Each streaming service has a particular flavor of original content. This is seen most when examining Amazon Prime Originals. They are typically high concept, well produced, and a bit “out there”. If you’re looking to try something on the more serious side, we have the top 10 Amazon Prime Originals here for your consideration.
I’ve always been a fantasy nerd. Give me some good world building, a well thought out magical system and an intriguing mystery and you have me ready to consume! When I saw the advertisement for Carnival Row I was intrigued, but a little hesitant as it seemed to be touting the ‘sex’ and ‘glamour’ of its lead stars more than anything else. However, what was delivered was a truly captivating story about war, love, loss, xenophobia and hidden selves. The show is set in an alternate reality “London” (read: The Burgue), where the growing population of mythological immigrant creatures struggle to coexist with humans after their homelands are invaded by the empires of man. It follows Cara Delevigne’s faerie Vignette who struggles to find her place in a town that rejects her, as she comes back into contact with her long-lost love, Philo (Orlando Bloom), a human police detective with more than one thing to hide. The story has many threads to unravel pertaining to each character, which is what kept me hitting ‘next episode’, desperate to find out what was sitting at the end. It’s more adult in theme and nature, for sure, however if you’re a high fantasy nerd like myself, this is one that I would recommend checking out! With season 2 on the horizon, you have some time to get familiar with the world of The Burgue and the Fae, where you can then join me in untangling their sordid and fantastical web. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
We have seen it before, right? A couple go on vacation and deal with tensions and differences in their relationship. A timeless story right there. But what if that is only the first episode? BAM! One of them dies. Wait, what? The show must then be about the tough transition of the remaining spouse. BAM! Guess again. This is Forever in a nutshell. I cannot remember watching a show that is so unexpected episode to episode. And you know what? That makes me love this show so much more. Fred Armisen and Maya Rudolph carry this show with their unique wit and humor with new quirks and folds around every corner. The show settles in as a series about the afterlife and how people cope with loss and new lives. The supporting characters are abundant and intriguing in each of their own ways. Each episode can stand on its own merits of charm, humor, and emotional heft. If you want to be taken on a truly unexpected ride, check out Forever. (Shane Conto)
Dial Up Frank here to talk Upload on the download with ya. Upload is a new show from Greg Daniels (creator of Parks & Rec and the American version of The Office) on Amazon Prime. The show follows Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell) as he passes away and his consciousness is copied and uploaded to a digital afterlife. As people are brought into their new way of afterlife, it comes at a price. You fund it with money you made while alive or someone currently alive has to pay for you to have the best afterlife as possible. It felt like a cross between A Good Place and Downsizing. In fact it’s exactly that. So if you’re into those sort of things then you’ll enjoy this. I tried to pace myself with this show, as Amazon Prime made the entire season available to be watched when it premiered. I wasn’t able to. I watched all 10 episodes in one go around. After each episode I kept saying “just one more”. And just like a pack of Oreos, I was unable to quit. You just can’t help yourself. Such goodness in each one. Oh and the show’s pretty solid and funny so be sure to check it out. Also Oreos, send me some please. This job doesn’t pay well and I’m tired of store brand Noeros. (Frank Kemp)
What better way to discuss the best series to binge than to actually binge a series? This is exactly what I did with season one of Bosch, a series based off of a series of novels by Michael Connelly starting Titus Willeaver as LAPD Homicide Detective and title character Hieronymus (say that five times fast) “Harry” Bosch, a main character that is not easy to like but one you can at times respect. Early on, he discovers a case that brings back memories of a troubled past, while on trial for a wrongful death that brings a dark part of his personal history to light. But when a suspect he thinks is toying with him comes forward, Bosch must engage in a deadly battle of wits to bring him to justice while searching for whom he believes to be the true culprit. Meanwhile, he has to deal with suspects with their own dark pasts, difficult family relationships, members of the LAPD with their own goals in mind, politicians looking for political gain, and a media that all too often gets ahead of the case, much to the detriment of not only Bosch but also to the LAPD. If you’re looking for a series that’s a tense and gritty mystery, with complex heroes and villains and many a twist and turn, Bosch may be right up your alley. (Joseph Davis)
The Tick has always been ahead of its time across various aspects of media due to it combining superhero hijinks with more comedic elements. Having a successful Animated Series in 1994 and a cult followed short lived Live Action Series in 2001, maybe the third time would be the charm for mass appeal. Creator, Ben Endlund took another stab at the beloved property with another Live Action Show simply called The Tick (2017-2019). A perfectly normal, but neurotic accountant named Arthur Everest (Griffin Newman) lives in a world where superheroes exist. One day a traumatic event is triggered within Arthur and he also happens to have a prototype super suit fall into his lap as well. With the help of a kooky blue superhero who goes by The Tick (Peter Serafinowicz), they try to uncover a conspiracy that is plaguing the city. The Tick combines superhero elements and comedy superbly. Serafinowicz and Newman are excellent in the show and they bounce dialog off of each other effortlessly. You can tell they enjoy working with one another due to their exchanges and the fluidity of their scenes together. It also helps that the supporting cast also believes in the project as much as they do through their performances. Especially Ms. Lint, played by Yara Martinez who is a standout in the show and a very compelling and complicated villain. Also, for being on a tighter show budget, the action is really well performed and shot. The creative team does a great job with the various costumes and especially with The Tick and Arthur’s Suits. They translated the look of the previous shows with modern updates exceptionally well. (Joe Vargas)
I remembered the first time seeing the promo for Hunters. Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Jerrika Hinton entranced, so I had to check out the full trailer. Let’s just say I was instantly hooked. After being a witness of the murder of his grandmother, Jonah Hiedelbaum (Lerman) dives down a rabbit hole, alongside Nazi hunters living in 1977 NYC who track down Nazi war criminals, who are conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the US. It’s not what you would expect for a tv show, but it works. It can be a little triggering with flashbacks to the concentration camps but when you get past that, you’re golden. The performances are amazing, but I wouldn’t expect less from Pacino, along with the rest of the cast. I was definitely surprised and happy to see Logan Lerman again. If you’re bored and in a mood for a little bit of exploitation, Hunters is the show for you. (Chantal Ashford)
Whatever happened to Julia Roberts? She was once America’s sweetheart and one of the biggest movie stars in the world. As of late though, she has not really appeared in much. Then the show Homecoming rolled around and gave Roberts an intriguing new project. The show is shot in a unique aspect ratio with a retro tint to the film. This series is claustrophobic and intense as it weaves a terrible web of lies and deceit. What can these counseling sessions be about? Why is there an investigation into Roberts’ character? What can be the truth behind Roberts past? So many questions and so many twists and turns along the way. The atmosphere around this film is unnerving and puts you in a state of unease. The performances are great with Roberts, Stephan James, Bobby Cannavale, and Shea Whignam bringing the good to the proceedings. To give anything away would be a tragedy so you must check out Homecoming for yourselves. A new chapter of this mysterious tale of the Geist Group is coming soon so go and catch up! (Shane Conto)
The story is straightforward: Armageddon is about to happen. The forces of Hell and Heaven are massing for the Biblical showdown. All that is needed to kick things off is for the Anti-Christ to show up with his angels of the Apocalypse… except there was a mix-up at the hospital when the Anti-Christ was born, and no one is quite sure where he is. The moment I heard that David Tennant and Michael Sheen had been cast in the primary roles (demon Crowley and angel Azirphale, respectively), I knew we were off to a running start. The banter between the two is just sublime, and that is saying something with a series that is cast this well. (Donald Skidmore)
Other streaming platforms like Netflix and DC Universe have their own originals based on Superhero comic book properties that prove to be successful, so it’s no surprise that Amazon would also be capable of doing the same. I’m of course talking about “The Boys” which was based on a comic series written by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson and adapted for television from Prime Video. The Story likes to take the elements of what we familiarize with superheroes in today’s culture but contrast their celebrity with their hubris. It likes to deal with adult themes and dark subject matters that most superhero tv shows tend to avoid. This is what makes it stand out in this genre. I should also mention that the episodes are shot more in the style that reminds me of “Man of Steel” and “Batman V Superman” which works great for this grim look in a world that has a darker shade of superhero. One of the best parts of the show is it’s amazing cast, standouts such as Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, and Antony Starr. The show currently has one full season that you can binge, and season 2 is set to premiere later this year in 2020. If you enjoy unique takes on superheroes then this is definitely one worth your time. (Alex Henderson)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is all about a New York housewife who finds her own voice and independence through stand-up comedy during the 1950’s. The set pieces are extraordinary and the writing never ceases to keep you on your toes. Rachel Brosnahan plays the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and gives one of the best TV performances you will see in a long time. Pair that with great performances from Tony Shalhoub and Alex Borstein and you have something truly special. The characters are complex and the show is hilarious, but filled with heart at the same time. It is truly a blast to watch as each season brings something fresh to the show. There is a reason this show has cleaned up at the Golden Globes and Emmys. It is just that good. (Kaleb Wolters)
Also See:
Fleabag, Sneaky Pete, Catastrophe Jack Ryan, The Man in the High Castle