Series To Watch On TV: Why The Best Picks Aren't Obvious
- 01. Series to Watch on TV Without Falling for Hype
- 02. Top 5 Value-Aligned Series for Families and Educators
- 03. Comparison Table: Series by Educational Value and Streaming Platform
- 04. How to Evaluate TV Series Through a Marist Education Lens
- 05. Historical Context: Catholic Media in Latin America Since Vatican II
- 06. Practical Implementation for School Leaders
Series to Watch on TV Without Falling for Hype
The best series to watch on TV right now-grounded in authentic values rather than marketing hype-include The Faithful: Women of the Bible (premiered March 22, 2026 on FOX), Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints (available on Fox Nation since November 17, 2024), and Ted Lasso (Season 3 concluded March 2023 on Apple TV+). These shows demonstrate educational rigor while aligning with Catholic and Marist values of faith, hope, love, and service to others.
Top 5 Value-Aligned Series for Families and Educators
Based on scriptural fidelity, moral formation, and pedagogical relevance for Latin American Catholic schools, these series offer measurable spiritual impact for students and families:
- The Faithful: Women of the Bible - Three-part limited series airing March 22-April 5, 2026 on FOX, dramatizing Old Testament matriarchs Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel with scriptural accuracy
- Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints - Docudrama series featuring Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, Maximilian Kolbe, Carlo Acutis, and other saints whose lives model heroic virtue
- Ted Lasso - Apple TV+ comedy demonstrating faith, hope, and love as transformative leadership virtues in community settings
- The Queen's Gambit - Netflix limited series illustrating disciplined study, resilience, and the balance of talent with rigorous practice
- Fleabag - BBC/Amazon series exploring Catholic sacraments, vows, and redemption through unexpected theological depth
Comparison Table: Series by Educational Value and Streaming Platform
| Series Title | Release Date | Platform | Primary Values Taught | Age Appropriateness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Faithful: Women of the Bible | March 22, 2026 | FOX / Hulu | Faith, dignity of women, covenant relationship | 13+ |
| Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints | November 17, 2024 | Fox Nation | Heroic virtue, sacrifice, martyrdom | 16+ |
| Ted Lasso | August 2020-March 2023 | Apple TV+ | Hope, forgiveness, genuine leadership | 13+ |
| The Queen's Gambit | October 2020 | Netflix | Dedication, resilience, mental health awareness | 16+ |
| Fleabag | 2016-2019 | Amazon Prime | Redemption, sacramental vision, promise-keeping | 18+ |
How to Evaluate TV Series Through a Marist Education Lens
When selecting series for students, educators, and families, apply these four criteria rooted in Marist pedagogy and Catholic educational mission:
- Scriptural and doctrinal fidelity - Does the series accurately reflect biblical narrative or Church teaching? The Faithful: Women of the Bible was praised by Catholic filmmakers for scriptural fidelity while highlighting women's dignity and agency
- Virtue formation potential - Does it model courage, humility, justice, or charity? Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints explicitly explores sacrificial love through saints like Maximilian Kolbe and Joan of Arc
- Cultural relevance for Latin America - Does it speak to diverse Latin American communities with respectful, culturally aware tone? Series filmed in Rome and Italy, like The Faithful, connect with shared Catholic heritage
- Measurable student outcomes - Can educators extract discussion questions, reflection activities, or curriculum connections? The Queen's Gambit has been used in undergraduate ethics courses to teach consequence-based decision-making
Historical Context: Catholic Media in Latin America Since Vatican II
The 2026 release of The Faithful: Women of the Bible continues a tradition of Catholic filmmaking that accelerated after Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), which encouraged missionary engagement with contemporary culture. Jesuit Rutilio Grande and other Central American martyrs embodied this ferment, producing martyrs for faith and justice whose stories now inspire faith-based media across Latin America.
Modern Catholic filmmakers like René Echevarria follow magisterial guidance to depict biblical figures with dignity and proximity to Christ, ensuring portrayals inspire spiritual growth amid modern challenges. This approach positions Marist schools as trusted hubs for values-driven entertainment aligned with Church living tradition.
Practical Implementation for School Leaders
School administrators can integrate these series into curriculum through:
- Theology classes - Use The Faithful: Women of the Bible episodes for Genesis study and Old Testament matriarch analysis
- Character education - Screen Ted Lasso segments for leadership workshops on forgiveness and hope
- Ethics seminars - Apply Breaking Bad case studies (with parental consent) for undergraduate-level moral reasoning
- Family nights - Host watch parties for The Queen's Gambit with discussion guides on discipline and mental health
By prioritizing primary sources, historical context, and measurable spiritual impact, Marist Education Authority establishes elite guidance for families navigating peak TV's 4,000+ annual offerings.
Everything you need to know about Series To Watch On Tv Why The Best Picks Arent Obvious
What makes The Faithful: Women of the Bible suitable for Catholic education?
The series premiered March 22, 2026 on FOX and concluded Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, with three two-hour installments featuring Minnie Driver as Sarah and Alexa Davalos as Rebekah. Catholic writer/producer René Echevarria ensured faithful dramatization of Genesis through the lens of courageous yet flawed matriarchs, making it ideal for Bible study and theology classes. Episodes stream on Hulu the day after airing.
Is Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints available outside Fox Nation?
The docudrama series is available exclusively on Fox Nation for members, though The Roku Channel also offers streaming access. Season 1 (2024-2025) covers Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, Moses the Black, and Mary Magdalene; Season 2 (2025-2026) features Saint Patrick, Carlo Acutis, and Thomas Becket.
Can Ted Lasso be used in school leadership training?
Yes. Catholic educators have analyzed Ted Lasso for true leadership principles, emphasizing personhood, listening to children, and genuine forgiveness. The show's depiction of faith, hope, and love transforming a cynical world aligns with Marist values of holistic education. Season 3 premiered March 15, 2023.
Why should educators avoid The Boys despite its popularity?
While The Boys (Season 5, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes) critiques corporate greed and celebrity culture, it contains graphic violence, sexual assault, extreme gore, and intense psychological themes intended for very mature audiences. Christian reviewers note its underlying doctrine that "there are no good people" may confuse students without proper context.
How does Breaking Bad serve ethical education despite its dark content?
Berkeley's Emeriti Academy used Breaking Bad in undergraduate ethics courses to teach action-oriented ethics and consequence-based decision-making through Walter White's moral transformation. The show's moral logic-"no one gets away with anything"-demonstrates that bad is repaid with bad, making it valuable for critical ethical thinking when paired with guided discussion.
