It’s a fair assumption that wherever we direct our thoughts will ultimately have an impact on our mindset, our imagination and ultimately, on our performance as voice actors.

The same can be said of writers as it is for all manner of actor, regardless of the genre or medium. And just as writers need to read a lot to improve their literary prowess, actors need to study a variety of recorded media and storytelling styles that shape our culture and the work we perform and create in most.

Besides, most audition specs are crammed with a wide variety of pop culture references from TV shows, both past and present. Yes, even shows that have long been cancelled from a long past era may prove simultaneously comforting and educational.

Here’s a list of recommended binge-worthy viewing you might have missed or been meaning to watch that has something for everyone. Consider them to be comfort food for your soul while feeding your performance read.

Enjoy! 

1. The White Lotus (HBO) Dramedy. Probably the most popular series currently on air!

2. Better Call Saul (Netflix) Dramedy. Five complete seasons chronicling how Breaking Bad’s favorite crooked lawyer, Saul Goodman, came to be.

3. Hacks (HBO Max) Comedy. It’s never too late to pursue a lifelong goal!

4. The Handmaid’s Tale (HULU) Drama. Edgy, suspenseful and intriguing about sums it up.

5. Reboot (HULU) Comedy. What’s it like in the writer’s room? It’s hilarious!

6. Atlanta (HULU) Dramedy. Rap, race, relationships and socioeconomics drives the drama. Donald Glover and cast are simply extraordinary!

7. Yellowstone (Paramount+) Drama. If the Sopranos were cowboys, it would have been Yellowstone.

8. Yellowjackets (PLUTO) Thriller. When a group of High School soccer players ‘survive’ a plane crash their fates our sealed.

9. Dead to Me (Netflix) Dark comedy. Funny how we forge friendships as a adults.

10. Euphoria (HBO/HULU) Drama. High schoolers grappling with drugs, sex and violence today makes every era prior pale in comparison.

11. The Bear (HULU) Comedy-drama. A budding chef elevates his family’s sandwich shop in Chicago that whets the appetite for more. Come hungry!

12. Dopesick (HULU) Drama. This is the actual story of how the Sackler family orchestrated the relentless, soul crushing opioid crisis in this extraordinary, Golden Globe winning miniseries starring Michael Keaton.

13. Abbott Elementary (ABC) Comedy. Quinta Brunson heads this hardworking, charismatic cast (including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Janelle James, and Lisa Ann Walter). Was grade school really this funny? If only. 

14. Reservation Dogs (FX) Comedy-drama. Indigenous teens on the rez in Oklahoma keep it real. Not to be missed!

15. Slow Horses (AppleTV+) Dramatic thriller. Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott-Thomas head this small group of British Intelligence agents who are attempting to redeem themselves from past mistakes.

16. Katla (Netflix) Drama/Sci-Fi. Out of the ashes, what if science evolved out of the Icelandic (and volcanic) folklore? You’d have this incredible series.

17. Severance (AppleTV+) Drama. This suspenseful series lies at the intersection between mystery and sci-fi.

18. Invasion (AppleTV+) Sci-Fi meets suspense that’s truly unexpected.

19. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime) Comedy. Exceptional cast, story and art direction define this exceptional series. Not to be missed!

20. Bad Sisters (AppleTV+) Dramedy. The Irish are known for a few things: comedy, throwing memorable funerals and family. This series has all of those elements and more.

21. Ted Lasso (AppleTV+) Comedy. Discover what sports are honestly intended to instill in us: comradery. Not to be missed!

22. Ozark (Netflix) Drama. Murder and mayhem define this dark, brooding series.

23. Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy (CNN) Food and Travel ‘porn’ at its very best. Get out of town and feed your soul from the comfort of your couch.

24. Killing Eve (HULU) Dramedy. British spy thriller that will absolutely slay you. (

25. Succession (HBO Max) Drama. This epic series mirrors Rupert Murdoch’s family and rivals Shakespeare for drama among family members.

Copyright © 2022 by Kate McClanaghan. All Rights Reserved.