We’re back! After what feels like some of the longest months over the past year in our lives, we’re happy to be celebrating all of the good that 2021 had to offer with our annual Female First Awards.
To kick things off, we’re looking at some of the best new television shows that have graced the small screen, whittling our favourites down to just five nominees and, naming our overall winner. Exactly which series that may be? Read on to find out…
Heels
After calling Starzplay series Heels a "stellar and emotional must-watch", there was surely no doubt that the show would be making an appearance here.
Stephen Amell and Alexander Ludwig lead the series, which tells the story of two warring siblings who share a passion for the wrestling industry and, who both perform as a part of as well as working behind-the-scenes to make their family promotion a success following the passing of their father.
Their chemistry is undeniable and when you combine that with some truly raw and gritty storytelling, the end-result is a passion project that captured the hearts of everybody watching. Keep an eye out for a second season in 2022!
Mare of Easttown
Directed by Craig Zobel, HBO series Mare of Easttown followed the investigation of a detective from Pennsylvania into a mysterious murder; but it's not just the case that is cause for concern.
Kate Winslet plays Detective Mare Sheehan, giving the performance of a lifetime as a woman who struggles to keep her life together whilst dealing with one of the grisliest, most unsettling experiences of her career.
WandaVision
One of the most talked about new shows of the year was streaming platform Disney+’s first Marvel series WandaVision, which delved into the unpredictable psyche of one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most beloved characters: Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen).
Opening with what we can only describe as some very ‘marmite’ episodes, the comedy series soon turned into an action-packed one with a plethora of twists and turns that had everybody watching utterly shook.
Exactly how Wanda’s story continues remains to be seen, but with the news that one Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) would be getting her own series, it’s clear that Marvel don’t think fans have had enough of the characters involved here just yet.
It’s A Sin
Though writer Russell T Davies has admitted to being "astonished" by the success seen following the release of It’s A Sin, the passion and realism thrown into the narrative was one that struck a chord with audiences not only in the UK, but across the pond and beyond.
Across five episodes spanning a decade (1981 to 1991) in London, audiences followed the lives of a group of gay men and their friends during the HIV/AIDS crisis that ravaged the United Kingdom, leaving a trail of dead bodies in its wake.
Tears were shed, as some of the best performances of the year hit us straight in the gut. Though it takes place in an era that has gone by, the reality is that much of the prejudice we saw is replicated today; it’s up to us to make sure we stand up against that bigotry and continue to fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Wheel of Time
Is there a Game of Thrones-shaped hole in your life following the conclusion of the fantasy series back in 2019? Then you should be watching Amazon Prime Video’s latest original series, The Wheel of Time, based on the critically-acclaimed books by Robert Jordan and, for the final three novels, co-author Brandon Sanderson.
Created by Rafe Judkins for the small screen, Rosamund Pike stars as the powerful Moiraine Damodred who’s in search of the ‘Dragon reborn’. When she arrives at a small village, chaos and death follows and those she seeks, feel they have no choice but to ride by her side so that those remaining of the ones they love stand a chance of survival.
And the winner is…
It’s A Sin
A tougher decision than we expected at the start of the year, when it looked as though new television may become a thing of the past due to the ongoing pandemic! It’s A Sin was a lasting piece of drama that will go down in history and certainly sticks in the mind of all those who watched through its five-episode run. Plus, a stunning acting debut for musical genius Olly Alexander. Applause all round!
Tagged in Disney Heels Amazon Prime Video Starzplay