Peak TV keeps on peaking. And thank goodness, to be honest - we’re not sure what we would’ve done without our favourite companion through the long nights (and even longer days) of 2021. And because we all love a good recommendation, and fashion designers are known arbiters of good taste, we’re delighted to bring to you the ultimate list of excellent TV viewing from those we’d love to know.

‍Sex Education on Netflix

Recommended by Zoe Williams, co-founder and designer of Zoe and Morgan

‍I have enjoyed many Netflix series, and love how modern shows capture such openness in viewpoints and pained subjects, with awkward silences and good outfits. Sex Education was brilliant, I grew so fond of the characters and Gillian Anderson always looked great.

Game of Thrones on Neon

Recommended by Sarah-Jane Duff, designer of Lost and Led Astray 

Bar the final season (eye roll). TV is my escapism and I was really taken by the fantasy world mastered in Game of Thrones. This was one show that always kept me guessing and I could not be late to watch.

Shetland on Netflix; Queen Sugar on TVNZ On Demand; Insecure on Neon; Squid Games on Netflix

Recommended by Keva Rands, designer and founder of Papa Clothing

Shetland is a murder mystery set in Shetland, an island off the coast of Scotland. The main detectives have a beautiful, supportive, platonic relationship and the scenery is stunning. The knitwear is also reason enough to watch the series.‍

Queen Sugar by Ava Duvernay is set in Louisiana near and around New Orleans. It depicts the reality of being an African American in the South. The main characters all go through their own struggles and triumphs and become close after past trauma. It’s got farming, politics, NBA drama, police abuse and family love.‍

Insecure, written by and starring Isa Rae, is a show with characters of people who feel familiar. They are fun, beautiful and their outfits and hairstyles are 10/10.‍

Squid Games is visually amazing and once again the creativity and strangeness that only Korean film and television can pull off is executed perfectly.

I May Destroy You on Neon

Recommended by Gosia Patek, founder of Kowtow

Written, directed and acted by Michaela Coel. Super fresh British drama about sexual consent, Michaela made history as the first black woman to win an Emmy for writing for a limited series.

Celebrity Treasure Island on TVNZ On Demand

Recommended by Anjali Burnett, co-founder of Twenty-seven Names

‍The latest season - I cannot recommend this show enough, it has brought me so much JOY. 

The Panthers on TVNZ on Demand

Recommended by Amy Lautogo, designer of Infamy Apparel

I love to see Pasifika stories on TV, even when those stories are hard to watch. It’s important to see the climate that our parents had to endure and for others to get a glimpse of that experience. Beautifully made with care - immerse yourself in this era of activism.

‍Mare of Easttown on Neon

Recommended by Elisabeth Findlay, co-founder of Zambesi

‍Kate Winslet is a favourite and her character portrayal and performance is brilliant -  I love whodunnits! I also really enjoy the documentaries that Rialto and Prime Rocks have on artists, musicians, film makers, photographers and architects, and Māori TV for their alternative movie selections and interesting interviews.

The Sopranos on Neon

Recommended by Karen Walker 

Without doubt The Sopranos is the greatest TV show of all time and no one will ever convince me otherwise. I’ve watched it from S1E1 through to the end at least four times and it never fails to astonish me. The ever-changing structure; the complexity of the characters; the base level of it being a story of a man interacting with his family and his business; the enigmatic ending; the humour; Silvio’s hair; Livia’s everything; the dialogue all make it utterly masterful. I shall watch it again and again and again in the years to come. 

Lupin on Netflix

Recommended by Sarah Cotterall, founder of Silk & Steel

A retelling of the classic French story about Arsène Lupin, the world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise. I lived, studied and worked in France for a few years, so not only is this a great storyline but I also love listening to French.

Midnight Mass on Netflix

Recommended by Liam Bowden, founder of Deadly Ponies 

A great storyline that gets more twisted as it goes on. It gave me all of the chaos I was hoping for at the end. 

Million Dollar Listings on Bravo; Succession on Neon

Recommended by Kathryn Wilson

‍I love escapism with TV series. Million Dollar Listings on Bravo is always a great watch for the drama and the amazing houses being sold in LA and New York, Or Succession which is loosely based on media mogul Rupert Murdoch's family business.