Chapped lips are the bane of my existence every winter. Bethenny Frankel feels the same way, and she just revealed the genius plumper (yes, lip plumper) that keeps her pout “smooth, hydrated and kissable” all season long.

On a recent edition of Bethenny’s List, Frankel said she can’t stop using the RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer, and it does much more than simply plump lips. “This gives a soft, natural plump without the sticky gloss or overdone look. It’s the kind of product you throw on and instantly feel better,” Frankel said.

Get the RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer for $25 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

From my nearly 10-year career in the beauty industry, I’ve learned that many lip plumpers can feel rather irritating. However, new ingredients have transformed the category with fresh, elevated formulas that nourish your pout while also increasing volume.

RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer utilizes hyaluronic acid filling spheres that bind water to your lips. More moisture naturally results in a plumper look, sans stinging. Add in some pro-collagen peptides to minimize lip wrinkles, and you have a soft, smooth, very kissable pout.

An additional benefit of this lip plumper is the included SPF 30. We often forget that lips are skin, too, and need to be shielded from the sun to prevent them from drying out.

As for the plumping effect, well, some Amazon shoppers say friends have inquired if they’ve gotten lip injections after using this regularly.

“I had been on the fence for a few months on whether this lip treatment would be worth it. How can it be that much better than others? I don’t know how, but it is,” one reviewer wrote. “Such a hydrating and plumping formula that actually lasts!! I have had two coworkers ask me if I had my lips done since using it regularly (2x a day). If you are thinking about this product, trust me you will love it!”

Add the RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer to your cart to experience the hydrating/sun protection/plumping effects for yourself!

Get the RoC Derm Correxion Lip Volumizer for $25 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate as of the publishing date but are subject to change.

Looking for something else? Explore more from RoC here and more lip volumizers here! Don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Related: Selena Gomez Applied This $29 Skin-Perfecting Cream Before the Golden Globes

Red carpet glamour often conjures images of luxury serums and sky-high price tags, but Selena Gomez took a more relatable route for her Golden Globes beauty prep. To create her softly glowing, Old-Hollywood-inspired look, a source told Us Weekly that the star’s makeup routine began with the Dr. Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream. The skin-perfecting […]

Advertisement

A shocking video from the night of Taylor Frankie Paul‘s 2023 arrest has just surfaced online. Paul has been the center of attention this week after reports revealing that she was involved in another alleged domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen, made headlines. Social media users have also shared their disappointment, slamming Paul for her alleged repeated behavior.

Taylor Frankie Paul Is Shown Striking Dakota Mortensen, Throwing Metal Chairs At Him During A 2023 Incident

TMZ has just released shocking video footage of Paul striking her ex, Mortensen, during a 2023 incident. For those who may be unfamiliar, Paul pled guilty to aggravated assault that year after Utah police were called to her residence following a dispute with Mortensen.

CBS News reported that the argument began after Mortensen tried to leave the residence following an argument with Paul. The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star was then accused of throwing “several heavy, metal chairs” at him, one of which reportedly hit her 5-year-old daughter in the head.

In the video released, Paul is seen hitting Mortensen, kicking him, pulling his hair, and attempting to knock his phone out of his hand. At another point, Paul throws two chairs at him.

Social Media Reacts To The Video Of Taylor Frankie Paul Assaulting Mortensen In 2023

Social media users were bothered by the footage, as one user said: “We need to stop giving toxic people platforms and opportunities.”

Another user said, “There’s no amount of interviews that she can give that will erase this video. Hearing her baby cry is heartbreaking.”

Advertisement

Taylor Frankie Paul Reportedly Involved In Second Dispute With Mortensen In February 2026

The video of Paul and Mortensen’s 2023 altercation comes amid the news that the Hulu reality star was allegedly involved in another domestic dispute with Mortensen in 2026.

According to PEOPLE, a Draper City Police Department spokesperson said there was an open “domestic assault investigation” involving the former couple.

The spokesperson went on to say that both parties have made allegations and refused to offer further information.

The news of Paul’s second alleged altercation with Mortensen has also put a dark cloud over the upcoming season of “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

A source shared that production on season 5 has been paused, adding, “Taylor [Frankie Paul] has some pretty serious stuff happening regarding her past, and they will see what happens. Until that resolves, they are off.”

Advertisement

Paul Speaks Out About Allegations, Says It Has Impacted Her ‘Bachelorette’ Premiere

Paul broke her silence after the news of her alleged domestic dispute with Mortensen surfaced, stating she was heartbroken by the ongoing drama.

“Just the timing is hard, and it’s a big deal,” she said.

Paul, who is also gearing up for the premiere of her season of ABC’s “Bachelorette,” went on to say that the news has also impacted the rollout of that show, which is “extremely hard.”

“It’s just heavy. It’s a heavy time, and it’s unfortunate,” she said. “I’m struggling for sure, but also at the same time I feel like if I don’t show up, then I’m just giving these opportunities away and not enjoying what we’ve worked on and something super exciting that’s coming. I just feel like it was the right thing to do… show up even though it’s hard.”

Paul’s alleged dispute has also unnerved some big-time sponsors, specifically Cinnabon, which said its company was backing out of its collaboration with “The Bachelorette” and “SLOMW” due to the claims.

Advertisement

“Cinnabon has made the decision to terminate its collaboration with ‘The Bachelorette’ and ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,’” a spokesperson said, per The Blast. “Recent developments and allegations surrounding the lead cast member led us to reassess this collaboration as it no longer aligns with our brand values.”

Mortensen Also Breaks His Silence

Mortensen also broke his silence on his alleged dispute with Paul, according to The Blast. A representative for the TV personality said his only focus was on protecting his and Paul’s child, Ever.

The rep explained that Mortensen felt the news of their alleged altercation would surface; however, he wanted to keep as much of it private as possible.

“He kind of just lets it all happen to him, and I think he realizes with the severity of everything now that he just can’t do that,” they finished.

Advertisement

Rebel Wilson is letting everyone know she won’t keep quiet amid an already messy legal drama involving her film “The Deb.” 

The 2024 musical comedy has been at the center of a legal battle between Wilson and its producers. The “Bridesmaids” star previously accused them of embezzlement and other misconduct, allegations that prompted a lawsuit.

Recently, it escalated following claims that Wilson planned to circulate false information about producer Amanda Ghost. Wilson has now pushed back, making it clear she intends to speak her truth. 

Rebel Wilson Says She’s Not ‘Scared’ To Speak Up Amid Her Film’s Legal Showdown 

The 46-year-old took to her Instagram Stories on March 17 to respond to the new smear campaign accusation, suggesting the issue runs deeper than it appears, with influential figures attempting to keep her quiet.

In her first post, she wrote that “there’s a lot to say,” about the lawsuit drama over her directorial debut which she described as her “passion project.” 

She explained that she had originally planned to wait until giving testimony before sharing her side of the story. However, “the absolute bombardment on her, via heavily paid crisis PR firms” has affected her so much that it is “impossible” to keep quiet.

Wilson continued, alleging “dodgy” behavior from the production team on set, which she reported and believed would be stopped. However, it seemed she struck a nerve, suggesting that “powerful people” wanted it covered up and were intent on “silencing” her. 

She also directly called out billionaire Sir Len Blavatnik, urging him to take appropriate action. Wilson added that if necessary, she is fully prepared to take the stand and “tell it like it is,” per People Magazine.

Rebel Wilson Reportedly Plotted Smear Campaign Against Amanda Ghost 

Wilson’s latest response comes just days after a court filing alleged she worked with a PR firm to circulate damaging and false claims about Ghost.

As The Blast reported, Jed Wallace, who owns a crisis management firm, was allegedly heard in a leaked recording discussing strategies to shape a negative narrative around Ghost. The plan reportedly included portraying her as a “madame” involved in procuring sex workers for Blavatnik.

Wallace also referenced Wilson’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, in his plan and gave instructions to publicist Melissa Nathan on how to circulate the allegations anonymously online.

Rebel Wilson Revealed Some Of The Things That Happened On The Movie Set 

Since the dispute began, Wilson has continued to share her version of events from the film’s production. According to The Blast, “The Hustle” actress recounted being held hostage and pressured to sign documents. 

“A whole ton of things went on, including something massive… me and local producers being locked in a room and forced to sign documents,” Wilson previously told Tara Brown on “60 Minutes Australia.”

She also revealed an incident involving Charlotte McInnes that occurred, which she interpreted as sexual misconduct. The “Struck By Lightning” actress recounted that McInnes told her that Ghost had asked for them to take a shower together, which made her feel uncomfortable. 

Wilson added that she felt morally obligated to do something about the allegations. 

Wilson’s Sexual Harassment Report Debunked 

However, McInnes denied ever telling Wilson of such actions and fired back with a defamation lawsuit. 

In her filing, McInnes maintained that no misconduct ever occurred and dismissed the claims as “absurd.” She emphasized that she never reported any inappropriate behavior because, according to her, there was none to report.

McInnes noted that it was Wilson’s conduct that left her feeling uncomfortable. “I was deeply disturbed by this behavior and felt very bullied and harassed by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me,” McInnes stated per The Blast.

The ‘Pitch Perfect’ Star Set To Welcome Another Baby Girl 

Amid the legal chaos, Wilson is preparing for an addition to her family of three. The Blast reported back in December that she and her wife, Ramona Agruma, shared the happy news on Instagram. 

The post featured a video montage showing moments with their first daughter, Royce, and clips of Agruma’s baby bump. 

In the caption, Agruma emotionally wrote, “The happiest news in our family… it will be 4 of us soon! Baby number 2 is on her way. I love you @rebelwilson.”

Grey’s Anatomy might have found a way to subtly address — and shade — the viral Coldplay kiss cam scandal.

During the Thursday, March 19, episode of the hit ABC medical drama, a case was brought into Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital with a couple getting injured at a public event, which led to their affair being exposed.

There were later divided thoughts on the drama as different employees at the hospital weighed in on the married man being in a secret relationship with his boss.

Ben (Jason George) had strong thoughts on infidelity, saying, “Social media is racking her over the coals. Her company is putting her on leave. … You take the risk, you pay the consequences too.”

Related: Every Star Who‘s Left ‘Grey‘s Anatomy‘: Where Are They Now?

The night … was March 27, 2005. Television titan Shonda Rhimes knew what she had just created — but audiences still had no idea. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Enter your email Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to […]

The sentiment wasn’t shared by Jules (Adelaide Kane), who felt the blame was only directed at the woman involved in the affair.

“I bet there isn’t a peep about the married man,” she said, to which Winston (Anthony Hill) argued that the man is “getting judged plenty” as well. “Is he getting put on leave?”

Winston, however, noted that the situation isn’t the same because the woman “is his supervisor.” The comment held a double meaning, as Grey’s Anatomy fans have been anxiously waiting for Winston to act on his feelings for Jules despite him technically being her supervisor.

While the story line could have been nothing more than a fictional idea, certain details appeared to be inspired by Kristin Cabot and Astronomer CEO’s Andy Byron being caught getting cozy at a Coldplay concert.

The August 2025 moment made headlines when Cabot, the head of HR at Tech company Astronomer, and Bryon, the CEO who was also newly separated, had a stunned reaction when they were caught on the kiss cam. Byron had his arms wrapped around Cabot until they realized the cameras were on them, prompting him to drop out of sight to hide and Cabot to turn and shield her face.

“Whoa, look at these two. All right, come on. You’re OK,” Coldplay frontman Chris Martin said at the time. “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy. I’m not quite sure what to do. I hope we didn’t do something bad.”

When the moment got shared online, Byron and Cabot were both still legally married to other people. Andy’s wife, Megan Kerrigan Byron, made headlines for appearing to remove “Byron” from her Facebook profile while Kristin subsequently filed for divorce from husband Andrew Cabot.

“I made a bad decision and had a couple of High Noons and danced and acted inappropriately with my boss,” Cabot — who said she was newly separated at the time of the concert — told The New York Times in December 2025. “And it’s not nothing.”

Kristin reflected on how her life changed after the scandal. “I took accountability and I gave up my career for that. That’s the price I chose to pay,” she said. “I want my kids to know that you can make mistakes, and you can really screw up. But you don’t have to be threatened to be killed for them.”

Kristin clarified to The New York Times that she interviewed for a position at Astronomer in the summer of 2024. She spoke with Andy and they “clicked, stylistically.” Kristin started as Astronomer’s chief people officer in November 2024 and found herself developing a connection with Andy while going through a separation from her husband. Andy told Kristin that he related to what she was going through during a conversation they had in spring 2025.

According to Kristin, the first and only time she kissed Andy was at the infamous concert. She recalled how the immediate fallout affected her — personally and professionally.

“I was so embarrassed and so horrified,” she noted. “I’m the head of HR and he’s the CEO It’s, like, so cliché and so bad. We both just sat there with our heads in our hands, like, ‘What just happened?’”

In the wake of the scandal, Andy resigned from his position at Astronomer. (Kristin stepped down from her position as Chief People Officer as well.)

“Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” a spokesperson for the company told Us Weekly in a July 2025 statement. “Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.”

The statement continued, “Before this week, we were known as a pioneer in the DataOps space, helping data teams power everything from modern analytics to production AI. While awareness of our company may have changed overnight, our product and our work for our customers have not. We’re continuing to do what we do best: helping our customers with their toughest data and AI problems.”

Grey’s Anatomy airs on ABC Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.

It should go without saying that a sci-fi show that’s perfect is the dream of every fan of genre television. But a sci-fi show that’s almost perfect—a near-masterpiece, if you will—can be every bit as delightful. There can be a variety of reasons why they don’t quite reach “masterpiece” status. Perhaps they’re a little dated, or they have a couple of narrative mistakes here and there, or they were prematurely cancelled before they could achieve greatness. But no matter what, these are still some of the greatest sci-fi shows ever made.

From classics like the British cult favorite Red Dwarf to modern hidden gems like Colony, these shows come about as close as a TV series can come to true science fiction perfection. Hugely imaginative and creative, full of interesting characters and world-building, and with some of the coolest visuals of any show from their era, these series, whether they’re underappreciated or absolutely legendary, are a must-see for all sci-fi fans.

‘The Peripheral’ (2022)

Image via Prime Video

Loosely based on the 2014 book by William Gibson, Prime Video’s The Peripheral was a tragic victim of the extended duration of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. But while this left it as one of those sad single-season sci-fi shows that was never allowed to reach their full potential (a category that unfortunately has many exponents), it’s still one of the most underrated sci-fi shows of the 2020s so far.

Starring the incredible Chloë Grace Moretz and executive-produced by Westworld‘s Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, The Peripheral feels like it was designed for people who love cyberpunk sci-fi and genre slow-burns. Its thought-provoking, deliberately-paced nature may not fully appeal to those who prefer their science fiction action-packed and adrenaline-filled, but for people who have no problem with sci-fi shows that take their time, it’s a must-see.

‘Red Dwarf’ (1988–2020)

Image via BBC

The long-running BBC sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf has become a multimedia franchise with almost four decades’ worth of diehard fans, but only 12 seasons of the show have aired. That’s primarily due to the eventual dissolution of the creative partnership between its creators, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor. But even in spite of all the gaps and hiatuses, this is one of those underrated sci-fi shows that are far better than they look.

Red Dwarf can often be delectably campy, pulpy, and imaginative; but at its worst, it can be an atrocious disappointment. After around season six (when the Grant & Naylor split took place), Red Dwarf lost some of the polish that had made it a beloved classic for so long. But even the worst of Red Dwarf episodes are far funnier and more enjoyable than most sci-fi comedies on the air today, and that’s more than enough to still make it worth watching today.

‘The 4400’ (2004–2007)

Image via USA Network

Yet another exceptional sci-fi show that was canceled due to a WGA strike (this one in 2007), The 4400 is nevertheless one of the best TV series the genre had to offer during the 2000s. The show felt like a direct response to the general national mood in the U.S. post 9/11, at least tonally, and it kept that atmosphere throughout the entirety of its run. That may make it sound like it reads more like a product of its time nowadays, but in fact, The 4400 is still every bit as enjoyable in 2026 as it was back in 2004.

It was always surprisingly ambitious for a CW science fiction show, often feeling more like the kind of prestige genre television you’d expect to find somewhere like HBO. Sometimes the pacing isn’t great, and the drama can feel a little forced, but the vast majority of the time, The 4400 remained a show taut in its writing, memorable in its performances, and exceptionally entertaining in its creativity and originality.

‘Colony’ (2016–2018)

Image via USA Network

Colony was created by House of the Dragon creator Ryan Condal and former Lost showrunner Carlton Cuse. It starred Lost‘s Josh Holloway and The Walking Dead‘s Sarah Wayne Callies. With a pedigree like that, it’s no wonder this was such a beloved and acclaimed show throughout pretty much all of its run, a run which came to a tragic end after three seasons due to declining viewership and rising production costs.

In all honesty, sci-fi fans failed Colony. In it, they had one of the best-written, thought-provoking, and intelligent genre shows on network television, and that made its untimely conclusion all the more of a tragedy. The series was never perfect, since it sometimes felt a little too derivative of alien invasion classics like V; but it was the kind of sci-fi show that only kept getting better and more engrossing as it went along, and fans continue to be disappointed that the story wasn’t allowed to continue.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

The elephant in the room must be addressed: Yes, the main reason why Stranger Things loses its right to hold the “masterpiece” status that one may argue it held after Season 4’s conclusion is how underwhelming its final season was. But those willing to look past a disappointing ending will find themselves treated to one of the most prestigious, creative, and nostalgic sci-fi shows of the 21st century thus far.

Stranger Things is the kind of sci-fi show so nearly-perfect that it should never be remade. The casting is phenomenal, the visuals are out of this world, and the homage that the writing team constantly paid to movies, shows, and pop culture from the ’80s was always a delight. Emotionally engaging and full of compelling characters, Stranger Things deserved a better ending. Even though it didn’t get it, it’s still one of the most entertaining genre shows from recent years.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–2023)

Image via Disney+

Ever since Star Wars: Ewoks and Star Wars: Droids debuted together on the same fateful day in 1985, the televisual dimension of the Star Wars franchise had been exclusively limited to animation. It wasn’t until 2019, years after Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm and just a month before the conclusion of the Skywalker Saga with The Rise of Skywalker, that the galaxy far, far away made the jump to live-action television with The Mandalorian.

Though the series’ third (and latest) season was disappointing, it still had its moments; and the first couple of seasons were top-tier Star Wars content. It’s one of the most nearly-perfect shows on Disney+, a bounty-hunting space adventure that takes full advantage of its episodic format while still having plenty of serialized elements to keep viewers engaged. It’s exciting, full of great additions to the Star Wars lore, and packed with references and Easter eggs that fans will surely appreciate.

‘The Boys’ (2019–Present)

Image via Prime Video

Highly divisive and very often criticized, Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson‘s The Boys comic book series wasn’t exactly the kind of source material that made it easy to make a masterful show. And yet, from the moment Prime Video’s show of the same name started streaming, fans knew that not only were they in for a series considerably superior to the comics it was based on, but also potentially one of the greatest superhero shows ever made.

The Boys is one of those action TV shows that are like an adrenaline rush from start to finish, full of dark humor and clever satire poking fun at the superhero genre, Hollywood, and modern American society. While its jokes don’t always land, its edginess doesn’t always feel organic, and its later seasons have gotten clunkier in certain spots, it’s still one of the most exciting and entertaining social and political satires currently on television. Whether its final season will be able to stick the landing and bring it closer to full-fledged “masterpiece” territory remains to be seen as of the time of writing this article.

‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ (1966–1969)

Image via NBC

In 1964, long-time sci-fi fan Gene Roddenberry came up with the idea for a TV series about the crew of a large spaceship exploring the galaxy. That idea eventually transformed into Star Trek (now retroactively subtitled The Original Series), a show that, from the day it first aired in September 1966, was far ahead of its time. It’s an iconic gem whose unmistakable style, optimistic and hopeful approach to the genre, and social and political progressiveness have become so immensely influential that it feels weird adding the word “nearly” before “perfect” when talking about it.

In all fairness, however, it’s more than fair to say that almost everything that The Original Series does well has been done slightly better by some other Star Trek property that came after. But if there’s any show which proves that being an almost-masterpiece doesn’t mean it’s any less impactful or iconic, it’s this one. Star Trek: The Original Series is a cornerstone of science fiction history and a must-see for all those who love the genre, a classic full of entertaining stories and with one of the best ensemble casts in television history. Sci-fi wouldn’t be what it is today without it.

Advertisement

Star Trek: The Original Series

Release Date

Advertisement

1966 – 1969-00-00

Showrunner

Gene Roddenberry

Advertisement

Directors

Marc Daniels, Joseph Pevney, Ralph Senensky, Vincent McEveety, Herb Wallerstein, Jud Taylor, Marvin J. Chomsky, David Alexander, Gerd Oswald, Herschel Daugherty, James Goldstone, Robert Butler, Anton Leader, Gene Nelson, Harvey Hart, Herbert Kenwith, James Komack, John Erman, John Newland, Joseph Sargent, Lawrence Dobkin, Leo Penn, Michael O’Herlihy, Murray Golden

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Grey’s Anatomy’s latest episode shocked audiences with a heartbreaking — and unexpected — death.

During the Thursday, March 19, episode of the hit ABC series, Lucas (Niko Terho) and Simone (Alexis Floyd) were providing Katie (Samantha Marie Ware) with at-home hospice care after her diagnosis worsened. Lucas and Katie grew closer as they reminisced on what could have happened between them if she hadn’t gotten sick.

Simone, meanwhile, was concerned about Lucas, who was more worried about keeping Katie alive than making sure she was no longer suffering. After Simone hid canisters from Lucas, he rushed back to the hospital to get them. When he returned, Katie was already dead.

Lucas ultimately blamed Simone for preventing him from being there for Katie in her final moments. The characters originally crossed paths earlier in the season when Katie was in a car accident while undergoing treatment for gastric cancer. Katie had been given a stage II diagnosis which got worse after her treatment was pulled off the market.

Elsewhere in the episode, Winston (Anthony Hill) finally acted on his feelings for Jules (Adelaide Kane). Teddy (Kim Raver) and Owen (Kevin McKidd) also returned as they tried to navigate their new normal after hooking up — days after signing their divorce papers.

“A couple of scripts came in [recently] and I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ It gets messy and it is so Grey’s Anatomy. I just love it so much,” Raver, 56, exclusively told Us Weekly in January.

The actress learned what’s ahead with the rest of the cast.

“We’re all reading what’s happening [during a table read], and I love it,” she shared. “Some of us are in scrubs, some of us are in our street clothes. Then, when we find out the information, it’s a shock and a surprise to all of us. We are like the audience, too, and then we look at each other like, ‘This is really happening.’”

Raver, who has played Teddy since season 6, promised “really great” Grey’s Anatomy story lines — and revealed whether she has any concerns about her character’s fate.

“That’s the life of an actor,” she noted. “It’s really just about trying to be present and doing the work and following the amazing story lines that the writers are given. Especially with how now we’re always having these incredible cliffhangers. No one ever knows.”

Raver promised that the audience would be “riveted” by what’s to come, adding, “There is a cliffhanger, so I think that that’s going to be really surprising. … I love being able to go every day and be able to tell these stories from a director’s point of view. Each story line leaves us with that quintessential Grey’s Anatomy vibes where you are crying, laughing and the residents are so good. There’s a lot of shenanigans going on with them. It’s a really exciting episode.”

Raver continued: “I feel like every time I direct a new episode of Grey’s, there are more things [I learn] because there’s a different format or a different way to shoot it. But I think maybe my confidence in how I want to tell this story and where I want to put the cameras [has gotten better]. TV moves so fast, so I feel like the more I do, the more comfortable I am with the speed that you need to go through it. I am just getting more and more comfortable with the craft of it, which allows me to then really enjoy the process.”

Grey’s Anatomy airs on ABC Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Hulu.

When it comes to thrillers in film or television, people often think of frenetic, fast-paced stories of excitement where every scene excels at immersing viewers deeper into the twisting story of high stakes and suspense. It is the genre’s absorbing intensity that it is renowned for. However, the genre is also a catalyst for heavy, hard-hitting drama that uses its volatility to explore compelling, socially relevant themes with punishing rawness and ferocity.

That quality is perfectly realized in these hit television series, with each one thriving as an engrossing spectacle of sharp, piercing storytelling, armed with thematic ideas that are as captivating as they are confronting. Ranging from gems of dystopian science fiction to politically minded historical dramas and grueling yet gripping crime mysteries, these thrilling television series are among the greatest and most thematically dense shows the small screen has ever seen.

10

‘Mr Robot’ (2015–2019)

Image via USA Network

An enthralling marriage of near-future technological caution and piercing psychological tension, Mr. Robot stands not only as an outstanding and high-concept television thriller but also as one of the defining titles of the medium in the 2010s. It follows Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek), a cybersecurity engineer and vigilante hacker who is recruited by the enigmatic Mr. Robot to work with a hacktivist group known as fsociety to launch an attack on E Corp that will erase all consumer debt.

Its story of high-stakes cyber suspense is compounded by Elliot’s intense paranoia and delusions, byproducts of his crippling social anxiety, drug abuse, and dissociative identity disorder. Mr. Robot thrives at ensuring that these elements of Elliot’s character aren’t just catalysts for narrative tension, but are ideas gradually explored in great depth to give the series a sharper, more prominent thematic might. Also examining the crushing inequality of the economy, the nature of abusive relationships, and the darkest corners of society, Mr. Robot captures an air of eerie, atmospheric gravitas within its slow-burn story of cybersecurity and social upheaval.

9

‘Yellowjackets’ (2021–2026)

Image via Showtime

One of the essential titles of television in the 2020s so far, Yellowjackets weaves a scintillating story of survival, trauma, and moral compromise revolving around a girls’ high school soccer team and a terrible accident that pushes them to the brink of their limits. The non-linear narrative focuses on the characters’ stories 25 years apart. In 1996, the Yellowjackets team is stranded in the Canadian wilderness for 19 months following a plane crash, with the girls forced to make violent and inhuman decisions in order to stay alive. In 2021, the survivors struggle to confront their trauma as they try to piece together their broken lives.

Both stories pack an almighty punch. The 1996 plot is viscerally disturbing, depicting acts of cannibalism, graphic injury detail, and the ever-present threat of death, confronting brutality. The 2021 storyline may not be quite as visually striking, but it carries a weighted gravitas through its exploration of the lingering effects of guilt, grief, and moral corruption, and how the grueling ordeal of surviving has impacted each woman’s life differently.

8

‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)

Image via Netflix

Marking one of the major television successes of the decade so far, Squid Game immediately engulfed viewers with its high-concept story of survival and competition and its combination of childhood games and deadly consequences. However, beneath that veneer of high-stakes suspense, where every character must fight to the death to claim the financial reward, is a confronting parable about the cutthroat nature of capitalism and the brutal desperation of economic despair.

It follows the events of the Squid Game, a ferocious series of games and tests in which contestants are forced to work together to progress and stay alive, all while knowing only one winner will emerge. The idea of desperate people fighting for their lives while cultural elites watch on in amusement is certainly not a subtle thematic idea, but it is effective, especially when coupled with the heart-pounding suspense the series so efficiently conjures with its blood-soaked carnage and its litany of sympathetic characters. It remains one of Netflix’s most ambitious and daring original series.

7

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Piercing, profound, and provocative in its handling of modern workplace culture and the imbalance between people’s personal and professional lives, Severance exudes intense existential and emotional weight compounded by its bleak visual atmosphere and its dystopian themes. It follows Mark Scout (Adam Scott), an office worker at Lumon Industries who, along with his colleagues, has undergone “severance,” a process that sees his memories surgically divided between his experiences at work and his life outside. When he encounters a mysterious former colleague outside the office, Mark embarks on a journey to discover the truth about his job and the company he works for.

Perfectly marrying high-concept science fiction with simmering slow-burn suspense, Severance strikes viewers with its genre-specific eccentricities, but it delivers a truly compelling viewing experience through its contemplative exploration of workplace disassociation and the loss of individual autonomy. Its weighted examination of such themes ensures that the Apple TV series isn’t just a fascinating sci-fi tale, but a deeply resonant and relatable story of the crushing and monotonous workforce of today’s world.

6

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Image via Netflix

With its stunning cinematic visuals, grueling slow-burn approach, and its incisive focus on the psychology of serial killers, Mindhunter stands as one of Netflix’s most absorbing and haunting original series. Set in the 1970s, it follows two FBI agents and a psychology expert who make up the bureau’s Behavioral Science Unit as they travel around the U.S. interviewing detained serial killers to gain insight into their backgrounds, mindsets, and motivations. While their work proves to be invaluable in profiling suspects in active cases, it exacts a heavy emotional toll on the agents as they endure intimate conversations with some of America’s most deranged criminal minds.

The intensity of the psychological depths the show goes to is paramount in making it such a heavy and harrowing viewing experience. It combines its air of suspense and dread with heinous stories of real-life evil, making for a spectacle that is always as morbidly captivating as it is fiercely confronting. Mindhunter’s reluctance to give viewers even a semblance of comfort or closure only adds to the series’ shocking allure, making it a relentlessly disturbing plunge into the darkest depths of humanity.

5

‘Sharp Objects’ (2019)

Image via HBO

Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name, Sharp Objects is something of an underrated gem of crime thriller television. The eight-part miniseries progresses at a methodical, meandering pace that allows its depths of character-centric drama and murder mystery depravity to take root in the viewer’s mind. It follows Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), a crime reporter who returns to her hometown after a stint in a psychiatric hospital to investigate the case of two murdered girls. As she delves into the brutal nature of the crime, Camille is also confronted by demons from her past pertaining to lingering and unresolved family trauma.

Every aspect of the miniseries is emotionally draining. The central case illustrates humanity at its most savage and unsalvageable. The dynamic of the Preaker family is coarse and imposing. Even the flashbacks to Camille’s youth and her past in St. Louis are psychologically taxing with their exploration of deep-rooted trauma, generational abuse, self-harm, and addiction. Also loaded with soul-shattering twists and a persistent air of damnation and dread, Sharp Objects is a masterclass in crime television at its bleakest and most brutal.

4

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

Image via Netflix

Overwhelming purely due to its narrative complexity, Dark soars as an elaborate and enigmatic convergence of mystery suspense, time-travel sci-fi, and existential stakes that, in addition to its ambitious storytelling, also flaunts an atmosphere of weighted dread and pressing themes of trauma, free will, and the burden of secrecy and guilt. Beginning in the small German town of Winden in 2019, it starts with a grim mystery surrounding missing children and four families who have lived in the town for generations but unfurls to be an epic tale of time travel, apocalyptic suspense, and parallel worlds.

The series is incredibly dense, with every scene being of paramount importance to the ever-expanding story. What makes Dark such an impressive feat isn’t just how it conveys its complex story with such fluidity and grace, but how it still manages to incorporate heavy societal and psychological themes with aplomb. The series isn’t afraid to meditate on notions of trauma, grief, and individualism, while even addressing such issues as suicide and deep philosophical questions with the gravitas they deserve. Coming to an end with its third season, Dark stands as one of Netflix’s most audacious series, from both a narrative and thematic standpoint.

3

‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)

Image via Netflix

A cultural pillar of television drama through the 2010s and towards the modern day, Black Mirror has become a landmark triumph of the small screen, serving as a collection of isolated sci-fi stories that explore the dangers of near-future technology, the increasing presence of social media in our lives, and the disturbing shifts in human morality in the modern age of technological advancements. The anthology series has developed a well-earned reputation for not only producing absorbing and richly entertaining episodes, but for challenging viewers to consider the trajectory of the modern world and our species’ complex relationship with technology.

While episodes range from being fun, vibrant, and bubbly to being touching tales of romance, Black Mirror is most at home in the wheelhouse of an imminent and plausible dystopia. Its flourishes of absurdity often illuminate real-world anxieties tied to A.I., the corrosive use of technology for individual gains, and a simmering sense of social suspicion. It is compelling in this regard, but it is usually confronting and distressing also, making Black Mirror a modern masterpiece of sci-fi thrills that tends to linger on the mind.

2

‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (2017–2025)

Image via Hulu

An adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel that depicts one of the most frightful and morally jolting dystopian worlds in mainstream literature, The Handmaid’s Tale excels as a relentlessly grim immersion into a thought-provoking realm of misogyny, oppression, and fascism. It takes place in a world where women’s fertility rates have decreased drastically, leading to the emergence of a totalitarian regime that forces fertile women into sexual servitude. June (Elisabeth Moss) is one such woman, living as a concubine to a Gilead officer and his wife under the fundamentalist dictatorship while dreaming of one day being reunited with her own family.

Amplifying real-world anxieties about sexism, bodily autonomy, and authoritarianism with unflinching thematic conviction and complete dedication to its horrific world view, The Handmaid’s Tale is a grueling and exhausting viewing experience. Bereft of joy or hope, it immerses audiences in a nightmarish world of callous inhumanity and imposing societal control, where disturbing scenarios pertaining to women’s rights and political power are explored in every single episode.

1

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Image via HBO

A miniseries of uncommon excellence, Chernobyl may not present itself as being a traditional thriller, but its intricate exploration of a real-world catastrophe and its many ramifications certainly holds a tension that is ceaselessly heart-pounding and quite horrific. It is a dramatization of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster from 1986, covering the sacrificial heroics of all involved in containing the fallout while also illuminating the political corruption that saw Soviet Union leaders try to conceal the full breadth of the calamity from the world.

Its outstanding ability to capture the physical, emotional, and political aftermath of the reactor meltdown works in tandem with its thematically rich and facts-based examination of scientific negligence, human error, systemic corruption, and individual bravery to produce a historical story that is as compelling as it is confronting. Chernobyl masterfully showcases the unknowable human cost of the disaster and the crushing weight of a government’s lies being exposed. As both a visceral recreation of the events surrounding the Chernobyl incident and a piercing thematic journey of corruption, power, and authoritarian repression, Chernobyl is a crowning glory of television suspense that is as heavy and harrowing as it is extraordinary.

Advertisement

Chernobyl

Advertisement

Release Date

2019 – 2019

Advertisement

Network

HBO

Advertisement

Showrunner

Craig Mazin

Directors

Advertisement

Johan Renck

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Cam Newton is facing heat online after a “weird” exchange with podcast guest Fredo Bang went viral. During the episode, Newton fixated on Bang’s lyrics about his father’s sexuality, posing a string of questions that critics argue carried a judgmental undertone.

Cam Newton Asks Guest Fredo Bang About Growing Up With A Gay Father

The conversation began with Newton asking Fredo Bang about his lyric in the 2021 song “Don’t Stop Believing.” In the track, he says the kids in his neighborhood used to pick on him when they learned that his father was gay.

During the podcast, Newton asked Fredo Bang whether that was true, to which he replied, “Yes.”

Newton went on to ask the rapper several questions, ranging from how he discovered the news to whether the revelation had a negative impact on him.

Bang insisted that it did not, and further revealed that he never looked at his father differently after that.

Advertisement

“When you have unconditional love for somebody, especially like that, it’s almost like nothing you can tell me to make me look at you different,” Fredo Bang said.

Cam Newton Continues Prying Into Fredo Bang’s Life As A Child After Learning His Father Was Gay

Bang went on to say that he truly never thought about his father’s sexuality after that, prompting Newton to interrupt with an objection of his own.

“At 12 you may not have thought about it, but as you look at life through your lens at 29, do you look at him different today?” Newton asked.

Bang’s answer remained the same, reiterating the fact that he loves his father despite their differences.

“It’s just like if my mama had a situation and a woman came told me [the same thing], am I gonna start looking at my mama different? That’s my mama.”

Advertisement

Cam Newton Blasted Over ‘Weird’ Line Of Questioning

The clip of Newton’s interview with Bang was shared online and sparked many heated responses from frustrated users.

“It’s almost as if Cam wanted to hear him say something negative or traumatic,” one netizen wrote. “He said he loves his dad unconditionally, and it never altered his perception of his dad. Move on.”

“Trying to force him to look at his dad differently is crazy work,” another said.

A third user said the former NFL player is “not smart at all,” while a fourth said his line of questioning “got weird after there were honest answers.”

“I’m tripping or is it like he was digging for him to say something negative?” someone else wrote.

Advertisement

Newton Opened Up About His Stance On Relationships In 2026

Newton previously made headlines after his appearance on the “TalkLesShow” in February 2026. During the episode, the former Carolina Panthers player got candid about relationships and shared his unconventional viewpoint on marriage.

“I want to be around who want to be around me,” he said. “So, if that’s five, if it’s six, if it’s one.”

Newton explained that he prefers to be around “volunteers,” not “hostages.”

Advertisement

“I just want you to be happy, and if I’m the person that’s bringing you happiness, you can have marriage with no commitment, and you don’t have to have marriage to have a commitment,” he continued.

According to Newton, he would be OK if he did not get married. “I don’t think it to be anything. I want people around me who want to be around me, and I want them around me,” he said before saying he saw marriage as a “gift-giving contest.”

“Are we doing life together or is this a competition? So you’re basically saying if I don’t give you a ring, you’re not going to love me as much?” Newton wondered.

Newton Said Womens’ Valuel Gets Lowered After Having Multiple Children With Multiple Men

Advertisement

Newton raised eyebrows during another podcast appearance in February when he said a woman’s value decreases after having children with multiple men.

“I just think that the reality of that answer is that women’s value gets lowered the more children that they have,” he said. “I was having this conversation with one of the mothers of my children and she’s still fine. Like, I was telling her, ‘The guy that you’re dating or will date, if he ain’t willing to love on these five children that you have, he ain’t the guy for you.’”