Peacockhas slowly built up a decent library of original content, though it’s not all golden. If you’ve got time to binge a new series this weekend, don’t waste it on a dud.
To help you out, I’ve rounded up three shows that make for perfect viewing over the coming days. I’ve watched them all and rate them highly.
2022
1
8
4 hours 44 minutes
Status
Unconfirmed
I don’t hear many people talk aboutThe Resort, which is a shame because it’s a brilliant genre-bending show. It’s funny, weird, thoughtful, and it keeps surprising you—which is partly why I’m hesitant to say too much. If the trailer looks appealing, do yourself a favor and queue the show up for this weekend.
William Jackson Harper (The Good Place) and Cristin Milioti (The Penguin) lead as Noah and Emma, a couple who stumble upon evidence relating to a missing person case while on vacation to celebrate their anniversary. You might think that would sour their trip, but it actually proves a spark in a relationship that has stagnated. The show moves between the present, with the pair investigating, and the disappearance in 2007 (featuring Nick Offerman, who is always welcome).
The Resortdebuted in 2022 and I was expecting another season, but nothing has materialized. While it hasn’t been officially canceled, a continuation is looking unlikely. Regardless, the first season is still fantastic.
2024 - present
10
8 hours 27 minutes
Ongoing
The Day of the Jackalis based on the 1971 novel, which had a film adaptation in 1973. This show brings the story into a modern setting, with Eddie Redmayne starring as an unsettling master assassin who travels the world using disguises in order to take out his high-profile targets. Hot on his heels is Lashana Lynch, an MI6 agent (no, not the same one she played inNo Time to Die) who is a firearms expert and relentless in her pursuit of the titular Jackal.
Redmayne gives a great performance, far removed from the lovable Newt Scamander ofFantastic Beasts. He’s ruthless and cold, often silent, yet seemingly also successfully living a double life. Sure, you have to suspend your disbelief at various aspects, but that’s standard territory with spy thrillers—it’s hard to quibble too much when it’s as beautiful and action-packed as this, shot in some gorgeous European locations like Croatia and Hungary.
The show was quickly renewed for a second season, which seemed inevitable considering how successful it was, but it’ll be a while before it airs because it hasn’t started filming yet. That means now is the perfect time to binge the first season, so you’re fully caught up and ready for more tense globetrotting adventures.
2023 - present
2
20 (2 more upcoming)
16 hours 13 minutes (so far)
Poker Faceis not only the best show on Peacock, but it’s also one of the greatest series of the last couple of years. It stars the gravelly-voiced Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a woman who has the uncanny ability to know precisely when someone is lying—which makes her the perfect person to solve murders, a situation she finds herself in with worrying regularity.
Each episode has different guest stars (far too many to name; part of the fun comes in seeing who is going to show up) and opens by setting the scene and showing the crime. That means this isn’t a whodunit in the traditional sense, since the perpetrator is made clear. Rather, the joy comes in watching Charlie rock up and figure out what’s going on. With her laid-back, wise-cracking style, she makes for an excellent protagonist.
The episodes take place in all sorts of locations, as Charlie hops in her vintage muscle car and works across America: a retirement home, baseball field, casino, and funeral parlor are just the tip of the iceberg. There might be blood spilt at these places, butPoker Faceis quirky and doesn’t take itself too seriously—at times it leans more dark comedy (especially during a memorable and hilarious moment involving a school’s class pet).
Poker Face’s second season is currently releasing weekly, with the final two episodes upcoming. While you might not have enough spare hours to binge theentireshow this weekend (although you may certainly try!), the standalone format means you can easily dive back in when you’re ready.
If you’re looking toget your money’s worth out of Peacock, binge as many shows as you can during your subscription period. Be sure to also take full advantage of its features, like the ability to watch multiple live streams in a single view.
Peacock
All of these great exclusive shows, along with plenty of other series and movies, are available to stream on Peacock.
