Our Annual Report continues with our list of the 25 Best TV Shows of 2023. Stay tuned throughout the month for more awards, lists, and exclusive features about the year’s best in music, film, and TV. Find our complete Annual Report all in one place here.
At this point in the 21st century, there’s something reassuring about the fact that no matter what happens, it seems like there will always be television. A global pandemic couldn’t stop it. A two-guild strike couldn’t stop it. It genuinely feels like when civilization itself crumbles around us, there will still be television to watch, write about, and rank.
In 2023, we said goodbye to a lot of brilliant series, but those shows delivered equally brilliant endings worthy of what came before. Meanwhile, Nathan Fielder continued to do Nathan Fielder things, and those things left us gasping for breath (on multiple levels). And, proving nothing ever truly dies, some great revivals and continuations surprised us with their quality, including an animated series that was more than a remake and a tragically canceled comedy finding new life after over a decade.
This is because the best movies come and go, but television is an enduring presence, telling stories in a way no other medium can capture. Here are the 25 best TV shows of the year.
— Liz Shannon Miller
Senior Entertainment Editor
25. Blue Eye Samurai
Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix)
Created by: Amber Noizumi, Michael Green
Cast: Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Song, Darren Barnet, Randall Park, Kenneth Branagh, Ming-Na Wen
Network/Platform: Netflix
One of the year’s best surprises, this exceptionally graphic (in terms of both sex and violence) series also delivered some of 2023’s most beautiful animated sequences. Set in Edo period Japan, Blue Eye Samurai depicts a time when the presence of white people was outlawed, meaning that someone like the titular mixed-race Samurai was considered an abomination. That’s a big factor in their quest for vengeance which runs throughout the series, resulting in a lot of dismemberment and death, sometimes accompanied by an anachronistic but otherwise very appropriate hard rock soundtrack. Also worthy of note is the voice cast, with Ming-Na Wen getting to show her steel as a ruthless madam and an unexpected villain turn from Randall Park. — L.S. Miller
24. Daisy Jones and the Six
Daisy Jones and the Six (Prime Video)
Created by: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Cast: Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Camila Morrone, Suki Waterhouse, Will Harrison, Josh Whitehouse, Sebastian Chacon, Nabiyah Be, Tom Wright, Timothy Olyphant
Network/Platform: Prime Video
It was always going to be a tall order adapting Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel, especially considering the book’s emphasis on inexpressible emotion, Rumours-esque conflict, and original songs beloved in an alternate version of the ’70s. Still, Daisy Jones and the Six’s creators managed to physicalize the fictional band’s heyday in an inspired fashion. The relationship arcs between bandmates are more developed and dynamic, and the show’s breakout performer, Camilla Morrone, absolutely nails a meaty, comprehensive role. Oh, and the original songs are a true delight — one listen to Aurora and you’ll be transported straight to the Pacific Coast Highway in 1978. — Paolo Ragusa
23. What We Do in the Shadows (Season 5)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Created by: Jemaine Clement
Cast: Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén, Mark Proksch, Kristen Schaal
Network/Platform: FX
FX’s vampire comedy continues to bite with both fangs in its fifth season. Guillermo’s wish to become a vampire finally comes true — sort of — and the fallout from that half-committed decision creates new wrinkles in the vampire residence’s fragile social fabric. While the show occasionally coasts on its pitch-perfect cast (who have never been better), this season had heaps of highlights, from Colin Robinson running for local office to Laszlo’s ongoing science experiments. Sometimes, it’s okay for a show to just hang out for a bit, especially when its essential ingredients deliver so very consistently. — Clint Worthington
22. History of the World, Part II
History of the World, Part II (Hulu)
Executive Producers: Mel Brooks, Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz
Cast: Brooks, Sykes, Kroll, Barinholtz, Jack Black, Kumail Nanjiani, Florence Pugh, Josh Gad, Johnny Knoxville, Taika Waititi
Network/Platform: Hulu
There’s no better sign of how revered Mel Brooks is than his 1981 film History of the World, Part I getting an eight-episode sequel series, packed with what feels like every notable comedy actor working today. Not every sketch is a laugh-out-loud banger, but there are also no shortage of standouts, from the Jesus-centric parody of The Beatles: Get Back to (a terrified) Zahn McClarnon’s stand-up routine: “You might be a colonizer!” Even if we never get a Part III, we’ll always have Part II as a loving tribute to one of comedy’s most iconic voices. — L.S. Miller
21. Welcome to Wrexham (Season 2)
Welcome to Wrexham (FX)
Producers: Drew Palombi, Jeff Luini, Aaron Lovell
Cast: Rob McElhenney, Ryan Reynolds
Network/Platform: FX
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney knew they were taking a big risk by buying Wrexham, but it certainly appears to be paying off: After 15 years in the fifth tier of English football and a record-breaking, mind-blowing rivalry with Notts County this season, Wrexham AFC finally gained promotion out of the National League. The euphoric finale of Welcome to Wrexham is definitely satisfying, but the journey to get there is equally rich — not only are we given a great first look at Wrexham’s women’s team, we’re taken deep into the lives of these footballers, supporters, and the people that keep this club running. There isn’t another show quite like Wrexham right now, and its novelty is rewarding. — P. Ragusa
20. Paul T. Goldman
Paul T. Goldman (Peacock)
Created by: Jason Woliner
Cast: Paul T. Goldman
Network/Platform: Peacock
In a year where Freevee’s Jury Duty has gained plaudits for its comic blending of fiction and reality, it’s a shame more people haven’t seen Peacock’s own swing for the metafictional fences. Borat 2 filmmaker Jason Woliner connects with nebbishy self-published novelist Paul T. Goldman to adapt the man’s autobiographical book into a thriller — starring the middle-aged schlemiel himself. Over six episodes, the show gradually turns from a goofy study in self-delusion to a quest to peel back the layers of its mysterious subject. Who is Paul T. Goldman, anyway? The answers may surprise even the man himself. — C. Worthington
19. Fargo (Year 5)
Fargo (FX)
Created by: Noah Hawley
Cast: Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Rysdahl, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris, Richa Moorjani, Sam Spruell, Sienna King, Dave Foley, Jon Hamm
Network/Platform: FX
After a couple of disappointing seasons, Noah Hawley’s surreal anthology series of Midwestern crime and ignominy roars back with a vengeance in Season 5. It does so by going back to the basics, starting out as a quasi-funhouse-mirror refraction of the Coen film’s plot (a Dakotan housewife gets kidnapped in broad daylight, but this time she’s ready for them) before warping into something far odder. What’s more, the show digs devilishly into how “Midwestern nice” has warmed into something meaner in the post-Trump era, with angry school boards, gun-greedy militias, and so much more. — C. Worthington
18. The Other Two (Season 3)
The Other Two (Max)
Created by: Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider
Cast: Heléne Yorke, Drew Tarver, Case Walker, Ken Marino, Molly Shannon, Wanda Sykes, Brandon Scott Jones, Josh Segarra
Network/Platform: Max
The first two seasons of HBO’s The Other Two were absurd, satirical, and quite a bit of fun. Season 3, on the other hand, gets downright silly — the jokes are sillier, the characters are sillier, and the critiques on celebrity culture are so sharp they could only be described as, well, silly. It’s unfortunate that the show wrapped up after only three seasons, but what a hilarious, impressive high to go out on. — Jonah Krueger
17. My Adventures with Superman
My Adventures With Superman (Adult Swim)
Created by: Jake Wyatt, Brendan Clougher, Josie Campbell DEVELOPED
Cast: Jack Quaid, Alice Lee, Ishmel Sahid
Network/Platform: Adult Swim
After so many years of Zack Snyder’s muted color palette and ultra-grim approach to the DC Universe, the anime-style My Adventures with Superman was almost a shock to the system, sneaking very much under the radar to deliver an earnest Clark Kent (voiced by Jack Quaid) discovering the full extent of his alien superpowers while crushing hard on his fellow intern Lois Lane (Alice Lee). For those who fondly remember the animated Justice League, this is probably the first show to come as close to matching that series’ ability to capture the glorious weirdness of comic books — as well as all the qualities that make Superman one of pop culture’s most enduring characters. — L.S. Miller
16. One Piece
One Piece (Netflix)
Created by: Eiichiro Oda, Matt Owens, Steven Maeda
Cast: Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Gibson, Taz Skylar, Vincent Regan, Jeff Ward, Morgan Davies
Network/Platform: Netflix
Manga and anime aren’t for everyone — and Netflix has an unfortunate track record demonstrating adaptations of that material are rarely for anyone, even fans. It’s quite a wonder, then, that the streamer broke its own curse with a live-action retelling of one of Japanese animation’s most sprawling stories in One Piece. By earnestly committing not just to the visuals and lore of the Straw Hat Pirates, but the hearts of the characters therein, co-showrunners Steven Maeda and Matt Owens deliver a show enjoyable to diehards and newcomers alike. Seeing these peculiar characters in this resplendently exaggerated setting feels fresh and exciting, with engaging world building and performances just campy enough to sell the whole concept. Even potentially grating characters like Monkey D. Luffy become lovable as the show develops, creating uncommon anticipation for the greenlit Season 2. — Ben Kaye
15. Beef
Beef (Netflix)
Created by: Lee Sung Jin
Cast: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe, Patti Yasutake
Network/Platform: Netflix
Meeting as strangers before becoming the fiercest of enemies, Steven Yeun and Ali Wong’s charged rivalry offers a new take on the obsessive dynamics that can stem from disappointment and disillusionment in life, reminding us how fragile some of the ties that bind can really be. Unfortunately, the success of this tightly-wound character study was overshadowed by the disappointing response to resurfaced allegations against a supporting actor in the cast, David Choe. On a brighter note, Beef also gave many viewers an excellent introduction to Young Mazino, who should be propelled to stardom following his hypnotic turn as Paul. — Mary Siroky
14. How To with John Wilson (Season 3)
How To With John Wilson (HBO)
Created by: John Wilson
Cast: John Wilson
Network/Platform: HBO
The final season of John Wilson’s slice-of-life docuseries is without a doubt his sharpest. Wilson takes his camera far from the zany minutiae of New York City and ventures off into the unknown, documenting a trip to Burning Man, a Titanic museum in the deep south, a giant pumpkin-growing festival in New Jersey, and a convention for people interested in cryogenic freezing in Arizona. His discoveries deepen; Wilson begins to explore the grey area between fact and fiction, how trauma manifests in our behaviors and psychology, our relationships to our parents and elders, and the way shame makes its way through all of it. It’s funny, remarkably thoughtful, and a fascinating endeavor overall; whatever John Wilson does next, he’s set quite the bar for himself. — P. Ragusa
13. Mrs. Davis
Mrs. Davis (Peacock)
Created by: Tara Hernandez, Damon Lindelof
Cast: Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman, Andy McQueen, Margo Martindale, Elizabeth Marvel, Chris Diamantopoulos, Katja Herbers, Tom Wlaschiha, Ben Chaplin, Mathilde Ollivier
Network/Platform: Peacock
If I had a nickel for every show I loved with a Damon Lindelof credit that featured a twisty mystery, a cryptic French woman, and a character stranded on an island, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice, right? Mrs. Davis was one of the most fun new shows of the year, made all the more enjoyable by the fact that there’s just about no way any of us watching would have predicted the narrative source of its titular A.I. With a stellar Betty Gilpin at its center, Mrs. Davis is not to be ignored. — M. Siroky
12. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix)
Created by: Bryan Lee O’Malley, BenDavid Grabinski
Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson, Alison Pill, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Jason Schwartzman, Johnny Simmons, Mark Webber, Mae Whitman, Ellen Wong
Network/Platform: Netflix
Without dipping too far into spoiler territory, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off has some massive cojones. By the end of the first episode’s bait and switch, it becomes clear the show is not what fans came in expecting. But it’s not just the radical take on its source material that makes Scott Pilgrim Takes Off irresistible, as the creators sandwich the twists and turns between impressive animation, solid writing, and a star-studded voice cast. Suffice it to say, we immediately fell in lesbian with it. — J. Krueger
11. Party Down (Season 3)
Party Down (Starz)
Created by: John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge, Paul Rudd
Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Megan Mullally, Jennifer Garner, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Zoë Chao
Network/Platform: Starz
A third season of Party Down always felt like too much to hope for, following its original cancelation — if only because the cast of the Starz comedy was packed with talented performers who, in subsequent years, broke out as the stars they deserved to be. It was thus a true delight to find that creators John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge, and Paul Rudd were not just able to bring it back, but deliver something so pitch-perfect for today. This is how to do a revival, people: Embrace the passing of time, while also preserving the elements of the series that made the original so memorable. Bonus points for advancing character stories in a meaningful way, and bringing in just enough new blood to feel fresh and relevant. — L.S. Miller
10. The Last of Us
The Last of Us (HBO)
Created by: Craig Mazin, Neil Druckmann
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey
Network/Platform: HBO
The Last of Us, the zombie show that doesn’t actually feature that many zombies, is actually much more interested in themes of found family and finding goodness in a world of tragedy. This stellar first season of the video game adaptation was anchored by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, and became a phenomenon expanding far beyond those who may have already explored this world on their consoles. The diversions from the game were some of the best moments — the detour with Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett carving out a place of goodness in a terror-stricken globe is easily one of the most memorable episodes of television of the year. — M. Siroky
09. Jury Duty
Jury Duty (Freevee)
Created by: Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky
Cast: Ronald Gladden, James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Trisha LaFache, Mekki Leeper, Edy Modica, Kerry O’Neill, Rashida Olayiwola, Whitney Rice, Maria Russell, Ishmel Sahid, Ben Seaward, Ron Song, Evan Williams
Network/Platform: Freevee
Rename this list “The Top 25 Shows That Restored Our Faith in Humanity,” and Jury Duty is the undisputed number one pick. Given the absurd premise and wacky cast of characters, you’d be forgiven for expecting the worst, but thanks to Ronald Gladden being quite literally the chillest dude on the planet, what could have been a fun documentation of disaster instead became a life-affirming tale of empathy. — J. Krueger
08. Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Created by: Quinta Brunson
Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, Sheryl Lee Ralph, William Stanford Davis
Network/Platform: ABC
ABC’s Emmy-winning broadcast comedy only aired the second half of its second season in 2023, thanks to the strike — but that was still more episodes than a lot of other shows on this list. And those 12 episodes were all hits, no skips, with chapters devoted to exploring more of the private lives of its main characters and bringing in some incredible guest stars (including Taraji P. Henson, Ayo Edebiri, and Orlando Jones). If nothing else, Abbott Elementary deserves applause for how skillfully it’s playing the long game, as best exemplified by the slow development of the relationship between Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams). Also, Vince Staples… might have stolen the show a few times? “That’s called game. You’ll learn about it one day.” — L.S. Miller
07. The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher (Netflix)
Created by: Mike Flanagan
Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mary McDonnell, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, T’Nia Miller, Zach Gilford, Willa Fitzgerald, Michael Trucco, Katie Parker, Sauriyan Sapkota, Matt Biedel, Crystal Balint, Ruth Codd, Kyliegh Curran, Carl Lumbly, Mark Hamill
Network/Platform: Netflix
Mike Flanagan’s works are difficult to describe as horror, per se; instead, he uses the trappings of horror to build expansive, tragic melodramas about the sins that lie within us all. His latest, The Fall of the House of Usher, is his campiest, most over-the-top yet, and maybe his most profound. Blending a host of Edgar Allen Poe stories into a grand narrative around the titular Ushers, a Sackler-like family whose societal and moral ills come back to haunt them, Flanagan makes use of his large cast of (excellent) regular players to enact divine justice on the amoral rich. Imagine a season of American Horror Story through Flanagan’s lens, and you’re close to the rich delights found here. — C. Worthington
06. Barry (Season 4)
Barry (HBO)
Created by: Alec Berg, Bill Hader
Cast: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan, Henry Winkler, Sarah Burns, Robert Wisdom
Network/Platform: HBO
There was never a doubt that creators Bill Hader and Alec Berg would end Barry on a dark note — the depth of that darkness, the flavor of it, was the only variable. A bold time jump (two time jumps, actually) contributes to an overall epic feel in the latter half of the season, but a key factor in the show’s greatness is its honesty about the nature of these characters, their flaws and insecurities driving so many decisions in a way that leads to an emotionally complex, bittersweet end. No punches are pulled over that final stretch of episodes, really, as they bring Barry’s (Hader) story to what ends up feeling like an inevitable conclusion, while still packing in plenty of surprises. The series’ final coda, which reveals just how history will remember these characters, may be its most cynical touch — but also the show at its most real. — L.S. Miller
