In the year 2018, Global television media has come a long way with diverse and thought provoking concepts as well as beautiful social messages.TV shows with social concepts are often stereotypes to be as dramatic and heart wrenching, but this year, shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Modern Family show us that you can still be hilarious when spreading a good message. We often ignore web series when it comes to this list but notably this year we have web series like Middle Ground, a show where two sides are tested and debated with each other about their perspectives on a socially relevant topic, and Adam Ruins Everything, a show where the host debunks myths and misconceptions of modern day life.
1. 3% | Netflix Original
3% is a Brazilian dystopian thriller web television. The series is set in an unspecified future when 20-year-old individuals of the impoverished "Inland" have the single opportunity to complete "The Process" and advance to the affluence of the distant "Offshore" society. While most of the unsuccessful candidates are simply eliminated, some fail to survive, leading to only 3% of the candidates succeeding. This shows the cut throat elements of capitalism and how it'll affect us in the near future
2. Adam Ruins Everything | CollegeHumor and truTV
Adam Conover, CollegeHumor's resident know-it-all and major bummer, takes on society's biggest misconceptions. In Adam Ruins Everything, host Adam Conover employs a combination of comedy, history and science to dispel widespread misconceptions about everything we take for granted. A blend of entertainment and enlightenment, Adam Ruins Everything is like that friend who knows a little bit too much about everything and is going to tell you about it.
3. Black Earth Rising | Netflix, BBC Two
The story centres on Kate Ashby, who works as a legal investigator in the London law chambers of Michael Ennis. When Kate's adoptive mother Eve takes on a case prosecuting an African militia leader, the story pulls Michael and Kate into a journey that will upend their lives forever. This intricate thriller addresses the personal, legal and political turmoil ignited by the prosecution of international war crimes.
4. Brooklyn Nine-Nine | Previously by Fox, currently by NBC
Set in the fictional 99th Precinct of the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows a team of detectives headed by the overly serious, newly appointed Captain. The show talks and brushes through the concepts of racism, police injustice profiling against black people, injustice to LGBT+ communities as well as sexism in a light hearted and comedic script. As well as ignoring general stereotypes in television with a diverse cast and characters.
5. Informer | BBC
A BBC One drama from new writers Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, Considine plays a Counter-Terrorism officer who coerces a second generation Pakistani Londoner (Nabhaan Rizwan) to go undercover in a terrorist organisation and report back. Westworld alum Johnny Campbell is calling the directorial shots.
6. Middle Ground | Jubiliee, YouTube
Jubilee's Middle Ground series is a fan favourite because we bring together people of opposing views to debate and talk through serious issues. We address all things including poverty, wealth, immigration, pro-choice & pro-life (abortion), atheism and Christianity (religion), police and criminal relationships, war (veterans and peace activism), and gun rights (pro-gun vs anti-gun).
7. Mother | TVN
This Korean TV show depicts domestic violence against children and how children suffer mentally and physically when neglected. A temporary teacher at an elementary school realizes that one of her students is being abused at home by her family. She makes an impulsive decision to kidnap the child and attempts to become her mother.
8. Patrick Melrose: Miniseries | Showtime in US and SkyAtlantic in UK
Melrose is a scathing indictment of British high society's inherited dysfunction, cruelty, and the wealth that enables them. Following the death of his father in the 1980s, Englishman Patrick Melrose attempts to overcome his addictions and demons rooted in abuse by his father and negligent mother.
9. Sense8 | Netflix Original
Sense8 is a sci-fi TV show about 8 totally different people living different lives around the globe but connected to each other through their minds. The story takes us through all the topics of social injustice such as crimes against transgender, homophobia, sexism, corruption, and racism and police brutality.
10.The Bisexual | Hulu Original, Channel 4
The Bisexual is a 2018 British television series on Channel 4 written and directed by Desiree Akhavan. Akhavan named the show to explore her own discomfort with bisexuality as a label and identity, as well as the broader cultural attitude towards the term.