{"id":332133,"date":"2025-12-23T20:47:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T20:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/332133\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T20:47:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T20:47:31","slug":"the-best-tv-shows-of-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/332133\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best TV Shows of 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

The TV<\/a> landscape of today may be smaller than a few years ago, but its ability to captivate audiences and shape the culture remains intact.<\/p>\n

Netflix\u2019s celebrated limited series \u201cAdolescence\u201d brought the gruesome realities of youth being influenced by the internet toward violence, while revolutionizing one-take storytelling in television. <\/p>\n

New streaming shows like HBO Max\u2019s \u201cThe Pitt\u201d and Apple TV\u2019s \u201cThe Studio\u201d captured critical attention, won Emmys and drove viewership to their respective platforms. <\/p>\n

Classic broadcast shows like ABC\u2019s \u201cDancing With the Stars\u201d reached new viewership highs catering to younger, online audiences, while \u201cMatlock\u201d on CBS proved network TV can still capture attention. <\/p>\n

Audiences, of course, bid farewell to beloved series like Disney+\u2019s \u201cAndor\u201d and Netflix\u2019s \u201cStranger Things\u201d on creative highs, while new shows like HBO\u2019s \u201cThe Chair Company\u201d and FX\u2019s \u201cThe Lowdown\u201d brought new creative excellence to the surface.<\/p>\n

\"Adolescence,Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham in \u201cAdolescence\u201d (Ben Blackall\/Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cAdolescence\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s fitting that \u201cAdolescence\u201d came out of nowhere and blindsided the entire TV industry, because that\u2019s what it feels like to watch Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham\u2019s masterpiece. \u201cAdolescence\u201d starts with 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) being interrogated by the police over the murder of one of his classmates. Initially, the accusation seems unthinkable as the audience watches Jamie panic on the verge of tears as his father (Graham) rushes to his defense. But as the show continues, the horrifying truth becomes apparent as the camera pans through the proceedings, led by Philip Barantini\u2019s brilliant directorial work. The four-episode Netflix original stands as a deeply disturbing examination of an unthinkable yet all-too-common crime and the effects unregulated internet access can have on young, impressionable minds. \u2014 Kayla Cobb<\/p>\n

\"alien-earth-babou-ceesay-fx\"Babou Ceesay in \u201cAlien: Earth.\u201d (Patrick Brown\/FX)<\/p>\n

\u201cAlien: Earth\u201d (FX)<\/p>\n

Giving the reins of the \u201cAlien\u201d franchise to the mastermind behind FX hits like \u201cFargo\u201d and \u201cLegion\u201d seemed like a recipe for success \u2014 and turns out, it was. The network spared no expense once it finally committed to Noah Hawley\u2019s vision for what an \u201cAlien\u201d TV series could look like. The show has plenty of close-quartered brutalizing of soldiers from a number of xenomorphs, but also stepped back to look at the role synthetics and the newly-minted \u201chybrids\u201d play in the world. Corporate greed, dubious science, steam-filled corridors hiding monsters, the show checks all the franchise boxes while always making sure Hawley\u2019s strength for humanizing both the best and worst characters in his stories is at the forefront. \u2014 Jacob Bryant<\/p>\n

\"\u201cAllSarah Snook and Michael Pe\u00f1a in \u201cAll Her Fault.\u201d (Sarah Enticknap\/Peacock)<\/p>\n

\u201cAll Her Fault\u201d (Peacock)<\/p>\n

While the limited thriller series based on Andrea Mara\u2019s book of the same name features plenty of twists and turns in the kidnapping saga of Marissa Irvine (Sarah Snook)\u2019s son Milo, what has drawn audiences in since its November release sometimes even more than its twisty plot is the show\u2019s investigation of the invisible labor placed on women in any heterosexual marriage or family structure. It\u2019s a fate even a high-achieving businesswoman like Marissa can\u2019t escape, and only exasperated after Milo goes missing and she must hold what\u2019s left of her family together in spite of her husband\u2019s aloofness. As Marissa makes shocking discoveries about her husband (Jake Lacy) and others close to her, bringing her to a heightened emotional state played beautifully by Snook, \u201cAll Her Fault\u201d lets the actress fall back on her blossoming friendship with Jenny (Dakota Fanning). \u2014 Loree Seitz<\/p>\n

\"AdriaAdria Arjona and Diego Luna in \u201cAndor.\u201d (Des Willie\/Lucasfilm)<\/p>\n

\u201cAndor\u201d (Disney+)<\/p>\n

\u201cAndor\u201d might well be the story of our time. The second and final season of the Disney+ Star Wars series pits Cassian Andor, Luthen Rael, Bix Caleen, Mon Mothma and more against the growing power and influence of the Galactic Empire. Across 12 episodes chronicling four years of the growing rebellion, the characters make one devastating sacrifice after the next in the pursuit of fighting for something greater than themselves. If the parallels to fighting an encroaching presence of facism and authoritarianism are stark, it only serves to make the series hit all the harder. Watching \u201cAndor\u201d Season 2 in 2025 can be a scary prospect but also a hopeful one \u2014 and doing so at this time can serve as a reminder that many of us have \u201cfriends everywhere.\u201d \u2014 JB<\/p>\n

\"Beast-in-Me\"Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes in \u201cThe Beast in Me\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Beast in Me\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

TV veterans Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys stretch their abilities to the extremes in \u201cThe Beast in Me,\u201d as they investigate the complex relationship that forms between recluse author Aggie Wiggs (Danes) and real estate mogul Nile Jarvis (Rhys) when the latter moves in next door. With any attraction or romance off the table given Aggie\u2019s sexuality, the pair skips over niceties and dives into the meat of what most would leave unsaid in the early stages of meeting someone: their traumas, regrets and deepest desires. It\u2019s refreshing, though both Aggie and the audience must balance their intrigue with suspicion, given Nile had been rumored to have killed his wife. The stakes heighten quickly, leading up to a heart-stopping reveal that will leave you reeling. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"JudeJude Law and Jason Bateman in \u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d should have been talked about more. But the fact that it wasn\u2019t means that it will be something people discover for years to come. And that idea is delightful. The show, from the husband-and-wife team of Zach Baylin and Kate Susman, follows Vince (Jason Bateman), a world-class screw-up after he crash-lands back into the life of his more put-together (seemingly) brother Jake (Jude Law), who owns the titular bar and restaurant. And, sure, the setup for \u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d might sound familiar, the central push-and-pull soon becomes elaborate and thrilling, with sublots involving Jake\u2019s best friend and business partner (Sope Dirisu) and his adorable girlfriend (Cleopatra Coleman); a villainous loan shark who is after Vince (played by Troy Kotsur) and a jewel heist that is hinted at in the very first episode and pays off much later. Occasionally, \u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d can feel like an episodic version of something like \u201cUncut Gems\u201d \u2014 a panic attack happening in real-time. But that is also what makes it so special. With episodes directed by Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and Australian auteur Justin Kurzel, \u201cBlack Rabbit\u201d starts off as a familial crime saga before eventually blossoming into an operatic American tragedy. Great stuff. \u2014 Drew Taylor<\/p>\n

\"the-chair-company-sophia-lillis-lake-bell-will-price-tim-robinson-hbo\"Sophia Lillis, Lake Bell, Will Price and Tim Robinson in \u201cThe Chair Company.\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Chair Company\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cI Think You Should Leave\u201d fans were blessed with multiple doses of Tim Robinson this year between the film \u201cFriendship\u201d and the comic thriller series \u201cThe Chair Company.\u201d This show sees another one of Robinson\u2019s bumbling men try to become the protagonist of his own \u201cParallax View\u201d-style investigation, trying to get to the bottom of a deep conspiracy after embarrassing himself in a public arena. Throughout the season, Robinson\u2019s Ron Trosper finds himself getting deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole, with the finale leaving far more questions than answers. The show (created by Robinson and collaborator Zach Kanin, and directed by Andrew DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg) is expectedly hilarious, surprisingly thoughtful and always interesting. Season 2 can\u2019t come soon enough. \u2014 Casey Loving<\/p>\n

\"Common\u201cCommon Side Effects\u201d (Adult Swim)<\/p>\n

\u201cCommon Side Effects\u201d (Adult Swim)<\/p>\n

Joe Bennett and Steve Hely\u2019s Adult Swim series defies expectations at every turn. Its animation may look like \u201cKing of the Hill,\u201d but \u201cCommons Side Effects\u201d is more akin to \u201cFargo\u201d \u2014 a twisting, philosophical action adventure with notes of dark comedy. When fungi expert Marshall (voiced by Dave King) finds a mushroom capable of curing any illness, he immediately wants to share his discovery with the world. But in short order, Marshall finds himself the target of a pharmaceutical company, the DEA and several other high ranking forces. Together with his old high school crush turned corporate stooge Frances (voiced by Emily Pendergast), they\u2019ll have to find a way to save humanity despite the best efforts of the health and wellness industry. \u201cCommon Side Effects\u201d stands as a searingly insightful dive into how profitable disease can be. \u2014 KC<\/p>\n

\"dwts-robert-irwin-witney-carson-disney\"Robert Irwin and Witney Carson in \u201cDancing With the Stars.\u201d (Disney)<\/p>\n

\u201cDancing With the Stars\u201d (ABC)<\/p>\n

The ballroom dancing competition captivated both lifelong fans and new Gen Z viewers with its 34th season this fall. Merging legacy talent like Andy Richter and Elaine Hendrix with social media stars like Alix Earle and Robert Irwin, \u201cDancing With the Stars\u201d broke voting records and scored its biggest finale ratings in nine years with over 9 million viewers. The dance reality series brought the heart and vulnerability out of the season\u2019s talent, giving audiences an intimate glimpse into their favorite athletes and personalities. By inspiring TikTok trends while still appealing to its dedicated older audience, the show has emerged as a ratings hit, even earning its own annual holiday special. \u2014 Tess Patton<\/p>\n

\"MatthewMatthew Macfadyen in \u201cDeath by Lightning\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cDeath by Lightning\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

For people yearning for an aspirational version of politics a l\u00e1 \u201cThe West Wing,\u201d you\u2019re in luck because Netflix\u2019s \u201cDeath By Lightning\u201d is waiting to be binged. The limited series chronicles oft-forgotten President James Garfield\u2019s rise to office and the troubled man who would assassinate him shortly after the election. Michael Shannon, Betty Gilpin, Nick Offerman and \u201cWest Wing\u201d alum Bradley Whitford are all stellar in the four-episode series, but it\u2019s Matthew Macfadyen as Garfield assassin Charles Guiteau who steals the show. After his showing as Tom in \u201cSuccession,\u201d his role in \u201cDeath By Lightning\u201d solidifies that nobody plays an absolute f\u2013king loser better than Macfadyen. \u2014 JB<\/p>\n

\"The-Diplomat\"Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Allison Janney, Rory Kinnear and David Gyasi in \u201cThe Diplomat\u201d (Clifton Prescod\/Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Diplomat\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

While \u201cThe Diplomat\u201d already found its groove in exploring the messy dynamic between Rufus Sewell\u2019s Hal and Keri Russell\u2019s Kate, the plot thickened for Season 3 as the Netflix series made way for a \u201cWest Wing\u201d reunion between Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford, who joined as the first gentleman, bringing another complex and sometimes resentful couple to the mix. The foursome shines in Episode 6, titled \u201cAmagansett,\u201d when Kate and Hal pay an impromptu visit to the couple \u2014 there\u2019s little that compares to watching Kate and Hal talk around the oysters that Whitford\u2019s Todd bled on while shucking. With Hal and Janney\u2019s Grace Penn cementing a new partnership, we\u2019re eager to see what thrilling dynamic the couples get into next season. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"MichelleMichelle Williams and Jenny Slate in \u201cDying for Sex\u201d (FX)<\/p>\n

\u201cDying for Sex\u201d (FX)<\/p>\n

Only Liz Meriwether could craft a series that simultaneously embraces humor and sex with the rawness of tragedy, terminal illness and grief. With \u201cDying For Sex,\u201d you\u2019ll get several shows in one: one about discovering sexuality at a later point in life, one about turning away from a relationship that doesn\u2019t serve you and leaning friends along the way, and one about the terrifying, yet peaceful period near the end of life, and how that impacts both its victims and their loved ones. Michelle Williams perfectly embodies the timid, yet curious protagonist whose voice grows with each sexual encounter and hospital visit while Jenny Slate guides the audience through every laugh, cry and feeling of bewilderment. Plus, you\u2019re in for masterful performances from Sissy Spacek and Paula Pell. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"forever-lovie-simone-michael-cooper-jr-netflix\"Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr. in\u201dForever.\u201d (Elizabeth Morris\/Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cForever\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

There are plenty of romance shows and there are plenty of teen dramas, but nothing plucked our heartstrings this year like Netflix\u2019s \u201cForever.\u201d And as soon as we saw Mara Brock Akil\u2019s name attached, we knew it\u2019d be an instant hit. The series follows the fiery first love story of two Black teens, Justin (Owen Cooper Jr.) and Keisha (Lovie Simone). As they sort through their unique social backgrounds and ideas of what a relationship looks like, while juggling the real-life challenges Black people face daily, their love takes viewers on an emotional journey and leaves you on the edge of your seat by the show\u2019s end. \u201cForever,\u201d based on Judy Blume\u2019s beloved teen romance novel of the same name, marked the \u201cGirlfriends\u201d creator and mega-producer\u2019s debut at Netflix after establishing her Story27 production banner with the streamer and signing a multi-year agreement to write and produce scripted content and other creative projects. \u2014 Raquel Calhoun<\/p>\n

\"the-gilded-age-taissa-farmiga-carrie-coon-morgan-spector-hbo-barbara-nitke\"Taissa Farmiga (left), Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector in \u201cThe Gilded Age.\u201d (Barbara Nitke\/HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Gilded Age\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

Julian Fellowes\u2019 take on the rise of the American aristocracy during the Industrial Revolution flew mostly under the radar in its first two seasons, but Season 3 grew into a bona fide hit this year. Centered around the battle of old versus new money in New York society and headlined by \u201cWhite Lotus\u201d star Carrie Coon, the period drama from Fellowes and co-writer Sonja Warfield sparked buzz aplenty with soapy storylines, a dramatic wedding episode and a glossy social media campaign<\/a> powered by HBO\u2019s marketing efforts. The ensemble drama ended with series-high viewership and big cliffhanger, leaving audiences old and new begging for new episodes. Thankfully, they\u2019ll get their wish sometime in 2026. \u2014 Jose Alejandro Bastidas<\/p>\n

\"HacksHannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in \u201cHacks.\u201d (Kenny Laubbacher\/HBO Max)<\/p>\n

\u201cHacks\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n

The Season 3 finale of \u201cHacks\u201d promised a war between Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), and Season 4 delivered on that decree. It\u2019s always a joy to see these two powerhouses try to outjoke and outmaneuver each other, especially when creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky gave us so many previous episodes of the pair getting along. But the real standouts of \u201cHacks\u201d Season 4 were its side characters. Julianne Nicholson brought a level of emotional range to the seemingly wholesome Dance Mom that led to one of the best TV twists of the year. This season also introduced mainstream audiences to Robby Hoffman, an indie comic darling known for her mile-a-minute wit, nervous demeanor and empathetic view of the world. \u2014 KC<\/p>\n

\"Hal-Harper\"Lili Reinhart, Mark Ruffalo and Cooper Raiff in \u201cHal & Harper\u201d (Mubi)<\/p>\n

\u201cHal & Harper\u201d (Mubi) <\/p>\n

In a TV landscape full of action and genre-focused shows, there\u2019s a case to be made for slower, more emotive shows. Cooper Raiff makes that case with \u201cHal & Harper,\u201d an indie coming-of-age dramedy centered on codependent siblings played by himself and Lili Reinhart. With Hal in college while Harper navigates her mid-20s, the siblings are touchstones for periods of messiness, spiraling and uncertainty on the road to adulthood, with Reinhart beautifully portraying the beginning of an end of a long-term relationship. Raiff and Reinhart get to flex their acting chops as they embody the school-aged versions of their children, building out what their family dynamic looked like in the wake of tragedy and how it\u2019s developed since then. Joining the duo is Mark Ruffalo as their father, who captures his character\u2019s lingering grief as he attempts to start the next chapter of his life with his new girlfriend (Betty Gilpin). \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\""TheElisabeth Moss in \u201cThe Handmaid\u2019s Tale.\u201d (Hulu\/Disney)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Handmaid\u2019s Tale\u201d (Hulu)<\/p>\n

All good things must come to an end, even if it means some of your beloved TV characters die in a plane explosion. After a nearly three-year hiatus, \u201cThe Handmaid\u2019s Tale\u201d returned for the conclusion of June Osborne\u2019s tale of vengeance, compassion and freedom. The series wrapped with some sweet character returns, tender farewells and a final scene that serves as a PSA that June will stay at the forefront of the resistance trying to take down Gilead. \u2014 RC<\/p>\n

\"heated-rivalry-connor-storrie-hudson-williams\"Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams in \u201cHeated Rivalry.\u201d (Sabrina Lantos)<\/p>\n

\u201cHeated Rivalry\u201d (Crave, HBO Max)<\/p>\n

If anyone had predicted that a Canadian gay hockey romance would become one of the year\u2019s biggest global hits, they would have surprised even the executives behind it. \u201cHeated Rivalry,\u201d produced by Canada\u2019s Bell Media for Crave and streaming on HBO Max in the U.S., adapts Rachel Reid\u2019s \u201cGame Changers\u201d romance series into an intimate portrayal of the love between two closeted professional hockey players played by newcomers Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, who happen to be the captains of rivaling teams. Fans of the book series helped build buzz for weeks, with momentum building all the way up to its November premiere and securing distribution in the U.S., Australia and more countries. The show lured new fans with its graphic sex scenes and attractive leads, before delving into the raw emotion and romance that made the source material resonate with the genre\u2019s biggest advocates \u2014 with Episode 5 landing one of the most romantic climaxes (no pun intended) on TV in a decade. Buzz only grew as the six-episode series released new episodes weekly, securing it a Season 2 renewal after just three weeks. Time for everyone to join the \u201cHeated Rivalry\u201d fandom, because it\u2019s not going away! \u2014 JAB<\/p>\n

\"MalinBrittany Snow and Malin Akerman in \u201cThe Hunting Wives\u201d (Lionsgate)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hunting Wives\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hunting Wives\u201d splashed onto the scene this summer, moving to Netflix from Starz just six weeks before its release. Brittany Snow\u2019s Sophie moves from Boston to East Texas and is met with a provocative, gun-slinging group of girlfriends led by Malin Ackerman\u2019s Margo Banks. The newcomer finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery plot after a night of drunken debauchery. What made the series a viral sensation, though, was its campy tone and salacious plotlines \u2014 ranging from a full strip tease in the women\u2019s bathroom to two grown women cheating on their husbands with high schoolers. \u201cThe Hunting Wives\u201d has been picked up for a second season, now as a full-fledged Netflix original. \u2014 TP<\/p>\n

\"it-welcome-to-derry-bill-skarsgard-hbo\"Bill Skarsgard in \u201cIt: Welcome to Derry.\u201d (Credit: HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt: Welcome to Derry\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

Stephen King\u2019s \u201cIt\u201d is such a gargantuan project to adapt that plenty of it ended up on the cutting room floor, even after Andy Muschietti spread the story across two films. Lucky for HBO, and King\u2019s Constant Readers, the hunger for more stories in Derry was almost as vast as Pennywise\u2019s hunger for kids. \u201cIt: Welcome to Derry\u201d examined the town in an earlier cycle of cosmic killer\u2019s hunting and haunting. The HBO series continues the solid jump scares and storytelling the films flaunted and Bill Skarsg\u00e5rd remains deeply captivating as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. If you\u2019re looking for solid horror on the small screen then \u201cWelcome to Derry\u201d represented some of the best in 2025. \u2014 JB<\/p>\n

\"Invincible\u201cInvincible.\u201d (Credit: Prime Video)<\/p>\n

\u201cInvincible\u201d (Prime Video)<\/p>\n

Now we\u2019re getting to the good stuff. \u201cInvincible\u201d Season 3 took on some of the greatest storylines from Robert Kirkman\u2019s long-running comic book series about a young superhero rising above his father\u2019s dark legacy. Short arcs like the Invincible War and Conquest\u2019s arrival were rendered brilliantly in the action-packed third season of the Image Comics adaptation. Lead actors like Steven Yeun and Gillian Jacobs are only getting better in their roles with time, while Jason Mantzoukas gives one of the best performances of his career in his voice over role. As a book reader, trust me \u2014 Season 4 will be a good one. \u2014 CL<\/p>\n

\"king-of-the-hill-hank-bros-hulu\"Hank and his friends in \u201cKing of the Hill\u201d (Credit: Hulu)<\/p>\n

\u201cKing of the Hill\u201d (Hulu)<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll tell you what: A 15-year hiatus in real life and a corresponding eight-year time jump for the beloved people of Arlen, Texas, just worked. Getting to see Hank and Peggy Hill grapple with the absurdities that have plagued recent history provided plenty of laughter, keen observations and heartwarming moments. Any TV fan would be lucky to have their favorite show return with as much care as was clearly put into \u201cKing of the Hill\u201d Season 14. Plus, it\u2019s already been renewed for two additional seasons, so Hulu clearly sees something here, too. \u2014 JD Knapp<\/p>\n

\"landman-billy-bob-thornton-demi-moore-paramount-plus\"Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore in \u201cLandman.\u201d (Emerson Miller\/Paramount+)<\/p>\n

\u201cLandman\u201d (Paramount+)<\/p>\n

Arguably Taylor Sheridan\u2019s best, most compelling work outside of the ever-expanding \u201cYellowstone\u201d universe, \u201cLandman\u201d returned just a year after its initial season became a sensation. If you didn\u2019t like that first season, which chronicled the chaotic life of an oil company fixer (played, flawlessly, by Billy Bob Thornton) and the typhoon of complications, both personal and professional, that beset him at every turn, you probably won\u2019t get much out of Season 2. But those of us who were riveted by the first season were certainly rewarded in its sophomore outing \u2014 not only is Thornton\u2019s Tommy Norris now dealing with Demi Moore, now the head of the oil company after her husband (Jon Hamm) died, he\u2019s also now dealing with his father (Sam Elliott) moving into the family and his son (Jacob Lofland) making entr\u00e9es into the family business. Add to that Andy Garcia, as a villain introduced in the Season 1 finale, taking a more prominent role, and you\u2019ve got all the makings of thoughtful, pulse-quickening television. As remarkable as anything on the show is the fact that Sheridan was able to write every episode of season 2 while overseeing his vast empire. He\u2019s certainly struck oil. \u2014 DT<\/p>\n

\"LongAbbi Jacobson as Shira Schwooper, Max Greenfield as Yoshi Schwooper and Ben Feldman as Avi Schwooper in \u201cLong Story Short.\u201d (Photo Credit: Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cLong Story Short\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

The follow-up series from \u201cBoJack Horseman\u201d creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, \u201cLong Story Short\u201d didn\u2019t cause much of a stir when it debuted over the summer, but it\u2019s a lovely, melancholic piece of television that shouldn\u2019t be lost in the relentless drumbeat of Netflix\u2019s new releases. The animated series follows a Jewish family through the years, offering at once a big-picture portrait of the Schwoopers\u2019 lives while zooming in on intimate moments that recontextualize it all from episode to episode. Equal parts funny and sad, \u201cLong Story Short\u201d is also achingly tender in contrast to \u201cBojack\u2019s\u201d signature acrid tang, and that surprise of a soft heart is what gives the series its biggest strengths. \u2014 Haleigh Foutch<\/p>\n

\"Love-Island\"Bryan Arenales, Amaya Espinal, Iris Kendall, Huda Mustafa, Nicolas \u201cNic\u201d Vansteenberghe, Ace Green on \u201cLove Island USA\u201d Season 7 (Kim Nunneley\/Peacock)<\/p>\n

\u201cLove Island USA\u201d (Peacock)<\/p>\n

Coming off of a stellar Season 6 that brought widespread visibility to the Peacock reality dating show, there was undeniably pressure for \u201cLove Island USA\u201d to repeat that magic for Season 7. Luckily, one key component was already a sure fire way to maintain the audience: \u201cVanderpump Rules\u201d star Ariana Madix at the helm as host. While Season 6 set a high bar with casting, the new season\u2019s cast brought just as much drama and shocking moments to the table. Where \u201cLove Island USA\u201d excelled however, was using its existing audience to keep building upon the show, including when Megan Thee Stallion, a genuine fan of the reality franchise, came to the Fiji villa to promote her swimwear and host a twerking competition. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"the-lowdown-ethan-hawke-bleeding-fx\"Ethan Hawke in \u201cThe Lowdown.\u201d (Shane Brown\/FX)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lowdown\u201d (FX)<\/p>\n

One of the year\u2019s most beguiling surprises was \u201cThe Lowdown,\u201d from \u201cReservation Dogs\u201d creator Sterlin Harjo. The series stars Ethan Hawke as Lee Raybon, a self-styled \u201ctruthstorian\u201d (basically a shaggy dog journalist who also owns a dumpy used book store) who, after authoring an expose on a local Tulsa family, is drawn into a mystery after one of subjects supposedly offs himself (a terrific Tim Blake Nelson, appearing mostly in flashbacks). From there, this gonzo neo-noir goes down some very dark avenues, some involving Tulsa\u2019s checkered past and some involving where it\u2019s headed in the future. Harjo and his team of creative partners, which includes everyone from \u201cHalloween Kills\u201d writer Scott Teems to legendary novelist Walter Mosley, conjure a modern mystery brimming with life and character. Hawke is unparalleled as a pseudo-detective whose righteous indignation might just be a cover for feeding his own bruised ego. And he\u2019s surrounded by maybe the best supporting cast of the year, with Keith David, Kyle MacLachlan, Tracy Letts, Macon Blair, Paul Sparks, Dale Dickey, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Ryan Kiera Armstrong (soon to be very famous in the new \u201cBuffy the Vampire Slayer\u201d show) all putting in outstanding, deeply layered performances. If you haven\u2019t seen \u201cThe Lowdown,\u201d which might be the case given Hulu\u2019s iffy marketing campaign and that seriously anonymous title, it\u2019s time to correct that mistake. It\u2019s one of the most entertaining, soulful shows that arrived this year. Pray for a second season. \u2014 DT<\/p>\n

\"Matlock\"Skye P. Marshall and Kathy Bates in \u201cMatlock\u201d (CBS)<\/p>\n

\u201cMatlock\u201d (CBS)<\/p>\n

While \u201cMatlock\u2019s\u201d first season centered on the budding friendship between Kathy Bates\u2019 Matty Matlock and Skye P. Marshall\u2019s Olympia, Season 2 zeroed in on the process of rebuilding trust after Olympia learned Matty was hiding a secret life, family and agenda to take down the law firm Jacobson Moore. For much of the season, the power is in Olympia\u2019s hands, as she grapples with morality and what\u2019s best for her family, knowing that the recovered Wellbrexa study implicates the father of her kids, Julian (Jason Ritter), as well as her ex-father-in-law and boss, Senior (Beau Bridges). Marshall embodies Olympia\u2019s moral shifts impeccably, standing her own ground across the prolific Bates. The season has also thrown some curveballs for both Julian and Leah Lewis\u2019 Sarah, giving them a chance to stretch from their perfect facade and laying the groundwork for some payoff when the show returns this spring. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"only-murders-in-the-building-martin-short-selena-gomez-steve-martin-disney\"Martin Short, Selena Gomez and Steve Martin in \u201cOnly Murders in the Building.\u201d (Disney\/Patrick Harbron)<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly Murders in the Building\u201d (Hulu)<\/p>\n

Whenever a series in the streaming era makes it for more than two seasons, it\u2019s always a difficult challenge to keep audiences engaged. Make it a murder mystery, and it\u2019s even harder not to fall into the same patterns. But the chemistry of the core trio of \u201cOnly Murders in the Building\u201d \u2014 Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short \u2014 continues to make the Hulu comedy a worthy binge just on its own. While Season 5 didn\u2019t have the bigger stakes of Season 3\u2019s Broadway show or Season 4\u2019s Hollywood film, the Hulu comedy showcased yet another strong lineup of celebrity guest stars, from returning vets like Meryl Streep and Nathan Lane to newcomers Keegan Michael-Key, Christoph Waltz, Renee Zellweger and Logan Lerman. Its mystery also tugged at the heart strings with the loss of beloved Arconia doorman Lester, portrayed by Teddy Coluca. And with Season 6 headed to London \u2014 and featuring Tina Fey\u2019s Cinda Canning as its latest victim \u2014 it\u2019s sure to be the show\u2019s most exciting and biggest swing yet. \u2014 Lucas Manfredi<\/p>\n

\"Outlander-Blood-of-my-Blood\"Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy in \u201cOutlander: Blood of My Blood.\u201d\u00a0(Starz)<\/p>\n

\u201cOutlander: Blood of My Blood\u201d (Starz)<\/p>\n

Arguably one of the best romances on TV right now is \u201cOutlander: Blood of my Blood,\u201d the Starz\u2019 prequel series keeping the beloved franchise alive as \u201cOutlander\u201d winds down with its upcoming eighth and final season next year. As \u201cBlood of my Blood\u201d traces the love story of both Jamie and Claire\u2019s parents, the prequel is both a delightful payoff for loyal fans of the original series as well as an unburdened introduction to the \u201cOutlander\u201d world for those who might not have watched the original series. It\u2019s a credit to the magnetism of the new cast members, Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy, who play Jamie\u2019s parents, Brian and Ellen; as well as Jeremy Irvine and Hermione Corfield, who play Claire\u2019s parents, Julia and Henry. The new cast threads in just enough of Jamie\u2019s bravery and Claire\u2019s clever intellect to draw in \u201cOutlander\u201d fans, but it\u2019s their compelling and sweeping romance that will keep them watching. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"BennyBenito Skinner, Wally Baram and Holmes in \u201cOvercompensating\u201d (Prime Video)<\/p>\n

\u201cOvercompensating\u201d (Prime Video)<\/p>\n

Benito Skinner\u2019s semi-autobiographical college trip down memory lane earned its place in the best shows of 2025. The Prime Video series followed Benny, played by Skinner, as he came into his own at Yates University, discovering more about himself along the way. The closeted high school football star is in for a rude awakening in college, met with awkward hookups, a pep talk from Megan Fox and a near threesome with a gay couple played by Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. The coming-of-age comedy is filled with laughs and a lot of heart. The ensemble cast features breakout Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam Dimarco, Lukas Gage and Owen Thiele, among others. The series was renewed for Season 2 at the streamer, so there\u2019s still time to catch up as the rest of us wait for the cliffhanger of the season finale to be resolved. \u2014 TP<\/p>\n

\"paradise-sterling-k-brown-hulu\"Sterling K. Brown in \u201cParadise.\u201d (Credit: Disney\/Brian Roedel)<\/p>\n

\u201cParadise\u201d (Hulu)<\/p>\n

One of the first genuine surprises of 2025, though maybe it shouldn\u2019t have been. Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden lead Hulu\u2019s horrific what-if scenario series from Dan Fogelman. \u201cParadise\u201d is a propulsive watch from a twisty start to shocking finish. It burst onto my watchlist after a few episodes dropped and demanded full attention until its Season 1 story was told. While everyone can always use a good mystery series worthy of some theory-crafting, it\u2019s Brown\u2019s lead performance that grounds the series \u2014 and Marsden is equally captivating in the stellar seventh episode \u201cOne Day,\u201d which might be worth checking out on its own even if the show is a pass. \u2014 JB<\/p>\n

\"noah-wyle-katherine-lanasa\"Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNassa in \u201cThe Pitt\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Pitt\u201d (HBO Max)<\/p>\n

One of 2025\u2019s biggest TV success stories, \u201cThe Pitt\u201d proved that the medium\u2019s way forward might be going back to the basics. Starring \u201cER\u201d alum Noah Wyle and boasting industry veterans R. Scott Gemmill and John Wells among its executive producers, \u201cThe Pitt\u201d follows the doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals at a Pittsburgh emergency room through a 15-hour shift in real time. The 15-episode first season was praised for its authentic portrayal of the medical profession after the COVID pandemic, and as proof that streaming viewers are clamoring for shows that more closely resemble the classic days of broadcast dramas with longer episode orders and procedural storytelling that can be produced at lower costs and air yearly. And it wasn\u2019t just viewers who celebrated \u201cThe Pitt\u201d as an achievement. The show earned five Emmy wins in 2025, including for best drama series and best actor for first-time winner Wyle. Season 2 will premiere Jan. 8 with a chaotic new shift. Long live \u201cThe Pitt\u201d! \u2014 JAB<\/p>\n

\"pluribus-rhea-seehorn-apple\"Rhea Seehorn in \u201cPluribus.\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

\u201cPluribus\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

Any new show from \u201cBreaking Bad\u201d creator Vince Gilligan was going to be noteworthy. But few could have predicted the splash that his new Apple TV sci-fi dramedy \u201cPluribus\u201d would make this year. Gilligan\u2019s wry, cockeyed riff on the alien invasion genre features a career-best (and hopefully star-making) turn from \u201cBetter Call Saul\u201d star Rhea Seehorn as the only unhappy person left on an Earth where almost every surviving human has been made pleasant, happy and docile by an extraterrestrial hive mind. What emerges from that simple, tongue-in-cheek premise is just as much oddball hilarity as you would expect, as well as more thrilling set pieces, twisty mysteries and profound ruminations on man\u2019s existence than you could see coming. Here is a series that can be whatever it wants. In one episode, \u201cPluribus\u201d can spend 60 minutes slowly setting up and then executing an entire alien invasion on screen. In another, it can turn a simple, dialogue-free moment between two characters sharing a meal together into one of the best scenes you could see on TV this year. If there are any limits to what Gilligan can do with \u201cPluribus,\u201d they have not revealed themselves yet. \u2014 Alex Welch<\/p>\n

\"NathanNathan Fielder in \u201cThe Rehearsal\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Rehearsal\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

Nobody makes TV quite like Nathan Fielder. In the second season of \u201cThe Rehearsal,\u201d the deadpan prankster ups the ante in nearly every way, expanding the central concept of \u201cWhat if you could rehearse life\u2019s biggest moments in a simulated environment\u201d to the biggest scale imaginable \u2014 this season, focusing entirely on helping pilots overcome barriers that lead to airplane crashes. Over the years, Fielder has gotten more and more interrogative (and self-reflective) in this work, and this comes to the forefront in this season. While the new episodes of \u201cThe Rehearsal\u201d certainly have some of the funniest moments of 2025, they also manage to deliver some of the most profound. \u2014 CL<\/p>\n

\"the-residence-cast-uzo-aduba-netflix\"Isiah Whitlock Jr., Dan Perrault, Spencer Garrett, Uzo Aduba, Randall Park, Andrew Friedman, Ken Marino and Molly Griggs in \u201cThe Residence.\u201d (Credit: Erin Simkin\/Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Residence\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

Whodunnits are a tried and true entertainment genre for a reason, but Netflix and Shondaland\u2019s \u201cThe Residence\u201d took things to a whole new level of prestige. Created by Paul William Davies, the series centered around the murder of the White House chief usher during a state dinner for Australian luminaries, with everyone upstairs and downstairs among the suspects. Led by detective Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), the eight-episode saga examined the dynamics of White House staff at all levels with an irreverent tone and an intellectual flare rarely seen in today\u2019s streaming offerings. The series brings its central mystery to a satisfying conclusion, and earned Aduba a best actress in a comedy series Emmy nomination for her performance. Sadly, Netflix opted not to move forward with future seasons centered around Cordelia, but we\u2019ll always have this smart murder mystery to celebrate nonetheless. \u2014 JAB<\/p>\n

\"the-righteous-gemstones-danny-mcbride-adam-devine-edi-patterso-hbo\"Danny McBride, Adam Devine and Edi Patterson in \u201cThe Righteous Gemstones.\u201d (Jake Giles Netter\/HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Righteous Gemstones\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to think of a funnier show in 2025 than \u201cThe Righteous Gemstones.\u201d Not one minute was wasted in the pursuit of a laugh \u2014 whether it was Judy tossing out another jaw-dropping descriptor, Jesse and Kelvin going at each other or Baby Billy\u2019s latest scheme, the Gemstone family had a dysfunctional synergy to them. The fact that the series was not heaped with Emmy love by the conclusion of its four-season run should keep voters tossing and turning for years. Goodbye \u201cRighteous Gemstones,\u201d you were too good for us. \u2014 JB<\/p>\n

\"snl-marcello-hernandez\"Marcello Hernandez as Domingo on \u201cSNL\u201d (Credit: NBC)<\/p>\n

\u201cSNL50\u201d (NBC)<\/p>\n

No season of \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d is perfect, and that is certainly true for its 50th run. Nonetheless, maybe it was the season\u2019s landmark nature, or maybe it was just the quality of the episodes themselves, but the highs of \u201cSNL\u201d Season 50 just seemed a bit, well, higher than those reached by other, recent seasons of the NBC sketch comedy series. It was the season that gave us \u201cDomingo,\u201d yes, but also Melissa McCarthy\u2019s road-rage-fueled pedestrian menace in \u201cParking Lot Altercation.\u201d On top of that, \u201cSNL\u201d Season 50 actually managed to land the plane. The show\u2019s 50-year anniversary special in February was as star-studded and cameo-filled as viewers expected. Even more impressively, it came across as an actual, worthwhile celebration of the series, its history and its place within American popular culture. What could have felt merely self-congratulatory ended up feeling triumphant instead. \u2014 AW<\/p>\n

\"Severance\"Britt Lower, Adam Scott, John Turturro and Zach Cherry in \u201cSeverance\u201d Season 2 (Apple TV+)<\/p>\n

\u201cSeverance\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

The first season of \u201cSeverance\u201d was such a distinct masterpiece it seemed that even trying to continue the story of Mark S. (Adam Scott) would be a doomed endeavor. Yet Dan Erickson and Ben Stiller pulled it off, delivering a season as unexpected, unsettling, bizarrely funny and maddeningly confusing as that first installment. We even got a second \u2014 and more extravagant \u2014 dance number from Trammell Tillman\u2019s Mr. Milchick, as well as one of the most inspired acting performances of Scott\u2019s career. Whether you watch \u201cSeverance\u201d because you\u2019re invested in the lives of characters like Helly R. (Britt Lower) and Dylan G. (Zach Cherry) or because you\u2019re dying to know what Lumon actually does, \u201cSeverance\u201d delivered another middle finger to corporate America that hooked the world. \u2014 KC<\/p>\n

\"GaryGary Oldman as Jackson Lamb in \u201cSlow Horses.\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

\u201cSlow Horses\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

All the \u201cSlow Horses\u201d fans out there who have been going to bat year in and year out for the Apple TV thriller\u2019s place on lists like this were vindicated in 2025. The series\u2019 fifth season, based on author Mick Herron\u2019s \u201cLondon Rules\u201d novel, did not deviate from the show\u2019s proven formula so much as it perfected it. This time, \u201cSlow Horses\u201d leaned harder into the humor and the violence. Occasionally, in the case of one unforgettable set piece, it did so at the same time, without ever making a false step or missing a beat. Departing showrunner Will Smith found new ways to make viewers gasp and laugh, all before delivering the best \u201cSlow Horses\u201d season finale to date. That episode, aptly titled \u201cScars,\u201d makes the most of every moment, including its climactic chess-match confrontation and final shot, the latter of which pulls off the rare feat (pun intended) of being both a total surprise and a satisfying pay-off to an earlier, bittersweet punchline. There is just no other show on TV right now that does it quite like \u201cSlow Horses.\u201d \u2014 AW<\/p>\n

\"SouthMr. Mackey, JD Vance, Donald Trump and Satan in \u201cSouth Park\u201d (Photo Credit: Comedy Central)<\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Park\u201d (Comedy Central)<\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Park\u201d isn\u2019t the only adult animated comedy that\u2019s been around for literal decades. But it is the only show of its ilk that still manages to pack a cultural punch every time it returns. That was especially true this year as Matt Stone and Trey Parker delivered 10 episodes that ruthlessly and immaturely mocked the Trump administration, basking in storylines like Trump impregnating Satan, Kristi Noem shooting every dog she sees on sight, Trump having an affair with JD Vance and FCC Chair Brendan Carr being literally silenced. Though it was an overtly political season \u2014 a direction that\u2019s been more common in recent years \u2014 in some ways \u201cSouth Park\u201d returned to its roots, doubling down on the grossest, most vulgar jokes no one else would dare to make as a way to mock hypocrisy. The Trump administration may have hated it this year, but Stone and Parker proved why they\u2019re worth $1.5 billion. \u2014 KC<\/p>\n

\"SquidLee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun in \u201cSquid Game\u201d (No Ju-han\/Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cSquid Game\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

Were the second and third seasons of \u201cSquid Game\u201d better than Hwang Dong-hyuk\u2019s shocking and air-tight first installment? No. But the final two installments of the Netflix original were a certified pop culture moment largely thanks to Director Hwang\u2019s brilliant decision to replace the original\u2019s morbid tone with absolute chaos. The players in these final two installments were younger, wilder and far more bloodthirsty than anyone who appeared in Season 1. Underneath the horror of this competition was a lesson about how crypto scams have ruined so many people\u2019s lives in the past few years. Yes, the ending was a bit insane, but this year of the \u201cSquid Game\u201d brought us Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun) clicking his heels during Red Light, Green Light and a face-off between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) that tested the wits, instincts and moral limits of these two men. What more could you want? \u2014 KC<\/p>\n

\"stranger-things-5-millie-bobby-brown\"Millie Bobby Brown in \u201cStranger Things 5\u201d (Credit: Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cStranger Things\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

The first season of \u201cStranger Things\u201d popped up on Netflix back in 2016. Now, nearly ten years later, the series is ending with its fifth season. A sense of finality definitely permeates the final ten episodes, with creators the Duffer Brothers maneuvering dozens of characters and individual plot threads, braiding them together for a satisfying conclusion. Picking up shortly after the events of Season 4, \u201cStranger Things 5\u201d sees the citizens of Hawkins dealing with the fallout from the earth splitting opening and revealing the Upside Down. The military has gone into the Upside Down and set up shop, with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Hopper (David Harbour) and the gang initiating \u201ccreeps\u201d to try and uncover where Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), the supernaturally-powered baddie introduced in the last season, is hiding. Plus Robin (Maya Hawke) is working at a radio station, which is cute. While the episodes this season were occasionally ungainly and overlong, they were also muscular and emotional, particularly the two installments directed by \u201cThe Shawshank Redemption\u201d filmmaker Frank Darabont. These last handful of episodes, rich in detail and lore, really make you remember what you love so much about the show \u2014 and why you\u2019ll be so sad when it\u2019s over. Bye Hawkins. We\u2019ll miss you. \u2014 DT<\/p>\n

\"RonRon Howard, Anthony Mackie, Chase Sui Wonders, Seth Rogen and Catherine O\u2019Hara in \u201cThe Studio\u201d (Credit: Apple TV+)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Studio\u201d (Apple TV)<\/p>\n

Hollywood loves to poke fun at itself, but \u201cThe Studio\u201d took things to a creatively astounding level. The Apple TV comedy, created by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory and Frida Perez, follows the shenanigans of the whimsical head of a film studio and his team of executives, publicists and assistants. The first season felt like a who\u2019s-who of power cameos, many of which earned guest performer Emmy nominations, including Martin Scorsese, while also making a smart satire about the problems plaguing the entertainment industry today. After securing 13 Emmy wins and a renewal for Season 2, everyone in Los Angeles and beyond is going to want to be the next star in \u201cThe Studio.\u201d \u2014 JAB<\/p>\n

\"The-Summer-i-Turned-Pretty\"Christopher Briney and Lola Tung in \u201cThe Summer I Turned Pretty\u201d (Eddy Chen\/Amazon)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Summer I Turned Pretty\u201d (Prime Video)<\/p>\n

Another show this year that managed to dominate the cultural conversation and encourage midnight viewing parties, so as to not get spoiled on social media, was the third and final season of Jenny Han\u2019s \u201cThe Summer I Turned Pretty.\u201d While the YA series has always drawn out a loyal audience made up of Han\u2019s biggest fans, \u201cThe Summer I Turned Pretty\u201d drew a staggering amount of viewers as the love triangle between Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah finally came to a close. Much of the anticipation was carefully crafted by Han, who strayed from her book trilogy to bring Belly on a Parisian adventure that fans couldn\u2019t be sure would conclude with the book\u2019s endgame. Han also deserves a special shoutout for her directorial debut in the Conrad-narrated Episode 5, which gave fans the most dreamy POV to their love story, as beautifully seen in that peach scene. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"tom-pelphrey-mark-ruffalo\"Tom Pelphrey and Mark Ruffalo in \u201cTask\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cTask\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

Brad Ingelsby hit his follow-up to \u201cMare of Easttown\u201d out of the park with \u201cTask,\u201d which settles further into the outskirts of Philadelphia where two men \u2014Mark Ruffalo\u2019s Tom Brandis and Tom Pelphrey\u2019s Robbie Prendergrast \u2014 find themselves at opposite ends of an FBI investigation. While there\u2019s plenty of action-packed fight sequences and confrontations, where \u201cTask\u201d shines is in its quiet character study of most all its cast, from priest-turned-FBI agent Tom, whose grief leaves him contemplating his family\u2019s next steps, to also grieving Robbie, who is overtaken by his desire for revenge, to Robbie\u2019s niece, Maeve (Emilia Jones), who has been thrown a life as a mother at just 21, to FBI agent Grasso (Fabien Frankel), who holds his secrets close to his chest. Despite the tragedy and loss faced by nearly every character, \u201cTask\u201d is a beacon of hope that there\u2019s always room to do the right thing, whatever that might mean. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\"the-traitors-winners-peacock-euan-cherry\"Lord Ivar Mountbatten, Gabby Windey, Alan Cumming, Dolores Catania, Dylan Efron in \u201cThe Traitors.\u201d (Euan Cherry\/Peacock)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Traitors\u201d (Peacock)<\/p>\n

In a world of reality television that has had 25 years to master the craft, Peacock\u2019s \u201cThe Traitors\u201d has already cemented itself as a staple of the genre in just three. From the elimination format and the casting to the wardrobe and the editing, the Alan Cumming-hosted murder mystery competition is just plain fun to watch. Season 3\u2019s twists were twisted without being game-breaking and had audiences begging for more episode-to-episode, with plot lines that traversed the shows from which it pulls its stars as well as newcomers who have become icons of their own in the months since. Whether you are a fan of strategy or drama, it would be a crime not to partake in this killer good time \u2014 and \u201cThe Traitors\u201d has back-to-back Outstanding Reality Competition Program Emmy wins to back it up. \u2014 JK<\/p>\n

\"EmmaEmma Myers and Jenna Ortega in \u201cWednesday\u201d Season 2 (Netflix)<\/p>\n

\u201cWednesday\u201d (Netflix)<\/p>\n

While \u201cWednesday\u201d Season 2 stumbled over some structural hurdles thanks to a two-part release that trapped it in an uncomfortable rhythm between episode-of-the-week antics and half-season mysteries, it also delivered the kind of lush, lavish, tactile TV escapism that\u2019s increasingly rare in the era of the volume (and now AI slop). Huge, intricate and transportive sets, a catalogue of costumes from Tim Burton go-to Coleen Atwood, ooey-gooey monster effects (including a fabulously executed reverse zombie) \u2014 the season is an embarrassment of riches for those who love practical production. \u2014 HF<\/p>\n

\""The\u201cThe Wheel of Time (Credit: Prime Video)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wheel of Time\u201d (Prime Video)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Wheel of Time\u201d is a rare show that improved every season across its three-season run on Prime Video. While the first was rocky for both fans of Robert Jordan\u2019s sprawling book series and TV viewers looking for the next \u201cGame of Thrones,\u201d the third \u2014 and unfortunately final \u2014 season found its footing and stands as one of the best shows of 2025. Adapting the fourth book in the series \u2014 \u201cThe Shadow Rising,\u201d considered by many the high point of Jordan\u2019s epic \u2014 \u201cThe Wheel of Time\u201d Season 3 managed to finally find the balance of ramping up for big action set pieces and slowing down to give the individual characters quieter moments to grow within. After two seasons of heavy world-building and plot placing, the Prime Video series found a groove in Season 3 that fantasy TV hadn\u2019t struck since peak \u201cThrones.\u201d \u2014 JB<\/p>\n

\"The\u201cThe White Lotus\u201d Season 3 (Fabio Lovino\/HBO)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe White Lotus\u201d (HBO)<\/p>\n

If one thing is certain about Mike White\u2019s \u201cThe White Lotus,\u201d it\u2019s that the HBO series will propel itself into pop culture in a way other TV writers could only hope for, and Season 3 was no exception. From welcoming back fan-favorite Natasha Rothwell along with greats like Walton Goggins, Carrie Coon and Parker Posey, and newer talents like Aimee Lou Wood, Sarah Catherine Hook and Lisa, White crafted an all-star group for his first exploration of the East as he brought \u201cThe White Lotus\u201d to Thailand. Though White explored themes of spirituality, life and death, he never failed to bring the quintessential \u201cWhite Lotus\u201d chaos that dominated the cultural conversation this spring. We\u2019re still thinking about Parker Posey\u2019s line reading of \u201cPiper, no!\u201d and those spiked pi\u00f1a coladas. \u2014 LS<\/p>\n

\""Win\u201cWin or Lose\u201d on Disney+ (Pixar)<\/p>\n

\u201cWin or Lose\u201d (Disney+)<\/p>\n

\u200b\u200b\u201cWin or Lose,\u201d Pixar\u2019s first (and, likely, only) longform television series, is one of the best things that the beloved animation studio has ever produced. Created by story artists Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, \u201cWin or Lose\u201d is centered around a middle school softball team, the Pickles, with every episode told from a different character\u2019s point-of-view \u2014 whether that\u2019s one of the players, the insecure coach (voiced by Will Forte), or the single mother of one of the kids (Rosa Salazar) who is just trying to get it all done. But the series\u2019 relatively simple premise betrays its startling complexity, both in terms of the storytelling, which shifts and changes each episode, to the animation style, which also adapts appropriately. It\u2019s extremely bold and always exciting, with each 30-minute installment offering a buffet of visual delights and unexpected emotional depth. Even some last-minute tinkering by the larger Disney company, which forced Pixar to water down a trans storyline, couldn\u2019t rob \u201cWin or Lose\u201d of its heart-tugging power. (They left just enough in so you\u2019d know what the original intent was, thankfully.) If you didn\u2019t watch it when it streamed in early 2026, time to correct that mistake. It\u2019ll be your new favorite Pixar thing and it\u2019ll make you wonder why Disney isn\u2019t selling Pickles merchandise in Disneyland. \u2014 DT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The TV landscape of today may be smaller than a few years ago, but its ability to captivate…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":332134,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[1822,8905,129403,2588,69734,129404,10189,129405,129406,96,129407,5100,129408,124347,84504,17588,129409,129410,129411,129412,60773,129413,68772,106106,22112,38184,72097,87869,118543,51145,88761,129414,88762,90523,32326,53955,10920,103552,62820,47707,129415,129416,61600,2549,7070,129417,42429,391,56,54,55,5952,129418],"class_list":["post-332133","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-adolescence","tag-alien-earth","tag-all-her-fault","tag-andor","tag-black-rabbit","tag-common-side-effects","tag-dancing-with-the-stars","tag-death-by-lightning","tag-dying-for-sex","tag-entertainment","tag-forever","tag-hacks","tag-hal-harper","tag-heated-rivalry","tag-invincible","tag-it-welcome-to-derry","tag-king-of-the-hill","tag-landman","tag-long-story-short","tag-matlock","tag-only-murders-in-the-building","tag-overcompensating","tag-paradise","tag-pluribus","tag-saturday-night-live","tag-severance","tag-slow-horses","tag-south-park","tag-squid-game","tag-stranger-things","tag-task","tag-the-beast-in-me","tag-the-chair-company","tag-the-diplomat","tag-the-gilded-age","tag-the-handmaids-tale","tag-the-hunting-wives","tag-the-lowdown","tag-the-pitt","tag-the-rehearsal","tag-the-residence","tag-the-righteous-gemstones","tag-the-studio","tag-the-summer-i-turned-pretty","tag-the-traitors","tag-the-wheel-of-time","tag-the-white-lotus","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-wednesday","tag-win-or-lose"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/332133","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=332133"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/332133\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/332134"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=332133"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=332133"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=332133"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}