TV Shows for Cozy Autumn Nights

I am in the minority in saying this, but I just love how early it gets dark during this time of year. Everything is cozier—fairy lights, candles burning, endless cups of tea—so what better time to binge watch every TV show you’ve been meaning to watch but didn’t have the time to during the busy summer? Now that the weather isn’t exactly conducive to a packed social calendar, you’ve no excuse not to be up to date with television. I, for one, am most excited about the return of Outlander; I binged this show over an admittedly short period and have been dying for its return. The costumes are ornate, the plot is thick, and the romance is over-the-top in the best way.

While I tend to return to series I’ve seen many times (Downton Abbey, Broadchurch, The Great British Bake-Off), there are plenty of others (the new series of Doctor Who, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Bodyguard) to which I’m dying to dedicate a weekend. Whether you’re looking for something feel-good or edge-of-your-seat, I’ve got you covered!

Outlander

What can I say about Outlander that hasn’t been said before? It’s a time-traveling drama about a woman named Claire who gets sent back (and forth) to 18th century Scotland from 20th century England. There, she meets and subsequently falls in love with the dashing Jamie Fraser—and can you blame her? He is rugged and brutish, gentle and romantic. I love this show because it’s historical drama mixed with a bit of magic, the Scottish atmosphere is absolutely perfect for this autumnal time of year, and while it can be slightly cheesy at times, you find yourself rooting for Jamie and Claire despite all the trouble they encounter.

Downton Abbey

Ah, Downton. This is an Attic favourite, one over which we have cried, laughed, and missed desperately since it ended. I love to rewatch it around Thanksgiving because it’s when I watched it for the first time and always associate this time of year with Mary, Edith, and Sybil. I will warn first-time watchers of this: the drama is positively addictive thanks to the three-dimensional characters and beautiful backdrops. If you’ve watched the show before, you can jump back into any season of it and find that it is perfectly right for an afternoon binge-session—all you’ll need to do is put the kettle on and get snuggled up.

Broadchurch

Broadchurch is my favourite murder-mystery show of all time, and it is the show that turned me on to the UK-specific style of murder-mystery. It is heart-wrenching and painful to watch, certainly not the show for you if you’re in the mood for something happy. But the acting, particularly from Jodie Whittaker (who, coincidentally, is the new Doctor in Doctor Who), is by far some of the best I’ve ever seen. You will be immediately drawn into the story of the murder of a young boy and the rippling effect it has on a small seaside community. David Tennant and Olivia Colman, two of the finest actors of our time, star as the lead investigators and are positively brilliant to watch; you’ll be falling off the edge of your seat when the conclusion is reached.

The Great British Bake-Off

Every single season of this show, no matter who the hosts or judges may be, is a delight. In the darkness of my worst anxiety, GBBO has calmed and soothed me. The contestants are so passionate about their baking, while at the same time treat their fellow bakers with kindness and support even when the competition gets tough. Their creations are the stuff of dreams—definitely don’t watch this when you’re hungry! If you’ve taken my advice and watched a few episodes of Broadchurch and want to sleep soundly, just pop on some Bake-Off and you’ll dream sweet dreams of pastries, pies, and crème pâtissière.

My To-Watch List:

• The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | I have been waiting for just the right time to dive into this show. I am slightly apprehensive as it seems to lack the humour of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but as I am more of a spooky/serious girl at heart anyway, this new take on the classic might just be perfect for me.

• Doctor Who | I am an avid Doctor Who fan, but I have yet to watch the newest episodes with Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor. Until her casting was announced, I had no idea how badly I needed a female Doctor! I’m saving this one possibly for Christmastime, where I can binge uninterrupted while eating a mountain of Christmas cookies.

• Bodyguard | I have heard nothing but good things about this new BBC series staring Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden as a PTSD-survivor serving as a bodyguard for a politician he despises. Perhaps this thriller can fill the Broadchurch-sized hole in my heart!

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Lauren Olmeda holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international relations. She works in public affairs in Dublin, Ireland and is Editor-at-Large of the Attic on Eighth.