10 Netflix Documentary Series EVERYONE Should Binge

Due to the ongoing pandemic, humanity has pressed the equivalent of the pause button.

Fortunately, the very best (and worst) of it has already been recorded, so now is a convenient time for us to rewind, in both senses of the word, and catch-up on the past and present of our weird, wonderful and worrisome world. Such wonder in the feel good moments of triumph, weirdness in the behaviours and circumstances of these genuine people and worrying affirmations of power and nature.

In one of my previous articles, I recommended two fistfuls of stand-alone documentaries available on the much loved streaming service which are truly worthwhile viewing. However, these stories of crime, culture and college football are far too complex and compelling for one feature (and even one series).

With any luck and plenty of binge-watching, we should have plenty to talk about with our family, friends and colleagues once this all blows over. It will certainly make for much better discussion than supermarkets and social distancing.

(Yes, I used that line in the aforementioned article but there really is nothing else to talk about at the moment, so go and watch this documentaries before we all go stir crazy!)

We kick this list off with the grandaddy of all of the documentary series worth binge-watching. In fact, this story of criminal injustice might well be what inspired that particular activity and phrase to be coined.

In 1985, Steven Avery was found guilty for the sexual assault and attempted murder of Penny Beernsten, a crime he did not commit. This was confirmed 18 years later, thanks to introduction of DNA evidence, leading him to be fully exonerated. Avery filed a civil lawsuit against Mantiowoc County due to his false imprisonment, which would have made him a multi-millionaire.

However, two years later, Avery and his nephew, Brendan Dassey, found themselves as the key suspects in relation to the disappearance of Teresa Halbach, whose remains were discovered in their family's salvage yard. The men were subsequently charged for her murder, despite there being strong implications that tampering and coercion had been used by the prosecution.

In the following season, Avery and Dassey have new attorneys, more evidence emerges and the lives of all involved is explored.

There is yet to be any confirmation as to whether there will be a third installment. Much like the accused, we are going to have to wait a while longer.