5 Online Series You Just Can't Miss!

The Labor Day Weekend's behind us. Summer's winding down. It's back to work, back to school or back to whatever real life is at the moment. If you're like me, you're probably thinking about indoor activities as fall approaches. That's good, because if you've been focused on the outdoors the last few months, you probably missed some of the best online series available for streaming on Netflix, Amazon Video and Hulu. Sure, you've seen or at least heard of "Orange is the New Black" and "Transparent." But, there are other brilliant online series waiting to be discovered whether you like sci-fi, comedy, drama or something in between. Here are 5 shows you can't miss.

1. The Man in the High Castle

Amazon's "The Man in the High Castle" series is based on a novel by Philip K. Dick. Part sci-fi, part dystopian, the series tells the story of an alternative history of the United States after a Nazi victory in WWII. Ridley Scott, ground-breaking film director and producer of films such as "Blade Runner," "Thelma and Louise," "Alien" and "Gladiator" is one of the show's executive producers.
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Expertly filmed, acted and written, the series has been nominated for multiple awards, including Best New Media Television Series and Best TV Series Drama. The pilot premiered in January 2015. A second 10-episode season begins later this year. 

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2. Narcos

Real-life drama plays out in the Netflix series "Narcos." The series follows the career of drug lord Pablo Escobar and the epic measures drug officials in the U.S. used to try to stop him. You can watch season one now and look forward to season two, currently in production.

3. Difficult People

If Hulu's comedy "Difficult People" sounds a little too close to reality for comfort, don't worry. Creator and series star Julie Klausner, comedienne extraordinaire, makes sure there's a laugh a minute. "Difficult People" is the story of two comic wannabes in their 30s who just can't seem to catch a break in New York City. Friends seem to have found the secret to love and success, but not Julie and Billy. In fact, their behavior often leads them into some uncomfortable situations. Good thing for us.

4. Mozart in the Jungle

Amazon's "Mozart in the Jungle" is a quirky mixture of comedy, drama and music created by Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola and Alex Timbers. The dramedy was inspired by Blair Tindall's memoire "Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs and Classical Music" about her experiences as a professional oboist with the New York Philharmonic and in Broadway shows. The series premiered in December 2014, a second season premiered in December 2015 and the show is slated for an upcoming third season.

5. Stranger Things

While you were out enjoying summer, Netflix released "Stranger Things." The series immediately received critical acclaim and its 1980s period feel is reminiscent of the work of Stephen King, George Lucas, John Carpenter and Steven Spielberg. "Stranger Things" has everything. It's a mystery, it's frightening, it's supernatural and it's addicting.

The story takes place in the 1980s in Hawkins, Indiana, a fictional yet utterly believable Midwestern town. Winona Ryder plays Joyce Byers, a divorced mom raising two sons, 12-year-old Will and teenager Jonathan. In November 1983, Joyce's life changes forever when Will mysteriously disappears.

As Joyce begins her own investigation into her son's disappearance, the police also investigate, as do a small group of Will's friends. What they find as they slowly uncover the truth is something no one ever dreamed of. Is it a government cover-up? Is it a supernatural being? What is going on? You'll have to watch to find out.
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Let the binge season begin!