For more of our Best of 2018 coverage, gohere.
2018 has been a blessed year for TV fans, with great series kicking into high gear right off the bat in January; no need to wait until spring even, things were righteously good from the start. Yes that quality slowed down a bit over the summer and, curiously, this fall – Peak TV also means a lot of mediocre television, in addition to the greats – but as with all of my year-end lists, this is about cheers and not jeers, so hopefully you’ll find one of two series you missed to catch up with. (Speaking of cheers, you can also celebrate the year in TV with my lists of theBest PerformancesandBest Episodes, as well as Dave Trumbore’s list of theBest Animated Series for Adults).
Below are my picks for 25 of 2018’s TV gems. Are there others that belong here? Absolutely! In fact, there are a few in my list of Honorable Mentions that honestlypainedme to not include in the Top 25. But I had to create a cutoff, and since it’s ranked, I’ve also been tinkering with the whole thing for weeks (right up until the deadline to post, actually). On a different day and at a different time the list might not lookquitelike this, but it would be awfully similar. Happiness and weirdness are highly rewarded this year, especially series that really woke us up, showed us what TV can do, and/or made us feel good about it along the way. There’s atonof TV; finding ways to stand out is good.
Don’t see your personal favorite here? Well, I watch what I can of 500 series, but I don’t get to all of them. Or maybe I just don’t like it! You’ll never know. But really, let’s focus on the good here, and there is plenty of it. One note on eligibility: series in this list had to have aired the majority of their seasons by of December 15th (which meansCounterpartSeason 1 is eligible, but Season 2 is not). Also, broadcast series are considered for all seasons that aired in 2018. Finally, this list considers both scripted and unscripted series – which as you will see, plays a pivotal role.
(A note onspoilers: I’ve tried to keep things pretty general, especially regarding the series most people haven’t heard of, but if you have any doubts then skip on to the next)
25) Bodyguard
Network: Netflix
Creator: Jed Mercurio
I’ve said it many times in writing about this series, butBodyguardshould come with a warning. There are several stretches of this twisty new thriller series that are so anxiety-inducing, with such unbearable tension, that I almost had to leave the room. I could have paused it, sure, but I didn’tactuallywant to stop watching it. I just wanted to grimace and sink as far down into the couch as possible, my heart pounding as I attempted to rationalize that the story couldn’t really do this or that, right? RIGHT? It’sstressful— in the best of ways.
Netflix’s 6-episode series comes fromJed Mercurio, and first aired on the BBC (to staggering viewership numbers). It follows the story of a metropolitan police officer, David Budd (Richard Madden), a war veteran who uses his special training while off-duty to help diffuse a potential terrorist attack in the first fifteen minutes of the series. ButBodyguardis not interested in becoming Jason Bourne or Jack Ryan, at least not yet. What makes the series work — including all of those ultra-tense moments — is how well Madden sells his badass character as a man who also has deep emotional connections and a compassionate heart. As David is tasked with being the bodyguard (hey!) for a Conservative Home Secretary, Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes), the show really ramps up its tension (and sexiness). It also showcases Madden as a major talent, one who is capable of not just leading Winterfell’s bannermen inGame of Thrones, but leading this breakout series and others — or even a certainmovie franchise. Though itsendinglets it down a little bit, it’s one heck of ride— Allison Keene
24) Black Lightning
Season: 1-2
Network: The CW
Developed By: Salim Akil
Just when I was starting to think we had reached peak superhero fatigue,Black Lightninghit the scene and shook things up. The CW’s dynamic series is laudable for a number of reasons, the most obvious one being that it focuses on a black family, and the second most obvious one being that its lead character isn’t a teenager. But the series also might be one of the superhero genre’s most intelligent; it knows what it wants to say about race and politics without ever being preachy. The first season also made a lot of smart choices about when to introduce the powers of characters other than Jefferson Pierce (a charming Cress Williams), and also didn’t feel the need to dispatch of its Big Bad by the season’s end (though it did take care of a host of more minor villains throughout). The story of a vigilante-turned-principal looking to get back into the game because of drug violence on his streets is a refreshing one, and helped keepBlack Lightninggrounded and relevant throughout its run. Even though its second season hasn’t been quite as strong, the series still has something important to say, and does so with style. Most importantly, this is a hero to unequivocally root for – even though his newly super-powered family members are struggling more with their own paths.
23) Howards End
Season: Miniseries
Network: Starz
Written by: Kenneth Lonergan
Starz’s plucky, chatty miniseriesHowards Endstars Hayley Atwell as one of the most charming characters you will ever have the privilege to meet. Based on E.M. Forester’s novel, the swirling adaptation follows three well-off siblings living with their aunt as they face an English society on the precipice of great change. Liberal thinkers as these siblings are, they welcome the change, and yet also don’t see (at first) how their well-meaning attempts to use their privilege to take on “projects” from the lower class isactuallya rather condescending thing. When they become embroiled with a nouveau-riche family who leans towards more conservative ideals, a battle of minds and wills persists, and not without some romance. The series is sharp, fast, and a fetching though fleeting exploration of a tumultuous era. The styling and cinematography are swoon-worthy, though everything pales in comparison to Atwell’s practical and splendid heroine.
22) Narcos: Mexico
Creators: Carlo Bernard, Doug Miro
A compelling companion series to the first three seasons ofNarcos, the spinoffNarcos: Mexicoalso splits its time between an up-and-coming drug lord, Felix Gallardo (Diego Luna), and dogged DEA agent Kiki Camerena (Michael Peña). Stocked with well-considered and compelling characters,Narcos: Mexicois a tense tragedy — one whoseendingsomewhat undermines the rest of the season. The story turned from cocaine to marijuana and ultimately back to cocaine, but what really grounded the story (which featured a lot of drug-fueled diversions and history lessons about corrupt Mexican leaders) were the stories of these two men. Both were obsessed with their jobs, to the point where nothing else ultimately compared. Luna, in particular, was exceptional as a smart and driven man who becomes eaten up by his drive for power and success in a way that we trulyfeelandsee. His vulnerabilities and uncertainties made for some of the series’ best moments, particularly the one where he and Kiki come face to face, and a decision is made that altered the drug war forever.
21) Baskets
Network: FX
Creators: Zach Galifianakis, Jonathan Krisel, Louis C.K.
If a series is going to succeed in the longterm, it needs to be willing to grow and change, to lean into what’s working, and leave behind what isn’t. FX’sBasketshas evolved each season, starting in a place that was good to begin with, but getting increasingly excellent with each new year. A mainstay of that excellence has been Louie Anderson’s portrayal of Christine Baskets, a role that is never camp or silly because he’s in drag; rather, it’s a wonderfully sincere and emotional portrait (and often uproariously hilarious) of a Bakersfield, California mom who loves Costco. In the third season, Christine has invested her inheritance into a family rodeo, which is plagued with problems from the start. But the real story behind that is Christine being able to find herself and focus on what she wants — though it takes a lot for her to finally get there. Zach Galifianakis continues to make physical comedy a big part of the show’s humor, while Martha Kelly’s quiet character has been given new ways to shine. For all of its quirk and sometimes profane humor,Basketshas become increasingly heartwarming — and that’s been a beautiful thing.
20) Victoria
Network: PBS
Creator: Daisy Goodwin
In its second season,Victoriasettled into being one of TV’s coziest dramas, one that examines marriage with wonderful, emotional nuance. The young Queen Victoria (Jenna Coleman) and Prince Albert (Tom Hughes) struggle with the Queen taking charge at a time when women rarely did so, especially as the couple begin to grow their family and Victoria is urged to stay in confinement. Never one to kowtow to tradition, the plucky historical heroine forged a new path for herself and for her husband, while also contending with a difficult political time for her empire. This season ofVictoriawas particularly good about making each episode distinct, tackling a different historical (or personal, often intertwined) crisis, yet always letting it feel grounded within the couples’ relationship and their relationship with their difficult families (or Victoria’s chaste but deep relationship with Lord M, one of the best dynamics on TV). It makes a story about a royal marriage from long ago feel contemporary and relatable, while being wrapped up in absolutely gorgeous set pieces and costuming.
19) Better Call Saul
Network: AMC
Creator: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould
In its fourth season,Better Call Saulreally split into three stories: One followed Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) in the wake of a tragedy as he is forced to take a hiatus from being a lawyer, another tracked Mike (Jonathan Banks) as he becomes increasingly embroiled with Gus and his operations, and a third followed the drug trade through Nacho (Michael Mando). Season 4 had a lot of truly great moments, including Jimmy going back to his Slippin’ ways (with mixed results for him personally), as well as an emotional split-screen time lapse, and a harrowing final episode and reveal. But asBetter Call Saul’s timeline continues to enter intoBreaking Badterritory, the show’s focus will naturally continue to integrate those characters and storylines, even thoughSaulis often at its best when it’s just focusing on Jimmy (and Rhea Seehorn’s Kim, of course). Though some of the “Breaking Bad origin stories” weren’t as strong as other elements of the season, whenBetter Call Saulworks it’s absolutely one of the greatest and most visually inventive shows on television.
18) Hap and Leonard
Season: 3/final
Network: SundanceTV
Developed By: Jim Mickle, Nick Damici
Everybody complaining about the dearth of working class-focused series on TV in the wake of theRoseannecancellation has not been paying attention. One of the best working-class series isHap and Leonard, which follows two best friends in East Texas in the 1980s as they get caught up into unexpected scrapes, including battling the Klan in this third and final season. The series has always broached topics as big as race and sexual orientation in frank, sincere, and intelligent ways. The friendship between the series’ leads — Hap (James Purefoy) is a white liberal, Leonard (Michael K. Williams) is a black, gay, conservative — never shies away from their differences, but also has no trouble overcoming them. In a world that wants to categorize and dismiss based on superficial characteristics, these two men have an unshakeable bond and brotherly commitment to one another to face it all with humor and heart. The show’s third season is a brutal one in many ways, but there’s also hope. It’shard to say goodbyeto such a fantastic series, but if there is a positive, it’s that you may always keep reading the great Joe R. Lansdale book series on which it is based.
17) Succession
Network: HBO
Creator: Jesse Armstrong
The key to enjoyingSuccessionis not going into it thinking it’s a prestige TV series. Instead, it’s more of a weird satirical comedy in the vein ofThe Thick of ItorVeep, which makes sense since its creator, Jesse Armstrong, wrote for the former series as well asPeep Show.Successionis a dark, funny, super cringe-y, and often bizarre portrayal of a fictional media empire and the family jockeying for the power to control it. Yes it’s reminiscent of families like the Murdochs, but as it continues itscasually devastatingfirst season, it truly becomes its own twisted story, free from exact comparisons.Successionis really its own twisted world, one where the balance of power is as changeable as the mercurial Tom’s (Matthew Macfadyen) moods towards the hapless Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun). It’s not a show where you really like anyone or evenwantto like anyone, and yet, it’s hard to not still hope for certain outcomes (often in which everyone fails … because the fallout is usually wonderful).Successionisn’t a show that makes you feel particularly good after you’ve watched it — its hollow, nihilistic take on the world is not meant for binge-watching — but when you’re in the middle of it, wow, it’s intoxicating.
16) Sorry for Your Loss
Network: Facebook Watch
Creator: Kit Steinkellner
The unassumingSorry for Your Lossmade watching TV on Facebook an absolute necessity. The quiet, thoughtful series follows a young woman, Leigh (Elizabeth Olsen) who has recently lost her husband Matt (Mamoudou Athie). Picking up three months after Matt’s death,Sorry for Your Lossnot only explores the complicated daily balance for Leigh as she tries to figure out how to move forward after her life with Matt had just begun, but also delves into her relationships with her adopted sister Jules (Kelly Marie Tran) and her fitness-studio-owning mother Amy (Janet McTeer) in raw, emotional ways. The stories of and among these women are beautifully explored, as is Leigh’s grief and the changing nature of that particular monster. A stand-out episode midway through this first season focuses completely on Matt, who was formerly only seen in flashbacks, really allowing him to become a full character rather than just a ghost for Leigh to let go of. His battle with depression and how that may have played into his death was one of the best episodes of the year in a series full of difficult, heartfelt, and ultimately triumphant moments.
