By Colleen Schuler

Netflix! Instead of my annual recap of movies in cinema, I thought I’d share what my husband and I have been watching on Netflix. After all, the movies (in the theater) are so five minutes ago. Besides, Netflix is a great way to catch up on TV shows that you missed or find some gems you never knew existed. Now if this list seems heavily weighted towards the Brits, well, what can I say? They’re good!

The British Invasion

• The Bletchley Circle: What would you do if you figured out that not only is a second killing going to take place but where? And if the authorities don’t believe you? This series (set in the early 1950s) follow four women—former WWII code breakers—as they solve crimes faster than the police. There are two seasons with three storylines; unfortunately it wasn’t renewed for a third.
• Endeavour: The prequel to the Inspector Morse series…I love this younger version. A cerebral detective constable joins the Oxford police department and seems to annoy his colleagues for being so smart! Well done. Make sure you see the pilot of the series first (Endeavour, 2012). Four episodes per season. Don’t have Netflix? PBS also airs this series.
• Inspector Lewis: Following in the footsteps of Inspector Morse…Inspector Lewis has a wry, witty sidekick in Detective Sergeant Hathaway as they solve crimes in present day Oxford. In its seventh season on PBS.
• MI-5: This is an oldie but oh so good if you like the spy/espionage genre. Set in present day, this series is about the British domestic intelligence agency and their efforts to keep Britain safe. If you start this series, plan for the long haul—it spanned 10 seasons (86 episodes). But so worth it. (P.S. If you want to read a page-turning, engrossing can’t-put-down book from a real MI-5 agent, try to find The SpyCatcher by Peter Wright.)

The Eclectic Collection

• Continuum: Time-traveling, mind-bending, twist, and turn plots! Kiera Cameron, a Vancouver police detective from 2077, travels back to 2012 to stop rebels from destroying her world. Get your popcorn ready; this is ideal for marathon sessions.
• Longmire: Set in Wyoming, this series centers on a sheriff who’s back on the job after being widowed for a year. Of course, there’s a back story to that which unfolds as the series develops. He’s up for reelection and one of his deputies wants his job. Netflix has picked it up for a fourth season, set to air late 2015.
• Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter: A Swedish series about a journalist who has a knack for digging out the real story. The show also shows how she deals with her family life. Only six episodes, English subtitles.

Your Streaming Picks

Those are my Netflix picks.  As more and more of us are cutting the cable-cord and turning to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and Hulu Plus, there are so many options for binge-watching online serials, back in the day TV shows, old movies, and even documentaries. (1) What is your favorite streaming service (e.g., Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Amazon)? (2) What are your favorite shows or programs to watch on Netflix and other streaming services?