Redbrick's Picks: The Best Alternate Reality Shows to Watch During Lockdown

Matt Taylor – The Leftovers

The Leftovers is Damon Lindelof’s magnum opus. A masterpiece of television broadcasting. 28 hours of pure perfection. Its quality is almost unfathomable; no television show has any right to be this good – and yet here it is. Lindelof’s show deals with some hefty subject matter; on October 14th, 2% of the world’s population disappears. No reason, no explanation – they just vanish. The show’s main narrative picks up three years later and charts the lives of those trying to piece themselves back together. To give away more plot details than this would be unnecessary, as the series is best experienced with as little prior knowledge as possible – something that Lindelof is making a habit of.

I had no strength to do anything other than sit and weep at its perfection

The series deals explicitly with very real human emotions, and these are where its biggest strengths lie; in its portrayals of loss, grief, trauma, fear, love, rejection, pain, suffering, worry, and hope. As I write this, I am still reeling from the effects of the series finale; such is the power of the show that I found I had no strength to do anything other than sit and weep at its perfection. Rarely has anything affected me in such a way – but then again, rarely have I seen anything as perfect as The Leftovers.

Rhys Lloyd-Jones – Doctor Who

Sometimes you might feel trapped on this planet, let alone the house. Sometimes you might just wish you hear the wheezing groan of the TARDIS as it appears around the corner. Since its revival in 2005, Doctor Who has been a journey into the distant past, the far reaches of the future, and a universe bursting with danger and monsters. But Doctor Who is more than a time travel show. Doctor Who is a celebration, of the brave and selfless, of the foolish and the strange.

Through 12 seasons, each with their own highs and lows, it encompasses what it means to be human through the eyes of an alien, a madman with a box, who ran away to see the universe. Throughout their travels and companions, the Doctor, whether they’re an irascible Scotsman or a clown in a bowtie, is a remarkable hero. Instead of a gun, they have a screwdriver to help. Instead of lasers, they have two hearts. Be like the Doctor, ‘never cruel, never cowardly,’ and join them in the bizarre, frightening, yet wonderful cosmos.

Memoonah Hussain – Merlin

It’s been nearly six years since Merlin last graced our TV screens. This action-packed fantasy drama full of goblins, dragons, trolls, and sorcerers is a reimagining of the legend of King Arthur. Starring Colin Morgan as brave warlock Merlin and Bradley James as Prince Arthur, the onscreen chemistry and comedy between the two is a definite highlight of the show.

When things are a bit grim, we all need a bit of a laugh and a spark of magic

With strong male and female leads, good versus evil, the soothing voice of the late John Hurt and magic, Merlin is one of those shows that many think ended far too soon. A family-friendly show, it is perfect to watch with your loved ones as when things are a bit grim, we all need a bit of a laugh and a spark of magic. With five seasons and 65 episodes, it’s the perfect way to spend your lockdown days. After all, ‘for when Albion’s need is greatest, Arthur will rise again.’

John Wimperis – Stranger Things

Rarely has a TV series gripped me like Stranger Things has. The Duffer Brother’s retro sci-fi show is the perfect show to dive into while social distancing. Stranger Things has one of the best ensemble casts of any series, made up of every eighties cliché that they could justify dropping into small-town Indiana. While the series’ genre weaves from monster mystery to thriller to Goonie adventure, its grounding in its character allows the show to maintain a level of internal consistency (except for perhaps one season two episode). This is to the extent that when, in season three, the series’ premise goes absolutely mad, it doesn’t feel unearned or unbelievable.

All three seasons of the show have something special to offer, but the first particularly stands out. Some have referred to the eight-episode season as being like one long movie, but I would argue it is more like a book. The way the plot slowly ties together over the chapters feels like the structure of an intricately planned novel. And like a book, I couldn’t put down.

Lucy McCann – Ashes to Ashes

Set in 1980s Britain, Ashes to Ashes is a ballsy drama that combines the complications of everyday policing with sweeping philosophical thought. Introducing DI Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) – a forward-thinking policewoman who gets shot by a madman and is mysteriously hurtled back to 1980s London. Is she in a coma? Or simply back in time? Alone and completely bewildered, she has no choice but to embed herself with the local police force and the take-no-prisoners DCI, Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister).

It is rare to find a show that challenges its viewers to question everything

In a world of reality TV and soap operas, it is rare to find a show that challenges its viewers to question everything – the setting, the beloved characters, even Alex’s own sanity. It helps that it is packed with side-splitting one-liners and excellent performances from a stellar cast. If you want a programme that’ll leave you guessing even after the credits have finished, Ashes to Ashes is a must-watch.