The 20 best TV shows of 2023
There was a time when anything that resided on the small screen of TV was considered ‘lesser’, mere fodder to while away the day before you’d scraped enough coins together to go to the cinema. But, generations later, much has changed. These days, it’s television and streaming services that thrive, allowing filmmakers far more freedom than they would have if they were to take on a big-budget project.
2023 continued to show off this limitless creativity, with the year beginning with HBO adapting the video game The Last of Us for the small screen, giving it the due budget the post-pandemic thriller deserved. Once again, HBO proved its worth, delivering not just this but a host of other innovative comedy series, too, along with the final series of its flagship show, Succession.
Elsewhere, Netflix also demonstrated their erratic business strategy of seemingly throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks, delivering a number of greats and a lot of fodder content. Among the greats was the comedy series I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson, a show so ingeniously funny that it puts all other comedies on the platform to shame.
Take a look at our entire list of the greatest TV shows of 2023 below, where the greatest streaming offerings are celebrated and Christmas watchlists are forged.
The best TV shows of 2023:
20. Hijack (Apple TV)
It was certainly easy to become a little too focused on the troubles of the world in 2023, where wars waged and environmental disasters continued to damage ecosystems. As a result, we wouldn’t blame anyone for wanting a bit of escapism, with Apple TV’s action series Hijack, starring Idris Elba, doing exactly this, taking viewers on a thrill ride across the skies.
Created by Jim Field Smith and George Kay, the series saw Elba’s Sam Nelson, a corporate negotiator, try to fend off terrorists on a seven-hour flight from Dubai to London. What unfolds isn’t groundbreaking stuff, but it is gripping television that will leave you unable to peel your eyes away from the screen. What it lacks in depth, it makes up for in sheer intensity from the first episode to the last, making Elba one of the most promising action stars of the modern era.
19. Bodies (Netflix)
If such ridiculous awards existed, Netflix’s Bodies, starring Stephen Graham, would have to get the prize for the silliest concept of the year that was the most impossible to turn off. Such an award, of course, does not exist, but it should be created just for Bodies, with the historical sci-fi being an utterly bombastic thriller that shuttles audiences from one century to another with so much joy that you’ll forget that it makes such little sense.
It all follows the story of a naked corpse who appears in the exact same place throughout several different instances in human history, kicking off a police investigation that leads to the discovery of something world-changing. Though unbelievable, the script is genuinely gripping, with large credit going to the lead cast, which includes Graham, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd and Amaka Okafor, who delivered their manic lines with po-faced sincerity.
18. Dead Ringers (Prime Video)
Fans of the 1988 David Cronenberg movie Dead Ringers were perhaps equally excited and apprehensive to discover that it was being transformed into a miniseries this year. Created by Alice Birch, who penned the underrated Florence Pugh drama Lady Macbeth, as well as episodes of Normal People and Succession, Dead Ringers stars Rachel Weisz as Jeremy Irons’ original twin surgeons. American Horror Story’s Britne Oldford and Pride and Prejudice’s Jennifer Ehle also feature.
Based on the book Twins by Bari Wood and Jack Geasland, the Amazon Prime series takes a gender-swapped approach to its source material, allowing Weisz to dazzle in a dual-role performance. She stars as Elliot and Beverly Mantle, gynaecologists with a desire to transform women’s healthcare. Dead Ringers isn’t for the squeamish, although the miniseries does nothing more than offer up the often gory realities of childbirth. Not only is Dead Ringers thoroughly entertaining, but it offers many potent explorations of what it means to be a woman seeking healthcare, highlighting characters of varying backgrounds.
17. Time (BBC)
The second season of Time was released this autumn on BBC, focusing on the lives of three female prisoners. The first season, starring Sean Bean and Stephen Graham, received rave reviews upon its debut back in 2021. However, this next instalment focuses on a new set of characters, with Jimmy McGovern employing Helen Black as co-writer. Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker stars as Orla, a single mother who struggles to arrange childcare as she is whisked away to start a six-month sentence, giving a fantastic performance that conveys the distinctively female hardships experienced by many women in prison.
Bella Ramsey from The Last of Us also appears as a heroin-addicted young prisoner who must deal with an accidental pregnancy, and Tamara Lawrance stars as a prisoner dealing with a life sentence. The show is a dense exploration of the prison system, full of emotional bite and poignant performances that will no doubt haunt the viewer.
16. The Great (Hulu)
Existing within a genre often dominated by precision and poise, The Great gave the term period drama a whole new meaning, revitalising it for a modern audience. Amidst the solemnity of shows like Call the Midwife and The Crown’s scrambling to perfectly recreate the clothing worn by Charles and Diana, The Great is far more careless and crazed with its depiction of history. Created by Tony McNamara and starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, it follows the story of Russian empress Catherine the Great through her plots with passion and power.
Those seeking out a serious and accurate recounting of the empress’s story may be gravely disappointed with The Great, but those looking for a more innovative take on the period piece will take delight in the show’s raunchy retelling and unabashed satire. The Great certainly isn’t a faithful depiction, negating historical research in favour of hysterical black humour, but it is in this choice that it finds its charm. With masterful lead performances and gorgeous costuming, it has all the beauty of a period piece with a little bit of edge.
15. I’m A Virgo (Prime Video)
Boots Riley, musician and director of the critically acclaimed Sorry to Bother You, made his television debut with the miniseries I’m A Virgo in 2023. The show stars Jharrel Jerome, known for When They See Us and Moonlight, as a 13-foot teenager called Cootie. What sounds like a potentially silly concept is executed perfectly, with Riley leaning into absurdism and bizarre humour flawlessly. Blending magical realism into a quirky coming-of-age tale, I’m A Virgo is one of the most unique shows to have emerged this year.
When we meet Cootie, he is sheltered from the world, yet he eventually becomes curious about the people he’s never met, the places he’s never been, and the food he’s never tried. Through Cootie’s emergence into the world as someone distinctively other, Riley is able to explore many sociopolitical themes, all with a tender and humorous edge.
14. Jury Duty (Freevee)
One of the most surprising television hits of the year came from Amazon Freevee in the form of Jury Duty. Sitting in some blurry liminal space between reality and scripted comedy, the show follows Ronald Gladden, an unexpecting California contractor who is called in for jury duty. Little does he know, his 11 co-jurors are all actors and the trial is completely fake. It’s a particularly unique premise which made the show stand out amidst an increasingly monotonous wave of reality television and streaming originals.
The show provided a new take on the ‘reality’ genre, blending it with elements of prank shows and legal documentaries. Jury Duty was also enhanced by the presence of Gladden himself, who unknowingly provided eight episodes worth of entertainment through his natural reactions to the trial and ensemble cast. James Marsden even sneaks by inconspicuously, roping Gladden in to help him run lines. Treading the line between reality and falsity, Jury Duty produced some unexpectedly hilarious moments and triumphed in its willingness to allow audiences to be in on the prank.
13. The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, The Fall of the House of Usher is the latest project from horror writer/director extraordinaire Mike Flanagan, also known for helming The Haunting of Hill House. The show stars a large cast, including Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Zach Gilford, Henry Thomas, Mary McDonnell and Mark Hamill, and follows events through the 1950s until the present day, focusing on a family with a cursed heritage.
As usual, Flanagan utilises carefully crafted suspense and character development rather than simply using cheap jumpscares, resulting in one of the most tense shows of the year. We follow the rise and fall of the filthy rich Roderick Usher, the head of a pharmaceutical company which has caused the deaths of many citizens. Now, all of his adult children face untimely fates, and we discover why as the series unfolds. Unsettling and dark, with commentary on the corrupt elites that feels more prominent than ever, what The Fall of the House of Usher reveals about society is just as terrifying as its outright instances of horror.
12. Reservation Dogs (Hulu)
This year, Martin Scorsese did a lot for Indigenous American representation with the release of his epic tale Killers of the Flower Moon, which starred the likes of Lily Gladstone and Cara Jade Myers in a film that used the Osage dialogue extensively. But the film wasn’t the only one to improve such representation, with Hulu’s Reservation Dogs also being a triumph in this respect.
Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, this riff on Quentin Tarantino’s iconic Reservoir Dogs tells the story of four Indigenous American teenagers growing up on a reservation in eastern Oklahoma. With fabulous performances from the lead cast of Sterlin Harjo, Blackhorse Lowe and Tazbah Chavez, among others, Reservation Dogs struck the perfect balance of comedy and genuine heart.
11. The Gallows Pole (BBC)
Shane Meadows might be best known for detailing the more shocking effects of living in working-class middle England, with the likes of This is England, Once Upon a Time in the Midlands and Dead Man’s Shoes proving his quality as a director. His most recent venture is starkly different, though, taking his storytelling capabilities to 18th-century Yorkshire to tell the tale of David Harley and the Cragg Vale Coins during the Industrial Revolution.
Michael Socha, who previously appeared as Harvey in This is England, plays Hartley, who gathers together a band of workers for a fraudulent plot to topple the British economy. Based on the Benjamin Myers novel of the same name and also starring Sophie McShera, Thomas Turgoose, and Ralph Ineson, The Gallows Pole sees Meadows head in a new direction while still retaining his wit, poignancy, and ability to simultaneously shock and captivate. It is some of the best British TV of the year, without a doubt.
10. I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (Netflix)
Believer in the art of the fedora, purveyor of the sloppy steak and inducer of coffin flop, better known as the master of contemporary cringe comedy, Tim Robinson came back firing with the third season of I Think You Should Leave this year, delivering even more moments of humour that simultaneously makes audiences howl with laughter yet feel the need to avert their eyes from the screen. If embarrassment is the name of the game when it comes to comedy, then Robinson is the king of the castle, and his surreal brand of toilet humour came good once again in 2023.
Season three saw plenty of guest appearances from the likes of Fred Armisen, Ayo Edebiri, Tim Heidecker, Jason Schwartzman and Tim Meadows, and there were genuinely memorable sketches throughout, including a peculiar driving crooner, a polite house party guest who seems to talk about his kids way too often and a father attending his daughter’s fourth-grade concert, with each escalating in absurdity and hilarity that threatens to split your sides at any given point.
9. The Bear (Hulu)
Given the popularity of the first season of the Hulu comedy-drama The Bear, it was no surprise to learn that a second batch of episodes was quickly commissioned, which served as wonderful news to those with a penchant for high heat and emotional vulnerability in the kitchen. Jeremy Allen White returns as Carmen ‘Carmie’ Berzatto, the award-winning chef in constant battle to manage his late brother’s restaurant whilst dealing with his own personal issues – of which there are countless.
Season two saw the staff of The Bear renovate the restaurant to accommodate a high-end menu, and we plunged further into their lives. Sydney and Tina take on their new responsibilities as chef de cuisine and sous-chef, Richie learns a slice of Carmie’s experience in a high-end establishment, and Marcus makes out for Cophenhagen to learn new skills from a genius pastry chef. At the centre of the season, though, was a flashback episode of genuine tension documenting the Berzatto family Christmas gathering, an insight into the mess that Carmie’s had to deal with throughout his career. It’s Michelin Star TV, and we can’t wait for series three.
8. Telemarketers (HBO)
In another year of continued success for HBO, making such celebrated series as The Last of Us and the final season of Succession, one of their most underrated shows was the documentary Telemarketers. Following two telemarketing employees, Pat Pespas and Sam Lipman-Stern, the series followed the duo’s exploration of the dark side of the industry, discussing how it plays into the machine of American capitalism.
The short series, which lasts just three episodes, is a must-watch for any documentary lover, delving deep into the dark underbelly of the capitalist system. Never outstaying its welcome, Telemarketers is a gripping watch that will surprise you with how quickly it can hook you in.
7. The Last of Us (HBO)
It’s well known that adapting a video game into either a film or TV show is pretty rocky territory; just look at the woeful attempts with the likes of Tomb Raider and Uncharted. However, HBO absolutely nailed the task at the beginning of 2023 with that other Naughty Dog game, The Last of Us, casting Pedro Pascal as smuggler Joel and Bella Ramsey as his contraband Ellie. Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann delivered a terrifying post-apocalyptic vision of the dystopian future following a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection that turns human beings into flesh-eating, bloodthirsty zombie-like creatures.
Moments of action are genuinely as tense as the masterpiece game the show is based on, while the set and art design are just about as good as any TV programme has ever seen, which the infected detailed in a truly remarkable light. Throw in the score from composer Gustavo Alfredo Santaolalla and some of the finest acting of the year from Pascal, Ramsey and several other members of the cast, and The Last of Us is easily one of the best productions of the year.
6. Barry (HBO)
The Bill Hader and Alec Berg-created comedy drama Barry returned for a fourth season this year, with Hader starring as the titular character – a hitman. Since 2018, the HBO show has received critical praise for its mix of dark humour, nuanced characters and strong performances, and season four has been no exception. Barry came to its end this year, much to the disappointment of fans, yet there couldn’t have been a better finish to such an incredible show.
Acting as a powerful statement on Hollywood and stardom, Barry has always garnered plenty of laughs, yet in season four, these moments of humour become considerably darker as Hader and Berg probe deep into the effects of Barry’s actions. Alongside a great performance from Hader, we also see the return of many of the show’s staple characters, such as Sarah Goldberg’s Sally and Stephen Root’s Monroe. This isn’t just one of the best series of the year; it’s one of the best in HBO history.
5. How to with John Wilson (HBO)
John Wilson has returned to the streets of New York City yet again with his brilliant show How to with John Wilson, produced by Nathan Fielder and Michael Korman. Each episode sees Wilson attempt to advise audiences while going over the more problematic facets of his personal life. No part of living in the Golden Apple is deemed too minute for Wilson as he meets the stranger characters of the city, diving deep into the banality that lies hidden behind the bright lights.
This time around, Wilson explains the nature of finding a public restroom in New York, advises on the best way to clean out our ears, looks into exercising and watching team sports, reflects on the wonders of bird watching and the annoyance of waiting for deliveries to arrive at our homes, and it’s all captured in his deadpan, sardonic gonzo style, hilarious at one moment and tragic at the next. We can’t wait for season four and beyond.
4. Top Boy (Netflix)
The chronicle of revenge, violence and inner-city drug deals, Top Boy, finally came to an end in 2023, with Netflix doing an excellent job bringing one of their finest-ever series to a close. First starting off on Channel 4, Netflix picked up the reins of the show in 2011, continuing the story of Dushane and Sully, a pair of drug dealers who tussle for control in London whilst attempting to maintain their own relationship.
Despite all the iconic supporting characters who have graced the series over the years, Netflix wisely realised that Sully and Dushane were always at the very heart of the show, focusing much of the final series on their relationship. The concussion isn’t only satisfying and an artistic triumph, with the final episode worthy of eternal TV fame.
3. The Curse (Showtime)
Comedy’s hottest property, Nathan Fielder, known for his brilliant parody reality TV show Nathan For You, collaborated with a team of remarkable talent in the shape of Benny Safdie and Emma Stone this year for the satirical black comedy thriller The Curse. Exploring how a curse from a street vendor disrupts the relationship of a recently married couple (played by Fielder and Stone), the show employs Fielder’s usual method of deadpan charisma and truly dark humour.
The couple Whitney and Asher are trying to conceive a child whilst also starring in a reality TV show criticised for promoting gentrification, and Safdie plays the programme’s producer, Dougie. The Curse is one of the best series of the year in the way it navigates genuinely absurd strands of narrative while also reflecting on the strangeness of life itself, a possibility that could only ever come from the wildly creative minds of Fielder and Safdie.
2. Scavengers Reign (HBO)
All too often, the very best TV shows are the ones that fly under the radar, plonked on streaming services without much thought as to quite how much work has been put into the project. This certainly feels like the case for Scavengers Reign, the gorgeous animated mini-series that was put on HBO Max to little fanfare until a strong contingent of online fans began singing its praises.
Telling the story of the crew of a damaged deep space freighter which becomes stranded on a threatening planet that bursts with life, Scavengers Reign is one of the most imaginative and densely-packed treats of 2023 and, indeed, modern animation on the whole. A transporting delight, nothing this year will hit you with quite the same intensity as this magical show devised with clear passion by Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner. Forget TV; this is one of the best sci-fi flicks of modern years.
1. Succession (HBO)
Much to the dismay of HBO devotees, 2023 brought with it the masterfully un-cathartic end of Succession. Since the show’s finale in summer, our screens have felt the void of Logan Roy’s gruff “fuck offs” and Jeremy Strong’s longing looks. Succession’s final season set out to demonstrate the show’s aptitude in every area of television – it’s beautifully shot and scored, always walking the line between comedy and drama, Armstrong’s masterful scripts continually enhanced by the familiar ensemble cast.
Alongside continuing to prove their technical on-screen prowess, Armstrong’s cast and crew were sure to leave an impression with the long-awaited death of father and CEO Logan Roy and the ensuing chaos. Rather than following the pattern of the show’s earlier seasons, which thrived in their explosive finales, the Succession finale provided almost no spectacle, no catharsis, and no resolution. It stays true to the cyclical tragedy that permeated the entire show, leaving the Roys stranded in the Waystar wasteland. Bleak and cyclical, it’s the perfect ending – perhaps the only fitting ending – for a company and a family founded on abuse. No doubt, Succession will go down as one of the greatest TV shows of all time.
