The Christmas season and the time that follows are not so peaceful and happy for everyone. If you wish to escape from your family and relax in your room, I can recommend these shows to you. They are all light-hearted, you’ll definitely be in a better mood afterwards, and of course, an LGBTQ+ storyline is also present.
Agatha All Along
Two words: AUBREY PLAZA. Well, Aubrey Plaza playing one of the witches is not the only reason why it’s worth watching this Marvel series, but also because this is the first substantial content Marvel has managed to produce since WandaVision.
Of course, not everyone agrees with this, but let’s face it, the recent movies have been more like faint attempts than truly entertaining works. If you haven’t seen WandaVision, I recommend starting with that and then going straight to Agatha All Along. The series is based on the simple idea that if the witches walk along the Witches’ Road and endure the trials, their deepest wish will come true.
It’s easy to follow and features a great cast. Primarily, Aubrey Plaza as Rio, Kathryn Hahn, who portrays the title character Agatha, and Joe Locke from Heartstopper as the teenage boy. When I finished the series, all I could think about was how long it had been since I saw a Marvel story with well-written, fully developed characters, and, above all, made in a way that I could truly connect with. It’s one season long, available on Disney+.
Abbott Elementary
Honestly, I don’t know why it took me this long to write about this series. It’s already won an Emmy, features an LGBTQ+ storyline, and is so good that I save each episode just to stretch out the experience. The story is set in a predominantly black school in Philadelphia and unfolds like a documentary series.
We see mostly the teaching staff: the show centers around their personal dramas and relationships, as they are explored over the four seasons by Quinta Brunson (also portraying the main character, Janine Teague). If you’re looking for a quality comedy series without lowbrow humor, this is it. Some moments have me laughing so hard I can’t stop, and others make me tear up. You’ll end up loving the characters so much, it’ll be impossible not to react. Like Agatha All Along, this series is also available on Disney+, with 3 seasons at the moment.
Man on the Inside
The story follows a retired professor (Ted Danson) who responds to a job ad and becomes an undercover investigator at a retirement home to solve a jewelry theft. The creator of the series is Michael Schur, who made The Good Place a few years ago.
Like his previous work, it tackles a serious topic (aging) wrapped in a feel-good atmosphere, with lovable characters and a bit of an educational touch. There’s some investigation, a bit of humor, and a lot of love throughout the story, making it perfect to watch even with family during Christmas. It’s available on Netflix.
Translated by Melinda Horváth
