The Most Talked About Shows of the Year

This year, television felt especially attuned to the world around it. The most compelling shows probed at the psychological, political and emotional undercurrents of modern life. Violence, friendship, power, grief and ambition all refracted through precise, often daring storytelling. Whether through dystopian satire or character studies that felt uncomfortably relatable, these series captured the mood of a world in turmoil. 

Adolescence

One of the year’s most compelling shows, Adolescence tackled the difficult subject of incel culture and won eight Emmys doing so. The series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) and his family after he is arrested for murdering a classmate. Unlike many dramas in this vein, which fall into the familiar whodunit trappings, Adolescence explores the societal and familial pressures that shape Jamie. Across four episodes, each remarkably filmed in a single continuous shot, the show delivered a harrowing and insightful portrait of teenagehood today.

Pluribus 

A dystopian comedy created by showrunner Vince Gilligan (known for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul), Pluribus snuck in right at the year’s end to consume what remained of viewers’ attention spans. When an alien virus takes over the world, causing mass happiness and one collective consciousness, Carole Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), an immune writer from Albuquerque, New Mexico takes it upon herself to save humanity. Carole’s healthy dose of pessimism serves her well throughout her journey and offers ample comic relief. 

Severance,  Season Two

While season one set the stage of the mysterious Lumon Industries experiment, season two of Severance dove deeper into its corporate and psychological mythology. Led by Mastermind 17 cover star Adam Scott, the cast navigated the increasingly complex web of memory and office politics, delivering performances that balanced dark humor with existential tension. Season two heightened the stakes, making every small revelation feel like a seismic shift in the lives of those trapped within Lumon’s walls. Read more about the season in George Fenwick’s review. 

Dept Q 

Dept Q brings to life the popular Danish book series, following Detective Carl Mørck (Matthew Goode) as he heads up a new cold case division in Scotland. While the premise of the series reads like a classic dark crime mystery, the deeper storyline follows the aftermath of a traumatic incident, showcasing Goode’s capacity as an actor. 

The Rehearsal, Season Two 

The curse of The Rehearsal is that anyone who attempts to explain its premise ends up sounding more absurd than the show itself. Creator and star Nathan Fielder constructs elaborate scenarios in order to rehearse real-life situations, building replica sets and casting actors as the participants. Season two continued the audacious experiment Fielder began in season one, yet he elevates the stakes by devoting his attention to a troubling trend: the communication breakdown between pilots and copilots that often precedes aviation disasters. By its final episode, the show surpasses the ambitions of anything a TV comedy series has ever attempted.

Dying for Sex

Adapted from a viral podcast series created by Nikki Boyer, Dying for Sex tells the real-life story of Boyer’s best friend, Molly Kochan (played by Michelle Williams), as she navigates a terminal breast cancer diagnosis. The series follows Kochan as she leaves her husband of 15 years to explore her sexuality amid treatment and medical appointments. One scene that has been viewed over 675,000 times on YouTube is a hospice worker’s incredible explanation of what happens when you die. A heartbreaking tale, Dying for Sex is warmed by the comedic relief of the incredible friendship between Boyer and Kochan.

Paradise 

It’s difficult to explain how good Paradise is without spoiling the major plot twist the show hinges on, which comes to light at the end of the first episode. Perhaps you’ll be sold on the fact that James Marsden stars as the President of the United States and Sterling K. Brown as his secret service agent. Other than its political thriller label, there’s not much more I can say. Just trust me. 

I Love LA 

I Love LA follows a tight-knit group of creatives navigating life, work and ambition in post-Covid Los Angeles. The series captures the messy and often hilarious reality of late-20s friendships as everyone scrambles for success before hitting 30. Equal parts relatable and exasperating, it delivers a candid portrait of a generation trying, and sometimes failing, to balance career goals, social lives and personal growth, in a tone that echoes the charm of Lena Dunham’s Girls.