July’s lineup of shows to watch on Netflix looks really promising. But the same can’t really be said for the final weekend in June.
The pickings may be slim, but the Watch With Us team is always up for the challenge of finding three underrated Netflix shows to watch this weekend.
As it happens, there are two new additions this week that have the potential to break out on Netflix.
The first is The Royals, a drama series that ran for four seasons. And the second new show is Son of a Critch, an unexpectedly charming coming-of-age comedy from Canada. Since Squid Game is streaming its final season this weekend, we picked that as well.
‘The Royals’ (2015 – 2018)
Elizabeth Hurley reminded everyone why she’s an icon in The Royals, a show that had the distinction of being the first-ever scripted series on the E! channel. Hurley plays Queen Helena Henstridge, the matriarch of the British Royal family and the wife of King Simon Henstridge (Vincent Regan). Helena’s two youngest children, Prince Liam Henstridge (William Moseley) and Princess Eleanor Henstridge (Alexandra Park), aren’t exactly royal material. They just love the benefits of being rich and famous.
Helena’s oldest son, Robert Henstridge (Max Brown), is the man meant to be king. But when he perishes in a plane accident, Liam is forced to try to become a worthy heir while Eleanor struggles to pull herself out of a self-inflicted spiral. As for Helena, she won’t let her family fall out of power, no matter what she has to do for them.
The Royals is streaming on Netflix.
‘Squid Game’ (2021 – 2025)
Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) won the first Squid Games, and he only came back because he wanted to end the lethal contests once and for all. Squid Game season 2 didn’t go Gi-hun’s way, as his rebellion was cut down from within when his ally, Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), betrayed him and revealed his true role in the games.
The third and final season finds Gi-hun and Kang Dae-ho (Kang Ha-neul) at each other’s throats over the failed rebellion. And if either of them manages to survive, there’s one last round of games to get through. And it’s even more dangerous than the previous incarnation of the games.
Squid Game is streaming on Netflix.
‘Son of a Critch’ (2022 – Present)
Mark Critch created Son of a Critch based on his own life story growing up in Canada during the ’80s. He even plays his own father, Mike Critch, on the show and narrates the series as his older self. But the series itself hinges on Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as young Mark, an awkward child who has a hard time being social and making friends.
One of Mark’s first bullies at school is Jennifer Fox (Sophia Powers), but their relationship may change over time. Navigating school and young love is a real challenge for Mark. Luckily, he’s got his grandfather, Patrick “Pop” Critch (Malcolm McDowell), to turn to when the rest of his family can’t help him.
Son of a Critch is streaming on Netflix.
