The Prisoner
British mystery drama series (1967-1968)

A recently resigned secret agent is abducted and taken to a place that he can’t escape from, with no knowledge of why this is happening to him. He’s assigned a number; Number Six, and no one is willing to answer his questions. His guards try everything to get information out of him but he gives them nothing. He repeatedly tries to escape and to get hold of the person in charge; Number One, but to no avail. The beautiful exteriors were filmed in the Portmeirion village near Porthmadog, North Wales, which adds to the surreal feel. If you’ve never seen Patrick McGoohan’s cult series, get ready for a binge watch as you’ll be dying for answers. It’s Kafkaesque satire at its best.

The League
American comedy series (2009-2015)

The plot revolves around six friends based in Chicago who are obsessively passionate about their fantasy football league, but don’t let that put you off if you’re not into sports! This show is semi-scripted, as in there’s a story outline and the rest is improv. It’s a joy to watch Nick Kroll, Jason Mantzoukas and Paul Scheer do improv so exceptionally well. The episodes in which Seth Rogen guest stars are phenomenal. Prepare to laugh until you cry folded over, desperately trying to catch your breath!

My Life in Film

British comedy series (2004)

A cinema worker repeatedly becomes convinced that he’s in a film. Each episode is a tribute to a different film. Kris Marshall is hilarious as the film obsessed, aspiring film director Art. Alice Lowe plays his girlfriend and Andrew Scott, (Professor Moriarty in Sherlock), plays his best friend.  Life imitates art in this delightful show which uses dialogue, situations and iconography from films. Filmophiles, this one is for you! The series ran for one season only.

Sjätte Dagen (The Sixth Day)
Swedish thriller mystery drama series (1999-2001)

While the preparations for Felicia’s 20th Birthday party are in full swing at her family’s mansion, she is found dead in the loft of her family’s stud farm. A shotgun and a note saying “Sorry” lie next to her body. It’s clearly a murder staged to look like a suicide, but who would want to kill the beautiful Felicia Ekebladh? And why? Slowly, one by one, her family’s dark secrets come into light. This eerie show has been hailed as a Swedish equivalent to Twin Peaks.

American Gothic
American horror series (1995-1996)

In the small fictional town of Trinity, South Carolina, the evil Sheriff Buck runs the town with an iron fist and what appears to be supernatural powers. He may very well be the Devil himself. He tries to gain control over the orphan Caleb who harbours a horrible secret. The ghost of Caleb’s older sister appears before him to try to keep him from becoming corrupted by Sheriff Buck. This is a classic story of good versus evil. Sam Raimi, most known for Evil Dead, was the executive producer on the show but it still passed many people by at the time and has now become a cult show. Sadly, it was cancelled after only one season most likely because the network considered it too dark and twisted. This is the perfect show to get you in the mood for Hallowe’en!

Chiaki L’Argent