No Sport, No Worries - Here's Your Weekend Netflix Survival Pack

Coronavirus has forced all sport to be suspended. Many workers are now being told to self-isolate or work from home, which means we are going to have to do an awful lot of television-watching over the next few weeks. Luckily for you, we have put together a little survival guide, featuring the best sports shows on Netflix.

Drive To Survive

The programme making waves online this month has been the second series of F1’s brilliant fly-on-the-wall documentary Drive To Survive. The first series was excellent but the introduction of Mercedes and Ferrari to the second series make it gripping. You get to see the drivers, pit crew and staff under extreme pressure as nothing is off-limits for the camera crew.

With driver fallouts and a true insight into one of the most pressurised sports about, this is the perfect watch while we await the return of F1. You can read our full review of this masterpiece here.

Sunderland Til I Die

The second series is on its way at the start of April so make sure you get up to date by rewatching the first series of the Sunderland documentary. Manchester City may have hit the headlines for their Amazon documentary All Or Nothing but this one covers the gritty struggles of a side facing back-to-back relegations, despite being one of the biggest sides in the division.

Chris Coleman comes across fantastically in this as do several of the staff behind the scenes and we cannot wait for series two. 

The Game Changers

The one that got everyone talking. This documentary follows former UFC star James Wilks on his journey of self-discovery, starting from an assumed truth that most of us probably believe: eating meat is important as a source of protein and is crucial to aid muscle development. 

Speaking with various experts, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, this health documentary is enough to make you seriously consider changing your diet. You can read our full review here.

Icarus

One of the best, if not the best, on Netflix. Icarus is an eye-opening documentary that sees documentary maker Bryan Fogel expose doping in sports. Such is Fogel’s dedication to the cause he attempts to dope himself to help him win an amateur cycling race with the help of the now exiled Russian scientist Grigory Rodchenkov. Just watch it.

Losers

Losers provides us with the unknown stories of those who do not always come out on top. Modern sport is so focused on the winners that often we forget about those who have suffered and miss out on glory. This eight-part series covers niche sports, from sled dog racing to desert racing and tells some of the most fascinating stories that you have never heard about. 

The episodes are only half an hour-long apiece which makes this a slightly lighter watch than some of the others on the list, even if the danger is just as serious.

Counterpunch

A fascinating insight into the lives of three boxers; The grizzled veteran, middleweight Peter Quillin, the hot prospect and future Mayweather, Chris Colbert, and the stand-out star of the documentary, amateur Cam F. Awesome (No, that's really his name), also the self-proclaimed "Taylor Swift of boxing."

Using the decline of boxing as a backdrop, Counterpunch is brilliant in portraying the struggles each of its stars, all at very different points in their careers, go through in order to stay at the top of their game in the cruellest of sports. 

The Mind of Aaron Hernandez

A fascinating watch, heavy at times but fascinating all the same. Aaron Hernandez was a star NFL player before his life came crashing down. He was living a lie, hiding several secrets, all of which are exposed during this three-part series.

If you like American football then you probably already know the story, if you don’t, enjoy this thrilling three-parter which takes you on a remarkable twisting journey. It is sad, shocking and tough to watch at times, but beautifully put together. 

Bonus watch: Love Is Blind

If you have had enough of series surrounding the world of sport, give Love Is Blind a watch. You won’t regret this dating bonanza that is packed full of heart-break, drama and even marriage!