We’ve noticed that many series geeks are not aware of the hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered by the masses out there. It will be a crime if we do not share our latest TV show addictions even though some of the shows have been running for a while. We are avid fans of “Sons of Anarchy”, “Breaking Bad”, “Blue Mountain State”, Entourage” and “Boardwalk Empire” to name a few, and as most of you are aware, they have all sadly come to an end. We decided to set our sights on finding new shows to fill the gaps in our TV diaries over the next couple of months, and we are very excited to share our list of 5 TV Shows You Should Be Watching Right Now.

 

Here We Go!

1. Banshee

Banshee

Banshee

“Sons of Anarchy” fans have much to celebrate if they need a good fix of small town corruption filled with gangs, mobster, betrayal secrets and hardcore action. At the centre of the story is Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), a master thief just out of prison, now hunted by a vengeful criminal he worked for and betrayed 15 years earlier. He was caught stealing diamonds and took the wrap for a crime he committed with his lover who also happens to be the daughter of the criminal kingpin he worked for. Having tracked the whereabouts of his former lover and partner in crime to a small town in Pennsylvania, Lucas assumes the identity of that town’s new sheriff, whose killing he witnessed before the lawman’s first day on the job. There is so much more to the story and it really excels as an action drama show with lots of intriguing moments and epic fight scenes.

Synopsis:

“From Alan Ball, creator/EP of True Blood, this exciting new Cinemax action drama charts the twists and turns that follow Lucas Hood (Antony Starr), an ex-convict who improbably becomes sheriff of a rural, Amish-area town while searching for a woman he last saw 15 years ago, when he gave himself up to police to let her escape after a jewel heist. Living in Banshee under an assumed name, Carrie Hopewell (Ivana Milicevic) is now married to the local DA, has two children (one of whom may be Lucas’), and is trying desperately to keep a low profile – until Lucas arrives to shake up her world and rekindle old passions. Complicating matters is the fact that Banshee is riddled by corruption, with an Amish overlord, Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen), brutally building a local empire of drugs, gambling and graft. With the help of a boxer-turned-barkeeper named Sugar Bates (Frankie Faison), Lucas is able to stay on even footing with Kai and his thugs, and even manages to bring a measure of tough justice to Banshee. But eventually, Lucas’ appetite for pulling heists pulls him and Carrie into a dangerous cauldron of duplicity, exacerbated when Mr. Rabbit (Ben Cross), the NY mobster they once ripped off, closes in with vengeance on his mind.”

Check out the trailer:

 

2. Power

Power

Power

“Power” explores the underbelly of the growing New York drug scene. It tells the story of a druglord who wants a way out without destroying his family and legal business he uses to front his more sinister activities. The series reminds me of the “The Sopranos” and “Sons of Anarchy” in a way the story is told. We are constantly reminded that crime lords don’t often end up old and happy unless they make a turn towards a legal way of conducting business. At first glance it looks like a typical urban show, but once you get to know James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), the New York druglord with a dream to make it big and ditch the drug trade, all else seems to fall it place nicely. Hardwick owns the part and delivers a pretty good performance as a street educated thug, husband and father in a designer suit. The backstory is loosely inspired by executive producer Curtis “Fifty Cent” Jackson, so expect a really cool soundtrack to one of the best new crime dramas on TV right now.

Synopsis:

“From Executive Producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and show creator Courtney Kemp Agboh (“The Good Wife”) comes “Power”, a visionary crime drama set in two different worlds – the glamorous New York club scene and the brutal drug trade. James “Ghost” St. Patrick has it all: a beautiful wife, a gorgeous Manhattan penthouse, and the hottest, up-and-coming new nightclub in New York. His club, Truth, caters to the elite: the famous and infamous boldface names that run the city that never sleeps. As its success grows, so do Ghost’s plans to build an empire. However, Truth hides a ugly reality. It’s a front for Ghost’s criminal underworld; a lucrative drug network, serving only the wealthy and powerful. As Ghost is seduced by the prospect of a legitimate life, everything precious to him becomes unknowingly threatened. Once you’re in, can you ever get out?”

Check out the trailer:

 

3. Ray Donovan

Ray Donovan

Ray Donovan

“Ray Donovan” takes us on a day-in and day-out journey of Ray’s (Liev Schreiber) business of fixing the major screw-ups of the rich and famous in Los Angeles. Known by his clients as a “fixer”, he strives to make their problems disappear with his set of skills acquired as a ruthless South Boston thug. His dysfunctional family which includes a convict father (Jon Voight) who is hell-bent on “fixing” family matters, keeps Ray on his toes while his old-man threatens to destroy everything he has built for himself as the go-to guy for the wealthy and powerful. “Ray Donovan” presents a powerful storyline and plot swings that are cleverly written to keep fans of Showtime shows intrigued.

Synopsis:

“Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, Ray Donovan does the dirty work for L.A.’s top power players. The series stars Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominee Liev Schreiber in his first lead television role as the go-to guy who makes the problems of the city’s celebrities, superstar athletes, and business moguls disappear. This powerful family drama unfolds when his father, played by Oscar® winner Jon Voight, is unexpectedly released from prison, setting off a chain of events that shakes the Donovan family to its core.”

Check out the trailer:

 

4. Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul

I still remember the day I watched the last episode of “Breaking Bad” and thought to myself….damn….what will we be watching next week? Series creator Vince Gilligan anticipated the need to fill the gap and decided to create a spin-off series based on one of the characters from one of the best rated series of all-time. We now have the privilege of seeing Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) in action in his own show which is also one of the best rated shows at the moment. Saul is a criminal lawyer famous for his cheesy yellow pages and TV adverts. He acted as Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse Pinkman’s (Aaron Paul) attorney and accomplice when their thriving drug business generated serious cash. His made-up name is a play on words to better attract clients: “‘S’all good, man!” becomes the semitic “Saul Goodman”. The name of the show is taken directly from his low-budget TV commercials and print advertisements which features the tagline “Better Call Saul!”. Like Breaking Bad, this is a transformation tale which shifts from drama to comedy, but it’s less set its roots to capture the elements of drama like BB did. The show is fun and quirky but still serious in way only Odenkirk can present it.

Synopsis:

“Six years before Saul Goodman meets Walter White. We meet him when the man who will become Saul Goodman is known as Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer searching for his destiny, and, more immediately, hustling to make ends meet. Working alongside, and, often, against Jimmy, is “fixer” Mike Erhmantraut. The series will track Jimmy’s transformation into Saul Goodman, the man who puts “criminal” in “criminal lawyer”.”

Check out the trailer:

 

5. The League

The League

The League

I am amazed that some geeks have never heard of FX’s show called “The League”. Fans of “Archer” and “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” will agree that the show about a bunch of average Joe’s who are infatuated with playing fantasy football receives a double thumbs up across the board. “The League” presents laugh-out-loud moments with each episode as we get a fly on the wall look at a group of friends who battle it out to be the top dog of their fantasy football league. The chemistry of the leading men accompanied with sharp humour and clever quips has been the backbone of one of FX’s funniest shows. It is not the best show ever made, but it caters for a specific audience who enjoy witty humour normally featured on FX.

Synopsis:

“To be a fan of FXX’s THE LEAGUE, you don’t need to know much about fantasy football, or sports at all. You just need to have friends that you hate. The ensemble comedy follows a group of old friends in a fantasy football league who care deeply about one another – so deeply that they use every opportunity to make each other’s lives miserable. THE LEAGUE features an ensemble cast of rising actors/comedians. Stephen Rannazzisi (Paul Blart: Mall Cop) is KEVIN, a happily married father and commissioner of the league. Katie Aselton (Black Rock) plays JENNY, Kevin’s wife and his better half – especially when it comes to fantasy football. Mark Duplass (Tammy) is PETE, the perennial league champ who is struggling to become an adult. Jon Lajoie is TACO, Kevin’s little brother, a part-time musician and full-time stoner with little interest in fantasy football, other than hanging with his buddies (whose names he struggles to remember). Nick Kroll (Kroll Show) plays RUXIN, who believes he is the smartest of the group but can’t figure out how exactly the other guys are screwing him over. ANDRE, played by Paul Scheer (NTSF:SD:SUV), has continued to be the punching bag of the group since their high school days – a fact that hasn’t changed even though he is now a successful plastic surgeon.”

Check out the trailer: