Five shows to watch if you hate Game of Thrones

By Grace McGettigan
29th Apr 2019

Five shows to watch if you hate Game of Thrones

Everyone at IMAGE HQ is talking about Game of Thrones except for me. If you don’t watch it either, and if you fancy a distraction from all of the medieval talk, here are five shows to watch on Netflix instead…

Are you fed up with everyone talking about Game of Thrones? ‘Cause I am. I don’t care about the Battle of Winterfell and I don’t believe in dragons. There are far too many names to remember (who is Jon Snow, anyway?) and, from what I gather, there’s a lot of incest and murder.

If like me, you prefer TV shows set in the real world; series that are relatable and not about White Walkers (whatever the hell they are), have a look at these five shows available to watch on Netflix now:

Call the Midwife

If you were a fan of Downton Abbey or The Crown, you’ll likely enjoy Call the Midwife. The BBC production, which has recently been added to Netflix, is set in 1950’s London (not a mysterious land full of medieval creatures). It follows the life of newly qualified midwife, Jenny Lee, as she joins a nursing convent in the East End.

Related: Seven excellent crime documentaries you may not have seen

Based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, the series shows the effects of the post-World War II baby boom; post-war immigration; the introduction of gas and air as a form of pain relief; as well as the introduction of the contraceptive pill. Not only is it an entertaining watch, but it’s an eye-opening look at the past.

Since it launched in 2012, Call the Midwife has been praised by critics worldwide; earning multiple National Television Awards.

Grace & Frankie

If comedy is more your style, Grace & Frankie is worth a watch. Starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, the unique sitcom follows the unlikely friendship of two women in their seventies.

With almost nothing in common, Grace and Frankie must learn to live together when their respective husbands (Robert and Sol) announce they are a) gay b) in love with each other and c) seeking a divorce from their wives.

With five seasons of short, bite-size episodes ready to stream on Netflix, this heartwarming comedy is a welcome escape from all things Game of Thrones.

After Life

Recently renewed by Netflix for a second season, After Life follows Tony; a man whose wife has recently died from breast cancer. After considering suicide, the widow (played by Ricky Gervais) decides to stay alive; choosing to punish the world for taking his wife away from him.

While this show sounds sad and morbid (and at many parts, it is), this series is also incredibly funny and heartwarming. For our full review of After Life (and to see why it shows Ricky Gervais at his best), click here.

Bodyguard

Produced for the BBC, Bodyguard is a contemporary thriller set in London. After helping to thwart a terrorist attack, a war veteran is assigned to protect a politician who was the main proponent of the very conflict he fought in.

Its six episodes are captivating and will distract you from all of the Game of Thrones talk going on online.

Friends

Ah, the old reliable. It’s hard to believe Friends first aired in 1994 (that’s 25 years ago for anyone not keeping count). The New York City-based sitcom follows six close friends as they live in the Big Apple.

It’s our go-to show for all scenarios – when there’s nothing else on TV; when we need cheering up; when we can’t sleep; and last but not least, when everyone else is busy watching Game of Thrones.