Finally – a break from the daily grind and some time to catch up on your TV viewing. But how to know what to watch? This time is precious – we can’t waste it on shows that go nowhere! Last month more than 2,700 Tappers wrote in with their favourite recent watches – here are the results!
🥇 1. Slow Horses
The runaway favourite! This Apple TV spy thriller — starring Gary Oldman as the gloriously grumpy Jackson Lamb — was the most-named show among teachers. One Tapper called it “the best thing on TV in a long, long time”, and several said they were eagerly bingeing the new season.
👻 2. Wednesday
Nearly as many teachers confessed to being hooked on Wednesday. Maybe it’s the nostalgia for the old TV show, or the cliff-hanger “who-is-it” mystery that runs through the season, this comes Teacher-recommended.
🕵️♂️ 3. The Guest
BBC One’s twisty thriller The Guest grabbed attention for its “just-one-more-episode” storytelling. Several teachers called it “fantastic” and “gripping to the end.” Perfect for anyone who loves a good mystery without having to commit to a full box set.
🌞 4. The Summer I Turned Pretty
This show is based on the YA novel of the same name, and for pure escapism, this coming-of-age drama won hearts. Teachers described it as “sweet”, “nostalgic”, and “ideal for a rainy Sunday.”
🔪 5. Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez star in this whodunnit comedy, a firm teacher favourite. One Teacher Tapper said it was “the best show”, and it appeared multiple times on the list.
🕰 6. Department Q
“Brilliant!” and “Best thing on TV right now” were just two of the glowing reviews for this Danish-inspired crime series on Netflix. If you liked The Killing or Broadchurch, this one’s for you.
💔 7. The Girlfriend
Teachers described this dark relationship drama (on Prime Video and Netflix) as “addictive” and “perfect for winding down after a long day.” One to watch and then dissect when you are back in the staffroom.
🎯 8. Hostage
This show is taut, fast-paced, and lots of teachers told us they “loved it!”, Hostage on Netflix scratched the itch for those who prefer high-stakes drama.
🤠 9. Yellowstone
Kevin Costner’s epic Western saga continues to rope in fans, with many teachers also diving into its prequels 1883 and 1923. Several said it’s “perfect long-form storytelling for the holidays.”
🕰 10. Downton Abbey
An eternal favourite — with many teachers rewatching the series or catching up on A New Era and The Grande Finale. There’s comfort in those Yorkshire landscapes and well-timed quips from the Dowager Countess.
🍿 The Bigger Picture
Across all responses, teachers’ viewing tastes split roughly three ways:
- Thrillers and mysteries (Slow Horses, The Guest, Department Q)
- Feel-good nostalgia (Downton Abbey, Gilmore Girls, Educating Yorkshire)
- Reality and escapism (Married at First Sight, Race Across the World)
So, whether you’re after a twisty crime series or something lighter for a tired brain, the Teacher Tapp community has you covered.
Happy half-term viewing!
And if you discover a new favourite show, don’t forget to share it in the next Teacher Tapp question — because teachers really do have the best recommendations. 🎬
