The 10 Best Post-Bedtime Bingeworthy Shows of 2021

couple watching netflix, best shows to watch with your partner

Honest question, mamas: Is there anything better than the 9pm relief when all our little cherubs are finally snoozing and it’s time to unwind with your partner? If you’re anything like us, that means show time. My husband and I love a good bingeworthy show. The only problem? When it ends, we have to find another!

So, the next time you find yourself in that spot, head back to this post. I’ve rounded up my top ten favorites from the past year on a variety of streaming platforms, so you’ll always have something fun and new in the queue!

{2021} Top 10 Best Shows to Watch with Your Partner:

Yellowstone (Paramount)

I’ll admit—I didn’t love this one after the first episode. But Kevin Costner convinced me to give it another few episodes, and I’m so glad I did! Costner stars as John Dutton, a rancher, and the show follows the myriad of conflicts and corruptions surrounding his property. The cast is insanely talented, and the dark (sometimes very dark) twists and turns make this one completely bingeworthy.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV)

I mean, do I even need to talk about this one?! This show took 2021 by storm and for good reason. Starring Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso, the plot follows an American football coach hired to coach a football club in England. The only problem is that football in England is soccer, a sport he knows nothing about. This show is a little bit feel-good, a little bit drama, and a whole lot of hilarious.

Maid (Netflix)

Based on a real story, Maid follows Alex Russell (Margaret Qualley) as she tries to leave an abusive relationship and fight for a future with her daughter, all while working for near pennies as a full-time maid. This touches on so many social issues—domestic violence, government assistance, generational cycles of abuse, alcoholism, poverty, and more. At its core, though, is the story of a mother who will stop at nothing to protect her daughter and give her a brighter future.

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Steve Martin roped me into this one, but my love of true crime kept me involved. Along with Martin Short and Selena Gomez, this trio of wannabe detectives investigates a murder that happens in their building. It’s funny, it’s messy, and it somehow even manages to make you think at times. Highly recommend!

Mare of Easttown (HBO Max)

We only started this one because it won so many Emmy awards, but it didn’t disappoint! This one is a murder mystery centered on Mare (Kate Winslet), a beatdown detective in the Northeast. As she works the case, Mare also works through her own past heartbreak and demons. The cast is incredible, and the countless twists and turns left both my husband and me speechless.

Bridgerton (Netflix)

So, if you’ve seen the trailer, there’s one obvious reason to binge this one: THE DUKE OF HASTINGS. I’m truly not sure a more handsome man has ever walked the earth. But all that aside, this is a period piece like you’ve never seen or expected. It primarily follows the accidental love story of Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and the Duke (Regé-Jean Page), two adversaries who turn into allies who turn into much, much more. As their relationship evolves, the Duke’s past traumas pose a threat to their potential happiness. With a purposefully diverse cast, gorgeous costumes, incredible score, and surprisingly witty writing, it’s bingeworthy for couples or as a solo show.

Succession (HBO Max)

This satirical comedy-drama recently released season three, and I cannot wait to dive back into the Roy family! This series follows wealthy family patriarch Logan Roy, the head of a huge media company, as he attempts to decide which of his power-hungry children will follow in his footsteps and lead the company after his eventual retirement. The New York City setting is beautiful, and the cast is amazing. It’s wild to me that more people aren’t talking about this show!

Clickbait (Netflix)

This is for the true crime, edge-of-your-seat murder mystery lover. Each installment follows a different character’s point-of-view as the murder of Nick Brewer (Adrian Grenier) is investigated. Every episode builds on the last, and I literally couldn’t stop thinking about this show during the day in anticipation of the next episode. It’s an ending you’ll never see coming—guaranteed. I even watched the whole series a second time looking for clues I missed the first time around—it was that good!

Catastrophe (Amazon Prime)

This one is a little bit older, but it’s worth noting for a comedy pick. Sharon and Rob are a couple thrown together by a “catastrophe”—her accidental pregnancy—and decide to get married for the sake of the baby. As the series progresses, they grow their family, and it’s both hilarious and relatable to watch them struggle to hold their marriage and family together.

The White Lotus (HBO Max)

I want to give a disclaimer on this one: It’s very raunchy at times. But remember that this list is intended for adults with no little ears around! This six-episode series follows the staff and three very wealthy families during their stay at The White Lotus Hotel in Hawaii. Filmed at The Four Seasons Maui, this is primarily a comedy but touches on some heavy topics at times, too. You discover in episode one that a murder occurs in the hotel, but it takes the full six episodes to get to the bottom of it. It’s a little eccentric, a lot satirical, and a very bingeworthy series.

Did you love a show this year that I left off the list? Tell us in the comments!

{Related: More Great Shows for Moms to Binge Watch}

Allison Ezell
Allison and her husband, Blake, grew up in Dallas and made the move to the 'burbs in 2010 when she began teaching middle school in Frisco. After attending Texas A&M for her undergrad, Allison came back to Dallas to pursue her Master’s in Education from SMU. She has a huge love of writing and taught everything from preschool to eighth grade before obtaining her certification as a Pediatric Sleep Consultant. Today, McKinney is home for her circus which includes three children (four if you count her husband) and a troublemaking lab. Allison and her husband are both passionate about orphan care and adoption, a calling that led them to their adopted son from China and to pursue their foster care licensing during the pandemic. Keep up with all her shenanigans on Instagram!