Perpetual Grace, Ltd. was one of the most original, well written, and hilarious tv series I have ever seen. The acting was impeccable, and it was a wild ride throughout. Sadly, it was on Epix, so I think 50 people have seen it. It is amazing. I’m crossing my fingers for season two.
5
No Chernobyl?
21
No “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”? Tony Shaloub is reason enough to watch that show. His character Abe’s neuroticisms are comic gold.
13
I don't think I've seen any of the shows on this list.
One that should be is "The Affair" (Showtime). Series finale - what an ending!! Fantastic - I think about it still it was very moving - top notch writing and acting.
8
@Kathy M Thank you for your post. I loved this show!
3
TV poisons your mind, corrupts your soul, and destroys your health. Save yourself and trash that tv!
17
@Murray Bolesta
Are you saying that the 125-year entirety of audio-visual art since the Lumière brothers is poisonous? Or are you saying watching it at home is the problem? Or are you drawing a strict distinction between episodic and feature forms? How do you feel about recorded music? Apparently you're fine with website comment sections, which seems odd...
40
I've never watched any of the shows mentioned in this article. I have enough to watch as it is so I don't need more.
8
The best tv show of 2019 is the ‘power off’ button on my remote. Television is the same vast wasteland it always has been. Those big flat panels are great for streaming movies, watching bluray discs and the occasional sports event (preferably one that does not involve unavoidable permanent brain damage to the participants).
Other than that, let the screen remain dark.
23
The real test of a good program is whether watching it on an IPad is enjoyable. I can often be fooled by the big screen, but a good story is good on a small screen.
8
@chambolle
Humans have a desire for stories -- it's ancient, and possibly evolutionary. Television is telling some amazing stories this year, and frankly I think those stories are more worthwhile than watching people play with a ball.
23
@chambolle
One wonders why you bothered to read the article.
30
Want to know the facts behind the story? Reading the Times on the Central Park Five, won’t answer your questions as to their crimes, but will tell you every trendy sign of mob rule. There are outstanding questions, some raised by Linda Fairstein in her brief Wall Street Journal essay.
Did Ava DuVernay produce a biased presentation, altered to fit her preferred narrative? She has proudly proclaimed her privilege to invent facts.
The Times’ Jim Dwyer recently mentioned the boys “badly hurting a man at the reservoir.” Has any NY Times reporter interviewed this victim and explained how many years in prison this crime deserved? What about the cyclists they also assaulted?
Has anyone investigated the difference and doubts, inherent in the evidence of rape and the evidence of assault? DNA showed the boys to be innocent of rape, not assault; the assault damaged the woman jogger far more than the rape.
Barry Scheck says police perfidy caused the boys’ confessions, the same defense he used for O.J. Simpson.
The old NY Times would have set an investigative team to pin down and explicate the facts, but now, instead, we get endless paeans to an unverified Netflix series, which apparently justifies the lynching of Linda Fairstein.
7
We get endless paeans to the Central Park Five Netflix series, but did Ava DuVernay produce a biased presentation, altered to fit her preferred narrative? She has proudly proclaimed her privilege to invent facts. There are outstanding questions, some raised by Linda Fairstein in her brief Wall Street Journal essay.
The Times’ Jim Dwyer recently mentioned the boys “badly hurting a man at the reservoir.” Has any NY Times reporter interviewed this victim and explained how many years in prison this crime deserved? What about the cyclists they also assaulted?
Has anyone investigated the difference and doubts, inherent in the evidence of rape and the evidence of assault? DNA showed the boys to be innocent of rape, not assault; the assault damaged the woman jogger far more than the rape.
Barry Scheck says police perfidy caused the boys’ confessions, the same defense he used for O.J. Simpson.
5
Mr. Inbetween. Followed by The Other Two and Corporate. Three small, 30 minute shows. Not big and flashy but oh, so, so good.
No more Madam Secretary. That’s totally wrecked me. Loved it, and she was about to run for President!!!!
1
I don't know why network tv can't make better shows. NCIS is that all CBS can do? I know you wrote highly of Madam Secretary but I watched one episode and never tuned back in.
3
CBS, NBC and ABC are dead to me. The same cop/hospital/political yada-yada/warrior at war shows over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. It’s the equivalent of no one in Hollywood being able to come up with good original writing for an original movie, instead of trying to crank out the same reboot or sequel - over, and over, and over, and over, and over… I think you all get my point.
8
Next year, binge on the brilliant Good Trouble, on FreeForm.
The Boys on Amazon is fantastic.
3
Out of all of these, I chose to spend my precious life moments on only two: Fleabag and Unforgotten.
4
How is there no mention of Schitt's Creek or Insecure...two of the very best shows on TV along with Killing Eve?
15
Surprised not to see Anorexia: The Musical on anyones list. Also, Walmart: The Inside Story which was a revealing exposé on price cutting in the aisles.
How is there no mention of 'Flowers' here?
4
@CaspMcT Not to say that it would have made the list, but the second season came to Netflix in 2018
2
"Flowers" is brilliant.
1
Even if the last season came in for criticism and even if this was an amazing year for television, the critics' refusal to give Game of Thrones anything more than an honourable mention is mind-boggling for a phenomenon whose reach and ambition was memorable.
Call me lowbrow, but other misses were: Peaky Blinders, Mrs Maisel and The Man in the High Castle.
10
DERRY GIRLS!!!!
12
and SEX EDUCATION on Netflix
Great list. My favorites were:
Russian doll - Season 1
Made in Heaven Season 1
Catastrophe Season 4
The Deuce Season 3
Mindhunter Season 2
Black Summer Season 1
True Detective Season 3
Succession Season 2
1
Terrific shows:
Peaky Blinders, The Deuce, Pennyworth, The Expanse, Goliath, Catch-22 (the reboot), Luther, Billions, Russian Doll, Veronica Mars, Gentleman Jack
Excellent shows that had just an okay season:
Bosch, Mindhunters, True Detective, Mr. Robot
Wildly Overrated Shows:
Fleabag, Mrs. Maisel, Succession, The Good Place, Lodge 49
13
I am glad you have the time to watch all these programs, after all, it is your job to review them. But, for those of us who work for a living, these shows all just pass me by. My go to channel is Turner Classic Movies. Life was a lot simpler in those days.
18
It’s campy and a little raunchy, but I loved Casa de Flores (with English subtitles, NOT dubbed)
3
The Deuce deserves to be amongst these.
5
Happy to see “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” on the list, simply because it felt sort of out of place and also because it means my kids obviously have great taste as they watch that show over and over. Is this some sort of inside joke, Ms. Lyons ? Are you a Twilight Sparkle or a Pinkie Pie? This just leads me to more and more questions .....
1
How many streaming services do I need to buy just to watch these shows...
12
What about those of us who only have the zillion channels offered by our providers but have none of the premium channels, mostly due to finances or ennui? It seems that whenever I read positive reviews I don't get the service, an increasingly frustrating exercise. So I guess I'll stop reading the reviews.
4
Reading commenters’ suggestions was almost as good as the article. Here’s one on Netflix I really enjoyed (it’s not from 2019)—“The OA” (season one). I liked season two as well, but I suspect many people wouldn’t—it’s very weird.
If you have Hulu, try “The Act”—amazing performances. HBO also has a documentary about the real people.
And for those who can’t afford streaming or cable—don’t give up on PBS!
7
El Marginal!!
from Argentina, crude violent and wonderful. How can you not mention it? Rasty characters like I have never seen on TV. There is a very bad Mexican/American remake. Get the original on Netflix.
MIKE HALE (The Best International Shows), how could you have left out Babylon Berlin? Surely an oversight!
5
@Suzanne Tourtillott The most recent season, Season 2, premiered on Netflix in January 2018.
1
Succession the best TV in a long while So excited it'll continue.
Streaming IS the new black
7
A quick word on EPIX's fabulous Batman prequel called PENNYWORTH. It has no super hero histrionics, just a young Alfred who has recently left the Britsh Special Forces to start a security company at a perilous fictional time in British history. The show is smart, funny, dark, insidious, and teaches this American man more about UK slang than any dictionary could.
Also, I forgot to mention UNBELIEVABLE in the list of shows I posted earlier. This was an amazing accomplishment, and both Merritt Wever and Toni Collette deserve Emmys.
2
Attack on Titan would certainly deserve an honorable mention under international shows. The Season that aired this spring was beyond spectacular. It had spectacular action sequences, great charachter developement and thrilling plot twists. The Episode "Hero" holds the Number 1 spot on IMDB's top rated single episodes with 10/10. You don't typically see anime on these lists but Attack on titan is well above its peers in all respects. Check it out if you havn't
1
I am so glad to see Our Boys and Watchmen on this list as they were/are absolutely superb!
5
Unspeakable is a great mini-series that follows the very tragic and infuriating true story of the Tainted Blood Scandal in Canada. Thousands of people contracted HIV and Hep C through transfusions and many lives were lost. I highly recommend you watch, as these stories are similar to what happened in the US, France, Britain and Japan during the same period of time. The theme is not isolated to just Canada. Britain has only now decided to do an inquiry, after almost 40 years of burying their head in the sand. A must watch! You can also find it on CBC's Gem app.
2
I’ll go out on a limb and suggest one on basic network television...This Is Us. A sweet, lovely multigenerational drama.
10
@Trippe My favorite show on network TV!
3
@ Trippe-
This Is Us started out good, but it became such a contrived mess to follow that I gave up on it. But I’m definitely glad to have gotten a chance to watch Sterling K. Brown in a great performance in the third season of Mrs. Maisel that was so much different from This Is Us. Definitely looking forward to seeing him in more roles that will give him a chance to really show his talent.
3
So glad to see Better Things here. I'm a binger who's seen just about everything listed here, and Better Things remains among my favorites.
5
A remarkable proportion of the best TV in the last 2 years has been shows written by women centered on female characters. Not that it should be an end in itself but it's been some extraordinary work. Better Things, Killing Eve, Mrs. Maisel, Fleabag -- funny, incisive, just incredibly intelligent TV -- and NONE of it would have seen the light of day under the old male-dominated studio/network/Neilsen ratings system.
I see a lot of complaints about streaming and having to pay for TV (as if the old system was free), but nobody in their right mind should want to go back to a world dominated by broadcast networks and cable companies.
15
Separate free TV from pay TV. Many people like me can't afford pay TV. I'm lucky to have just basic cable and HBO.
3
@george
I then highly recommend PBS, especially Masterpiece Theater. That’s where I watched “Unforgotten.”
8
@george we cancelled cable and use some streaming services-Netflix, Amazon, Hulu. I watch PBS online.
2
Try Kanopy and Hoopla if you can get them. These are available free through my public library system. They have a lot of good stuff although it’s not particularly current.
2
I am missing out, I know so few of these titles. I watched the few episodes of Madam Secretary/President that were free on the CBS website. I watched the "Girlfriends" reunion on the one episode of Black-ish. Please give us a Girlfriends reboot instead of Mixed-ish. Isn't "mixed" already an "ish?"
I mostly rewatch shows I've already seen - Girlfriends, Bewitched, Law & Order, Naked City (1960s police drama)...
More shows worth watching...
The Expanse (Amazon)
Smart, thought-provoking epic science fiction doesn't get any better. The character development, plotting and depictions of interplanetary geopolitics are spot-on. And although it has some fantastical elements -- or depicts applications of science we don't yet understand?! -- to drive the story, the rest of the science, particularly physics, is obsessively accurate. No more free rides for other shows and their spaceships with magical gravity.
Atypical (Netflix)
A funny, clever, heartwarming, eye-opening comedy-drama about a young man who experiences the world a little differently from most of us. Watch it with your loved ones (except maybe your pre-teen kids; nothing too horrible, just some grownup plot-lines and jokes).
Carnival Row (Amazon)
Social commentary wrapped in alt-history steampunk fantasy. The first episode is a confusing dramatis personae, but subsequent episodes compellingly weave the treads together for an engrossing dark fairy tale.
(It would be nice if the NYTimes film and tv critics weren't so disdainful of sci-fi and fantasy. Yes, they enthusiastically covered GoT, but that was a cultural phenom they couldn't ignore.)
5
Carnival row was a dastardly mess of ideas which never delivered on screen and having it being considered anything to be appreciated would be a folly
4
I find it astonishing that the four seasons of British show ‘ Please Like Me’ (on Hulu)has not received the slightest bit of recognition much less outright award winning acclaim.
After stumbling onto the series co-written and starring Josh. Thomas, I was elated to find some of the most flawed but incredibly endearing characters EVER. The only way way I can describe this show is if you took ’Seinfeld’ and ‘Friends’ mashed them together but made the characters 20 year olds and there is absolutely no polish or patina. The characters are unaware, astute, judgmental, forgiving, fearful, fearless, creative, imaginative, lazy, entitled, unworldly and profound. They are gay, straight, mentally broken, often vacuous and often empathetic. They are authentic and unfiltered. Sometimes you want to hug them. Other times you want to point them in the right direction. You cant stop watching them as they are about to make a mark on the world but just not anytime soon!
And if this was is not enough for you, hidden in this gem is Hannah Gadsby! Astonishing!
This show was my highlight for 2019 and will be so for years to come. If you have Hulu, watch it. If you don’t have Hulu, get it for ‘ Please Like Me’ alone. Then feel free to also watch ’The Handmaid Tale’ too!
1
I liked this show, but the Josh character became unbearable to watch towards the end of the series.
@Leslie Great show, but the last season (the fourth) premiered in the U.S. back in 2016.
1
Spanish television (I mean series from Spain, not all series in the Spanish language) should not be overlooked. "Money Heist" (La casa de papel) won the International Emmy in the drama category last year, and released season 3 in 2019. As for comedy, "Pequenas Coincidencias" (Amazon Prime) delivers as much creative fun as anything I've seen in English.
7
Atypical and Derry girls made me laugh to tears. Atypical had such a brilliant script and the actors were brilliants. It’s refreshing to finally watch shows it doesn’t seem you’ve already watched a thousand times.
5
The Boys isn’t on the list :( amazing original show, definitely worth a watch
4
"Lucifer" (Netflix) wins this category hands-down. The amazingly talented Tom Ellis can make you laugh uproariously one minute and break your heart the next. The writing is sharp and witty, and the supporting cast is family. Can't wait for next season!
7
Does anyone like Spiral (Engrenages)? A French police procedural, it's really captivating. I would definitely recommend it as a top 10 show. It's on Amazon Prime.
9
I watched this years ago on Netflix and had to wait till the year to finally see season 5. Waiting to see season 6. FYI many of the actors are in a french village. Also on amazon
3
@ke01339
We just finished watching season 7 on the BBC. Grim and harrowing but great. I suspect we have the BBC's involvement to thank for the subtitling. More French tv and movies should be made available with subtitling!
3
@ke01339 Spiral is one of the best, if not the best, cop shows I've ever seen. Line of Duty is another excellent one. Both of these put the US network shows to shame.
4
Made In Heaven - India - Amazon Prime Video
India’s most polished tv export yet. Centered around a duo that plans big fat Indian weddings for India’s rich families. Well produced, fun, colorful and interesting stories. Do check out if interested in watching an international drama
3
It was more of a more offbeat soap drama feel than a serious story !!! In that aspect “delhi crime” was much better with its overall storytelling matching a more global sensibility
I really loved The Deuce.
6
Derry Girls!!! How is this not on the list?
10
Fleabag is one of the most overhyped shows in years. Maisel is a close second. You forgot to include Schitt’s Creek.
16
For the International list, recommend the following amazing shows
False Flag - (Hulu)
Memories of the Alhambra (Netflix)
The Bureau -S5 (Sundance)
Tabula Rasa, which is a few years old (Netflix)
@Walter White False flag was great
2
@Walter White And need to add La Casa De Papel to this list. Season 3 premiered in 2019 so 100% needs to be on all lists!
1
The Bureau is the best spy series I've ever seen. Perhaps the best series of any kind I've ever seen. Edges out the John LeCarre series with Alec Guiness as George Smiley. Both of these put The Americans and Homeland to shame.
3
I couldn't agree more with the comments below. "Peaky Blinders" is at the top of my list and according to Wikipedia there are another two seasons coming.
6
Not one mention of Amazon's series 'The Boys' ? Unbelievable.
6
"Elementary" was the best!
5
Peaky Blinders should be on this list.
8
BBC 1 Press
Netflix PeakyBlinders
HBO Gentleman Jack
The Americans
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Afair
3
I loved The Americans too, but it ended in 2018. Probably why not on this list.
4
I started watching The Americans several times. I gave up the third time after watching episode 4. If real FBI agents were as inept as the ones in this show and if the spies could have gotten away with the things they did without blowing their cover we would have lost the Cold War.
3
Where is "Roma"? Amazing movie.
How will I ever catch up!? I'm 77, retired and disabled, have all the time in the world, and still I can't fit in all the 'best stuff".
I just watched "Once Upon a Time....in Hollywood', I'm mid "The Line of Duty", have been emailed that "The Irishman" is waiting for me, and there are still are more episodes of "Mr. Robot". And somehow I fit in "One Child Nation", a completely original and unexpected documentary.
And I haven't even HEARD of many of the movies/series on the lists.
Oh, I also read books...ebooks, but real books. Just finished "The Topeka School".
And I had to watch "Once Upon a Time in America" to prepare for the "Hollywood' movie.
Yikes!
11
@elained Enjoy! I am awaiting retirement (6 and half years to go) and what you've described sounds like heaven.
3
@elained
I pick my shows and books randomly, which is how I discovered Guillermo del Toro's Tales of Arcadia series on Netflix, Murdoch Mysteries, and other shows I would have missed out on if I relied on my own sensibilities.
Every time I decide to read NY Times reviews of any art form I fear I’m going to regret it and I usually do. On the show Succession: “Depressingly entertaining, this series has become as savory an illicit thrill as a stolen bite of chicken on a yacht.”
2
@jjlaw1 You do know that the the "stolen bite of chicken on a yacht" is a reference to an event in the series finale?
9
@elained
...and it's still a depressing, unentertaining bit of journalistic descriptorness...
Where’s Peaky Blinders???!!!
5
Thank you for including Lodge 49. That show was just so heartening, yet criminally underwatched.
And, with all the bickering here in the comments, I'm surprised nobody has noticed the omission of The Leftovers. Sure, it didn't air in 2019, but it was the best show of the decade and remains a better watch than anything on these lists!
2
Not one mention of "Chernobyl" on HBO? It was stellar film making and almost made me forgive HBO for the ridiculous final season of "Game of Thrones."
42
@Jamakaya Agree!
4
Gentleman Jack is underrated in America. It's a masterpiece of a real, love story between two women in 1832 Halifax, England. Suranne Jones and Sophie Rundle should take all the awards in the coming season.
It is subtle, funny, sad, and live affirming. Unlike the glizy "L Word" which looks like a beauty pageant--all fluff, no development of characters.
GJ is sweet and heartfelt thanks to creater-writer Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax on Netflix).
20
@Sharon Renzulli
You may think it's a "real" love story but, you realize...those are actors on the screen. It's media, hence, fiction.
For those who enjoy comedies, watch Southside.
3
@nom de guerre Do you mean "Sunnyside?"
1
@Amanda Marks
Sorry, it's South Side (two words, not one) on Comedy Central. The first season is over but it has been renewed.
I saw part of an episode of Sunnyside, it had potential so I set to record it. Less than a week later it was pulled from the schedule. Another example of a series cancelled prematurely, less than five episodes had aired. NBC.com is showing the remaining episodes.
1
@nom de guerre South Side premiered the same week Sherman's Showcase did. I fell in love with Sherman and hope it comes back for a 2nd season. It's hilarious. Try it. I think it was on IFC.
I am glad to see Martin Clunes included here.
HIs Doc Martin series is something to cherish.
how about a little known ( in this country) series called Rake.
I feel like writing to Richard Roxburgh and begging him to add more seasons.
https://acorn.tv/rake
11
@Joan
Rake was excellent! Mean, funny and barking mad!
4
@Marti Mart
thank you !! I thought I was the only one who loved it...shall we write to Mr. Roxburgh and beg him to do new seasons??
1
@Marti Mart Oh thank you for mentioning Rake, I found it and wondered why I had not heard of it before. Funny, oh so funny and just brilliant.
1
Hearing of the cancellation of Lodge 49 left me saddened. It was a salve for the current zeitgeist.
Dropping well written and acted programs before they've run their course leaves viewers untrusting of the networks guilty of such abrupt actions.
6
I'll add a few.
"City on a Hill," with amazing performances by Kevin Bacon, Jill Hennessy, and others.
"Sacred Games," a crazily convoluted conspiracy and cop show set in Mumbai.
"Gomorrah," the Naples-set mob drama. Amazing cast. Amazing sets. Unfortunately, it hasn't been available in the States this year. The last I heard the third season was held up because the rights are owned by the Weinstein company.
"Spies," a Russian series about female spies recruited during World War II. (This is a cheat; the series came out in 2013. But I just discovered it on Amazon Prime, thought it could use some attention.) Russian title: "Razvedchitsy."
9
What about the most amazing international series that blends philosophy, sci-fi, crime altogether, 'Dark' on Netflix? It is absolutely mind bending and mind blowing.
18
Great show!
2
why was got ONLY an honorable mention???!!
You all watch way too much TV.
3
That’s what they get paid to do.
4
I was referring to all the people posting.
1
Line of Duty
Dr. Foster
Two amazing shows that need to be checked out and didn’t make the list
5
When Madam Secretary ends, it's the end of broadcast TV. For seniors on fixed income, they're left with the dregs as the networks abandon national audiences. Sad.
9
Omit The Good Place? I guess it's too much recognition if a show is REALLY popular while ground-breaking.
14
@Brian the article is best of 2019. The Good Place is a great, innovative show, and I'd say its first season definitely deserved best-of-whatever-year status, and seasons two and three were also pretty good, but the current season's writing has mostly fallen flat for me. The last few episodes have been much better though, so I'm hopeful for a strong ending to the series.
1
I have rarely watched tv for the past fifteen years, but I loved "Friends from College," a Netflix series that was cancelled after just two short 8 episode seasons in February before I even knew it existed. It is often brilliantly written, with great acting led by Keegan Michael Key, and is the extremely rare instance of a series that is both tragic and comic. It was often hysterical in both senses. It was also unusual in its courage in providing characters who could be genuinely unlikable but also recognizably human and complex, with only a few missteps. Yet, the series inexplicably was panned by critics and audience alike. When I watched a second series, The Good Place, which had won over enthusiastic critics and audience alike, this situation became even stranger to me, because the latter, while providing a great setup and excellent introductions and appropriations of philosophy, was uneven, repetitive, and often just dumb. I can only imagine that the Good Place satisfied the moral imaginary of critics and audience alike, while Friends from College violated it. In the latter, lead characters were often unfaithful to their partners but only temporarily punished for their actions and the series ended with a very troubled return to an originally unsatisfactory situation, problematizing an approved and perhaps justified moral worldview.
5
@Josh
I'm a little problematized by what excessive TV viewing is doing to language use in the US...
I read all the comments, and not a single person has mentioned the endearingly funny/melancholy Ricky Gervais show on Netflix, Afterlife. I had to be talked into watching it and then I was immediately hooked. Only 6 half-hour episodes anyway. Ricky plays a recently bereaved widower. He's not the obnoxious guy he usually plays. There will be a second season.
BTW, Unbelievable was great; recommended it to everyone.
41
@Samoca Afterlife was incredible and touching.
9
I'm sorry but where is "Joe Pera Talks with You" ? This unsung gem on Adult Swim needs to be discovered! It is wonderfully low key and very likeable.
Russian Doll is not just among best television of 2019, but in the ranks of Best Television Ever Made, up there with The Wire.
(And like The Wire, give it 4 episodes to warm up.)
9
@Io Lightning 4 to warm up? It's only 6 or 8 eps total!
1
The domestic picks were far too influenced by the critics' political/social views, but many of the international picks were spot on, such as Unforgotten. To my great pleasure, there are large numbers of other excellent mysteries/thrillers (some from past years) on Netflix/Amazon from a wide variety of countries--Fauda and Hostages (Israel); Spiral and A French Village (France); The Bodyguard and Happy Valley (Great Britain); Dark (Germany), etc.
My 3 top omissions: City On A Hill (Showtime); Ozark (Netflix); and Sneaky Pete (Amazon).
8
It is somewhat noble -- although the author is being paid to do so -- to try to come up with a "list". She even says so in the opening apologia.
So, no complaints here. And thanks for suggestions about shows I did not know about, affirmations of ones I did (Unforgotten, Catastrophe, Killing Eve, etc.). My only nit was Patriot deserved only an Honorable Mention? Variety's TV critic called season one a top ten and season two the best show on TV.
Patriot was everything that is great about the new golden age of TV - brilliantly conceived, written, acted, directed and photographed (S2 takes place in Paris, BTW) and, finally, with, hands down, perhaps the greatest sound track and selection of pop music ever. S2 featured the Beastie Boys classic "Sure Shot" over each episode's opening credits.
Can't beat that with a stick.
4
Hard to see the subtle and expert UNFORGOTTEN and MANHUNT linked with so many shows that lazily rely on serial killers, sexual pandering and titillation, and being too clever (and/or "cool") by half.
6
Try again. You didn't include Endeavour. Most of your picks aren't even in the same league.
25
@Calvin Too sloowww
2
Good to see Madam Secretary get a mention.
5
Dead to Me.
20
Better Things, catastrophe, the kominsky method, Fleabag... 4 series that i can watch again. Such good writing, charming, insightful, scatological, funny and real!
6
"Mrs. Fletcher" and "When They See Us" -- If you're listening, HBO, please, please more episodes of Mrs. F and more consciousness-raising shows like "When..." The latter is powerful and "Mrs. Fletcher," a real-life-feeling drama. Both so much better than most of the "junk" I watched this year. Yes, I do watch junk....
The international series offer so much, too. Like Herrens Veje on Netflix or Folklore on HBO. The Danish series explores contemporary religions, business models, family relationships, PTSD, and finding meaning in life to name a few themes, all with nicer characters than my beloved Succession or Billions. Folklore tells ghost stories within a contemporary framework in different Asian countries.
1
Heerens Vege (aka Ride Upon the Storm) is superb. Watching it through takes some patience but it will be rewarded. Lars Mikkelson is one of the best actors in the profession today.
I loved Fleabag. Her interactions with her dad, sister and stepmother were funny, heart-wrenching and quite realistic. Flashbacks of her best friend were just so tragic and touching. Fleabag combined humor, uneasiness, tragedy and sweetness really well. The only flaw was the hot priest - just could not get past the actor who also played Moriarty on Sherlock. And where is Killing Eve?!
5
@Chatte Cannelle
Oh, yes, Killing Eve is such a tasty confection of great actors and not-too-serious action-driven plot (if you can be blithe to the psychopath)
2
David Fincher's meticulously acted and soundtracked Mindhunter, 2 seasons on Netflix. He is Hitchcock's true heir.
30
@Dan Coleman Yes! I forgot Mindhunter, definitely should have included it in my own "more great shows" comment.
2
Obviously, none of the critics compiling this list even watched Mr. Robot. This series consistently reaches heretofore unseen levels of excellence with each episode.
8
Mr. Robot was listed at #7 of the best shows that end this year...
1
All this is great, but most people cannot afford all the different pay to view services. I'd be bankrupt if I subscribed to all of them. Enough.
23
"Barry."
Incomparable.
37
You are not watching enough international shows I feel !!! Delhi crime on Netflix is not on the list which i feel is outrageous
5
@Deepankar Joshi : Thank God for that. If Delhi Crime would begin with the "real drama" of what happened, it wouldnt make a very good police show. A police procedural in India. Ha. Suspension of Disbelief is a thing?
1
Sadly the drama aspect of the real life events the show depicted would never disappear !!! And Being skeptical after seeing most of the Indian shows anyone would hesitate to pick this up but the way they portrayed Shefali Shah’s character as a police woman and that to in India doing her duty and keeping all her emotions so tightly coiled up in front of all adversity was so refreshing to watch.....
1
Brokenwood Mysteries, The Heart Doctor, 800 Words, Mindhunter, Unbelievable, Mrs. Maisel, Derry Girls all good TV. Not even going to try "Fleabag" and I thought Crazy Ex Girlfriend was just stupid. I miss Caitlin Moran's Raised By Wolves, thought it was hilarious. But I am old so I think maybe it is a generational thing....
6
What about Wentworth (Australia)? It's excellent.
6
@SJU I have been watching a number of recent and less recent Australian shows lately. Even the ones that are fairly formulaic feature great acting (often not the case on American TV) and writing.
6
@arp Ageed. The Code, Mystery Road, The Cry. are but a few of good Aussie dramas.
1
My picks that you missed are The Deuce, Barry and The Kominski Method. I devoured those shows and they all left me wanting more!
14
@Megan agree on all three
3
The recently departed critic Clive James knew that TV can be, and perhaps should be, assessed on how it does its main job, which is entertaining the masses. We've seen plenty of one-and-done critical darlings, and it isn't always the fault of the outlets. Too many shows appeal to critics rather than viewers. The most obvious sign is that the show is somehow about "the business", giving the critics a vicarious thrill of actually being part of the process of producing entertainment. Thus "Bojack Horseman" et al.
4
I'm so hoping for another season of Mr. Inbetween. I shame love Ray Shoesmith in much the same way I did with Omar Little on The Wire. Thanks for including it on your list.
7
Suranne Jones as Gentleman Jack is the single best thing I saw on any TV show this year. It is one of the great TV performances of all-time in my book. It ranks with Robert Duval in Lonesome Dove. Heck it even opens with her driving a stagecoach! Seriously, it is a wonderfully layered performance displaying a versatility rarely seen. It is a downright pity it hasn't received more notice.
32
@All about the Benjamins I fell in love--near lust, and I'm straight-- with Suzanne Jones's Ann Lister character in episode one. She is awesome!
7
@All about the Benjamins
Thanks for the reminder! I've been meaning to check out the series after I watched her great performance in Scott and Bailey. Great series.
3
@All about the Benjamins
Fun character and indeed Suranne Jones is swoon-worthy, but the writing and directing on Gentleman Jack doesn't hold up against these critics' picks.
1
Catastrophe was nearly perfect, no more seasons necessary. Fleabag too, but I'd love to watch more of it. Unlike others, I couldn't get into Schitt's Creek. This surprised me because it seems like it should be so good but I was just bored- I think I couldn't get past the premise.
1
Fleabag is amazing.
Two that should be on the list: Pose, a groundbreaking and important show and Schitt's Creek, hilarious and more layered than expected.
13
Glaring omissions: The Crown, Schitt’s Creek.
26
Best International Series: The Bureau, starring the great Mathieu Kassovitz.
5
Since when was the original production of “Company” ill-starred? I sometimes read articles in the Arts section of the Times in which the writer expounds on subjects of which they are clearly not knowledgeable, which for me casts doubt on their judgment and critical thinking.
6
For international tv, try the Icelandic series Trapped on Amazon. A crime drama set in a secluded fjord, the small town sheriff’s office has three surprisingly real heroes and a boatload of interesting characters. Engaging moments well-acted and always real make this a wonderful discovery.
38
@M Hanlon I loved Trapped. The cinematography and landscape is stunning. I definitely felt the cold chill when watching.
7
@Irene series 1 was so much better than 2, probably why it didnt make the 2019 list.
5
The Boys and The Orville. The Boys was clever and terrifying. Can't wait for Season 2. The Orville has a great cast, fun special effects and thought provoking episodes.
5
I’m waiting for “The Crown” to catch up to Brexit (and Andrew) but in the meantime, its event based episodes are politically sharp and historically informative.
39
I'm delighted to see Crazy ExGirlfriend on this list. Beyond its buzzy first season it never really caught on in the way that it should have. The acting, writing, and weekly musical numbers were all on point and it was one of the most authentic, empathetic portrayals of mental illness on TV. I've never seen anything else quite like it.
2
Sundance aired an excellent miniseries called "The Cry." I'm surprised none of these critics gave it a mention.
1
So many of my favorite shows are listed here. In addition.. The Sundance channel had a few worth mentioning: This Close, Rosehaven and The Split. Check them out!
PS: So glad Mr Inbetween was added. What a great show!
1
Mrs. Fletcher starring Kathryn Hahn. It’s sweet, smart, challenging and comfortable. Jen Richards and her character are fantastic.
4
Frankly, what’s going on in the government is the greatest entertainment. Watch the news for the most drama, comedy and pathos.
21
To my great consternation, "Get Shorty" appears on few lists such as this one. And I truly don't understand how that might be so. Writing, casting, acting, directing are all done brilliantly.
5
Not even a mention of The Good Fight?
6
@Karina Negus
See paragraph 2.
Paragraph 2:
It’s no insult to be among the many shows I loved and didn’t find room for (“Sex Education,” “David Makes Man,” “I Think You Should Leave”) or the terrific series that I listed in 2018 and omitted this year for the sake of winnowing (“The Good Fight,” “Pose” and — R.I.P. — “Lodge 49.”)
1
What is the raving hysteria over Fleabag about??? I found her repulsive and the series a nauseating waste. How could The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Grace and Frankie, Silicon Valley, and the barely noted masterpiece What About Saul, all lauded last year ( my faves) be replaced in the critic’s and public’s affection with such garbage?
38
@Di Miller If you haven't, consider starting with season 2. Yes season 1 contained some unpleasantries of someone grappling with destructive personal behavior.
Season 2 was more about redemption and the importance of establishing relationships for all the right reasons.
10
Fleabag requires patience, it’s like a good book - give it a couple of episodes. The second season is truly a gift.
33
@Di Miller
It's a matter of personal taste. I found "Fleabag" fearless and brilliant.
16
Did your reviewers miss the brilliant Danish drama "Ride Upon the Storm" starring Lars Mikkelsen?
9
I loved that show too!!
1
@Demetroula known on Netflix as Herrens Veje
4
@Demetroula I loved that series, but I suspect that it didn't make the cut for two reasons:
1) It aired in 2017 and 2018.
2) I suspect most folks, like me, just randomly happened upon it. Other than your comment and the replies, I haven't heard or seen any buzz for it anywhere.
2
"Depressingly entertaining" is wordplay that is all tinsel and no substance -- it makes no sense whatsoever. If a successful oxymoron could be made simply by throwing two opposites together, then bad writing would be boringly riveting. Come on, NYT!
9
@Lex I disagree. I watched many shows this year that were hard to watch - in fact, were outright depressing - and yet were gripping and yes, entertaining. I'd put "When They See Us" and "Unbelievable" on this list.
3
@Lex
I disagree -- but obviously that depends on how one defines "entertaining."
"Chernobyl," for example, was horrifying, but also gripping and compulsive viewing. I'll take a dark narrative beautifully told over light comedy any day.
12
@Lex As someone with first-hand knowledge of both depression and alcoholism, "depressingly entertaining" is exactly how I'd describe my show of the decade: Bojack Horseman.
The phrase is only "all tinsel and no substance" if you're lucky enough to have no familiarity with depression.
4
Seen here, in Belgium: Perpetual Grace. A real gem.
2
I’m concerned about the sequestering of so much culture behind premium subscriber only pay walls. Let’s do an article about the anti-democratization of arts & entertainment. I see the same thing happening in books. Audible has a lockhold on audio content and increasingly the only way to listen to certain items is through them.
35
@Italian special Um... if anything, entertainment is much MORE accessible these days. Cable used to cost a fortune. Each streaming service only costs around 10 dollars.
12
@Joe Ever heard of a little thing called the free airwaves? Or has American corporatism (starting with cable tv companies) made you forget such a thing exists, and that in order to access television and radio you must subscribe to it?
13
@Italian special Remember in the olden days when the networks showed movies, even limited series?
8
I would give RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Shrill a shout-out. Also, I was a little disappointed that so many of the international picks were British; I feel like British media already gets a lot of attention from American viewers and critics.
2
And Derry Girls!
10
I totally agree with Unbelievable being on the list. The injustice suffered by a victim deemed unbelievable is unbelievable and heartbreaking to watch.
I agree the charming and funny Derry Girls is an omission. Not everyone could pull off a comedy set during 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland.
Re. International shows...I just finished watching the first two seasons of the Dutch series Nieuwe Buren (The Neighbours) on Amazon Prime. Compulsive viewing, and waiting for Amazon to provide Season 3!
9
@fundor I agree that Unbelievable should have been on this list. Yes, the first episode was difficult to watch. But perhaps those who couldn't watch it might spend a few minutes thinking about why that was. Toni Colette and Merritt Wever were excellent together, and the young Kaitlyn Dever is someone to watch.
6
Maybe we’re the only ones watching it but my wife and I, plus a few friends, have absolutely loved “Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories.” Not glamorous, not sexy, just intriguing, entertaining, well written characters and plots.
20
@John F McBrid I'm loving the Tokyo Stories...
2
Disappointed not to see Pose, Fresh off the Boat, Blackish, Mixedish, Sunnyside and so many others - shows that tell stories we rarely get to see. The chosen list looks quite narrow in scope to me.
6
@DM FOtB hasn't been good in awhile and Black-ish has declined pretty significantly, as well. But I think you're implying the list is overly white and I have to point out that they included Pen15, which is the only show I've seen that addresses mixed Asian issues, Watchmen (very black cast that addresses racial issues), Jane the Virgin (latinx culture focused), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (rare Asian male love interest), Tuca & Bertie (almost all non-white actors), Orange is the New Black (diverse cast and lots of LGBTQ storylines), and Killing Eve (rare female Asian American female lead).
Chernobyl
49
@Martin
Yes. Shattering and deeply moving. Extraordinary.
11
Atypical on Netflix??
18
@Ronda Rippley
Yes! Brilliant writing and acting. Hope to see Sam, Elsa, Casey and Doug -- oh, and Zahid -- back for a season 4.
8
While I am here, anyone know where to stream the original Danish version of The Killing - Forbrydelsen? So far, I can only find it on UK Amazon Prime, which of course is NA in the US.
15
Yes! I’d like to know also. I’ve been searching for ages.
5
@Martin See if it’s still available on the website of Danish TV, then if it is, buy a VPN service for a month and stream it. That’s what I did. (I also made a donation to the station, since it’s state funded, like PBS. The point for me wasn’t trying to get something free, it was just to be able to see it at all.) You could also check the BBC and do the same thing. I never saw the US version, but the original is terrific.
1
@Martin Another option is DVDs. You can find the full run of the Danish show on DVD through Amazon or other retailers. It requires an all-region DVD player (cheap ones run around $50). Or you can play them on your computer with an external drive and use an all-region video player like VideoLAN.
1
I am surprised that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was not on anybodies list.
20
Disappointed to not see HBO’s The Deuce on these lists. It is really one of the most underrated shows of the past couple of years.
28
@James Wood I completely agree! I watched it start to finish in a few days and was blown away by every aspect of that show.
7
@James Wood
Great show with a vey moving ending, especially for those of us who remember NYC when...
5
There's just so much great television today - I can't possibly watch everything I'd like to see.
It makes me wonder why anyone is watching season 20-something of Law & Order SVU or the formulaic tripe CBS, NBC and ABC are churning out.
Also, how is BoJack Horseman not on this list?
18
@Randy I finally gave up on SVU this year. It's really grasping at straws and going for disturbing instead of intriguing.
2
Because they can't afford cable and/or streaming?
1
@Randy
One of the best programs on tv the past few years, The Good Place, was an NBC product.
3
The Watchmen is one of the most amazing TV shows I’ve seen this year. I highly recommend it!
22
@AmyK
It is a wild, daring, captivating ride so far!
1
My word. There are one or possibly two of these I've not seen and would spend an hour on. Otherwise Martin Clunes portrayal of a journeyman detective was the single show that draws me. If this is the best TV on offer I'm delighted my independent bookstore and public library are going concerns.
8
@Neal Be careful, your nose might hit the ceiling fan! There are so many good shows listed in this article -- and in these comments -- a new golden age of television.
11
I will read the article, but in scanning through, I was surprised that the photo in the app shows the priest for Fleabag and not the main character, a woman, who is also the creator and Emmy winner. Why? Would it have been too much to have 2 women in the photo (for Russian Dolls and Fleabag)? Quite an oversight, if it wasn’t intentional.
80
Thank you, my thoughts exactly. Was ready to make the exact same comment. A remarkably tone-deaf editorial decision.
17
Andrew Scott was the highlight of Season 2 and is a much more accomplished actor than PWB.
5
@Julie Oh
In the web version of this roundup there are six photos, four of which are women.
2
I watch Gomer Pyle to better relate to our elected officials.
42
@Legendary Economist But he was kind and honest.
18
@Legendary Economist "F Troop"
1
Please watch Derry Girls. Netflix has a winner here and I'm shocked it's not on your list of at least best international shows. So fresh and funny with characters that make me laugh over and over. It's become my litmus test--if someone doesn't absolutely love it, I can't see how our friendship could possibly continue!
94
@JSF Derry Girls is entertaining, but I can't watch it without thinking it's just a female version of Moone Boy, without a lot of the funny parts. Still, better than most of what's on TV!
2
@Mark Trimble Seems to me more like a female version of In-Betweeners, but less raunchy. I think the only thing about it that reminds me of Moone Boy is how blue collar their families are and the accents, obviously. Love all three shows.
1
Love Derry Girls. Their shenanigans, perspectives and oh, their expressions, both verbal and facial- especially the facial expressions!
5
There are many marvelous foreign series on MHz Choice. Let me only mention the seven-season French-Belgian collaboration, “A French Village,” or the four-season German “Weißensee Saga” as two outstanding series. And there are many, many more. The subtitles are excellent in all series, as are the production values in most. The site should be better known.
11
Thanks for sharing
3
My family and I watch, Un Village Français -every year! So good.
5
@Joan Haahr I love the mysteries/detective series on MHZ. For anyone who is interested..a good one is 'SpringTide'. It's about a young rookie police officer who teams up with a homeless man to solve a cold case. The cast of characters and story line are very interesting.
1
Oh ! I’m adding these:
Billions
(Hated first few episodes of Succession because the characters were reprehensible; yet so are Billions characters, but they’re the kind you love to hate. Brilliant writing and unexpected twists. Giamatti et al
Bravo!)
Get Shorty
(Chris O’ Dowd out “Dowd” himself.)
That’s it for now. Feels like “I gotta million of them.”
15
If you didn’t keep watching “Succession,” you missed some fine, fine acting from Jeremy Strong, who was at his best in not just one but both sensational season finales.
14
@Citygirl Most people say that it takes about five episodes of Succession for the show to click. And when it does, it doesn't give you characters you love to hate--though there's a little of that--so much as it gives you characters with the wit of Oscar Wilde, and (though this is going to seem contradictory) tragic weight.
5
@marion dee so 5 hrs i have to waste in order to get some return? no thanks
Since the American Asia is limited to east Asia, as is this article's, I will mention Delhi Crime on Netflix as a good fast paced crime drama based upon real events.
7
So agreed !!! Such complex narrative and dense script the series had ... not a moment to sit still !!! And the overall sensitivity with which it handles the real life scenario on screen is commendable esp coming from Asia , leave alone east or south or west parts of it
Schitt’s Creek and Derry Girls!
26
There are so many shows that should have been on these lists but weren’t because the author has an obvious bias for comedies. There were some great ones like The Handmaid’s Tale, Mindhunters, and Ray Donovan that didn’t make the cut. Instead, he adds some okay sitcoms that only get about an inch off the ground in terms of laughs. Okay, you work so hard you want to get your mind off serious stuff. But come on.
9
I’m baffled by all the acclaim for “ Fleabag”. I found the lead character self-absorbed, over-privileged and only slightly amusing. And, no “ Mindhunter” ??
53
@Maggie
I enjoyed Fleabag, but I don't see it as terrific or groundbreaking. The main character, Fleabag, is a "hot mess," and we're supposed to think, I gather, that show is a brutally honest look at the life and remorse of a hot mess. In that show, I like the sister the best (I forget her name). She is so wonderfully uptight. Fleabag herself is just a woman who sleeps around, drinks too much, and has flashes of self-awareness about sleeping around and drinking too much. To me, her awareness is all very circular.
14
Sounds like you saw a few episodes of the first season.
9
@Maggie
Yes "Mindhunter" was terrific. And i mostly hate shows about serial killers. Hope they do a Season 3.
8
I'm sad not to see Good Place, One Day at a Time, or Schitt's Creek on here. But most of all astonished at not seeing Bojack Horseman. Hands down the funniest and most moving show out there.
12
I don’t know...I think the optimistic report of quality content is wildly overstated. The advent of streaming options has quickly turned into a handful of giant monopolies, already getting close to cable prices, and the justification is the cost of content—a price war that Netflix and Amazon drive? And the quality is a mile wide, in ever-expanding languages, but an inch deep: bland, copycat formulas. In your list, a few were very good, but most, so-so.
7
No Derry Girls? I'm shocked. At least include it in International TV.... it's the best thing on netflix for the past year!
49
Check out the New Zealand series "The Brokenwood Mysteries" on Acorn for an interesting change of pace. Addictive look into NZ life. Turn on subtitles...
32
Hi, I just think that it is unfortunate that most of the programs you mention are only available to those who can pay a premium for stations
50
@Patricia Johns, agree with you.
Cable tv is too expensive, so no HBO and others for us. Amazon, Hulu are added expense. As a member of the tv generation, this makes me sad but also cannot see paying hundreds (they add up) for content that may or may not be watched during that small window while at home and not doing chores or other home priorities.
19
We ditched cable. Now have Fubo app on our TV and phone for $35/month . Includes a good variety of news and sport channels fx. We get access to HBO and Hulu through our son's account. Most shows on Amazon prime are free or small charge. We pay for Netflix but our son's use our account.
6
@Patricia Johns Exactly. These days, there are actually people out there in the United States who don’t even realize that there is a thing called the American Public Airwaves. They’ve been duped for so long (more than half by birth at this point, probably) by American greed and corporatism, that television is something that must be paid for by monthly subscription. They were duped by cable TV who made people that cable tv was on the same level as a public utility, that must instantly be set up like electricity and water and gas and telephone service when moving into a new home (when in reality, today, it’s internet connectivity that should be considered a public utility given it’s essentialness to surviving daily life like power, water and telephone service). In turn, these paywalled streaming services have taken advantage of that easily since people have literally forgotten what the Public Airwaves are.
9
Bosch
58
@Jane Doole
Oooh, yes, Bosch is a solid, solid choice.
2
Love Russian Doll, love Natasha Lyonne .
16
Interesting how many - perhaps the majority - of the TV shows mentioned are by, for or about women.
14
Watching 'Watchmen' is as confusing as reading your review.
17
Funny, because the moment a huge magnet came from the sky and hauled off the SUV I turned it off and never watched another minute of it.
2
The Mandalorian with Baby Yoda..
4
Chernobyl was my pick of best TV this year. great acting, well paced and wonderfully tense despite the historical knowledge of the events.
103
@Mike
Chernobyl was surprisingly engaging, probably because it was a real catastrophe of potentially even more epic proportions than it turned out. Bad as it was, the real scientists and engineers did manage to prevent the worst that might have happened after a nuclear meltdown near a major watershed - millions might have died instead of the estimated 4000.
The acting was fabulous, and reportedly the script was meticulously researched and true to available facts. The show was also fascinating for what it revealed of the old Soviet system where the state demanded the ultimate in loyalty and could never itself be at fault. Paradoxically, the Chernobyl disaster was at least partially credited for the collapse of the old Soviet Union. It also goes some way to explain how Vladimir Putin, a disgruntled KGB colonel, would like to run a new Russian empire.
4
This is a plug for the superb Chernobyl series, which did something cinematographically that is a huge risk in the days of HD, blue ray and screen definitions so new I can't keep track of. It depicted all episodes in a dullish, seemingly fuzzy color that suggested the Soviet-drab of the times Chernobyl took place in. And it worked. Everything about the mini-series was well documented, detailed and thrillingly real.
From almost the minute I started watching, I fell into a kind of high-excitement love. It educated us on just some of what went wrong, in understandable fashion, while propelling us forward with the chronological tale.
As a result, I am now reading and highly recommend "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster" by Adam Higginbotham. This is where you learn the rest of the story that you think you already knew from the HBO show. Believe me, there's boatloads more to discover about mistakes built right into Reactor Number Four; the crazed soviet system for building and running its nuclear reactors; accidents that occurred in the same type of USSR reactor before Chernobyl's Four was even built; and the people who both helped create and tried to prevent the disaster.
3
So they're just going to leave out BBCs Luther?!?!?!? Really...
31
Balthazar on Acorn.
French forensic doctor who talks to the dead and loves to cook.
5
Euphoria. Dead to Me. Sex Education. Etc.
10
Dead to me! Loved this beautifully filmed, well written and engagingly acted show.
10
So much more interesting than the movie reviews
I mean, who goes to movies any more?
8
@Paul I agree. Movies are typically 2 hours - not enough time for as much character development, plotting and exploration of big themes as is possible with quality TV which I now equate to the video version of a novel. When I scan Netflix, Amazon and other services I invariably opt for TV over movies. The movies on offer all seem so tiresome. And yes, Dead to Me, the second season of The Good Fight and Killing Eve - all terrific.
3
@Paul I mean, how would you know if movies are good if you don't go? Movies are still good. TV's still good.
1
Yes. Many good show.
I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t include Dix Pour Cent/Call My Agent. That’s my favorite.
25
I love that show!!! I hope they’re making a new season.
4
@Steve Ell I love that show too! Another fun international show that needed to be included!
2
@Steve Ell
Thanks for mentioning it (I think it’s not technically a 2019 show)—loved it and hope it will be back too!
1
Cable Girls (Chicas de Cable) as one of the best international shows on Netflix.
3
Well if you're going to include Russian Doll (one of the few of these shows I've actually seen), then you gotta include the ones that are definitely better than it: The Expanse, Bojack Horseman, Barry and (how could you leave this out?) Mindhunter.
Is Chernobyl too miniseries-ish to be included? Disney should have released The Mandalorian all at once. They could have made these best-of lists.
7
@nerdrage I got bored 15 minutes in The Mandolorian
1
i got overwhelmed reading this list. way too many shows out today. i'll just grab a book or watch a movie
12
Will really miss Madam Secretary/President! One of the best shows I’ve seen in my 66 years on planet Earth. Good to see it finally getting some positive attention from the Times.
29
Your list lost all credibility when it did not include "the Americans" or "the Man in the High Castle" among shows ending in 2019.
57
The Americans ended in 2018.
6
@Matt Perhaps the 'The Americans' didn't make the list because it ended in May 2018.
4
No Dead to Me? No Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? And what about Atlanta (or maybe it didn't have a season in 2019?). Better Call Saul (maybe the same issue)? The Politician? These are all great shows that deserve a mention!
23
No mention of Amazon's "The Boys"?
5
@GOB Its listed under international.
1
@Leading Cynic two different shows. One on Amazon and one on HBO
1
@Leading Cynic No, GOB is referring to the evil superhero Amazon series. The one in the article is a different show entirely. @GOB, I agree - clever and terrifying show. Can't wait for season 2.
1
I found "Fleabag" vulgar, offensive and unwatchable. Couldn't even get through one episode.
31
@Old Hominid
I felt that way the first time I watched the first episode. I decided to give it another try, and found the series improved greatly after episode 1. Season 1 had a profound affect on me.
18
@Old Hominid, I HATED it at first too and stuck it out because my partner was enjoying it more than me. It got really good by the end of season 1, and season 2 was perfection.
13
@Old Hominid At our house, it's our policy to stick with a show for 3 episodes before dismissing it. I hated the first two episodes of "Fleabag," but by the end of episode 3 it clicked for me and I ended up loving it.
11
I tried to like “Succession” but watching rich people being jerks just doesn’t appeal to me. Ugh!
101
@PCB
I just hated Succession. Nothing interesting about watching people behave in ways that make zero sense. Boring.
Generally tired of watching characters meant to be provocative simply become boorish or stupid or petty or puerile.
18
Stick with it past Episode 5. It gets much more appealing then!
5
@Peter H.
I’m glad you found something to like in the show because I generally like these actors, but I just could never watch five hours of something I wasn’t enjoying. There are too many books in my house that aren’t going to read themselves.
4
Is there a reason “Why Women Kill” didn’t make the cut?
2
I vote for Good Trouble on Free Form has amazing writing and so much insight into millenials. The acting is superb.
2
2018?
One of the most fulfilling shows I watched: My Brilliant Friend.
2019
The Affair
So many more but the superlative writing in both these shows was like reading a novel.
I’d add: PBS newest version of Les Miserables.
I watch a ridiculous amount of TV, network, cable, all the streaming sites, so my complete list would be very long and include documentaries and other catalogues.
The above may be more “highbrow” picks, but I’ve enjoyed such a wide range. If you’re a curious person, that’s what happens.
Problem: Choice fatigue. Quite a luxury problem, yes?
9
@citygirl, remember the days when we complained that nothing was on TV? I barely do.
9
@Citygirl
Hope there's a follow=up to MY Brilliant Friend!!
10
@Citygirl
The PBS Les Miserables series starring Dominic West was excellent.
4
Undone is an exploration of mental illness employing a novel approach and a mystery on two levels.
First is how the protagonist sustains her delusions with a mix of evidence she puts together in the context of believing she's talking with her dead father.
Second is solving the mystery of her father's death.
The choice of 2D camera projection and rotoscoping is brilliant, as you note, for a story that mixes delusion and reality.
But make no mistake: The subject here is mental illness using the viewpoint of a mentally ill person. You cannot talk to the dead, there is no lost knowledge of other profound forms of consciousness, including time travel, once held by ancient peoples. The native dancer is out back, having a smoke. This was not written to be, or intended as, a fantasy story. Rather, it's an innovative way of communicating the experience of a mentally ill person in need of treatment.
7
Where is The OA on this list? OA is the most innovative storytelling we’ve seen in a decade. It’s criminal that Netflix cancelled it after two seasons.
6
@Greg M 100% agree! I was actually reading the comments just to find someone who mentioned The OA. That show was brilliant and I would pay for any streaming service that picked it up and continued it. I'm still holding out hope that somehow that show will continue. What was Netflix thinking?!?
1
What an amazing show !!!! We need more of Brit Marking and that psychic octopus.... I can watch an entire show based on the adventures of that octopus .....
The Righteous Gemstones was the best show on TV this year.
Almost all the shows selected in this article are on subscription channels. No coincidence. The best quality TV is a result of pandering to viewers not advertisers.
19
@Xoxarle, I scrolled all the comments to see if this great show was mentioned - so glad to finally see yours. I agree!
Catastrophe is so good! Hope the brief reviews in the article will bring a bigger audience for it.
Hilarious, bittersweet, realistic, crazy, beautifully written and acted. Carrie Fisher is superb in a handful of episodes. Keep your eye on Sharon Horgan, she brilliant.
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Future Man (Hulu only) features “serious” assessment of all prior productions in the time travel genre, plus fall-off-your-seat laughter, scatology via Seth Roger, and another hit-it-out-of-the-ballpark performances of Haley Joel Osment (cf also Silicon Valley and The Boys).
If only all my friends had Hulu...
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How is it possible that Chernobyl is not on this list? And the final season of Game of Thrones gets even an “honorable mention”? It may be the most critically well-regarded series otherwise of all-time. Perhaps because a limited run?
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The Good Place! One of the best shows of all time.
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If this list proves anything it’s the subjectiveness of art and storytelling. There are several shows here I did not enjoy, and several omissions (Schitt’s Creek, Chernobyl) that surprised me.
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You forgot to mention “ Mum” a British series with the incredible Lesley Manville, streaming on Britbox. Such a fantastic series showing life after widowhood and getting another chance of love late in life.
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@Deborah
"Mum" was definitely my favorite series of the year. Its 3 seasons are like a slow, delicate, and somewhat absurd, but ultimately satisfying, tango.
Lesley Manville and Peter Mullan were never better.
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I loved The Good Cop. It deserved a long run!
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I know the first episode came out in Nov, 2018, but it spanned into 2019 and I feel it deserves to be on this list. Let's give it up for My Brilliant Friend (HBO). This was, by far, some of the best television I've seen in a very long time.
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@John D
I agree - see my comments.
I was completely immersed and immediately bought all the novels.
Ha on me! They are still sitting on a shelf. I’m so grateful HBO made this because I’d been meaning to read Book One ages ago and didn’t.
Hopefully they will do the other 3 books as well.
There was not one flaw and those child actors were especially riviting,
I love a lot of different genres, but when a literary adaptation comes to TV and is done well, I know I’ll be truly satisfied.
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@Citygirl
Alert: once you start reading the books, you may be hooked. It happened to me--I read all of them in a row as if they were one long novel.
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@Citygirl Yes, do read those 4 novels starting with My Brilliant Friend! They are amazing and you will have the visuals of the brilliant tv series in your mind to add to your enjoyment.
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The Good Place remains the most substantive show on TV from any source. It treats thoughtful material in an entertaining way.
Should be # 1 in any critic's book.
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I think a lot of the shows on the streaming networks are overpraised by fanboy and fangirl critics. “Pen15,” for example, was modestly entertaining, at best. “Succession” quickly grew tiresome. So did “Russian Doll,” which rehashed the hackneyed time-loop plot gimmick.
None of the shows I’ve seen on this list are worth a second thought, let alone a top-10 list. I’ll check the others on my streaming subscriptions, and will be happy if they live up to the hype.
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@Malahat succession is baffling to me. the show sounds very boring and I have no interest in a show about more billionaires. yet I always hear how great it is. Still not intriguing enough for me to watch even one episode.
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@Malahat
Did you actually see Russian Doll all the way through? Because it's waaayyy more than "the hackneyed time-loop plot gimmick." (Unless you can't follow character arcs and just need action-oriented plots. Not a criticism, some people just can't get into shows that are mainly about character development.)
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I guess... the science fiction show... The Expanse... will forever fly under every bodies radar? It is the first domesticated space opera ever done on TV ... very common in the prose form... so rare as visual narrative. This a ripping yarn with dirt under its fingernails. Never seen science fiction like it on TV before. Sigh... gets no respect.
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I agree. We love it & can’t wait until the fourth season starts!
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@Al Jackson I've been trying to persuade my friends to watch. It is a spectacular show, seriously, one of the best in any genre ever.
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@Al Jackson
I'm not sure what you mean by "domesticated space opera", but I'm sure there are examples that predate The Expanse. If you mean long story arcs made in the U.S., then Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica probably qualify.
1
Everyone seems to be upset about Lodge 49. Yes the first season was amazing. The second season, not so much. I am more disappointed by the end of Baskets. Galifianakis was remarkable playing both Chip and Dale. Louie Anderson was truly funny playing their mother. The series did not have a
weak season. The last was as good as the first.
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where is " years and years?" except for the final episode...a fantastic show!
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You overlooked a truly great series: Atypical. Try it! It has superb acting, writing and directing. I have watched it over and over. Sad to see it end after three seasons.
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I don't often get worked up when a favorite TV show is abruptly cancelled (well, not since "Deadwood" anyway) but the untimely demise of "Lodge 49" really bugs me. Especially when you see AMC spinning off endless variations on its disgusting zombie shows, but THIS they cancel? I hope someone, somewhere, will pick up "Lodge 49" and keep it going. We need a show like this, and your encapsulation catches why it's necessary.
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@Katrink Oh, and #SaveLodge49!!!
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@Katrink well it does really come down to personal preference, because "the walking dead", which you refer to as "disgusting", is my favorite show on tv-any t.v.- and has been for many years. and i'm not alone in this....
ah hem, PeakyBlinders?
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@michelle yes exactly as Arthur Shebly would say "by order of the Peaky Blinders"!!!
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Drivel. Fleadbag was OK and she was a funny woman but very nichy. Mr Robot ceased being interesting after the first season. No Shameless ? C'mon, how about some good old adult entertainment. Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The Affair. Goliath. Castle Rock. Picking these little niche products because their 'cool' is just snobbery.
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RE: Mr InBetween : Emmys for everyone, especially the bloke who plays the brother. Yet another example of a network letting the artist(s) make whatever they want, which in this case is creating genius programming.
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Thank you for mentioning Lodge 49. It is a superb show on every level, and I cannot recommend it enough to people out there who may have missed it. AMC had a show for the ages right there in their hands, and they failed to nurture it, or stand by it. Hopefully some streaming service with a little more imagination can let this wonderful story reach its conclusion. Lynx never surrender! #savelodge49
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I'm old. I've seen too much. "Catastrophe" is the best thing I've ever seen. That includes my children. "Watching" is worth the Times subscription price. Thank you. I hardly even view the front page anymore. I see that Donald Trump is president now. I'm old. I've seen too much.
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I’ve had to read your comment several times just now, it made me laugh out loud (“Mom? Are you okay??” from down the hall, like I’m not allowed a sense of humor).
Thanks for the giggle.
And I agree with you about “Catastrophe”. I watch it every couple of months, because I miss them all. I wish I’d seen it in my teens or twenties; I’d have had a much better initial outlook on sex and relationships.
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Thank you for including My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Often, "Children's" shows are excluded from list such as this; yet they speak to issues in an open and balanced way that includes rather than exclude adult audiences. The show was earnest, funny, and full of heart. I used many episodes to speak to my daughters on issues that range from bullying to self doubt. Loved the message that friendship is special and evolves through time and experience..
I would add "Easy" to great shows ending in 2019. Season 3 was not as strong as Season 1, but it was a thoughtful and honest look into what constitutes a relationship.
I am sure you will include "The Good Place" on next year's list.
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My own list includes Atypical. Sweet, funny, and painful, and with the world's cutest boyfriend, played by Graham Rogers.
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Fleabag Season 2. Simply the best television show I ever viewed. Ever!
Season I. Second best.
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@Mark - Ever!
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I tell my friends to start with season 2, then after you’ve fallen in love with her, start season 1. Season 2 is so much better but season 1 helps you understand her back story and how far she’s matured.
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Lodge 49 seems to be making every great list, but TV execs at AMC failed to recognize that for a show they never really promoted very much, it gained a passionate following. Cancelled? Seriously? This show is like a puzzle-box that keeps unfolding and giving. It's not a lead-on with no meat—you'll get plenty to chew on and you'll get fat on all the amazing writing, drama, hidden messages and clues.
The acting? It's some of the best you're ever going to see on Television. I'm not kidding. This team has put together a true jewel that never disappoints—and the fan base continues to grow by leaps and bounds. That's why it's going to be a major win for whoever picks it up. Make no mistake, it's going to get bought—the question is who is going to be the smarter service that gets it.
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How could Good Omens be left off this list? Marvelous cast, great storytelling, and visually rich. Endlessly rewatchable.
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@Missa M. I watch so many shows that I didn't notice Good Omens wasn't mentioned. It was delightfully irreverent- which was my only take away from being raised Catholic.
How did Chernobyl not make any of your lists? Almost as inexcusable as when you left Six Feet Under off of your 20 best shows post-Sopranos.
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@J-L The Times really needs new TV critics. James and Mike have middlebrow taste at best, Margaret is not even close. NYT movies, books and restaurant reviews are all pretty good however the TV reviews are more suited for Slate.com. How about the German series Dark, the French series Black Spot, The Croatian Series Success?
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@J-L
exactly.
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@Mark This is from 2017, but have you seen the Danish series Herrens Veje?
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"rotoscoped animation creates specifically observed reality that can dissolve into dreamland with its vision-questing protagonist. " What? Why is it considered 'impressive journalism' to make your readers head-scratch and read a sentence three times? I question the need to use long, convoluted and "meaningful" wordplay instead of just clearly making the point.
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The failure to renew Lodge 49 will be seen as one of the greatest mistakes in television history. I hear it is being shopped around, so hopefully catastrophe can be averted.
#SaveLodge49
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Thank you for highlighting Lodge 49 and hopefully it can get saved and take its rightful place on the normal best of lists! Great list in general. #SaveLodge49
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Lodge 49 has an active Social Media rescue party going on as I type. A great show, whose untimely cancellation has rallied fans into action. Watch the show and then join us on Twitter with #SaveLodge49 . We are not losing this without a fight!
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@Tom
I never use twitter but made an exception the day Lodge 49 was cancelled.
#SaveLodge49
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Oh Margaret, HOW could you leave The Affair off your list? A series that managed to be both thoughtful and exciting, with the unique twist of dual perspectives in every episode. The final season was not quite as strong without the presence of the amazing Ruth Wilson and Joshua Jackson, but the ending still managed to be cathartic and satisfying. One of my favorites of the decade, for sure.
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Agreed. But I found I loved it even more without Ruth Wilson, and I love Ruth Wilson- Alison was just so tortured, and it was a bit of a relief to let her rest.
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I started to watch it because it was supposedly filmed locally but the plot and characters were so ordinary and uninteresting.
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What about Legion? This was their third and final season. It was the most surprising and innovative story on the big or little screen.
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I highly recommend Unforgotten on PBS. It's a smart British crime drama with well-drawn characters that are easy to root for. More please.
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@Paul
Did you watch “Press” on PBS? The Brits are good at episodic TV. Not hokey and predictable.
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Mr. Robot had better be on everyone's list. Thank you for including it on yours. Yes, there are so many good shows on TV now, and I watch many of them listed here, so I completely understand how some are overlooked, even if by accident. However -- in my opinion [and now that I got that out of the way] -- Mr. Robot IS a masterpiece.
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The omission of Schitt’s Creek from this assembly is a grave oversight, in my opinion. Its rich characterization and keen (but not cynical) humor make for a rare gem of a show, and it offers a life-affirming bright spot in 2019’s generally dark mood. A real breath of fresh air. I will be sorry to see it go.
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Agree. I just said to my husband last night that I’m so envious of those who get to discover “Schitts Creek” anew.
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@Sara Schitt's is Simply the Best!
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I love SC. Unfortunately, it’s not dark and brooding enough for sophisticated east and west coast television reviewers ;-)
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The Good Doctor on the pedestrian ABC has reached peaks of emotion and unexpected transcendence in a short career of slightly under two seasons. It is the story of a savant, but autistic, young intern played brilliantly by Freddie Highmore. And the addition in an expanded role for the beautiful Jasika Nicole as a pathologist and potential love interest for the socially anxious genius intern has hit notes of deep understanding of the human condition and its needs and gone far beyond an ordinary medical drama. The Good Doctor belongs on this list.
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