Netflix's Spin-off to Vikings, Vikings: Valhalla, is a critically acclaimed series filled with gore, bloodthirst and vengeance. Of course, if you know anything about the fierce Vikings in history, you can expect nothing less. After its popularity, the show was already renewed for a second series (available to stream now). Before you dive straight to the sofa to binge-watch series two, how about some backstory to season one? To what extent was the show a valid representation of Viking History? 

*Spoilers Ahead*

If you're a fan of post-apocalyptic worlds set in a dystopian reality, you've likely already heard of HBO's latest hyped-up show, 'The Last of Us'. First released in 2013, The Last of Us narrative-based game franchise has gained popularity amongst gamers worldwide. The gameplay focuses on a teenage protagonist Ellie on her quest to find a resistance group- 'The Fireflies' during a time when a percentage of the human population is affected by a parasitic infection. Another central part of the game is the development of the father-daughter-like relationship between Ellie and her counterpart Joel. Joel is tasked with smuggling Ellie across the United States despite the deathly threats they face from the infected. The gritty and well-thought narrative of the game brings a human touch to the harsh realities of a mass post-apocalyptic pandemic. It's no wonder gamers have been excitedly awaiting the development of the beloved franchise into a television series! But is the TV series matching up to the standards that lovers of the game expect?

The Rig is a gritty-drama television with dark twists series brought to us by Amazon Prime. The show takes place at an offshore oil rig in the North Sea, where a crew of workers take care of operational matters. The series focuses on the lives of the workers, the dark secrets they hold and the dangers that come with working in the challenging environment of the oil rig. A broader theme in this drama focuses on the relationships among the crew and preventing conflicts whilst confined in a claustrophobic and solitary environment. If you like a psychological-thriller-style drama that keeps you guessing, this could be the perfect drama.

National Treasure: Edge of History is a new action-adventure series brought to us by Disney +. Unlike the movies, the Series does not have Nicolas Cage as the main character, Benjamin Gates. The series instead follows the main character of Jess Valenzuela's journey as she uncovers a lost treasure, hidden for centuries. One of the notable aspects of the television series is the representation of women, with many adventure-action movies and shows typically featuring women as side-kicks or love interests of the main, male protagonist. We all love seeing action-packed characters like Indiana Jones and The Mummy's Rick O'Connell. However, it is refreshing to see another female Tomb-raider-like character on our screens!

Wednesday Addams is proving to be the authentic female protagonist that we all need in the relatively new Netflix Series- Wednesday. We have seen the development of several strong female protagonists in the past decade across different movies and series. Katniss Everdeen taught us to stand up for injustice. Hermione Granger taught us to embrace our intelligence. And Arya Stark taught us to be strong, skilled and resilient. Wednesday embodies much of the 21st-century portrayals of females in media. But makes Wednesday the Ultimate female protagonist of the year?