28 Top Execs Recommend the Best TV Series to Binge Over the Holidays
From Frances Berwick to Francesca Orsi: C-suiters reveal the can’t-miss shows they can’t stop watching (even from competitors)
I cover TV. I interviewed the Bell Media execs who bet on breakout hit Heated Rivalry, analyzed 5 burning questions about Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. and wrote about the 10 showrunners who define TV now. Email me at lesley.goldberg@theankler.com
’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Hollywood,
Not an executive was stirring, which was probably good
The budgets were spent, on scripted and reality fare
In hopes that St. Emmy (or St. Critics Choice, or even St. Golden Globe) soon would be there…
That’s right, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: The industry has shut down for the holidays as execs trade pitch meetings for the Four Seasons Maui, and some much-needed R&R after a rough year. And as C-suiters enjoy the winter break, they will still, naturally, be quizzed by family and friends with questions of what to watch. So Series Business did the same and polled the people who make television to find out what they think you should be watching — now that you have some downtime, of course.
Knowing that everyone would want to tout their own work, I asked each of these 28 top TV players, listed below in alphabetical order, to select just one show of their own and another from a competitor. Naturally, Netflix juggernaut Stranger Things — dropping its final episodes over the break — was a top rec of many execs, but so was HBO’s Heated Rivalry, which I’ve reported on a few times in recent weeks, including my Q&A with Bell Media execs Sean Cohan and Justin Stockman.
You’ll also find some surprises and new discoveries — especially among the competitors’ shows these execs are sampling. Below, from the programming pros at Disney, Netflix, Paramount, Starz, HBO, NBCU and more, your holiday watch list.
And hey, this one is free, but if you want full access to all my TV reporting, now is great time to become a paid subscriber if you’re not already (or to give someone a gift they’ll absolutely appreciate).
The Recommendations
Frances Berwick, chairman of Bravo & Peacock unscripted
From us: The Traitors (Peacock)
From a competitor: Slow Horses (Apple)
Karey Burke, president of Disney’s 20th Television
From us: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+)
From a competitor: Stranger Things (Netflix)
Kathryn Busby, president of original programming at Starz
From us: Spartacus: House of Ashur (Starz)
From a competitor: Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)
Related:
Tara Duncan, president at Disney’s Onyx Collective
From us: Deli Boys (Hulu)
From a competitor: Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)
Craig Erwich, president at Disney Television Group
From us: A Very Jonas Christmas (Disney+)
From a competitor: Sean Combs: The Reckoning (Netflix)
Ari Goldman, senior vp content strategy and scheduling at ABC
From us: High Potential (ABC)
From a competitor: The Rehearsal season two (HBO Max)
Toby Gorman, president of Universal Television Alternative Studio
From us: Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks (Peacock)
From a competitor: Down Cemetery Road (Apple)
Nick Grad, president at FX Networks
From us: The Lowdown (Hulu)
From a competitor: Andor (Disney+)
(While Disney+ is a corporate sibling to FX, Grad does not sell shows and his programming streams on Hulu.)
Jordan Helman, head of drama, ABC and Hulu
From us: Tell Me Lies (Hulu)
From a competitor: Mr. Scorsese (Apple)
Jinny Howe, head of scripted series, U.S. and Canada at Netflix
From us: The Diplomat (Netflix)
From a competitor: Slow Horses (Apple)
Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman, television studios at NBC Entertainment & Peacock Scripted
From us: All Her Fault (Peacock)
From a competitor: The Beast in Me (Netflix)
Liz Jenkins, chief business officer at NBCUniversal Entertainment
From us: The Day of the Jackal (Peacock)
From a competitor: Hijack (Apple)
Lisa Katz, president of scripted at NBC & Peacock
From us: The Copenhagen Test (Peacock)
From a competitor: Emily in Paris (Netflix)
Kate Lambert, exec vp development at FX Networks
From us: The Lowdown (Hulu)
From a competitor: The Pitt (HBO Max)
Suzanna Makkos, head of comedy and adult animation, ABC and Hulu
From us: Kumail Nanjiani’s Night Thoughts standup special (Hulu)
From a competitor: Common Side Effects (Adult Swim)
Rob Mills, exec vp unscripted and alternative entertainment, Disney Entertainment Television
From us: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu)
From a competitor: Rich Little’s Christmas Carol (Originally on HBO; now on YouTube)
Francesca Orsi, exec vp programming HBO
From us: Task (HBO)
From a competitor: Stranger Things (Netflix)
Tracey Pakosta, vp comedy, U.S. and Canada at Netflix
From us: Emily in Paris (Netflix)
From a competitor: Task (HBO)
Chris Parnell, exec vp originals at Paramount+
From us: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+)
From a competitor: Pluribus (Apple)
Katherine Pope, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios
From us: Pluribus (Apple)
From a competitor: The Lowdown (Hulu)
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment
From us: Elsbeth (CBS)
From a competitor: Pluribus (Apple)
Related:
Bryan Seabury, head of content strategy and drama development at CBS Studios
From us: King & Conqueror (BBC & Prime Video)
From a competitor: Task (HBO Max)
Simran Sethi, president of scripted programming at ABC and Hulu
From us: Will Trent (ABC)
From a competitor: Platonic (Apple)
Beatrice Springborn, president, UCP & Universal International Studios
From us: All Her Fault (Peacock)
From a competitor: Boots (Netflix)
Jenny Storms, chief marketing officer at NBCUniversal TV & Streaming
From us: All Her Fault (Peacock)
From a competitor: Landman (Paramount+)
Matt Thunell, president of Paramount Television Studios
From us: Landman (Paramount+)
From a competitor: Stranger Things (Netflix)
Erin Underhill, president of Universal Television
From us: Stumble (NBC)
From a competitor: The Great British Bake Off (PBS, Netflix)
Jane Wiseman, exec vp & head of originals at Paramount+
From us: Landman (Paramount+)
From a competitor: Stranger Things (Netflix)
Got your own recommendation? Feel free to include it in the comments! And have an incredible, happy holiday.