In a year that was impacted by lengthy Hollywood strikes, we’ve been blessed to still receive a strong lineup of quality TV in 2023. While not as stacked and strong as 2022’s output, this past year provided some great entertainment across a variety of genres. Some shows like Chucky won’t be eligible for this list, as the writers strike has resulted in us waiting on the latter half of the season to drop. But that being said, while this list was easier to make, it shouldn’t take away from the achievements of the shows I’ve collected below. Without further ado, let’s run through the 2023 shows you should be watching.
Honourable Mentions
Kicking off this condensed list is Bump, the wholesome, heartwarming Aussie dramedy about life, love and family. Sneaking in with a late Boxing Day release, the fourth season turned out to be the best one yet. With every character facing new life challenges, there were plenty of entertaining moments both emotional and hilarious. Next up, it’s the recently-cancelled Shadow & Bone. The second improved on the first with some solid world building and great narrative tension. There’s one subplot that drags things down, but otherwise it’s a fun ride. It’s just a shame we’ll never see the culmination of what the season sets up. Rounding out this list of noteworthy honourable mentions is Shrinking, the Apple TV+ dramedy that is the very definition of a feel-good series. Full of positive vibes and great character work, it exhibits a fantastic balance of laughs and tears, led by a brilliant Harrison Ford performance that he somehow didn’t win an Emmy for.
#10 – Only Murders in the Building (Season 3)
After securing an honourable mention last year, Only Murders in the Building hops back into the top 10 with a third season that switches things up and delivers yet another twist-filled murder mystery. With the help of new additions Paul Rudd and Meryl Streep, this ensemble of Hollywood A-listers put on a show that’s entertaining from beginning to end. This season saw Selena Gomez really step up, showcasing her acting talents and even outshining the veterans by her side. It’s a deserving result for a great season – we’ll wait and see if it can top itself next year.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Only Murders in the Building by clicking here.
#9 – One Piece (Season 1)
One of the most surprising additions to this list happens to be the seafaring adventure of One Piece. If you had told me this anime adaptation would find its way on my top 10 list, I’d have said you’re nuts. But alas, here we are. The whimsical charm of the tone and the electric lead performance from Iñaki Godoy resonated with me and got me instantly hooked. It’s fun, quirky, comedic and packed with action, all presented through a refreshingly unique visual style. The great ensemble of characters leads to plenty of variety in the action sequences, ensuring it’s a blast from start to finish. The best part – you don’t need to be a fan of the anime to enjoy it. It’s very accessible for any and all newcomers.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of One Piece by clicking here.
#8 – What We Do in the Shadows (Season 5)
Every season of this hilarious vampire mockumentary has made an appearance on my end-of-year lists. The first season was an honourable mention, but it still had a presence. What We Do in the Shadows is one of the most consistently exceptional series’ I’ve had the pleasure of watching each and every year. With non-stop jokes, incredible comedic performances and cleverly-written narratives, this season delivered on all fronts. I sound like a broken record when I say this is the best comedy series airing today, but it’s the truth. The writing of the comedy is phenomenal, with a mix of iconic improvised moments and witty scripted beats that never fail to garner big laughs. The trio of Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou and Kayvan Novak will go down as one of the best in the business. With one last season to come, it’s hard to imagine a top 10 list without this slice of brilliance.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of What We Do in the Shadows by clicking here.
#7 – The Night Agent (Season 1)
A layered narrative drenched in suspense with thrills and twists aplenty – that’s what The Night Agent delivered when it dropped on Netflix with hardly a whisper of anticipation in the lead-up. With multiple interconnected subplots, intriguing characters and thrilling mysteries, this throwback spy thriller is an absolute blast. It hooks you early with its big, central mystery, then just when you think there couldn’t be more to solve, it throws more questions your way. It keeps up a very fast-moving pace for its entire 10-episode run, never slowing down and taking you along for the ride. Not only is all of the build-up exceptional, the payoff at the climax of the season is wonderfully rewarding. For anyone interested in a thrilling piece of espionage storytelling, The Night Agent is one of the best new releases. Plus, it’s getting a second season, so there’s more story to be told.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of The Night Agent by clicking here.
#6 – Loki (Season 2)
In a period of time where the MCU is struggling to engage audiences, Loki season 2 showed everyone how it’s done. This season hit the ground running in the pilot and never looked back – racing towards the finish line with only very brief moments of downtime. It’s a brilliant character study of Loki, a character who has existed in the MCU for 13 years, while also containing a grand narrative with genuine stakes. The visual effects and set design are stunning to look at, while the actors deliver riveting performances that has you rooting for every one of them. From Tom Hiddleston to Jonathan Majors, it’s loaded with quality performances that do the characters justice. It’s very well written and a must-watch for anyone looking for a stellar superhero story to dive into.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Loki by clicking here.
#5 – Sweet Tooth (Season 2)
If you haven’t heard about it, Sweet Tooth is one of the most heartwarming and emotionally impactful series’ on TV. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where human-animal hybrids are hunted and studied, this series is a brilliant example of exceptional writing and stellar character work. The second season went darker than the more uplifting tone of the first, putting our characters through some very difficult situations that test their abilities to survive. Not only is it darker, but the scope of the story is expanded on. It’s still very character-centric, but the stakes feel much higher this time around. This non only enhances the tension and suspense, but allows them to stage some pretty big action set pieces going into the climax. The series will be ending with the upcoming third season, and if it’s as good as this season, you can expect to see it on my next top 10 list.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Sweet Tooth by clicking here.
#4 – Poker Face (Season 1)
This may be the biggest TV surprise of the year. From the incredible mind of Rian Johnson, Poker Face is an anthology of murder mysteries tied together by a crime-focused narrative following Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale. His work may be divisive, but I believe Johnson is a genius storyteller, especially when dealing with a good murder mystery. His ability to undercut your expectations and send the story in unexpected directions makes him one of the best in the business. He doesn’t just do that once here, he does it 10 times. Each episode highlights a new murder for the lie-detecting Charlie Cale to solve. What sets this series apart is that we see the murder and the murderer play out first, then follow Cale as she deciphers what happened. The joy isn’t in the mystery, it’s in how she unpacks the mystery for herself. It’s riveting from beginning to end, adopting a serious tone with exceptional character development and hints of Johnson’s trademark quirkiness. Spoil yourself with a truly wonderful piece of TV before the delayed second season drops.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of Poker Face by clicking here.
#3 – The Fall of the House of Usher (Season 1)
I mean… is anyone surprised? Mike Flanagan is one of the undisputed best writers and directors working today. Everything he touches turns to gold, including his streak of Netflix TV hits that kicked off with The Haunting of Hill House. In a change of pace and tone, Flanagan has brought us The Fall of the House of Usher, a phenomenal family drama that’s intense, bloody, mysterious and gruesome – a spine-chilling ride that never lets up. The narrative is layered and deep, putting Flanagan’s writing skills on full show as he creates something that’s truly gripping and terrifying. Every character is phenomenally fleshed out, ensuring none disappear into the background and all have an arc worth following. It’s not a traditional horror series – the scariest moments don’t have to do with anything supernatural, they have to do with the harrowing decisions the characters make. It’s one of those shows that I immediately wanted to rewatch as soon as it finished.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of The Fall of the House of Usher by clicking here.
#2 – Ahsoka (Season 1)
Was my anticipation for Ahsoka at an all-time high? Yes. Did it still manage to exceed my expectations? Absolutely. This is the best thing Star Wars has put out since the release of 2015’s The Force Awakens. As a fan of Star Wars: Rebels, this series didn’t just craft a narrative that works on its own, it perfectly transferred the story and characters from the fan-favourite animated series. With Dave Filoni at the helm, Ahsoka feels like it’s constantly building towards something grand – instilling a sense of tension early and never letting up. With exhilarating space battles and lightsaber action aplenty, this series incorporates everything we love from Star Wars. Ahsoka’s journey is gripping and suspense-filled, but it’s the arcs surrounding supporting characters that really flesh out the series. With stellar visuals, a great Kevin Kiner score, and a whole lot of fun to be had, there’s no questioning this was hands-down one of the best shows of the year. Whether you’re an expert or novice Star Wars fan, this is one you should be checking out.
Check out my spoiler-filled episode reviews of Ahsoka by clicking here.
#1 – The Last of Us (Season 1)
Being an adaptation of my favourite video game, you could safely say I was eagerly anticipating this one. I was a little apprehensive, but being in the hands of both Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, 2019) and Neil Druckmann, creator of the game, quelled any and all concerns. In the end, The Last of Us isn’t just the best series of the year, it’s one of the best of the decade. From writing and directing to performances and cinematography, this is a true masterpiece of TV. The character-focused story is riveting from the perfect opening sequence right through to the emotionally impactful climax, with not a single second of dropped quality in between. The lead performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay are breathtaking to watch, showcasing unbreakable chemistry that has you buying into their complicated relationship. This really is a truly unmissable series, something everyone who considers themselves to be a a fan of TV should be seeking out immediately.
Check out my full non-spoiler review of The Last of Us by clicking here.
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