Starting a new year at an entirely unfamiliar location and starting a new journey part of a massive institution can be an incredibly nerve-wracking moment in someone’s life. It’s even intimidating for those who are returning for another year. So, you should really start getting prepared for the coming year. Instead of heading out to meet new people, make new friends that will last your time at university, you should be getting your bearing on streaming services and figuring out which shows you would like to watch. Well luckily, I’ve compiled a list of shows, both ongoing and long since finished, that will hopefully make navigating the tricky business of university life that much more enjoyable and relaxing. Who knows, maybe these shows might become your go-to comfort watching in the future: 

Ash Vs Evil Dead 

A fantastic continuation of a cult classic horror/comedy franchise that reunites the original creators and its main star to thrust the iconic hero, Ash Williams, on a journey to the end of the world. This show is little-known, most people that I speak to about it haven’t even heard of the iconic movie series that spawned it. It was unfortunately cancelled after its third season due to low ratings, despite considerable critical acclaim, finishing at an unfortunate cliff-hanger. However, the show is hilarious, violent, loveable, and audacious. Every episode is bursting with new ideas that are inventive, shocking, and wildly entertaining. This show is available on Netflix and is a great option for the month leading up to Halloween. 

Bojack Horseman  

An Original Netflix classic, just navigate the first season and you will be rewarded with one of the most thrillingly ambitious, emotionally wrenching yet scathingly funny animated shows of the current era. This show means a lot to millions of people, who watch it and rewatch it constantly throughout the year. It’s surreal, satirical humour, and complex depiction of the human condition placed it among the most acclaimed and revered shows in Netflix’s tedious backlog of original programmes. The legacy of the show has become apparent not too long after its fantastic conclusion. It has inspired many people to be more open about their mental health with others. The through-line of confronting mental health is an important idea that will resonate with a lot of students. It certainly did for me. 

Only Murders in the Building 

A highly acclaimed and much-loved Disney Plus series about a group of friends with a shared obsession with true crime podcasts, has just entered its fourth, highly anticipated season, making this the best month to start watching the show. It’s a highly unique take on crime fiction, created by comedy legend Steve Martin, that delightfully pokes fun at true crime devotees, while also successfully spinning its own murder mystery. The show has now been renewed for a fifth season that will hopefully be released the next year. It’s worth diving into, especially if you’re interested in true crime or crime fiction. But it’s not just limited to that specific demographic. If you’re in need for a quick laugh, then this show will provide you with many for the rest of the year. 

Slow Horses  

Shifting the tone from comedy to espionage, ‘Slow Horses’ adapts the ‘Slough House’ novel series (a series I’m not familiar with). The ever-reliable Gary Oldman leads a group of disgraced MI5 agents relegated to monotonous pencil pushing in Slough House, a governmental dumping group dedicated to workplace drudgery and brainless tedium, where they’re expected to retire out of frustration or plain boredom. This show offers you the chance to root for the ultimate underdogs as they get ensnared in corporate espionage and government conspiracy. That underdog nature may become quite appealing and indeed relatable. There’s a large sensation going into a first year, that you yourself are an underdog up against formidable challenges. Just maybe, you’ll find yourself relating to this rag-tag crew. Only on Apple TV+. 

It’s important to note that I haven’t fully watched those last two shows, so if you hate them, that’s on me. The big trouble you’ll find yourself combating is the streaming services themselves. It’s become a shamble of different sites, difficult to differentiate which ones are worthwhile. Nonetheless, these shows are all worth checking out for your new year. If you don’t get Paramount+ you’ll be fine. 

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