January can be a tough month to get through. The holidays are firmly behind us, routines are back in action, and the evenings somehow seem even longer and quieter than usual. When motivation is low and the weather isn’t exactly cooperating, settling into a good TV show can feel like one of the easiest forms of comfort, and Netflix continues to offer plenty of new distractions to help fill those nights.
But with so many titles landing at the start of each month, knowing what’s actually worth your time isn’t always easy. If you’re feeling the January blues or simply looking for something new to sink into on Netflix this week, you’re in the right place. Here are three shows that deserve a spot on your watchlist and are perfect for a weekend binge.
‘His & Hers’
Netflix has long had a knack for thrillers. Over time, the platform has become especially good at turning mystery-led stories into highly bingeable series, the kind of originals I, like many subscribers, tend to fly through. It’s hard to ignore how often Netflix thrillers dominate the most-watched charts, frequently landing at No. 1, and I wouldn’t be surprised if “His & Hers” follows suit. Even if the ending veers into silly territory and the show doesn’t shy away from romanticizing toxic relationships, it’s very clearly designed to be watched in one big chunk.
“His & Hers” centers around Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson), a former news anchor who returns to her Georgia hometown after a brutal murder occurs there, and Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal), a local detective and Anna’s estranged husband who’s leading the official investigation. As Anna launches her own inquiry into the crime, Jack grows suspicious of her involvement, and the pair find themselves on opposite sides of a complex murder case filled with secrets. After all, there’s two sides to every story.
Stream "His & Hers" on Netflix now
‘11.22.63’
As a huge Stephen King fan, I have to say that “11.22.63” is one of the strongest TV adaptations of his work. It’s a gripping sci-fi thriller that doubles as a warning about getting lost in the past, and it’s capped off with a clear, emotionally rewarding ending. While adaptations of King’s work have been hit and miss over the years, this miniseries stands out as one that captures him at his sharpest, delivering a focused and tightly told story across eight episodes.
“11.22.63” follows high school English teacher Jake Epping (James Franco), who is given the chance to travel back in time after his friend reveals a hidden portal in the back of a diner. Stepping through sends Jake to October 1960, where he adopts a new identity and begins preparing to stop the November 22, 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Armed with research and a mission, he gets used to life in early-’60s America, tracks key figures connected to the event, and faces plenty of unexpected obstacles as he works to change history while building a life in the past.
Stream "11.22.63" on Netflix now
‘Prodigal Son’
If you enjoy shows like “Dexter” with plenty of questionable crime solving and dark humor, then “Prodigal Son” could be your next binge-watch. This crime drama may not have broken ratings records back in 2016, but it’s a reliably entertaining series for unwinding after a long week. Lead actor Tom Payne went from slaying zombies on “The Walking Dead” to tracking killers instead, and while I’ll always say the apocalyptic show is the best, “Prodigal Son” still holds its own as a twisty binge-worthy procedural.
Malcolm Bright (Payne) is a former FBI profiler who now works with the NYPD to help solve violent crimes. Bright has a unique ability to think like killers, a skill shaped by his past as the son of infamous serial killer Dr. Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen), known as “The Surgeon.” After a copycat murderer emerges, Malcolm is drawn back into contact with his estranged father and must use his insight to assist detectives,.
Stream "Prodigal Son" seasons 1-2 on Netflix now
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