focusing on an aging old school sheriff in a small Wyoming town. Beautiful scenery and top acting. We also like Grace and Frankie starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin which launches its third season next month. A quirky plot with exhusbands Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston but lots of laughs for aging boomers. I’ve all but given up on network TV. Scandal jumped the shark for me two years ago. Great post during the February doldrums. Thanks!

    Reply

  41. Oh, my Comments printed out so weird and are hard to read. Sorry!

    Reply
  42. Kathleen G says:

    Good morning Ann,
    British series and etc. seems to be more enjoyable to watch than regular tv. I agree about Scandal too and just a handful of series Ieft ( Greys ) that I enjoy watching. The Light Between Oceans, my sister just watched, she said it was an emotional and beautiful movie. The male character was superb!
    Apollo 13 is one of my all time favorite movie and Backdraft too:). Love me some Tom Hanks and Ron Howard.
    Much needed rain here and time for a good viewing on tv.
    Take care, Kathleen in Az

    Reply

  43. We have found some interesting and enjoyable TV of late …
    Long Lost Family…people whose lives have involved Adoption. Some hard stories of painful longing but the reunions are
    redemptive stories of forgiveness. The visible expressions of affection and the verbal expressions of love really
    grab my heart. On week I found myself really wishing I had a sister somewhere I’ve never known about…
    the joy is that compelling.
    Finding Your Roots…this series has been on TV for a number of years. The now available addition of DNA testing, has added
    a fascinating dimension. Plus to see L L Cool J moved to tears over how his Grandparents loved him (when
    he found out they knew he wasn’t related by blood,) was golden!
    Hunted…we recently discovered this…a TV GAME of fugitives on the run. The first episode we watched really keep our interest.
    We will see if that continues in the remaining ones.
    PBS…nothing compares to what the British produce. All the ones mentioned and
    Foyle’s War…on Netflix. If you haven’t watched this, drop everything and get going. It is so very good! English detective
    remains in Britian during WWII solving crimes that, in spite of the bigger conflict going on, still need to
    attention. I learned a lot of history about Britian and U.S. during WWII. Plus my husband throughly
    enjoyed it also.
    Doc Martin…reruns currently on PBS. It may also be on Netflix. It may take a few episodes to get into the personalities of these
    characters but once you know their “bent” it is a very entertaining series…plus you get a lot of medical information.
    I think the 7th Season is the most current and there are 2 more Seasons to come. My husband loves this also. The
    landscape is unbelievable. My daughter lived in London for awhile and visited Port Issac, where it is filmed. Her
    photos of this coastline area are breathtaking.
    We also enjoy, depending on the topic…PBS Frontline and POV (Point of View.)
    And yes, I do get things accomplished whilst watching…like knitting. We have AT&T U-Verse so we can tape shows and watch at a later convenient time.
    Sorry this is so long.

    Reply

  44. Hi Ann,

    I started watching Call The Midwife last year on your recommendation and loved it!!

    I’ve watched many of these but several are new to me which is so great!
    Thank you!!

    Reply

  45. Just finished “Doc Martin” on Netflex, a surgeon who moves to southern England and becomes their sole GP. He has ausberger syndrome but an amazing character, you will fall in love with all the characters! Highly recommended.

    I love Your site. Your recipe for banana bread is the best I’ve made!

    Thank you!

    Reply

  46. Oh my Ann this is such a good post. I hear so many people talk about these different shows but I never knew where to get any of them!! A great way to escape the crazy politics that’s all over television. Thanks again!

    Reply

  48. Scandal is losing me also, I’m not going to be able to tolerate it for a minute more if sillie Millie becomes President….just sayin

    Reply

  49. I loved The Crown and binged watched it. Also enjoyed Victoria – although I thought the actress who played here was too pretty & thin!
    My current favourite on Netflix is The Gilmore Girls . I don’t know why it was never shown on TV here in England.
    I agree with you about This is Us. It’s soooo good! Although I was confused at first with the flashbacks .
    Have you seen Doc Martin? It’s about an anti social GP who has a phobia about blood who replaces a much loved Doctor in Cornwall. Played brilliantly by Martin Clunes & the scenery is gorgeous.

    Reply

  50. Oh, you have to watch “Monarch of the Glen”. It is on Netflix and I am loving it.

    Reply

  51. Thanks so much, Ann! These are great tips. Some of which I’ve already enjoyed, but others I can’t wait to jump into!

    Reply

  52. We are binging on This is Us in HULU! We love it so much we don’t want to go to bed!

    Reply

  53. I am going to try Sling. One tier is $20 and 2 tiers is $40 but what made me happiest is you can add on packages and one has hgtv, hallmark and hallmark mysteries for $5! They also have hbo and something else for not too much. I have had Prime. I have had Netflix. I have had Direct TV and Spectrum. All I want is Hallmark.

    Reply

  54. You always have the best info right when I need it! I knew nothing about Simply Jane- I am home sick with the flu and knowing I now have a way to watch season 6 of call the midwife thrills me to no end! We must be kindred spirits because I watch and love the same shows you do! I love your blog- thank you!

    Reply
  55. Cherie Westover says:

    I am a new Netflix subscriber and have watched many of the same movies and series you have mentioned…have always loved Call the Midwife and Poldark! We just watched The Light Between Oceans..definitely made us cry and loved The Crown! Thank you for your reccomendations.

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  56. Colleen Bacon says:

    Ann, We have a lot in common! A lot of these shows and movies are my favorites too! You have also given me quite a few new options and I think I will follow your lead and shut down the iPad and computer and just enjoy the viewing! My husband travels a lot and so TV watching has become my guilty pleasure when he is away; I watch the shows that he won’t watch! Always enjoy reading your blogs!

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  57. When you get to a lapse, start watching A Place to Call Home! You find it on Amazon and you need to start at Season 1 Episode 1. My husband and I watch as many as three episodes at a time because it is so engrossing. It’s a 50’s version of an Australian Downton Abbey. A very wealthy family with a strong matriarch, family secrets, an earnest medical center Dr who tries to maintain the health and well-being of the county. A nurse that survived WWII as a converted Jew fighting in the resistance. So many compelling storylines and such interesting and complex characters. We can’t wait for Season 6 to be released. It’s free if you have Amazon Prime. We definitely liked it as much as Downton Abbey.

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    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Janet!
      I’ve watched all 4 seasons of APTCH. It is as amazing as you said. It’s not on Amazon Prime though…it’s on Acorn TV which is a Prime add-on and costs $4.99 per month. Totally worth it in my opinion!

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      1. I didn’t know Acorn was a Prime Add-on! I get many of their videos out of the library, but I’ll have to check that out now.

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  58. I think I’m finally going to have to give up and watch Downton Abbey, and Selfridge’s. Halcyon sounds good, too. I tried Grantchester but couldn’t get interested. Do you like mysteries? I’m a Christie fan from the days of high school and the Poirot series was extremely well done. It left out the boring bits most of the time and kept the story going, and David Suchet was Poirot! I just wish they could find a good Miss Marple and do the complete series of her. Another series from Australia is Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. The books get pretty racy at times, and the TV series flirts with it, but the stories are great and the costumes are just gorgeous.

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    1. Sorry for butting in, but we also like the british mysteries and have enjoyed Midsommer Mysteries, Dr Blake Mysteries (Australia), Murdoch Mysteries (Canada) and Father Brown Mysteries. Most can be found on Amazon Prime.

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      1. I love Midsommer Mysteries and Murdoch Mysteries! Sometimes they are too funny. Dr. Blake is good also, but don’t you want to shake him sometimes.

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        1. Sorry, and especially Father Brown!

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      2. Amazon Prime will get some, but I am reminded that it is ACORN TV that supports most of the great shows we watch… which we subscribe to by way of Amazon Prime.

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