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Looking for something decent to watch (or rewatch)? Well, these shows aren’t just fantastic; they also hold useful lessons for your creative career.
It feels like your Netflix addiction is getting out of hand. You just watched seven episodes in one sitting and don’t know where the day went. That’s a huge waste of time, right? Well, actually, perhaps not.
As creatives, we all need a bit of downtime where we stop being productive and give our minds and bodies time off to rest, recuperate and repair. Plus, if you pick the best stuff to watch, it can actually help inspire you and teach you valuable lessons for your career.
Unfortunately, the streaming platforms don’t do a great job of highlighting true quality. Their algorithms are purely interested in engagement, so they often push you towards mass-market fodder that’s popular but not really very good.
Which is annoying, because there are often some absolute classics on these services that doesn’t often surface on the homepage. To help you find them, we’ve hand-picked a selection of shows every creative should watch and pick out some of the broader lessons they contain for creatives.
(Seen them already? If it was a few years back, it may well be worth bingeing them again. Like a vintage wine, they all seem to improve with age.)
Breaking Bad: the power of a personal brand
What is it?:
Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White, a mild-mannered chemistry teacher turned ruthless drug kingpin. Diagnosed with terminal cancer and desperate to provide for his family, Walt uses his scientific skills to cook high-quality meth. As he descends into the criminal underworld, he transforms into “Heisenberg”—his cold, calculating alter ego.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
Before Walter becomes Heisenberg, he’s a middle-aged teacher in tighty-whities. Yet once he adopts the iconic black hat and the ominous “I am the danger” persona, he becomes a legend. His carefully crafted personal brand—menacing, mysterious, and memorable—commands respect and strikes fear into his competitors.
The big takeaway:
Whether you’re a designer, writer or artist, crafting a distinctive visual identity or voice helps you stand out. So, develop a signature style, be consistent, and own it. (Maybe skip the meth empire, though. There are laws against that.)
The Simpsons: one bold choice can change it all
What is it?:
The Simpsons is the longest-running animated sitcom in history. Following the misadventures of a middle-income family, it’s known for its satirical take on American life and has become a true cultural icon. (The early seasons are by far the best, though, despite having cheaper-looking animation.)
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
Why are The Simpsons yellow? Apparently, creator Matt Groening deliberately chose the eye-popping hue to grab people’s attention when they were channel surfing. It worked a treat. Three decades later, that unmistakable shade of yellow still signals Springfield’s finest family.
The big takeaway:
A single, memorable design choice can become your creative signature. Whether it’s a striking colour palette, a quirky font or a recurring motif, consistency makes you instantly recognisable. Sometimes, it really is all about aesthetics.
Stranger Things: take nostalgia seriously
What is it?:
Set in the 1980s, Stranger Things follows a group of kids in a small Indiana town who encounter supernatural forces, secret government experiments, and a terrifying alternate dimension known as the Upside Down.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
Stranger Things is a love letter to the 1980s, and that love is heartfelt. Unlike lazier shows, it didn’t just slap on leg warmers and call it a day. Instead, it taps into the retro revival trend with reverence and attention to detail… so even if you don’t remember the period, it simply feels authentic. That, along with a pitch-perfect blend of synth music, vintage bikes and Dungeons & Dragons, has helped strike a chord with both old-school fans and new audiences.
The big takeaway:
Nostalgia can be lucrative but can’t be just an afterthought or gimmick. There’s a fine line between mining a nostalgic seam and flogging a dead Rubik’s Cube. So, do your research, immerse yourself in your subject, and get to really understand the era.
Star Trek: The wider world is your muse
What is it?:
Star Trek is a long-running sci-fi franchise that explores space travel, intergalactic diplomacy, and the human condition. The original series and its many spin-offs use futuristic settings to comment on contemporary social and political issues.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
The first seasons of Star Trek in the 1960s were heavily influenced by Cold War anxieties, using intergalactic conflicts as a metaphor for Earthly tensions. When it was revived in the 1980s, Star Trek: The Next Generation reflected a more optimistic era, channelling themes of UN peacekeeping and cooperation. In both cases, the producers harness real-world concerns to create meaningful, futuristic storytelling.
The big takeaway:
Look beyond your own bubble for creative inspiration. Current events, global conflicts or even scientific breakthroughs can add depth and relevance to your work. So the next time you’re feeling creatively blocked, maybe read The Economist instead of scrolling Pinterest.
Life on Mars: Inspiration can come from the oddest places
What is it?:
Life on Mars is a British crime drama with a twist. Following a car accident, modern-day detective Sam Tyler wakes up in 1973. Unsure whether he’s in a coma, mad, or actually back in time, he continues to investigate crimes while trying to figure out how to return to the present.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
A gritty detective show inspired by… a single line in a song: “Take a look at the lawman, beating up the wrong guy.” Yes, Life on Mars took its entire concept from Bowie’s haunting lyrics and ran with it. The result? A time-travelling, genre-bending masterpiece.
The big takeaway:
Don’t overlook fleeting ideas or obscure references—they might contain creative gold. So rummage through old notebooks, revisit forgotten sketches, or listen carefully to background lyrics. You never know which throwaway detail might spark your next big project.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Surprise is your secret weapon
What is it?:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a cult favourite that blends supernatural horror with teen drama. It follows Buffy Summers, a high school student destined to battle vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness, and an ensemble cast that constantly sparks off each other in ways that range from the hilarious to the truly tragic. Arguably, its high point was a special musical episode in season six, entitled Once More, with Feeling.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
A musical episode? In a vampire-fighting teen drama? At the time, it sounded insane. But Buffy pulled it off brilliantly, and dozens of shows have since repeated the feat, some with more success than others. In Buffy’s case, it worked because Once More, with Feeling, wasn’t just a gimmick—it delivered major character developments and some of the most emotionally charged storylines ever seen on teen TV. More broadly, the show’s bold departure from its usual format is a classic example of how taking creative risks can pay off.
The big takeaway:
Don’t be afraid to surprise your audience. Inject unexpected elements into your work—a different medium, format, or style. Clients and collaborators will remember the bold risks that worked, not the safe plays, and even the unsuccessful experiments will be forgotten in their wake.
Squid Game: Patience pays off
What is it?:
Squid Game is a South Korean survival drama in which financially desperate contestants play deadly children’s games for a chance to win a massive cash prize. Its brutal commentary on inequality and capitalism struck a nerve with audiences worldwide.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
Today, it’s Netflix’s biggest show. Yet Squid Game was no overnight success but a decade in the making. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk faced negative feedback and constant rejections before the unusual series finally exploded in popularity and became a global sensation.
The big takeaway:
Sometimes, your big break takes time. Stay patient and keep honing your craft—even when it feels like the world isn’t watching. Persistence is part of the process.
24: Innovation beats originality
What is it?:
24 is a real-time action thriller series following Jack Bauer, an agent tasked with stopping terrorist threats. Each 24-episode season represents one full day, with every episode covering a single hour of the day’s events. This innovative format adds relentless tension, making the show feel like a non-stop adrenaline rush. (It does raise the question, though: does Jack never pee?)
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
“Man stops terrorist”—hardly a groundbreaking concept. But 24 made it feel fresh by using real-time storytelling, creating nail-biting tension. By innovating in its execution rather than its concept, it became a cultural phenomenon.
The big takeaway:
You don’t need a brand-new idea to make an impact. Sometimes, a fresh perspective or format can transform a familiar concept into something extraordinary. It’s all in the delivery.
Elementary (USA) vs Sherlock (UK): Rivalry can be creative fuel
What they are
Elementary and Sherlock are both modern adaptations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. The former, a US production starring Jonny Lee Miller, takes a character-driven, grounded approach, while the latter, a British series starring Benedict Cumberbatch, opts for stylish, cinematic visuals and a more eccentric Holmes.
Why they’re relevant to creatives:
Two modern-day Sherlock Holmes adaptations airing almost simultaneously: disaster? Well, that’s what you might imagine. But instead, both shows thrived. Each found its own distinct voice and gained loyal audiences. Neither cannibalised the other.
The big takeaway:
Competition isn’t your enemy—it’s motivation. So don’t be afraid of tackling a similar idea as someone else. Your unique execution and voice will make it your own. Remember: A Bug’s Life and Antz came out in the same year and were both hits, too!
Lost: Underpromise, overdeliver
What is it?:
Lost is a mystery-driven drama about plane crash survivors stranded on a seemingly deserted island. As they fight to survive, they uncover strange phenomena and a web of secrets that keep them (and viewers) guessing.
Why it’s relevant to creatives:
Lost is one of the landmark series of modern TV, and it’s absolutely fantastic from start to… well, nearly finish. Unfortunately, it ended not with a bang but a shrug, leaving many fans disillusioned. In retrospect, it had done such a good job of building up the sense of intrigue and mystery that the finale was bound to disappoint.
The big takeaway:
Manage expectations. When dealing with clients, be clear about what you can deliver. Then, whenever possible, exceed those expectations with creative flourishes they didn’t anticipate. It’s the difference between being “meh” and “mind-blown.” (Also, do watch Lost: it’s absolutely brilliant. Just maybe tap out when you start to get bored, probably around the start of season 5.)
