Everyone loves a lazy day in front of the TV. But once you have watched all the shows in the echo chamber that is the English-speaking western world of television, what comes next? While you might be inclined to binge-watch an old comfort favourite like Friends or Gilmore Girls, try looking beyond and stream foreign language shows. If you are already watching Netflix with the subtitles on, you’re halfway there. Grab the popcorn and take a look at just a couple of the countless series that are overlooked below.
First Things First
Step one is choosing whether to watch a foreign language series with subtitles or dubbed speech. After all, unless you are bilingual, you will struggle to make head or tail of the action otherwise. Most streaming platforms use subtitles as default, which in my opinion gives a better viewing experience. For Jane the Virgin fans, it is exactly the same as watching the scenes of Spanish conversation between Jane and her Abuela. In contrast, watching a dubbed show can be frustrating as, not only is the speech sometimes out of sync with the actors, the emotion and dramatic effect intended in the delivery of lines can be lost.
Keeping the original language also adds to the authenticity of a series, allowing you an – albeit fictional – insight into the popular culture of another country. Learning about far flung destinations and ways of life has never been easier than passively watching a screen. For any language students, a good way to pick up bits of conversational vocabulary is to watch a show in the language you are studying. I was told to do this for my French GCSE and it definitely helped.
Now onto the real stuff.
Money Heist – Netflix (Spanish)
Also known as La Casa De Papel, this Spanish show is perhaps Netflix’s best kept secret. Having been available right under viewers noses for some years now, the show has finished filming after a grand finale to its fifth series. Honestly, waiting for each successive part to be released took a lot of patience.
Boasting a truly magnificent soundtrack, the largely unpredictable plot follows an eclectic group of criminals who carry out elaborate heists under the ingenious plans of their leader, The Professor (Alvaro Morte). Taking viewers on a fast-paced emotional rollercoaster, this series is perfect for lovers of action and thrillers, showing a hint of romance and a big helping of violence. A character list of anarchists, these Spanish Robin Hoods will have you rethinking ideas of social justice and rooting for criminals against the police.
Deutschland – All 4 (German)
Set in 1980s Germany before its reunification, Deutschland encourages you to engage in German history, particularly the opposing sides of the Cold War. The storyline of the first series follows Martin (Jonas Nay), an East German citizen who is ordered by the government to go undercover in West Germany. Tensions rise between the East and West as he navigates his new undercover life whilst sending information back across the Berlin Wall.
Complete with a classic 80s soundtrack, three series of political strategy, international relations and human instinct – 83, 86, and 89 – will have you right on the edge of your seat.
My List
If thrillers are not your cup of tea, you will be glad to know that the two suggestions above are just the tip of the iceberg of excellent TV productions outside our usual scope. Personally, I don’t feel inclined to watch the likes of Squidgame, but some shows on my radar to watch next include:
- Sacred Games – Netflix (Indian)
- Borgen – BBC 4/ Netflix (Danish)
- Cable Girls – Netflix (Spanish)
- September Mornings – Amazon Prime (Brazilian Portuguese)
- Kingdom – Netflix (South Korean)
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