The best preparation for acting is life - observing life and people and observing yourself. All that becomes your library. So when you have to research a part, a scene or an emotion, you go into the library and get what you need.
In episodic TV you have to keep things secret to keep the viewer in suspense.
I like singer-songwriters, and I find sad songs comforting rather than depressing. It makes you realise you're not alone in the world.