7 Webseries Recs

Hello, friends. I was planning on posting about a different topic this time, but I still haven't finished part 3 of the Ally/LGBTQ+ Christian Resources series, a diatribe on nuance in theatre (thanks Jackson for the idea!) or 2 other posts relating to various media-related rants...so here's a list of webseries recommendations instead, haha. 

ALSO: if you want a more detailed review of any of these (or have any questions about webseries in general), my sister Alex is the real one to ask. She's watched literally HUNDREDS and has an incredibly intimate knowledge of structure, characterization, what works and what doesn't, etc and often posts reviews on YouTube. Like, if you could get a Masters degree in Web Serial Studies, she'd be the tenured professor judging your thesis. 

Anyway, here's my list of personal favorites:

1) Black Girl in a Big Dress (2 seasons)

Plot: "This is a webseries series about an African American Anglophile cosplayer in love with the Victorian Era. Adrienne feels happy and confident when she's dressed up living life like it's a fairy tale, but back in the real world, it's a whole different story."

Thoughts: This series is SO underrated and gets better every single episode. If you like Victorian romances (or the regency period, even though I know they're two different eras in two different centuries, I think you'll enjoy the humor. I also love how the series focuses on Adrienne's identity as a Black woman and how that affects her work life, romantic life, and her hobby. The costuming is fantastic, the acting is on point, and the script is incredibly clever. Pacing-wise, it's also a very binge-able series--we ended up watching Season 2 in one night because it was so entertaining. 

2) REPRESENT (1 season)

Plot: "REPRESENT is a comedy webseries about two actors, Ellie and Tess. After years of misogyny and sexism in the industry, they decide to make their own movie, one that flips around gender stereotypes. The only problem is, they don't know how to do it. Yet."

Thoughts: As a theatre artist, I found this series all too relatable. While some of the script does take a bit of a "Feminism 101" approach, it doesn't beat you over the head with its message. It does a good job of balancing some more wild comedy moments with well-rounded characters who feel like actual human beings instead of stereotypes. The series also touches on sexism faced by women who are technical artists/crew members in the industry, which I appreciated. I also liked the exploration of how the two main characters' experiences with sexism differ because Tess is an Asian woman and Ellie is white. REPRESENT has about 12 episodes, and the longest episode is around 15 1/2 minutes long but most of them are much shorter, which makes it easy to get through without feeling exhausted. 

3) Sam and Pat Are Depressed (2 seasons)

Plot: "Depressed roommates Sam (series creator Bri Castellini) and Pat (Chris Cherry) use comedy to navigate the complexities and awkwardness of their individual therapy experiences."

Thoughts: How can a series about depression be...well, not at all depressing? I have no idea, but I had a great time. This is one of those series I can watch over and over again and still enjoy it. One of my favorite element is the use of visual gags, such as purposeful continuity errors. The script is honest about the struggles of mental health while also being light-hearted, and the main characters' friendship feels genuine (probably because it is, lol).

4) Beck and Clem (1 season)

Plot: "Beck & Clem is a comedic web series about friendship, time travel and the conviction that the Past was Not That Great. Abbey Fenbert plays BECK, a happy modern feminist. Emily Harpe plays CLEM, a woman from the nether-centuries. Beck introduces Clem to online dating, intersectional feminism, electricity, pants, moral relativism, Hamilton, and, of course, Second Wine. Clem tries to maintain her value system while living her best future life. We guarantee that you’ll laugh, and that no men get to talk."

Thoughts: This series is so clever and well-acted, it continuously weirds me out that barely anyone has heard of it. The best way I can explain it is that the script takes what could be a very complex and confusing concept and chooses to focus on what is the most fun/important, instead of getting bogged down trying to find a way to explain how time travel works. The friendship between the main characters feels very real and the actors embody their characters beautifully. I've also never seen an overtly aromantic character in a web series before, so that's plus!

5) Project Green Gables (3 seasons)

Plot: "Project Green Gables is a modernized remaking of the beloved Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery. [In this version, Anne is a Black seventeen-year-old] navigating through her new life in Avonlea. Her story is told through her own voice in a videoblog she updates weekly. We get to see her at her happiest and most vulnerable, as well as spending time with her friends she brings along on the show as special guests." 

Thoughts: I've seen a lot of Anne of Green Gables adaptations in my day, including other webseries, and I have to say that this is by far the best one. Yes, it is loooooong, but so were the books if you put them all together, so that doesn't bother me. All of the characters, from Diana to Gilbert to Ruby, felt perfectly cast and the rapport between the cast as a group felt so in tune with the original text. Something that impressed me in particular was how they captured the whimsy and imagination of Anne through music and visuals, such as having entire videos dedicated to poetry club. I also thought the way they modernized Anne's storyline about her hair was absolutely GENIUS. In taking the opportunity to celebrate the lead character's identity as a Black woman, certain plotlines from the books were made even more impactful. 

6) Rational Creatures (1 season, season 2 coming soon!)

Plot: "Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, RATIONAL CREATURES is an award-winning romantic dramedy series created and produced by a multinational team of female filmmakers. It's the modern, inclusive Jane Austen story you didn't know you wanted."

Thoughts: If y'all know me, you know I LOVE Persuasion. I was super excited for this series, and the only thing I was disappointed with regarding the first season was that it ended so soon! The actors do an incredible job capturing the personalities of book characters while also making them more relatable characters to a modern audience (improving POC and LGBTQ+ representation, among other things). I'm super picky about casting, but their Anne (called Ana here) and Wentworth were absolutely perfect and have such good chemistry. I also love how they've adjusted Benwick's storyline already! In fact, I'm so weirdly obsessed that I actually DM-ed the creator on Instagram to ask if season 2 was still happening because I was worried the pandemic would have ruined those plans, but never fear--I got a message back confirming that filming for season 2 is still in the works once it is safe to do so! 

7) Earnest 101 (1 season)

Plot: "In this modern, LGBT adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, genderfluid Jack and nonbinary Algernon both lie about their names and gender identities in order to romance their respective love interests."

Thoughts: First off: the Algernon in this adaptation is a riot--their comedic timing is so good. The actor playing Cecily also makes her character so likable and entertaining, and their chemistry is so *chef's kiss* you can't really blame Algernon for lying to her to make their relationship work, haha. Hands down, my favorite scene in the whole thing is the "muffin scene" (iykyk). I'm still in awe of how they captured that part of the play and made it so entertaining.