This year I focused far more on movies than TV, but that didn’t stop me from finding a few new TV shows.
I mostly just watched TV on my off days or when I got screeners, but I have to say this year had some awesome shows. A lot of returning shows had fantastic new seasons. I literally just finished Emily in Paris, and I’m about to finish A Man on the Inside.
I will, however, leave those out. The chances are I’ve already spoken about them elsewhere. This list is strictly for shows that debuted this year and immediately made an impression, whether they were binge-worthy comfort watches or weekly appointment television.
Also check out my 10 favourite movies of 2025.
10. The Promised Land
The Promised Land drew me in with the showrunner’s unique way of telling Bible stories to a modern audience. I don’t know if any of my followers watched this, but it’s definitely a must-watch. It adds some humour to a story that’s often serious. I feel like the mockumentary style isn’t just perfect for the story, but it also feels authentic, even if the events took place thousands of years ago.
9. Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth brings the iconic franchise to television in a way that feels tense, grounded, and genuinely unsettling. I know this might be hit or miss. I saw the criticism, and I still really enjoyed the show. I loved how it leaned into atmosphere and dread, proving that the Alien universe still works best when it focuses on fear rather than excess spectacle. It also perfectly expands this universe.
8. Win or Lose
Win or Lose is deceptively simple, but emotionally effective. I feel like this show was made for all of us adults who struggle a bit. It’s Pixar’s first original TV series, and it stands out as one of the year’s best. Its shifting perspectives and heartfelt storytelling made it one of the most quietly impressive animated series of the year, hitting surprisingly hard for something that looks so accessible on the surface.
7. Paradise
Paradise hooked me with its mystery-driven narrative and strong performances. Look, I’ll watch anything with Sterling K. Brown, but this is more than just a show with exceptional performances. It’s a show that constantly nudges you forward with unanswered questions, making it dangerously easy to watch “just one more episode.” I can’t wait for season 2. I’m already counting down the days.
6. Task
This is the only show I haven’t finished yet, but I’m getting there. Task thrives on tension and character work, slowly revealing its story rather than dumping information on the audience. I really appreciated how controlled and confident the show felt, trusting its pacing instead of rushing toward easy payoffs. This is a thriller that kind of flew under the radar, and I hope more people will watch it.
5. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man captures the heart of the character better than most adaptations. It’s fun, sincere, and deeply rooted in Peter Parker’s everyday struggles, reminding me why Spider-Man remains one of the most relatable heroes ever created. Anything Spider-Man will always end up in one of my lists, but this series deserves to be on my list. It’s one of the best Spider-Man animated shows.
4. The Studio
The Studio is sharp, clever, and painfully self-aware about the industry it’s portraying. I loved how it balances humour with biting commentary, making it feel both entertaining and uncomfortably accurate at the same time. I always love when we get to have a behind-the-scenes look at the film or TV industry, and honestly, this show does it so well, while it is continuously funny.
3. Pluribus
Pluribus stood out thanks to its ambition and willingness to take narrative risks. It’s a show that demands your attention, rewarding patience with layered storytelling and ideas that linger long after each episode ends. It’s still ongoing, so I’m not going to say too much, but I hope this will make you want to watch it. It’s simply fantastic.
2. It: Welcome to Derry
It: Welcome to Derry expands the world of Stephen King’s mythology in a way that feels fresh rather than unnecessary. The creeping sense of dread, combined with strong character work, makes it one of the most effective horror series I’ve watched in a long time. If you want to get traumatised and get your heart broken at the same time, then this is the show for you. It’s a worthy addition to the Stephen King adaptations of 2025.
1. Daredevil: Born Again
At the top of my list is Daredevil: Born Again, a show that completely justified its return. It understands the character, the tone, and the emotional weight that made Daredevil special in the first place, delivering one of the strongest superhero TV debuts in years. It feels like the previous Daredevil show, but yet different. I can’t wait to see more of Kingpin and Daredevil next year.
Just missing out on the top 10 were DMV, Chad Powers, Murderbot, Going Dutch, and The Paper. These shows all came close and could easily have cracked the list on another day. From binge-worthy series to weekly must-watches, these shows absolutely owned my screen time this year.
