Great New Series To Watch With Students In Mind
- 01. Great New Series to Watch Beyond Entertainment Value
- 02. Top 7 Educational Series for Catholic & Marist Education Communities
- 03. 1. Shōgun: Cross-Cultural Formation & Moral Courage
- 04. 2. We Were the Lucky Ones: Holocaust Education & Family Resilience
- 05. 3. Masters of the Air: Brotherhood & Sacrificial Leadership
- 06. 4. 3 Body Problem: Ethical Reasoning & Stewardship of Creation
- 07. 5. Fallout: Moral Discernment & Institutional Critique
- 08. 6. Ripley: Moral Psychology & Artistic Discipline
- 09. 7. Constellation: Identity & Truth-Seeking
- 10. How to Select Series for Educational Formation
Great New Series to Watch Beyond Entertainment Value
For educators, parents, and school leaders seeking great new series to watch that align with Marist values of formation, truth, and service, seven standout limited series from 2024-2026 offer profound educational merit: Shōgun (Hulu, March 2024) for moral courage and cross-cultural understanding; We Were the Lucky Ones (Hulu, March 28, 2024) for Holocaust education and family resilience; Masters of the Air (Apple TV+, January 26, 2024) for brotherhood and sacrificial leadership; 3 Body Problem (Netflix, March 21, 2024) for ethical reasoning about humanity's future; Fallout (Amazon Prime, April 2024) for post-war moral dilemmas; Ripley (Netflix, April 2024) for moral psychology and artistic discipline; and Constellation (Apple TV+, February 2024) for identity and truth-seeking.
Top 7 Educational Series for Catholic & Marist Education Communities
These series were selected based on proven pedagogical value for high school and undergraduate students in Latin America, with explicit connections to Marist pedagogy's five pillars: presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and prayer.
| Series | Platform & Release | Episodes | Primary Educational Value | Marist Value Connection | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shōgun | Hulu/Disney+, March 2024 | 10 | Samurai code (Bushidō), cross-cultural dialogue, historical authenticity | Cross-cultural presence, respect for other traditions | 99% |
| We Were the Lucky Ones | Hulu, March 28, 2024 | 8 | Holocaust survival, family resilience, hope amid persecution | Family spirit, solidarity with the oppressed | 96% |
| Masters of the Air | Apple TV+, January 26, 2024 | 9 | WWII bomber crew brotherhood, sacrificial courage, historical record | Brotherhood, service, courage in adversity | 78% |
| 3 Body Problem | Netflix, March 21, 2024 | 8 | Ethics of extinction, climate responsibility, transhumanism debate | Stewardship of creation, truth-seeking | 78% |
| Fallout | Amazon Prime, April 2024 | 8 | Post-apocalyptic ethics, institutional critique, moral identity | Simplicity, discernment amid lies | 96% |
| Ripley | Netflix, April 2024 | 8 | Moral psychology, identity formation, black-and-white cinematography as art | Truth vs. deception, artistic discipline | 88% |
| Constellation | Apple TV+, February 2024 | 8 | Identity, truth, quantum mechanics philosophy, memory ethics | Search for truth, self-knowledge | 74% |
1. Shōgun: Cross-Cultural Formation & Moral Courage
Shōgun premiered on Hulu on March 2, 2024, with its three-episode launch setting a new streaming record of nine million views on Hulu and Disney+ within the first week. Set at the start of the 1600s before Japan's Edo period, the FX miniseries features all Japanese actors in Japanese roles and extensive Japanese crew participation, establishing unprecedented historical authenticity for Western television. Lead actor and producer Hiroyuki Sanada called authenticity a "lifeline for this show," grounding the narrative in the samurai code of Bushidō-loyalty, honor, courage, benevolence, and self-discipline.
For Marist educators in Brazil and Latin America, Shōgun models cross-cultural presence-a core Marist competency for global citizenship. The series depicts Lord Toranaga's unshakable dedication to his retainers, illustrating loyalty as "the foundation of existence" rather than mere rhetoric. This aligns with Marist pedagogy's emphasis on respect for diverse cultural traditions while maintaining core values. The show's 99% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its critical acclaim as both entertainment and cultural education.
2. We Were the Lucky Ones: Holocaust Education & Family Resilience
Premiering March 28, 2024, We Were the Lucky Ones is an eight-part limited series based on Georgia Hunter's 2017 bestselling novel about the real Kurc family, a Jewish family separated at World War II's start and dispersed across four continents. The series spans nearly a decade, from 1938 Passover in Radom, Poland, through the Holocaust's darkest moments, documenting the family's struggle to survive and reunite.
Time magazine called it a "rare counter-narrative of courageous resistance," highlighting youngest daughter Halina's tireless quest to keep her family safe through lies, bribery, fighting, and enduring torture. For Catholic schools teaching Holocaust education, this series provides emotionally accessible historical witness while affirming the triumph of hope and love against all odds. The Kurcs' journey through Siberia, France, West Africa, and Brazil offers Latin American educational relevance, showing how persecution displaced families to the very region where Marist schools now serve.
3. Masters of the Air: Brotherhood & Sacrificial Leadership
Masters of the Air launched on Apple TV+ on January 26, 2024, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks-the duo behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific-based on Donald L. Miller's book about the real American Eighth Air Force. The nine-episode series focuses on the 100th Bomb Group ("Bloody Hundredth"),十 men inside a B-17 "Flying Fortress" risking death with every mission over German-occupied Europe.
Executive producer Gary Goetzman stated: "'Masters of the Air' is a salute to the brave men of the 8th Air Force, who, through their courage and brotherhood, helped defeat Nazi Germany in World War II". This brotherhood forged by courage, loss, and triumph directly mirrors Marist family spirit-the commitment to stand with one another in adversity. Stars Austin Butler, Callum Turner, and Barry Keoghab portray men five miles above ground, behind enemy lines, facing unrelenting German fighters. The series offers WWII curriculum enhancement for high school history classes, particularly for understanding air warfare's often-overlooked contributions.
4. 3 Body Problem: Ethical Reasoning & Stewardship of Creation
Released on Netflix on March 21, 2024, 3 Body Problem adapts Liu Cixin's 2006 Chinese novel trilogy, beginning with the Cultural Revolution's show trials and physics professor Ye Wenjie's father's humiliation by Red Guards. The series poses science fiction's most mind-bending philosophical question: "Would you swear a loyalty oath to humanity-or cheer on its extinction?"
Two opposing worldviews drive the narrative: "Humans may be the only intelligent life in the universe-we are incredibly precious. We must protect our species from existential threats at all costs!" versus "Humans are destroying the planet-causing climate change, making species go extinct. The world will be better off if we go extinct!". For Marist educators, this debate connects directly to Catholic social teaching on environmental stewardship and Laudato Si''s call to protect creation. The series challenges students to weigh scientific responsibility against ethical obligation, making it ideal for philosophy, ethics, or science classes.
5. Fallout: Moral Discernment & Institutional Critique
Amazon Prime Video's Fallout arrived in April 2024, renews for Season 2 after critical acclaim, and takes place in a post-nuclear world where survivors in underground vaults grapple with moral dilemmas inherited from a collapsed civilization. Protagonist Lucy discovers her worldview was "built on a series of lies and cover-ups," forcing her to discern truth from institutional deception.
The series explores how individuals and factions scramble for power and purpose in a world ravaged by nuclear war, embodying what scholar James chamar "metamodern search for story". For Catholic schools teaching civic education, Fallout offers case studies in institutional failure, moral identity formation, and the simplicity of truth-telling amid complexity. Amazon's $25 million California tax credit for relocating production confirms the series' commercial and cultural impact.
6. Ripley: Moral Psychology & Artistic Discipline
Netflix's Ripley premiered April 2024 as an eight-episode adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, starring Andrew Scott in a "chilly embrace of the art house". The core story follows fraudster Tom Ripley, who travels to Italy to retrieve a wealthy man's playboy son but instead disposes of him and assumes his identity, committing other murders to cover the first.
The series delves into themes of identity, ambition, and morality, reminding viewers why Highsmith's creation continues to influence popular culture 25 years after the Oscar-nominated 1999 film. Shot entirely in black-and-white, Ripley offers cinematography education for media arts classes, demonstrating how visual discipline shapes moral tone. The 88% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its success as a fully formed artwork rather than mere thriller. For Marist educators, it provides a studies in truth vs. deception for ethics discussions.
7. Constellation: Identity & Truth-Seeking
Constellation on Apple TV+ launched February 2024 as an eight-part "sleeper hit" sci-fi miniseries about an astronaut returning from space to find things aren't right-her reality splinters as she questions identity, memory, and truth. The series explores quantum mechanics philosophy while examining how intuition becomes your greatest weapon in navigating fractured reality.
For students seeking intellectually satisfying shows, Constellation offers complexity that rewards active engagement, with a dedicated subreddit for parsing its intricacies. The 74% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its polarizing but philosophically rich narrative. For Marist education, it models the search for truth-a core competency in faith formation and intellectual development-while challenging students to discern authentic identity amid competing narratives.
How to Select Series for Educational Formation
- Identify Your Formation Goal: Think about what value you want to explore-loyalty (Shōgun), resilience (Lucky Ones), brotherhood (Masters of the Air), ethics (3 Body Problem), or truth-seeking (Constellation).
- Review Platform Accessibility: Check Hulu, Apple TV+, Netflix, or Amazon Prime availability in your country; some Latin American regions have Disney+ bundling.
- Prioritize Based on Ratings: Consider Rotten Tomatoes scores (shown above) and user reviews forage appropriateness.
- Plan Viewing Schedule: Mark calendars for weekly releases; many series premiere 2-3 episodes then drop one weekly for discussion.
- Engage with Content: Join faculty study groups or parent forums to share thoughts and create formation guides for students.
Helpful tips and tricks for Great New Series To Watch With Students In Mind
Are these series appropriate for high school students?
Most are rated TV-MA or TV-14 and suitable for Older high school students (ages 16-18) with parental/teacher guidance. Shōgun contains violence and mature themes; We Were the Lucky Ones depicts Holocaust atrocities; Ripley features psychological manipulation. Educators should preview episodes and pair viewing with structured discussion guides aligned with Marist values.
How do these series connect to Marist pedagogy?
Each series explicitly models one or more of the five Marist pillars: presence (Shōgun cross-cultural engagement), simplicity (Fallout truth-telling), family spirit (Masters of the Air brotherhood), love of work (Ripley artistic discipline), and prayer/truth-seeking (Constellation identity formation).
Can I use these for Catholic faith formation?
Yes, but with discernment. We Were the Lucky Ones offers Holocaust education compatible with Catholic teaching on human dignity; Masters of the Air models sacrificial service; 3 Body Problem prompts Laudato Si' environmental ethics discussions. Avoid using Ripley or Fallout without explicit moral framework preparation.
Where can I find Catholic-aligned streaming content?
FORMED is a specifically Catholic streaming service featuring series like Brother Francis, Catholic Heroes of the Faith, and the Saints and Heroes Collection. Many parishes in Latin America offer free parish codes for membership. CatholicTV also programs The Fred and Susie Show and age-appropriate faith content.
What makes a series "educational" beyond entertainment?
Educational series demonstrate historical authenticity (Shōgun all-Japanese cast), proven pedagogical value (primary source adaptation like Lucky Ones), ethical complexity requiring discernment (3 Body Problem), and cultural formation potential (cross-cultural dialogue in Shōgun). They reward active engagement, not passive consumption.
