If you’re anything like me, you probs spent a good chunk of 2023 parked on the couch, plowing through one binge-worthy show after another. And can you blame us? This year was chock-full of some seriously good television.
Now I’m no entertainment critic, but as a bit of TV junkie myself, I definitely have some fave shows that I gotta shout out. These are the ones that had me tossing and turning into the wee hours, blowing off plans to hang with friends, and constantly pestering my partner to “wait, just one more episode!” (Sorry, babe).
So grab a comfy blanket and your snack of choice, and let me walk you through the 10 shows from this year that straight up hypnotized me. Fair warning: You’re probs gonna end up adding a bunch of these to your watchlist by the time we’re done.
From razor-sharp writing and complex characters, to gripping plots and stunning visuals, these shows ran the gamut of everything that makes for compelling TV. A couple even had me ugly crying into a pillow. Hey, no judgement here!
Now I’d love to hear which shows you loved this year too. Maybe you’ll even put me onto something I haven’t seen yet! That’s the best part of being a TV fanatic if you ask me. There’s always more good stuff to discover. So let’s dive in! Here are my picks for the 10 best shows of 2023 that will def suck you in and leave you begging for more.
#10 A Murder at the End of the World – Who Loved Hard Enough to Kill?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnPl4PuNb5U&pp=ygUoQSBNdXJkZXIgYXQgdGhlIEVuZCBvZiB0aGUgV29ybGQgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D
If you like your murder mysteries served with a side of apocalyptic dread and techno-paranoia, then A Murder at the End of the World should def be on your radar.
Part mind-twisting crime drama set in an eerily plausible not-so-distant future, and part dark coming-of-age tale, this thriller kept me second-guessing every character’s motives right up ‘til the jaw-dropping finale.
The always captivating Emma Corrin stars as Darby Hart, a 24-year-old wannabe detective. We meet Darby as she heads to a swanky, off-the-grid desert compound for a writer’s retreat hosted by Clive Owen’s character, a Steve Jobs-esque tech magnate. Cue the creep factor escalating by the minute.
Through flashbacks, we follow a young Darby in the past as she begins decoding cryptic letters sent to her by an anonymous stranger. This sends her chasing down cold cases, falling into her first romance, and slowly untangling a sprawling conspiracy.
Layer after layer, the central mystery deepens until past and present collide in seriously explosive ways. By the end, I hardly knew which clues to trust. The writing keeps you guessing, while lush cinematography and an all-star cast reel you in.
If you love character-driven thrillers that’ll keep you up way past your bedtime, add this to your list!
Uncover the Shocking Truth Behind the Headlines: Dive into the heart-wrenching drama of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, a gripping TV series that brings to light the real-life scandal of the British postmasters. Witness the powerful storytelling and exceptional performances that expose a grave miscarriage of justice.
#9 I’m a Virgo: Magical Realism Takes On Gentrification
Y’all might know Boots Riley best as the musical mastermind behind radical rap group The Coup. But with the fantastical comedy I’m a Virgo, Riley’s using his first TV series to unleash searing social commentary with a heavy dose of magical realism.
The show kicks off as we meet timid 19-year-old giant Cootie, who’s spent his entire life hidden away by his protective aunt and uncle in their rapidly gentrifying Oakland apartment. After a series of mishaps where the 13-foot tall Cootie gets unleashed upon the world, his presence throws the neighborhood into chaos.
While a gigantic Black man understandably freaks people out, reactions split between those who want to exploit Cootie’s literal stature…and those who deem him their worshipped superhero messiah. Hijinks ensue!
With surreal imagery and absurdist humor, I’m a Virgo takes macro lenses to cultural blindspots around race, celebrity worship, political protests-turned-grifts, and what vrai community means when neighborhoods change seemingly overnight.
Newcomer Jharrel Jerome brings heartrending sincerity to the fish-out-of-water role, while standout Kyla Pratt provides grounding as a neighbor who sees Cootie’s beautiful soul behind his larger-than-life framing by others.
Ultimately Riley has crafted a singular series that bridles Kafkaesque weirdness, comic satire, and human vulnerability into an of-the-moment fable. When the gigantic Cootie shrinks down by learning self-worth, I’m a Virgo reminds us society should follow suit by addressing inflated fears rather than buying into spectacle.
#8 Reservation Dogs: Finding Laughter Amid Loss
When it comes to TV’s best hidden gems, Reservation Dogs has quickly stolen our hearts. This original and insightful comedy wraps wisecracks and warmth into an unexpected story of four Indigenous teens just trying to find their way in rural Oklahoma.
After the loss of their pal Daniel, the cynical Bear, energetic Elora, impressionable Willie Jack, and lovable goofball Cheese set out on a quest to reach the mythical California. But what starts as high hopes to honor their friend soon runs up against harsh realities.
As their makeshift family runs hilarious small-time scams to fund their trip out West, deeper themes emerge around grief, mental health, belonging, and holding onto hope when all seems hopeless. The writing strikes a poignant balance between raunchy humor and resonating pathos.
Led by charming young newcomers, Reservation Dogs refuses to sugarcoat the ingrained inequality facing Indigenous communities today. Yet it still leans into joy and the resilence of chosen kin along the way.
By Season 3’s end, lessons have been learned about forgiving family, fighting for justice that heals, and reaching loved ones across the veil of memory. In giving its young protagonists the space to grow within their cultural roots, Reservation Dogs reminds us that there’s light to be found even in loss.
#7 Fellow Travelers: Forbidden Love Amid American Terror
If you’re craving an epic historical romance stocked with lush erotica and high-stakes drama, Fellow Travelers is destined to sweep you away.
From Hollywood golden boy Matt Bomer to Bridgerton breakout Jonathan Bailey, the impeccable eye candy helps transport us back to the terror-ridden era of 1950’s “Lavender Scare” in Washington D.C.
Against a chilling backdrop of paranoia, prejudice and red-baiting led by the notorious Joseph McCarthy, Bomer and Bailey shine as lovers Hawkins Fuller and Tim Laughlin. Despite polar opposite temperaments, their secret relationship defies the codes of masculinity and conformity that grant them access to the halls of power.
The writing and intimacy directing lens make no secret of Tim and Hawkins’ palpable sexual chemistry. But Fellow Travelers equally captivates in its exploration of self-identity versus collective responsibility amidst oppression.
As the witch hunt for suspected “subversives” ensnares more victims over the decades, Tim and Hawkins chart an emotionally complex course between desire, integrity, and survival.
With harrowing relevance to our current culture wars, Fellow Travelers uses the past as a catalyst for passion and conscience in divisive times. Sensuality simmers beneath a sober examination of fear as a weapon for separating lives from liberty.
#6 Gen V: The Boys, But Make ‘Em College Kids
Ya heard of The Boys? That raunchy superhero satire about a band of misfits taking down crazed celebrity supes and the sinister corporation behind ‘em? Well, this year its scrappy little spinoff Gen V took flight – and damn, did it soar.
Set on the campus of Vought International’s prestigious Godolkin University, Gen V trades war-torn city streets for hormone-fueled dorm halls. Here, a new generation of genetically enhanced students vie for influence, scandals eruptp, and shady corporate agendas loom.
Despite fresh faces and college hijinks, Gen V stays true to its namesake with plenty R-rated debauchery. But it also brings heart and hope to the franchise by focusing on conflicted young heroes fighting against the sins of the fathers…and mothers.
With offbeat humor and social media satire, the writing leans into how chaotic the internet and being a teen can be. But the standout cast, lead by magnetic Marie Moreau, gives Gen V creative twists that awaken empathy in between shock value moments.
By training compassion on complex characters, Gen V earns points for expanding The Boys universe into thornier rites of passage while still getting freaky with the superpowered spectacle.
#5 The Bear: Family Dysfunction Never Tasted So Good
When it comes to the year’s most unconventional sleeper hit, The Bear has cooked up an utterly original viewing experience centered on the madness of running a scrappy Chicago restaurant.
Driven by breakout lead Jeremy Allen White as hotshot chef Carmy, The Bear wrecks nerves and appetites with breakneck kitchen chaos, brotherly loss, and a questionable crew handling the day-to-day.
What gives The Bear its secret ingredients though are the fully realized characters struggling to transform toxic patterns into chosen family. Scene-stealing performances and musical montages wring out humor and catharsis between tension spikes.
And that’s all before unforgettable food porn shots will have you drooling – seriously, don’t watch hungry!
Beneath orchestrated bedlam punctuated by the occasional stabbing or heart attack (!) lurks an endearing story of grief transforming into hope. Season 2 brought rich emotional payoffs without losing steam.
So if you crave anxiety and laughter in equal measure with fully acted ensemble drama, belly up to The Bear! Fair warning though – you’ll def be Googling Italian beef sandwiches at 3am after.
#4 The Fall of the House of Usher: A Masterclass in Gothic Romance
I’ll admit, I was already hooked before pressing play on The Fall of the House of Usher. I mean, it comes from Mike Flanagan, the visionary creator behind hits like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass. The guy just knows how to terrify and move us in equal turns.
But Flanagan’s latest venture weaving Edgar Allan Poe tales into a foreboding Victorian saga well exceeded my sky-high expectations. Here he takes Poe’s recurring doom-laden Usher clan and spins their cursed existence across multiple short works into a sprawling portrait of buried family trauma.
Flashing between two timelines, we witness the gothic unraveling of the eccentric Usher dynasty alongside the present-day investigation into their downfall, led by Carl Lumbly’s resolute detective.
Stately manor houses cloaked in fog set the scene for mystery and madness to ensue. Sublime performances, chilling visuals that haunt you, and thematic threads on inherited grief and guilt will reel you in. But surprisingly tender relationships driven by Carla Gugino, Kate Siegel, and Mary McDonnell balance out nerve-fraying creep factor.
For Poe devotees, this serves up a macabre masterwork. But truly anyone who craves lush period romance and bingeable suspense will savor The Fall and its uniquely emotional approach to otherwise ruthless source material.
#3 Heartstopper: The Sweetest Teen Love Story That Will Heal Your Soul
Yeah, yeah, I know – a sunny coming-of-age romance seems lightweight compared to post-apocalyptic thrillers and Prestige drama. But don’t underestimate Heartstopper’s curative powers!
Adapted from Alice Oseman’s hit graphic novels, this vibrant British young adult series centers on the butterflies-inducing courtship between softboi artist Charlie and rugby star heartthrob Nick.
But the Oscar-worthy cinematography and chemistry between leads Joe Locke and Kit Connor only set the mood. At its core, Heartstopper packs an emotional wallop when it comes to distinctly Gen Z struggles.
The writing shines touching light on teen isolation, managing mental health, and embracing one’s identity. While Charlie nervously navigates coming out and first love, a diverse cast of friends tackle bullying, sexism, eating disorders, and intergenerational trauma with humor and compassion.
Sure, the dialogue trends towards the twee here and there. Yet most scenes brim with genuineness in depicting youth figuring out who they are and who they want to become.
What makes Heartstopper so uniquely special lies in its radical sincerity and care. In showing how the simplest acts of integrity, forgiveness, and vulnerability can overcome cruelty and alienation, this unabashedly tender series works miracles.
After ugly crying through the touching finale, all I can say is we could use more everyday heroes like Charlie, Nick and their circle of angels during divisive times. If you’re craving inspiration with your sweetness, Heartstopper delivers.
#2 Succession: Filthy Rich Dysfunction Makes for Must-See TV
If you had any doubts that Succession reigns as one of the 21st century’s best dramas…well those are now laid to rest after four flawless seasons tracking the vicious in-fighting of an obscenely wealthy and entirely amoral media dynasty.
I still remember when this weird little show about a bunch of unlikeable billionaire brats and their dragon-esque CEO father Logan Roy first premiered on HBO back in 2018. Lofty Shakespearean themes intermixed with scathing satire of the .01%, delivered through eloquent vulgarity and stunning disregard for morals? I was intrigued but admittedly baffled at first.
Yet showrunner Jesse Armstrong kept raking in acclaim for crafting such a compelling contemporary Greek tragedy meets Dynasty soap centered on a family remorselessly clawing for power. And I’m so glad I stuck with it because oh baby…Succession mercilessly sunk its claws in me too after awhile!
Of course you’ve got to shout out the titanic performances that give larger-than-life dimension to characters constantly cursing, backstabbing, scheming and throwing fits over who gets left the keys to the kingdom. Brian Cox reigns with terrifying gravitas as Logan, but the dysfunctional Roy siblings trade vicious barbs and trauma with equal aptitude.
While the searing dialogue seals Succession’s savage wit, lush cinematography and visionary directing keep shaking up settings and style. From a Western-themed corporate retreat to an Italian wedding, no location escapes becoming another battleground for emotionally stunted egos.
After that bombshell mid-season plane twist, the final episodes rose to the impossible challenge of surpassing already sky-high stakes. The writing kept dropping bombshells with unpredictable grace up to the cryptic final shot. Is Logan dead or not?!?
I guess leaving fans shouting at fade-to-black makes for the perfect instrument of chaos to end this magnificent series about awful people wielding awful power. However you slice it, Succession leaves behind a masterwork portfolio taking America’s real hidden dysfunctions to task through intoxicating fiction.
#1 The Last of Us: A Masterful Apocalyptic Odyssey That Connects Us Through Chaos
If you had pitched me a TV adaptation of a zombie video game a year ago, I woulda rolled my eyes hard. Like we really needed more undead mayhem! But then came HBO’s sensation The Last of Us – and suddenly I’m bawling over the season finale of my newest obsession.
Ya see, on its blood-spattered surface The Last of Us follows a pretty familiar post-apocalyptic formula. After society crumbles from a brutal fungal outbreak, grief-stricken smuggler Joel gets hired to escort spunky teen Ellie out west. Turns out she carries the cure in her blood and may save humanity, blah blah.
But the genius of this series lies in using freaky flesh-eating chaos to spotlight the resilient humanity still pulsing through people when the world goes to hell. And not just high-minded themes either – complex character writing translates social commentary into an emotionally gut-wrenching viewing experience.
Of course Pedro Pascal nails bitter and broken Joel’s moral ambiguity like a champ, while Bella Ramsey brings perfect kid verve and nerd charm to Ellie. Yet the stellar cast steals scenes across episodes through lived-in backstories beyond main plot propulsion.
Take Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett’s gut-punch standalone love story as survival partners Bill and Frank. Their tender romance shows that hope still blooms when you share hardship hand-in-hand.
Or fierce rebel leader Marlene and her righteous resistance clinging to family amidst unthinkable violence. Everywhere The Last of Us lenses in, resonant humanity emerges from chaos.
And by season’s end when Joel chooses saving Ellie over saving the world? The writing layers on empathy for how love rebuilds purpose when all other social contracts shatter.
Maybe escapism draws us to dystopian fantasies about the end of the world. But The Last of Us delivers catharsis by focusing on emo-core themes – grief and hope, trauma and trust – that survivors must navigate when tomorrow loses all meaning. Through genre thrills and horror chills, this saga celebrates the connections that make slogging through hell worth all we’ve lost.
And that’s exactly why The Last of Us earns its crown as 2023’s finest achievement in television for me. It rekindles our own flickering spirits to go on in dark times. What better miracle can a show perform than that?
