Five Cult TV shows worth your time
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If a TV show can gain a passionate and dedicated fan base, it can earn the title of being a cult classic. There are many shows with a loyal following but I have chosen five that personally stand out to me as being adored by their fans.
Killing Eve
Killing Eve is a thrilling TV show created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It first aired in 2018 and ran for 4 seasons ending in 2020. The show follows Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) hunting down an assassin called Villanelle (Jodie Comer). The show has 2 female lead characters which has resulted in the show being loved by members of the feminist community. Eve being a special agent represents a role which would typically be played by a male, however, she proves that a woman can be just as successful. Eve and Villanelle share a deep connection which has attracted an LGBTQ audience as people can see representation on screen. The show allows for both female characters to be complex which is rare in shows and therefore deserves a place on my list for its importance towards the feminist movement.
The Mighty Boosh
The Mighty Boosh was created by Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. It ran for 3 seasons starting in 2004 and then ending in 2007. The show follows Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) and Howard Moon (Julian Barratt) along a dysfunctional journey to become musicians. It has a wacky soundtrack and colourful sets which show us how creative the thinking process was, resulting in unique plotlines. The series acquired a niche fan base predominantly in the UK due to the duo’s quirky sense of humour, which is why it earns a place on my list of cult classics. The show itself had a few controversies due to some of the jokes but ultimately resulted in the boosting of Noel and Julian’s careers as comedians which shows the impact that even a small following had.
The Inbetweeners
Another UK cult classic is The Inbetweeners. This classic UK comedy show was created by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris which first aired in 2008 and ran for 3 seasons. The series follows Will, Simon, Neil and Jay as they try to navigate their way through sixth form, relationships and teenage society. The Inbetweeners has a loyal UK fan base due to its incredibly funny and relatable episodes. This series has ingrained itself into British society with phrases and lines from the show being used commonly by members of the British public. The show was different to anything on TV as it represented the underdog in school rather than a typical show about popular kids. The show set the standards high for British comedy and earns the title of being a cult classic.
Supernatural
Supernatural is an American TV show created by Eric Kripke which first aired in 2005 and ran for an incredible 15 seasons concluding in 2020. The show follows 2 brothers Dean (Jenson Ackles) and Sam Winchester (Jared Padalecki) as they hunt down demonic monsters. The show was able to gain a passionate following as the two good-looking brothers charmed the audience and gained sympathy from viewers due to the tragic lives they led. The leading duo portray humour and emotion so cleverly given the horrors they encounter, which has also assisted in gaining a loyal fan base. The writers were able to come up with new and brilliant ideas throughout the 15 years it aired which is why it earns a place on my list of cult classics.
The Sopranos
Finally, a personal favourite of mine, The Sopranos, has earned the title of being a cult classic. Created by David Chase, the show ran for 6 seasons starting in 1999 and ending in 2007. The show had 86 episodes of humour, emotion, violence and complex relationships which allowed it to, arguably, never have a dull episode. The series follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) who attempts to juggle being an Italian-American mob boss whilst also being a father and a husband. A show about a gangster with a psychiatrist was bound to have an attentive audience as you were able to connect with characters and feel empathy towards them, even if some of their decisions were questionable. This show paved the way for character development and quality writing in the television industry which is why it gets the top spot on my list.
Many TV shows deserve the title of a cult classic, but these five are outstanding examples. They were able to attract a dedicated fan base who have kept the shows alive and talked about even after they have all finished.