Well, what can I say about Netflix’s latest original series sense8? Where do I even start!? How about with the most incredible, diverse cast that drama has probably ever seen? Perhaps with the highly engaging and intriguing concept that you crave to know more about? Maybe with the glorious scenery and enriched style of camera editing? No? Would you care for some of the most memorable scenes that will leave you thinking about them days after you’ve seen them? If you think I’m over exaggerating about the quality of this show then please let me tell you why I couldn’t be more serious.

You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Or have you? There is no doubt that in our Golden Age of Television that providing a representation beyond the stereotypical white, straight, male heavy and usually romantisised plots is becoming more essential in programming. I need to only look back at my recent binges to know that the influx of female protagonists, minority representations and more creative plot lines is the result of such a need. Yet, I truly believe that they all pale in comparison to what sense8 strove to achieve and in my opinion achieved it successfully.

Sense8
Here are the amazing cast! I’m going to need more than a caption box to introduce these guys. Source: http://sense8.wikia.com/wiki/Sense8_Wiki

Before I get down to the plot I’m going to have to do this properly and introduce these sensates one by one as they deserve as much! Would you believe it, but these are just main cast and behind them are some truly wonderful side characters who I also very much fell in love with.

Capheus as played by Aml Ameen:

Living in Nairobi with his mother, Capheus “Van Damme” is a bus driver and a compassionate, caring man who has a smile that will light up the world. His positive attitude, ability to see the beauty in everything and his strong sense of justice makes him the perfect advice companion and produces some of the most inspirational quotes during the series.

Sun Bak as played by Doona Bae:

Not only is this South Korean powerhouse a business executive of one of Seoul’s most successful companies but she is the secret star of the underground kickboxing scene and who doesn’t want an ally who can fight with her intellect as well as her fists?

Nomi Marks as played by Jamie Clayton:

Conqueror of the tech world and hailing from San Francisco, Nomi is a political vlogger, blogger and hacker which she condenses to the term, ‘Hacktivist’. Not only is she capable of amazing feats with her technological skills but she is as brave a woman in the real world as the online world. A proud trans woman and lesbian, Nomi and her girlfriend Amanita are an unstoppable duo!

Will Gorski as played by Brian J Smith:

The crime fighting cop of Chicago, Will has a keen sense for justice despite his troubled past and has that detective mind that is able to solve the plot’s mysteries that the audience are dying to know more about. The man you can depend on to come to the rescue when you’re in a spot of bother and know that his heart is always in the right place.

Riley Blue as played by Tuppence Middleton:

Entertaining the music lovers of London’s club scene, Ripley is a popular music DJ with a far more complicated life than she leads everyone to believe. Her roots lie in Iceland where her home and father are and trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes.

Wolfgang Bogdanow as played by Max Riemelt:

Heading into Europe, Berlin’s secret finest locksmith and safe cracker Wolfgang has links to the German Mafia, has a problem filled past with his father and can throw a punch as well as he can take one. His unparalleled ability to work under pressure, quick mind and loyalty to his friend Felix enables edge on seat viewing.

Kala Dandekar as played by Tina Desai:

Kala is a successful pharmacist working for a large drug company in Mumbai. Her sharp intelligence but sweet personality draws the attention of the CEO’s son and she is engaged to marry him, but her family’s happiness and her inability to speak her true feelings about the marriage is the reason for her conflicting heart.

Lito Rodriguez as played by Miguel Angel Silvestre:

I’ll try not to be too bias here…Lito is my favourite character out of this bunch of sensates! I dare you not to love this guy. The jewel of the Mexican film scene, Lito is a Spanish actor living in Mexico City and his personality reflects his occupation. A charmer of words and lies, Lito is a gay man but hides behind a string of specially picked beards to keep his career in tact despite his heart belonging to his lover Hernando.

Lito getting into character. Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/07/sense8-trailer/
Lito getting into character. Source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/07/sense8-trailer/

Fun Fact: Nina Desai is also known for playing Sunaina in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. 

The core centre of the plot to this series is the mystery surrounding the birth of a new cluster of sensates, eight people from around the world who suddenly become mentally connected. Why? You’ll have to watch to find out. Their lives begin to cross and entwine, they experience feelings that are not their own and that is just the beginning. The show for lack of a better word is an experience. You’ll be confused, mystified and enthralled but you’re just happy to be along for the ride. You get to see all of these diverse and wonderful characters in one series and the laugh out loud moments are balanced with the serious to provide excellent viewing.

The only downfall of the series in my personal opinion is the decision to focus more so on the characters of Will and Riley. When you have this variety of characters at your disposal why give the most screen time to the least interesting? I don’t dislike either of them, but I could have watched far less of Will’s dilemmas and Ripley’s struggles and instead gone on another Wolfgang heist or enjoy Sun kick some more butt!

Nonetheless, sense8 provides the most unforgettable of scenes that I still can’t get out of my head. One in particular stands out and if anyone else has seen the series then perhaps you are thinking of the exact same one. I’ll put a link to the video here for anyone who wants to re-watch the moment or even get a taste of the series if you aren’t afraid of spoilers. This one scene embodies the essence of the entire show, the coming together of cultures, people and all walks of life through one song because at the end of the day…we are all living on the same planet. Utterly groundbreaking and an unmissable show, everyone who loves television dramas need to give this a try!

You can watch sense8 on Netflix! And if you know of any other Netflix series that are worth a watch then please recommend or recommend any show I should be watching for that matter. Or are there any other series that have such a broad diversity of characters? Let me know in the comments! Also, you can catch all of my live updates and general television goodness via my twitter @bingebox. Thanks!

Binge Rating: ★★★★★