Best TV Series To Start Watching This Weekend Together Now
- 01. Best TV Series to Start Watching With Your Teen Today Now
- 02. Top 5 Values-Driven TV Series for Families in Latin America
- 03. Why These Series Align With Marist Educational Values
- 04. Practical Guide: Starting Family Viewing with Purpose
- 05. Series Comparison by Educational Theme
- 06. Media Literacy in the Marist Digital Vision
- 07. Viewing Recommendations by Age Group
- 08. Building Family Culture Through Shared Media
- 09. Action Steps for School Leaders and Parents
- 10. Final Recommendation
Best TV Series to Start Watching With Your Teen Today Now
The best TV series to start watching with your teen today are Ted Lasso, Schitt's Creek, The Chosen, and Anne with an E-shows that combine strong storytelling with values like empathy, resilience, community, and moral courage aligned with Marist educational principles. These series have earned critical acclaim, won major awards, and provide meaningful conversation starters about faith, family, and character formation.
Top 5 Values-Driven TV Series for Families in Latin America
Based on award recognition, viewership data, and alignment with Catholic educational values, here are the most recommended series for families seeking holistic media engagement:
| Series Title | Platform | Seasons | Awards/Wins | Core Values Taught | Recommended Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ted Lasso | Apple TV+ | 3 | 10 Emmys (2021-2022) | Kindness, forgiveness, vulnerability, optimism | 14+ |
| Schitt's Creek | Netflix | 6 | 9 Emmys, 2020 Comedy Sweep | Acceptance, love, community, redemption | 13+ |
| The Chosen | App/Streaming | 5 (42 episodes) | 200M+ viewers worldwide | Faith, grace, discipleship, compassion | 12+ |
| Anne with an E | Netflix | 3 | Canadian Screen Awards | Education, resilience, identity, belonging | 13+ |
| Wednesday | Netflix | 2 (in production) | Global streaming phenomenon | Individuality, justice, community, self-acceptance | 14+ |
Why These Series Align With Marist Educational Values
Marist education emphasizes excellence, community, and service as core pillars. These series model those same principles through character development and narrative arcs that encourage reflection on moral choices, social responsibility, and spiritual growth.
Practical Guide: Starting Family Viewing with Purpose
Research shows that co-viewing with discussion transforms passive entertainment into active character formation. According to the Catechism, media users should practice moderation and form "enlightened and correct consciences" to resist unwholesome influences.
- Set clear viewing goals-choose one episode per week with dedicated discussion time
- Create a viewing guide with 3-5 reflection questions before each episode
- Connect themes to Scripture or Catholic social teaching after viewing
- Encourage journaling about moments that touched the heart (Visio Divina approach)
- Model vulnerability by sharing your own insights and questions
Series Comparison by Educational Theme
- Community Building: Schitt's Creek shows how a town rallies around families
- Faith Formation: The Chosen allows viewers to see Jesus through those who knew Him
- Emotional Intelligence: Ted Lasso demonstrates vulnerability as strength
- Resilience & Identity: Anne with an E explores trauma recovery and self-acceptance
- Justice & Belonging: Wednesday addresses outcast identity and finding community
Media Literacy in the Marist Digital Vision
Marist schools equip students to find, evaluate, use, and communicate information responsibly, including engaging with generative AI and digital media. Choosing quality television is part of broader media literacy education that helps teens develop critical discernment about cultural content.
"Users of mass media are encouraged to practice moderation and discipline and to form enlightened and correct consciences the more easily to resist unwholesome influences" (CCC 2496).
Viewing Recommendations by Age Group
| Age Range | Primary Recommendation | Secondary Option | Discussion Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-13 | The Chosen | Anne with an E | Faith, friendship, identity |
| 14-15 | Ted Lasso | Schitt's Creek | Empathy, forgiveness, acceptance |
| 16-17 | Wednesday | Ted Lasso | Justice, individuality, moral courage |
Building Family Culture Through Shared Media
Families who watch together report deeper conversations about important topics than those who only discuss during meals. One parent noted that without mundane starters like "How was your day?", shows provide natural conversation entry points about serious themes, humor, and escape from pandemic stress.
In Latin American contexts where family cohesion is culturally central, shared viewing becomes a powerful tool for intergenerational dialogue and价值观 transmission aligned with Marist educational mission.
Action Steps for School Leaders and Parents
- Host a family media night at your school or parish using The Chosen or Ted Lasso as a starting point
- Develop a media literacy curriculum that incorporates values-based show analysis
- Create a shared viewing calendar for families with episode guides and discussion questions
- Partner with Catholic media organizations like EWTN, founded by Mother Angelica in 1981, which now reaches hundreds of millions globally
- Measure impact through family surveys on character formation and conversation frequency
Final Recommendation
Start with Ted Lasso Season 1 (Apple TV+) for families seeking optimism and emotional intelligence, or The Chosen Season 1 (free app) for faith-centered viewing. Both series have proven track records of sparking meaningful dialogue while entertaining teens and adults alike.
Expert answers to Best Tv Series To Start Watching This Weekend Together Now queries
How does Ted Lasso reflect Catholic values?
Ted Lasso embodies a "lapsed Catholicity" that connects outward signs of faith with deeper Gospel truths about vulnerability and forgiveness. The show has been described by Word on Fire as "a funny, kind balm for humanity" that implicitly reflects Christian morality even without explicit religious content.
Is Schitt's Creek appropriate for Catholic families?
Yes. Schitt's Creek models unconditional love and acceptance, particularly through its portrayal of the Rose family's journey from selfishness to selfless community building. The show won all four acting Emmys in 2020, becoming the first comedy to sweep every major acting category.
What makes The Chosen unique for faith-based viewing?
The Chosen is the first multi-season TV show about Jesus, created outside Hollywood with input from Catholic and Christian scholars. It reached 200 million viewers worldwide by March 2024, with nearly 50 million Americans having sampled the show. The series is available free through its app, making it accessible across Latin America.
Can Wednesday be watched by Christian teens?
Yes-with parental guidance. While Wednesday contains darker themes and occult elements, it ultimately teaches unity and community as Wednesday finds belonging through standing with peers using their unique abilities. Catholic reviewers note it's "fine to watch" for teens 14+ with discussion.
How does Anne with an E support educational values?
Anne with an E is a true lesson in life reminding viewers of the value of family, friendship, education, love, culture, and nature. Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 classic, the series explores trauma, identity, and the transformative power of education-core themes in Marist pedagogy.
