The Magicians has built a real following in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. The 5-season run is exactly the right length for what it is doing. With 1,709 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Watch it for Olivia Taylor Dudley — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. Available now on BINGE — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The Magicians is worth clearing space for. What makes The Magicians work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Brakebills University is a secret institution specializing in magic. There, amidst an unorthodox education of spellcasting, a group of twenty-something friends soon discover that a magical fantasy world they read about as children is all too real— and poses grave danger to humanity. Olivia Taylor Dudley and Arjun Gupta lead a cast that keeps the bigger ideas grounded in something human. 5 seasons (2015–2020) gave the story room most shows never get. What separates The Magicians from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. The consistency throughout is what elevates it — not every moment is the best, but none of them are a reason to stop watching.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, The Magicians fits the bill. Viewers who responded to Gossip Girl will find a lot to like here too. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch if your schedule allows. Olivia Taylor Dudley grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.

The Magicians wrapped up in 2020, created by Sera Gamble — and 5 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.