Stuck doomscrolling to escape the misery of the first couple of weeks of semester? So am I. But worry not, this guide — an amalgamation of recommendations from my friends — will be just as good to distract you from impending university doom.
Film and television
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials
- Found on Netflix onwards from January 15th
This drama makes full use of its 1920’s setting. Watching the protagonist drive around in antique cars and vintage flapper-style clothing is ridiculously fun. As with most decent detective programmes, Seven Dials doesn’t take itself too seriously and frequently doesn’t try to make any sense plot wise. In turn, you must abandon any sense of logic and fully embrace escapism, otherwise you’re going to waste three hours going ‘How do you train a bull to kill someone’ and ‘Why would a secret society invest in the creation of custom cult robes and matching mask, that’s impractical and ridiculously obvious’.
Hamnet
- In select cinemas
I would highly recommend going to watch this in cinemas! All the gossip about the film provoking everyone to tears is completely accurate, I was only capable of making it through forty minutes before I joined the trend. Hamnet is a ridiculously emotional film, but the ending is definitely worth it.
Adults
- Can be found on Disney
An American comedy about Gen-Z that’s actually funny? I was sceptical at first too, and we have every reason to be, given television’s current infatuation with representing young people as tote bag wielding psychopaths that absorb their life force through Chai Lattes and spoken word poetry nights. These depictions of students range from absurd to wildly offensive, but this show is a refreshing break.
There is a particular scene in the final episode which will resonate with many students, in which our main cast must break the news to a friend that they don’t want him to live with them in their house share.
Waiting for the out
- Found on BBC Iplayer
Equal parts heart moving and gut wrenching, Waiting for the out is definitely my favourite programme offered by the BBC in 2026 so far — fingers crossed they keep on this trend of incredible quality shows. We follow Dan as he begrudgingly takes up the role of English teacher at a local prison — a job which turns his stereotypical assumptions about the inmates as being unintelligent on its head.
Surprising considering the BBC’s tendency to shy away from more political topics in the name of impartiality, this programme doesn’t pull any political punches. From prison overcrowding to IVF treatment, to feminism and the changing place of men in society, this programme discusses them all quite successfully.
Industry season four
- Found on BBC iplayer and HBO
Released earlier this back, Industry is back with its hotly anticipated season four. For those who haven’t been keeping up with this drama, industry follows a group of graduate finance analysts as they make their way through the brutal and downright abusive environment of high stakes corporate banking. In season one we saw them as interns, and now in season four they return as fully developed shakers and movers of the corporate world.
Be warned though, this show gets steamy from episode 1. Definitely not one to watch with your parents.
Video Essay
Katie Hopkins and the far right pipeline for women
- Published by Thought Bug on YouTube
A really fascinating look at how women like Katie Hopkins use different unconventional methods of rage bait through social media and television to build themselves a stable platform within politics. From being one of the most hated contestants on Big Brother, to surviving brain surgery, to being a guest on Tommy Robinson’s new podcast; this is the woman who’s unfortunately done it all. This video essay is well researched and well supported with lots of academic backing — a segment is devoted to the text ‘Pink-Pilled’ which details how female influencers can soften the appearance of far right organisations, making them more appealing to voters. All in all, this is perfectly suited for politics and journalism students, who will no doubt be studying how gender warps our perceptions.
Music
Maisie Peter’s new album trailer
Eek! It’s been a long wait, but now we’re finally in touching distance of Maisie Peter’s new album ‘Florescence’. If you’re chronically online enough, you might have noticed that there was some belief that filming had begun for a sequel to Angus,things and perfect snogging — the movie which stabilised my childhood — however, it turned out that the footage was the actress reprising her role ( plus iconic stuffed olive costume and hat) in a brief cameo in this trailer. Maisie herself is dressed as a giant daisy, paying homage to an iconic piece of British film culture.
Keen eyed fans will also notice that the bride of the hen party which hastles Maisie-the-Daisy as she runs around, is in fact the singer’s sister. Am I insanely jealous? Absolutely.
The official video for Stateside – Collab between Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress
- Found on youtube
A clashing of aesthetic geniuses which in theory shouldn’t work – Pink’s tartan and British early 2000’s revival and Larsson’s curated cyber Y2k Scandinavian Barbie thing – but instead provides us with spectacular visuals. The song itself is another bop, which is of course expected from these icons. However, it’s definitely worth checking out the official music video, which is such a fun riot of colours, textures and patterns. Calling all art students, I’ve found a new hyperfixation for you.
Books
Pride and Prejudice
I don’t have enough words to describe how much I love the dynamic between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. Move aside Bridgerton, this is the original template for unrequited yearning. Mr Collins is perhaps the best comedic relief character of all time, from his awkward presence and his weird comments about boiled potatoes, to the most painful marriage proposal of all time — seriously, I wanted to jump in front of a double decker bus — he gives off a lightness during the more angsty bits of the book.