It’s another July in Riverside—a time for sunshine, summer travel, and (hopefully) catching up on the leisure activities you don’t have time for during the academic year. Summer heat in Riverside can be intense, but some brave souls eagerly venture out to explore the great outdoors. However, if you’re like me, you’re probably more eager to explore Netflix’s streaming catalog from the air-conditioned comfort of your couch. So, to help you plan your summer binge watching wisely, we’ve curated a list of the GradSuccess staff’s top streaming recommendations. Read on to find out what we’re watching and maybe even discover your new favorite show!

[Image Description: A tabby cat naps beside a fan with the words “Hello Summer!” floating above]

Pictured: One of my favorite summer activities!

Hillary, GradSuccess Director

Recommendation: Only Murders in the Building

Genre: Comedy, Mystery

“I’m going to say Only Murders in the Building, which is on Hulu and stars Steve Martin, Selena Gomez, and Martin Short. As Amy Schumer (this show has so many famous people cameos!) said at the start of the second season, they "just make murder cozy." It pokes fun at the true crime genre and podcasting (as well as reboots of old TV shows and celebrity culture in general), has tons of twists and turns, and often hilarious writing.”

 

Jason, Graduate Student Resource Center/GradQuant Coordinator

Recommendation: Sherlock

Genre: Mystery, Drama

“If there is one show I thoroughly enjoy watching, it is Sherlock, which you can watch on Amazon Prime. Besides exhibiting the excellent acting of Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange) and Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins), these modern adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories cleverly transform a pair of classy 19th-century mystery-solving sleuths in London into a dynamic 21st-century crime-solving duo with international reach. Thought-provoking, intelligent, and entertaining, each episode was fun to watch alone or with my family.”

 

Alexis, Graduate Writing Center Coordinator

Recommendation: Our Flag Means Death

Genre: Comedy, Romance

“My top summer streaming pick is Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max. Directed by and starring Taika Waititi, this show has it all: pirates, adventure, comedy, and romance! I was skeptical during the first few minutes of the pilot because it starts off pretty silly, but I was quickly drawn in by diverse, talented cast and offbeat humor. My favorite aspect of this show is how it manages to be funny and irreverent while also developing meaningful relationships, romantic or otherwise, between the characters. Also, each episode is only 30 minutes long, which makes this a quick, easy watch.”

[Image Description: Stede and Buttons from the show Our Flag Means Death using a small telescope to look into the distance]

Pictured: You, looking for a new tv show to watch this summer

Judy, GradSuccess Summer Coordinator

Recommendation: Peaky Blinders

Genre: Drama

“My favorite show at the moment is Peaky Blinders! The cast, costumes, storylines, music, and the whole cinematography of the show are very fascinating to me. And on top of everything, I love Birmingham and Irish accents! Peaky Blinders currently streams on Netflix.”

 

Leah, Graduate Writing Center Consultant

Recommendation #1: Leverage/Leverage Redemption

Genre: Drama

“The premise is simple: a group of con artists Robin Hood through (mostly) America and strike the rich, powerful, and mighty. Taking place post recession, the original series played up many a villain as hyperbolic: corrupt drug company CEO, former IRS agent turned freedom fighter militia supporter, cybersecurity owners who support tyrannical regimes. Half the fun rewatching the series comes from how these metonymic bad guys seem less hyperbolic in 2022. This show is a good, fun, campy time which the reboot builds upon. If you're looking for some lighthearted heists that con shady moneygrubbers from their unearned gains, I recommend starting here. You can watch either series for free on Amazon Prime/FreeVee.”

Recommendation #2: Ms. Marvel

Genre: Action, Drama

“The latest in the Disney+ Marvel series's, Ms. Marvel follows Kamala Khan as she learns to balance her Pakistani heritage, love of superheroes, and the discovery of her own powers. Six episodes long, this show follows Kamala's origin story as she discovers secrets about her family and herself. The writing is strong, and Iman Vellali carries the energy and humor of the comic book character. Even if you haven't picked up a Disney+ series yet, this one is a great watch. It features a stellar cast and really embraces themes of heritage, loyalty, and what it means to be ‘a hero.’” 

 

And last but not least, we wanted to include a recommendation those who’d rather sit down with a good book.

 

Nina, Graduate Writing Center Consultant

Recommendation: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Genre: Fantasy

“Yes, it is popular because of BookTok, but for good reason! The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue tells the story of a girl who makes a deal with the "darkness" and is given immortality but is cursed with "invisibility," so she is forgotten by every person she meets almost instantaneously. She is able to secretly influence 300 years of art, history, and even war (as a spy during WWII!). That is, until she meets someone who, to her shock, remembers her. If you're looking for a fun, (mostly) light and romantic read, it's perfect.”

[Image Description: A white cat relaxing on a chair while holding a tv remote, potato chips, and a Pepsi]

Pictured: The makings of a perfect afternoon!

Happy watching (or reading)! In addition to spending quality time with your tv, we hope you join us for our summer events. Check out our recent blog post, GradSuccess Summer Events, to learn about our in-person and virtual community-building events.