Basil Joseph Picks His Favourite TV Shows: 'The Office,' 'Breaking Bad' and More

Actor and filmmaker Basil Joseph has built a career out of marrying sharp writing with an unapologetic style — which is exactly why his favourite shows say so much about him. The Minnal Murali (2021) director, known for turning a homegrown superhero into a global streaming hit, has always leaned toward a mix of compelling characters, clean world-building, and engaging narratives. As an actor too, he opts for roles that offer the same, be it Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022) or Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham (2023).

So, when Joseph recommends a series, he’s not chasing obscure arthouse credibility. From prestige dramas to pop-culture juggernauts, his picks reveal a filmmaker who appreciates polish, precision and emotional heft, whether the story unfolds in a meth lab, a medieval kingdom or the Mumbai underworld.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

WHY HE LIKES IT: “For the kind of drama, suspense and build-up they had. And for the way that show was written to stand for all five seasons, not based on [existing literature] and not simply extended after two to three seasons.”

Created by Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad follows Bryan Cranston as Walter White and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in what might be television’s most iconic descent into moral chaos.

Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)

WHY HE LIKES IT: “It is based on [existing] literature, so they had a base, but they’ve done justice to that. It’s very unique and they’re so unapologetic about their characters. You expect to see one for a long time and suddenly, they’ll kill them off. After a point, you don’t know who’ll be there until the end and that uncertainty keeps you hooked.”

Adapted from George R.R. Martin’s novels, the series — built on an unprecedented scale — blends medieval politics, family feuds, dragons and deliciously cutthroat power plays.

Arcane (2021-2024)

WHY HE LIKES IT: “For the style and narrative, which is violent. And for the artistry, all the painting and drawing is kind of crazy, actually.”

Created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, Netflix’s Arcane brings the world of League of Legends to life with mind-numbingly impressive artistry. The series explores two sisters pulled apart by trauma, technology and the politics

of the twin cities Piltover and Zaun.

The Office (U.S.) (2005-2013)

WHY HE LIKES IT: “It’s my go-to show when I’m feeling down or stressed. Even when you’re falling asleep, you can just listen to it. I’ve watched it twice, and [I love that] you don’t have to watch it in order.”

Developed by Greg Daniels and led by Steve Carell, The Office took the mockumentary format mainstream and turned a mundane workplace into comedy gold. Set in a paper company, the series mined awkward silences, stolen glances and painfully relatable office dynamics to create a cultural phenomenon.

Sacred Games (2018-2019)

WHY HE LIKES IT: “For its nativity and how truthful it was to the culture and the nuances of the characters. It was one of the pioneers of Indian series, a benchmark for others like Paatal Lok.”

Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap, Sacred Games adapted Vikram Chandra’s novel into a gritty thriller about Mumbai’s criminal underbelly, and what begins as a cryptic warning from a criminal spirals into a sprawling narrative about religion, politics, crime and survival in the city.

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