It’s 2 am, and your baby is bright-eyed and seemingly starving. Your astute mama instincts tell you it’s going to be a while before either of you gets back to sleep. Don’t stress! Instead, give your mind a rest and stream the latest binge-worthy show while you nurse or bottle-feed your baby back to a peaceful slumber. Whether you want pure escapism, laugh-out-loud comedy, or a suspense to keep you from dozing off, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 series that will keep you fully entertained during those sleepless nights.
Ted Lasso
Truly one of the most touching shows of 2020, Ted Lasso is based on a character from an old NBC Premier League ad campaign. The comedy from Apple TV+ offers so much more than just laugh-out-loud moments, of which it has plenty! Jason Sudeikis is utter perfection as an American college football coach who is recruited to coach (or "manage" in British English) world football, aka soccer, in England. It's a fish-out-of-water story that often has Ted learning the rules of British football while balancing his own life and that of his team. The only downfall is that there's only one season so far; pacing is necessary.
Available on Apple TV+
Dead to Me
Dead to Me is an American dark comedy or tragicomedy (take your pick) starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as women who bond during grief therapy. The series premiered on May 3, 2019, and is filled with twists and turns. Each episode leaves you eager for more. It's binge-worthy content at its finest.
Available on Netflix
Schitt's Creek
Ew, David! It has cultivated a cult following, racked up a record-breaking number of Emmy wins in its sixth and final season, and delivered a message of hope and equality during a time when audiences needed it most. Schitt's Creek tops our list for binge-worthy television. The quirky Canadian comedy created by father and son Eugene and Dan Levy will have you laughing out loud while nursing your little one back to sleep. If you haven't started it, get ready for a fun ride. You've got six seasons of getting to know and love the Rose Family.
Available on Netflix
Lupin
Easily one of the most intriguing new shows of 2021, Lupin burst onto the scene in mid-January and took the world by storm. The series will transport you from your nursing lounger to the beauty and charisma of Paris. It's an engrossing espionage thriller that lives up to its source material and then some. We're not surprised that it scored 98% on Rotten Tomatoes! The first half of Lupin's first season is out now, while the second half is coming this summer.
Available on Netflix
Big Little Lies
You might even look forward to those late-night feedings once you hit play on Big Little Lies. Based on the same-titled 2014 bestseller by Liane Moriarty, the darkly comedic tale of murder and misbehavior is set against the backdrop of the idyllic beachfront town of Monterey, California. Told through the eyes of three mothers (Madeline, Celeste and Jane, played exquisitely by Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley), the series explores the world of seemingly perfect lives that quickly unravel from deceit. After you fly through the first season, know that you only have one more to go!
Available on HBO Max
Succession
Family drama at its finest! Succession is a satirical drama that tracks the lives of the Roy family and the international media conglomerate controlled by aging patriarch Logan Roy. The show is brought to vivid life by a super talented ensemble and will have you laughing one minute and squirming in your seat with discomfort the next. The show gets better and better as it progresses, so give it a chance and stick around.
Available on HBO
The Crown
If you've been watching The Crown since it debuted in 2016, you're already a super fan, but if you haven't watched previous seasons, we encourage you to skip right to season four. The drama showcases Queen Elizabeth II's reign and events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. And season four introduces audiences to Princess Diana; it's certainly the best season yet.
Available on Netflix
Sweet Magnolias
Mothering can be exhausting, so you may need something sweet and wholesome to get you through. There's no better choice than Sweet Magnolias. Romance, friendship and family life are at the heart of this darling show about three women who have been best friends since childhood. It's got all the feels of a Hallmark movie and is a welcome escape from some of the dark or ultra serious shows out there. Real life is serious enough, so escaping to a small town and watching good friends go through the twists and turns of adulting is just what the doctor ordered.
Available on Netflix
Firefly Lane
Based on a bestselling book by Kristin Hannah, this series follows best friends Tully and Kate, played as adults by Sarah Chalke and Katherine Heigl, as they support each other through good times and bad with an unbreakable bond that carries them from their teens to their 40s. The series will get you hooked and is as consumable as a hot batch of french fries. It's ten episodes and they go by in a breeze. Luckily, season two is in the works.
Available on Netflix
Ginny and Georgia
Calling all Gilmore Girls fans! Ginny and Georgia is the dramedy for you. While the mother-daughter duo at the center of this Netflix show find themselves butting heads more than Rory and Lorelai, the hourlong drama welcomes the comparison. It also surpasses expectations by being unique and refreshing. It embraces layered topics like wealth and privilege, and the show's pace and excellent performances make it a breezy binge.
Available on Netflix
—Aimee Della Bitta
featured photo: iStock
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