5 series to stream this Lent: Thoughtful, reflective, and worth your time

Photo from National Religious Broadcasters

Looking for meaningful shows this Holy Week? Here are five reflective series—from faith-driven stories to introspective dramas—perfect for a slower, more intentional watch.

Lent has long been a time for pause, prayer, and personal reflection, but in today’s landscape, it also becomes an opportunity to slow down, stay in, and stream with intention. For many Filipinos, the season is no longer just about tradition; it’s about choosing moments that allow for self-examination and spiritual reset—even in the steadiness of one’s home.

Whether you’re observing Holy Week closely or simply taking time off from a busy schedule, what you watch can shape how you reflect. From stories of faith and forgiveness to narratives about identity, loss, and renewal, these five series offer more than entertainment; they provide space for meaning, mindfulness, and deeper perspective about life, love, and religion.

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The Chosen

YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video

A widely discussed faith-based series, The Chosen follows the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of those who knew Him. Instead of a distant retelling, it presents a more personal and human perspective, focusing on the struggles, relationships, and transformations of His disciples. Its storytelling is grounded, emotional, and accessible—even for viewers who may not usually watch religious content.

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Midnight Mass

Netflix

Blending horror with heavy themes of faith, guilt, and redemption, Midnight Mass tells the story of a small island community experiencing strange miracles after the arrival of a mysterious priest. While eerie and unsettling, the series dives deep into questions about belief, mortality, and moral reckoning—making it a surprisingly fitting watch for introspection during Lent.

The Mandalorian

Disney+

While set in the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian carries themes of redemption, responsibility, and reluctant guardianship. The story follows a lone bounty hunter whose life changes when he chooses to protect a child instead of abandoning it—turning a mission into a moral journey. It’s a quieter, character-led series that reflects on duty, sacrifice, and second chances, making it a fitting watch for Lent.

Anne With an E

Netflix

While not explicitly religious, Anne With an E offers a quieter kind of reflection—one rooted in growth, gratitude, and grace. Following Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan navigating her place in the world, the series gently explores themes of belonging, forgiveness, and finding beauty in everyday life. It’s a softer, more uplifting choice for the season.

Call the Midwife

BBC

Set in post-war London, Call the Midwife centers on a group of nurses and midwives working in underserved communities. Through its episodic storytelling, the series highlights themes of compassion, sacrifice, and service—values that strongly resonate during Lent. It’s heartfelt, grounded, and deeply human.

Lent, for many Filipinos, is ultimately about intention: how time is spent, what is given attention, and what is allowed to shape one’s perspective. In that sense, streaming does not have to be seen as a distraction from the season. It can also serve as a quiet extension of it, especially when the stories being consumed encourage reflection rather than escape.

The series above do not prescribe belief or demand a single interpretation, but they do open space for questions about faith, responsibility, loss, and renewal—topics that naturally align with the Lenten period. For viewers navigating the week at home, these narratives offer a way to engage with those themes in a format that feels accessible and familiar.

In the end, what matters is not just what is watched, but how it is received. Whether as background viewing or a more intentional pause, these shows reflect a broader shift in how Filipinos observe Lent today: less rigid, more personal, and shaped by both tradition and modern routines.

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