There’s an itch from Married At First Sight that your usual TV marathons just can’t scratch.
The drama, mixed with the complex characters, mixed with the occasional wine-throwing at dinner parties? It’s addictive.
While there’s nothing wrong with a chaos reality TV binge from time to time, why not use this post-MAFS moment to dip your toe in something a little more… meaty?
If you’re intrigued, great. You’re in luck. Our friends over at SBS On Demand have launched the We Go There hub, pulling together fresh, unconventional, spicy content.
Yep, they go there.
If you’re still on the fence, check out the trailer below (or for a spicier version, watch the full ad on SBS On Demand):
We’ve pulled together some of our fave genres available on the platform that we’re sure reality TV lovers far and wide will froth over. And hey, if you’re not a reality TV fan, there’ll be something here for you too. Scout’s honour.
Drama Drama Baby
Okay, so reality TV usually isn’t the most dystopian. But let’s be real, the perplexing characters we’ve come across definitely rival some of those in our favourite dramas.
If you haven’t been following along with season six of The Handmaid’s Tale, SBS On Demand has you covered.
In a world where radical conservatism is on the rise, the show hits an uncomfortable (yet well needed) nerve. It’ll pull you in immediately, so whether you’re a long-time fan or a newbie (or even a Taylor Swift stan), you’ll want to give this dystopian world a go for it’s final season, with the finale streaming on May 27.
There’s also Rogue Heroes, an origin story of the British Special Forces as commando units in North Africa and Europe in World War ll. It’s proudly based on true accounts, but don’t worry, as the show itself states, it’s “not a history lesson”. We stan self-awareness.
The brainchild of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight (which FYI, makes it the perfect date night show), Rogue Heroes boasts a rocking soundtrack and a star-studded cast including Jack O’Connell, Connor Swindells and Alfie Allen.
It’s dramatic, it’s brash, and it sure as hell makes for some captivating TV.
Documentaries (But Make ‘Em Mini)
For a quick hit of obscure documentaries tied in with some of the most perplexing stories you’ll ever hear, The Feed on SBS On Demand truly fits the bill.
These award-winning documentaries break new ground through investigative journalism and in-depth explainers.
Take The Darker Side Of Incels, for example — an SBS Original documentary that deep dives into the scary, angry world of incels.
The doco talks to a bunch of current and former incels, including someone who hasn’t spoken to a non-relative woman in over three years. Yikes.
If bullying men (yep, you read that right) is more your speed, Inside The World Of Financial Domination: Men Beg Me To Take Their Money talks to pay pigs and financial doms to learn the intricacies of this world.
Yes, it’s a real world, and yes, there’s no actual sex involved. Personally, I’m sold.
Another mini-doco sure to have your eyes and ears glued to the screen is I Bought A Doll To Replicate My Son, Who I Left Behind — an intricate look at using hyper-realistic dolls to deal with grief and child loss.
It’s only 11 minutes long, so it’s the perfect, bite-sized way to put on “just one more episode”.
Great Southern Land
Who doesn’t love a true blue Aussie story on their screens?
These SBS originals bring together Australian stories far and wide, both fictional and real.
Now, there was no way we could pull together a list of MAFS alternatives without a show that puts people in real, uncomfy situations. It’s guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.
Alone Australia follows ten Australians who are dropped off in separate areas of remote wilderness, as they deal with nature, hunger, and arguably the biggest killer — loneliness.
It’s true. There are definitely no dinner parties, and sometimes, not even dinner.
The stakes are high in this one, with $250,000 up for grabs for the last one standing.
This show gripped Australians when it first came out, and there are three seasons to watch on SBS On Demand, so there’s no shortage of content for your brain to soak up. Get on it.
If the wilderness isn’t your jam, try The Swiping Game on for size. This four-season documentary sees everyday Aussies opening up about their dating woes — everything from love, sex, and heartbreak, all through a casual swipe.
Yes, there’s even a dedicated episode on ethical non-monogamy. I am locked in.
If you’re after less doco and more drama, Four Years Later does modern on-screen love, sex and relationships like no other, having been dubbed “Normal People but with brown people”.
The series follows newlyweds Sridevi and Yash, who have reunited after four years apart when Yash moves to Australia for a medical traineeship. Want to feel the joy and pain of falling in and out of love? This one’s for you.
It’s great on-screen representation for South Asians, which let’s be real, is severely needed.
Indigenous Stories
NITV Originals on SBS On Demand showcase Indigenous Australian voices, cultures, and perspectives. Authenticity is big in this one, and boy, does it shine through.
Skin in the Game is a documentary special that follows Marlee Silva, occasional PTV writer and sports commentary rising star, as she explores how sport can intersect with helping combat rising levels of domestic and family violence.
A proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman, Silva spearheads a documentary that is bold, brave, and strays away from what we typically see on screen. A quintessential SBS special, if you will.
There’s also The Australian Wars, which follows Rachel Perkins as she travels through the country to explore all the battles fought on Australian soil.
This bold documentary seeks to change the narrative of the nation, so it’s a definite must-watch.
If remote living is more your vibe, check out The Beach, which follows award-winning film director Warwick Thornton attempting to transform his life while alone on a remote beach.
It’s a very real, in-depth look at the beast that we call loneliness. Warwick truly bares his soul for this series, and it’s a must-watch.
Nordic Noir
Okay, this one is niche AF, but hear me out.
Also known as Scandinavian Noir, the Nordic Noir genre pairs together vast landscapes with high-stakes drama and flawed characters.
Personally, I think flawed is an understatement for some of these shenanigans, but I digress.
Face To Face is one of my top picks, following the story of police officer Bjørn (Ulrich Thomsen) as he investigates the death of his daughter.
He’s told it’s a suicide, but of course, it’s never that simple in the world of Nordic Noir. This drama-fuelled series will have you questioning what’s real and what’s not, as Bjørn starts to unravel the twisted secret life of his daughter.
The Darkness is another dark, twisted crime mystery, as detective Hulda Hermannsdóttir (Lena Olin) takes on a new murder case on the eve of her retirement.
The case is centred around a young Russian asylum seeker who died under mysterious circumstances a year prior. Fans of Criminal Minds, this one’s for you.
So the next time you’re craving MAFS-level drama, but want substance, SBS has got you covered. Check out 300+ bold and provocative titles on SBS On Demand’s We Go There hub.
The post 5 To Try: What To Watch To Cure Your MAFS-Induced Smooth Brain Reality TV Coma appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
