Why a Slow Docuseries About British Farmers Was My Favorite Show of 2025
I don’t watch much television or movies these days, and yes, as someone whose job involves watching TV, that’s probably not the best admission. But here’s the thing: there’s work viewing — the kind where you’re consumed by deadlines, analysis, and strategy — and then there’s pleasure viewing, the type that serves as relaxation, leisure, and a chance to unwind. While I often do the former, I rarely indulge in the latter.
It’s one of those truths that parents warn you about before you have kids. You won’t believe it at first, but then it happens: you find yourself far more interested in chores than prestige dramas. After the kids are in bed, the last thing you want to do is settle in for a multi-episode binge. Instead, you’re loading the dishwasher and sneaking the secret cookies you swore didn’t exist.
So, what was the best thing to watch in 2025? I’m not sure. What were you up to in 2025? How was your cookie stash holding up? For me, the answer was clear — the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm.
You’ve probably heard of it, but in case you haven’t, Clarkson’s Farm is an Amazon Prime docuseries that follows British TV host Jeremy Clarkson as he attempts to farm his 1,000 acres. With the help of his no-nonsense farm manager Kaleb, a wise crop consultant Charlie, and a handy stonemason Gerald, Clarkson embarks on new farming adventures each season. In Season 4, he opens a pub that exclusively serves British-grown food, but at its core, the show is about the grueling and humbling reality of farm life.
This show goes beyond the special projects. It’s about the timeless cycles of farming: the timing of harvests, the unpredictable weather, and how everything — from livestock to crops — depends on forces beyond anyone’s control. Clarkson, who once took the hard labor of farming for granted, gets a humbling dose of reality after he decides to stop outsourcing the work and take it on himself.
But here’s why Clarkson’s Farm became my personal favorite: in my house, it was the perfect go-to show when we could never agree on what to watch. It’s family-friendly, with minimal swearing and no violence or complicated plotlines. If you miss a few minutes of an episode, you can still follow along without having to hit pause or rewind. It’s slow, steady, and, honestly, a bit quirky. There’s an entire episode dedicated to the moisture content of rapeseed — and I’m here for it.
Now, am I recommending you watch Clarkson’s Farm? Maybe not. You might hate it. But what I am recommending is to find your “Clarkson’s Farm.” We all have different needs when it comes to entertainment. Some shows may stretch your imagination or teach you something new about the world. But sometimes, you just need something simple, soothing, and dependable to get you through the day.
So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, staring at a screen with the constant question of “What do I want to watch?”, don’t hesitate to pick up something that meets you where you are. For me, that’s Clarkson’s Farm—the perfect blend of relaxed viewing and the steady rhythm of farm life. And if you’re like me, it might just be exactly what you need.
