8 short series for people who never have time

Series are often criticized for being long and time-consuming. This is partly true, we grant you. But the world of the small screen also conceals many small nuggets, whose viewing time is perfect for a binge-watching over a short period of time, without it taking you too long.

So if you don’t feel like getting into long-running drama like The Crownor endless medical sagas like Grey’s Anatomy, this selection is made for you. We have concocted an ideal SVOD guide for the curious and curious looking for episodes to watch in a few hours, without the fuss.

And if you’ve already watched the series mentioned, don’t panic: we’ve thought of everything with additional recommendations, just in case.

For fans of science fiction and anticipation: Severance (AppleTV+)

Number of episodes: 9

Expected time for binge watcher : 7 hours

Imagine: your company suddenly decides to develop a device capable of splitting your brain in two. You will then have to deal with two identities: one for work, and one for your personal life. It is the mysterious starting point of Severance, which immerses us in the open-space of Lumon Industries. Worn by the talented Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), the series available on Apple TV+ is quite simply one of the greatest works of science fiction in recent years. It’s not for nothing if Severance has found pride of place in our top best series of 2022.

You have already seen Severance ? We then recommend the icing Years and Years on Canal+, which tells the story of an English family for 15 years, between new technologies, illegal immigration and far-right candidates. A real sci-fi slap in 6 episodes, to see in 6 hours.

For those who talk fast: Short (Canal+)

Number of episodes: 82

Expected time for binge watcher : 2 hours and 45 minutes

The mini-series created by comedians Kyan Khojandi and Navo in 2011 remains a peak of comedy, always so pleasant to (re) discover. Almost ten years after its first broadcast, Short has not aged a bit, analyzing all aspects of our lives with as much relevance as ever. Romantic, family or friendly relationships, mental health, work anecdotes, daily struggles… With his quirky humor and his ultra-fast delivery, Kyan Khojandi perfectly embodies the main character of this shortcom so well written. In short, you must look Shortavailable on Canal+ but also free on youtube.

You have already seen Short ? We advise you to turn to freaked outanimated series on Canal+ adapted from the comic book by Théo Grosjean. A concentrate of humor and relevance, in which you will find the voice of Kyan Khojandi. You will necessarily recognize yourself in the anxieties described in the 20 episodes of freaked outto see in 40 minutes on Canal+.

For those who denounce racism (and everyone, in fact): Oussekine (Disney+)

Number of episodes: 4

Expected time for binge watcher : 4 hours and 15 minutes

We told you when it came out: Oussekine is quite simply the best French series of 2022. Oussekinean original creation by Disney+ is the first fiction to tell the story of Malik Oussekine. On December 5, 1986, this student of Algerian origin was assassinated by the police, on the sidelines of a student demonstration. His death will upset French society, while his family seeks justice. The four episodes of this reconstruction are exemplary, benefiting from a remarkable cast. 35 years after the fact, Oussekine resonates strangely with recent acts of police violence, drawing a damning parallel with our current society.

You have already seen Oussekine ? We advise you to watch In their eyeson Netflix. Created by Ana DuVernay, this story of a real American miscarriage of justice against a background of systemic racism is a punch in 5 hours, whose 4 episodes will not leave you unscathed.

For history buffs: Look for the woman (art)

Number of episodes: 30

Expected time for binge watcher : 1 hour and 30 minutes

Ada Lovelace, Lise Meitner, Elizabeth Magie, Ida Pfeiffer… These names may be unknown to you, and yet: all these women have left their mark on past centuries thanks to their inventions, their stories or their scientific discoveries. Pioneers that men have forgotten or set aside as history has been written. Arte had the good idea to bring them back to light thanks to this animated mini-series in 30 ultra-short and instructive episodes, in the style of comic books. culottes imagined by Pénélope Bagieu. Look for the woman is a collection of small pastilles full of humor, which make you want to lead a feminist revolt even more.

You have already seen Look for the woman ? If you are interested in feminist and LGBTQIA+ topics, we strongly advise you to take a look at Tender Flesh, the first French series to feature an intersex main character. This teenage series in 10 episodes offers a necessary look at an important subject. To see for free in 4 hours and 20 minutes on the France TV Slash website.

For budding superheroes: Miss Marvel (Disney+)

Number of episodes: 6

Expected time for binge watcher : 5 hours

A “normal” teenager turned superheroine, a similarity to Spider-Man and a luminous main character: Miss Marvel on Disney+ is clearly one of the best series in the universe to date. The 6 episodes of this first season feature Kamala Khan, a young Muslim and Pakistani high school student, who discovers amazing abilities. Don’t stop at its teenage atmosphere: Miss Marvel is as much a refreshing teen drama as it is an important quest for identity, with a racialized heroine. A colorful series, which partly renews the darker atmosphere of the Marvel universe.

You have already seen Miss Marvel ? Waiting to find out Agatha: Coven of Chaoswe advise you to dive into the strange sitcom Wanda Vision. The superheroes Wanda and Vision lead a perfect life there, in a small American suburb. But they quickly begin to doubt their reality… Wanda Vision is composed of 9 episodes, to be seen in 5 hours and 45 minutes, on Disney+.

For the Sunday sportsmen: doggie (SCO)

Number of episodes: 10

Expected time for binge watcher : 3 hours and 40 minutes

Released discreetly in September 2022 on OCS, doggie is nevertheless one of the best surprises of the year in terms of French creations. The series immerses us in the heart of the 1980s, when the charismatic Jane arrives from the United States to land in a quiet little town in the Toulouse region. Thanks to her aerobics classes, she is starting a small revolution in a neighborhood of Desperate Housewives French version. But wouldn’t Jane be hiding darker secrets? Combining industrial espionage and female emancipation, Doggie, available on OCSis an intelligent series, with finely balanced humor, which you would be wrong to miss.

You have already seen doggie ? We advise you to meet the hilarious characters of Funny, unfairly canceled by Netflix after just one season. Created by Fanny Herrero (Ten percent), this series to watch in 5 hours focuses on the daily life of four comedians, who are trying to break into the world of stand-up, in Paris. A breath of fresh air in 6 episodes, available on Netflix.

For those who are waiting for season 5 of Stranger Things : Parallels (Disney+)

Number of episodes: 6

Expected time for binge watcher : 3 hours and 45 minutes

This selection proves it: 2022 has been a great year for French series. Ambitious sci-fi series made for Disney+ by Quoc Dang Tran, Parallels features a gang of teenagers whose lives are turned upside down by new dimensions. They will then try everything to find their life before… Largely compared to Stranger Things Where Dark at its output, Parallels actually has its own quirky vibe, enhanced by clever directing and an excellent cast choice. With this series, Disney+ shows that science fiction can also be written perfectly in French.

You have already seen Parallels ? For a more adult atmosphere, we advise you to let yourself be carried away by the 6 episodes of The Devil’s Houron Amazon Prime Video. Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) delivers a stunning take on this borderline paranormal tale, in which a woman wakes up every night at 3:33 a.m., the devil’s hour… The Devil’s Hour is an enigmatic thriller in 6 hours, of which you will love to put the pieces of the puzzle together.

For the eternal romantics: Heartstopping (Netflix)

Number of episodes: 8

Expected time for binge watcher : 4 hours and 20 minutes

We warn you: Heartstopping is a romance as dripping as a good marshmallow. But that’s precisely what makes this adaptation of Alice Oseman’s graphic novel so charming. The series tells the meeting of two English teenagers: Charlie, an introverted musician with a touch of geekism, and Nick, a very popular rugby player. Their on-screen chemistry is so evident that it’s hard to resist this sweet and delicate sweetness, bathed in a realization in pastel colors. Thanks to this gentle and benevolent universe, Heartstopping does a lot of good for LGBTQIA+ morale and representation, whose romances are often associated with tragic fates. Get carried away by the cuteness of Nick and Charlie on Netflixyou will not regret it.

You have already seen Heartstopping ? We advise you to extend the British experience with Starstruck, a romantic comedy in 12 episodes in which a young New Zealander arrives in London. At New Years, Jessie embarks on an unexpected night with Tom. Problem: Tom is a well-known film actor, already in a relationship… With his well-placed irony, Starstruck will quickly become your romcom favourite. To see in 4 hours and 15 minutes on Canal+.

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