The 7 Must-Binge Shows To Watch This Winter

Summer outings and after-dinner strolls are a distant memory. On long, dark nights, it’s time to get cozy under a soft throw and binge a compelling show. My favorite outfit is a pair of flannel pajamas and a snack of warm, freshly made popcorn. Here are recommendations that will suit all tastes: from comedy to sci-fi, suspense, history and travel. Warning: you won’t be able to watch just one episode at a time.

The Pitt, HBO Max, Season 2

Get ready for more chaos in the ER! After an Emmy-winning first season last January, this medical procedural drama stars Noah Wyle, who you’ll remember from his 11 seasons on the show ER. Taking place in the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, this show’s unique premise is that each episode spans just one hour of the traumas, cures and fascinating relationships between the doctors, nurses, interns and medical students.

Medical experts have praised the show for its accuracy and realism. The script also dives into the financial struggles of today’s hospitals. It’s hard to name a favorite character among the ensemble cast, but Nurse Dana Evans, played by Katherine LaNasa, is unflappable and maternal, smarter than almost everyone on the show. Will Michael “Robby” Rabinovitch, who spearheads the ER’s leadership and soul, continue to excel at every medical procedure while maintaining a (usually) calm demeanor? Tune in and see.

Abbott Elementary, ABC and Hulu, Season 5

This feel-good mockumentary sitcom takes place in a West Philadelphia school. It was created by and stars Quinta Brunson as an idealistic, optimistic teacher who never gives up. It expertly mixes humor with profound takeaways about a neglected school with the most dedicated teachers despite the constant challenges. There are funny staff squabbles and a wacky principal who is more focused on her social media presence than academic curriculum. There’s also romance and fighting the bureaucracy. Each teacher is cleverly realized as individuals with their own strengths and quirks. If only Barbara Howard, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph (who also sings – she starred on Broadway in Dreamgirls), had been my kindergarten teacher!

All Her Fault, Peacock

If you loved Sarah Snook in Succession, watch her star in a new suspenseful suburban thriller whose all-star cast includes Dakota Fanning and Jake Lacy. It’s set in Chicago when a mother tries to pick up her son, Milo, from a playdate, only to have a stranger answer the door, claiming she’s never seen or heard of him. Adapted from the best-selling novel by Andrea Mara, dark secrets begin to unravel and there are multiple plot twists, turns and surprises. Warning: could be anxiety-provoking for some.

The Reluctant Traveler, Apple TV+, Season 3