We watch television for a living. These are the best programs of 2025.

The year 2025 had a spectacular start with new television shows that we couldn’t stop watching. “The pit”, the hit HBO medical series starring the Emmy winner. Noah Wylepremiered in early January to rave reviews. Just a few weeks later, Hulu’s political thriller “Paradise”, starring the Emmy winner. Sterling K. Brownmade us all talk.

For spring, the Netflix limited series “Adolescence” debuted, and Owen Cooper He surprised us with his performance; Months later, the actor made history as the youngest male Emmy winner. Freshman comedy series “The Studio,” starring and created by Seth Rogen, dominated the comedy categories at that same ceremony.

And those are just the new television series. Dear series like “tricks“, “The golden age” and “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” returned for new seasons, delighting their biggest fans.

In this list, News staff members review the best TV series of the year.

‘Adolescence’

Courtesy of Netflix

“Adolescent” was arguably one of the most talked about television series this spring. The Netflix limited series stars Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty and Christine Tremanco. In one of the most gripping performances of the year, Cooper plays Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who is arrested for allegedly murdering his classmate. The limited series is impressive: each episode was filmed in one continuous take without cuts. Emmy voters were also enthralled: “Adolescent” took home all six statuettes for Best Limited Series, Best Directing, Best Writing, Best Actor in a Limited Series, Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series and Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series. The series is the kind of show that stays with you after you turn it off, and even though we desperately want a second season, the director Philip Barantini recently told Deadline that there would be no sequel. It’s probably for the best. Fortunately, he hopes to work with his “Adolescence” co-stars again to capture that magic. Here is the hope. — Ireland

‘Adults’

Rafy/FX

There’s something about a completely unhinged comedy that always seems to catch my attention. FX’s “Adults” did just that in the first five minutes of its premiere episode, while acting out one of my worst fears on the New York subway, and from then on, I knew I was going to be hooked on this show. And so it was. The eccentric series brought back television with a Gen Z twist, following a group of twenty-something roommates in New York as they navigate adulthood in the most chaotic ways imaginable. Each episode is even more hysterical than the last, but what makes the show really shine is its perfectly matched cast. Amita Rao, Jack Innanen, Owen Thiele, Malik Elassal and Lucy Freyer have the kind of chemistry that makes you think they’ve all been close friends for years, making “Adults” a truly entertaining comedy even when their stories get confusing. I can appreciate a series that takes big changes, and “Adults” definitely goes there. Thank goodness they make it worth it. — Man

‘Beyond the gates’

Quantrell Colbert/News

I didn’t start religiously watching daytime soap operas until “Beyond the doors” appeared, but I’m so glad this show was my formal introduction. The News series, which is the first daytime drama centered on a black family in decades, follows the lives of the wealthy Dupree family behind their upscale gated community of Fairmont Crest. I started watching the show because I was interested in seeing how much trouble this wealthy family could cause, and boy, did they blow me away. With over 150 episodes and counting, the show has thrown out every plot twist. imaginable so far: murder, steamy affairs, long-lost relatives, a secret son, breakups and make-ups, and even a surprise wedding in Las Vegas. Each week keeps you guessing what might happen next, making this show that much more fun to watch.
— Man

‘Death by lightning’

Larry Horricks/Netflix

Netflix might be onto something with “Death by Lightning.” The four-part historical drama brilliantly portrays the assassination of President James Garfield. Somehow, the limited series, starring Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as assassin Charles Guiteau, isn’t just a history lesson, it also manages to be hilarious, especially as Macfadyen adds his special kind of frenetic energy to his role. Betty Gilpin, who plays Garfield’s wife, and Nick Offerman, who plays Vice President Chester Arthur, also gave phenomenal performances. Netflix, perhaps it is time to dramatize more moments of history in this format. — Ireland

‘Dying for sex’

Sara Shatz/FX

“Dying for Sex,” the comedy-drama based on the podcast of the same name by Molly Kochan and Nikki Boyer, took me by surprise. Starring Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Rob Delaney, Jay Duplass and Sissy Spacek, the series follows Molly (Williams) and her journey dealing with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. The series finds a way to be endearing, funny, revealing and devastating at the same time. Throughout the eight-episode limited series, audiences see Molly on a journey of sexual exploration as she reconciles a traumatic past and present. “Dying for Sex” is also a refreshing portrait of the strength of female friendship and finding your own inner power. — Ireland

‘Forever’

netflix

The hopeless romantic in me fell madly in love with “Forever“ just like the lovestruck teens whose epic love story made audiences swoon this year. Adapted from the famous novel by Judy Blume by Mara Brock Akilthe Netflix series follows Keisha and Justin (wonderfully played by Lovie Simone and newcomer Michael Cooper Jr.respectively), two high school students who fall in love while navigating their future and the growing pains of being a teenager. Critical praise aside, the show won my heart for countless reasons, not only for its rich characters who offer nuanced portrayals of black families and parenthood (something severely lacking in our current television landscape), but also for its honest, angsty approach to teen romance that made us look at love through a new lens. I laughed, I cried, and I definitely had a flashback or two to my own high school romance, so clearly the show did its job. The fact that I drank it numerous times (I stopped counting after six) is a testament to how truly captivating the adaptation is, although Brock Akil remarkably transformed the source material into something that feels almost entirely original. “Forever” caused a sensation because there is nothing like it on television. I can’t wait to see how he tops himself in season 2. — Man

‘The four seasons’

Francisco Roman/Netflix

Look, I’m usually very skeptical about reboots, remakes, and reimaginings of art. But “The four seasons“, the Netflix television series based on Alan Alda’s 1981 film of the same name, exceeded my expectations. Starring Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani, Toby Huss and Kerri Kenney-Silver, the fun series follows a group of couples who come together each season for a vacation. Domingo, known for strong roles in television shows and movies such as “Sing Sing,” “Rustin” and “Euphoria” is a joy to watch as the wisecracking Danny in this fun romp, and Kenney-Silver also delivers one of the cast’s best performances as the frenetic and quirky Anne. Lucky for us, there’s a season 2 of the series on the way, and I hope it brings a lot more fun this season.
— Ireland

‘The golden age’

maximum HBO

Fortunately “.The golden age“raised the stakes and storylines in season 3 of the HBO series for an incredibly juicy return. Maybe it was just my social media algorithm, but it seemed like more people had been taken advantage of than ever this season, and for good reason. Bertha (Carrie Coon) forces her daughter Gladys (Taissa Farmiga) to marry the Duke of Buckingham (Ben Lamb). Peggy Scott (Denée Benton) has a new love interest. And Ada Forte (Cynthia Nixon), still mourning the death of her late husband, is now the head of the family since her nephew Oscar (Blake Ritson) wasted all of his mother Agnes’ (Christine Baranski) money. Meanwhile, Jack (Ben Ahlers), the van Rhijn-Brook household’s lackey, makes money when his new invention becomes a hot commodity. This season also featured new guest stars, including Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Andrea. Martin We’ve got a lot to look at: The Russells clash over Bertha’s ambition, which pushes the boundaries of her marriage to George (Morgan Spector) and her relationships with her children. It’s juicy, messy, and downright addictive. Season 4 has already been confirmed, so there’s plenty of time to catch up before the HBO series returns. Ireland

‘Tricks’

max.

Season 4 of “tricks” couldn’t have been more prescient. This season addresses this question: Are late-night conversations dead? Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) finally lands her dream job. She’s a late-night talk show host. Unfortunately, she’s in a bind; she basically has to save the genre by hosting and producing the best late-night talk show. Her boss Winnie (Helen Hunt) pushes her to create the next “Carpool Karaoke,” basically as a way to attract viewers with viral moments. Meanwhile, Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is navigating her broken working relationship with Deborah. It all comes to a head in the final two episodes when Deborah challenges Ava by inviting a movie star who had multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic violence against him as a guest on the show. h in episode 9 ruins everything in such a satisfying way. This season included some great cameos from comedy legends, including Rosie O’Donnell and Carol Burnett. a fifth and final season. While it’s sad to see the show have its final curtain call, it’s also nice for a series to maintain its quality throughout and end on a high note. Ireland

‘Iron Heart’

Wonder

Superhero shows aren’t usually my cup of tea. However, “Ironhe Art” is a series that you don’t need much prior knowledge of to follow its coming-of-age story full of personal risks, emotional weight and a genius heroine (the wonderful Dominique Thorne) who just wants to leave her mark on the world. Set after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the Marvel series follows Thorne’s Riri Williams as she returns to her hometown of Chicago to build an iron suit that can rival Tony Stark’s. Although the show hints at these connections to Iron Man, what I enjoyed most was that it let us viewers into Riri’s world, from her close-knit tribe to the grief she’s still dealing with after the loss of her stepfather and best friend (played by a dynamic Lyric Ross). My only complaint is that the first season of the series had a short six-episode order, but after that shocking finale, I hope we get to see more of what “Ironheart” has to offer. Man

‘It: Welcome to Derry’

Brooke Palmer

“It: Welcome To Derry” was the scariest and most gruesome show on TV this year, but that shouldn’t scare you. The HBO series is a fascinating drama, in which Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise in the prequel series to the “It” films. Jovan Adepo and Taylour Paige play the Hanlons, who move to Derry, Maine, just as Pennywise begins wreaking havoc on the town. His son, Will (Blake Cameron James) gathers a ragtag group of friends Ronnie (Amanda Christine), Lilly (Clara Stack), Rich (Arian S. Cartaya) and Marge (Matilda Lawler) to find out why the kids still miss Derry. Chris Chalk gives a phenomenal performance as Dick Hallorann, a military soldier who has telepathic powers; yes, the same Halorann from “The Shining”; Skarsgård is also great, as the scary and somewhat dim-witted killer clown. But the show’s horrors aren’t limited to the scenes with Pennywise. Racism lurks in Derry; The Hanlons along with Ronnie and their father Hank (Stephen Rider) face it head-on, especially in episodes 6 and 7. The series, which aired its season finale earlier this month, is gearing up for a season 2, so here’s hoping the HBO gods see fit to bring us some more scares soon. — Ireland

‘Love Island United States’

Peacock via Getty Images

I spent a good part of the year watching episodes of “Love Island USA.” The Peacock reality series dominated social media conversation over the summer to the point where it seemed almost impossible to escape the discourse. Although the show’s seventh season was plagued with controversy (racial slurs, online harassment, and other bad behavior), audiences fell in love with many of the castmates and their partners. Amaya Espinal and Olandria Carthen became the favorites, while Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe became our favorite couple to root for. It looks like this show will just keep getting bigger and bigger with all its drama, and as a reality TV obsessive, I’ll be glad to have something hot and steamy to catch up on during the dog days of summer. Let’s leave racism behind. — Ireland

‘The truth’

Shane Brown/FX

Ethan Hawke gives the best performance of his career as Lee Raybon, a citizen journalist and self-proclaimed “truth historian” who investigates the death of an Oklahoma politician’s brother in “The Lowdown.” The story begins as a fairly conventional crime novel, but as the mystery deepens and evolves over eight quick episodes, the show examines how the racist treatment of Oklahoma’s indigenous communities in the early 20th century resonates strongly today. At times, Raybon skirts the line between hero and antihero. To put it mildly, journalistic ethics is not his strong point. Despite his professed love for the truth, it is clear that his reporting is also motivated by awards, recognition and cash. While some reviewers have criticized Raybon’s light white savior vibes, that’s the point. Among the superb supporting cast, Tim Blake Nelson stands out as the studious and closeted Dale Washberg, whose death kicks off the season. Washberg’s reflections on what it means to be “sensitive” are some of the most powerful writing you’ll see on television this year. Anyone who has seen creator Sterlin Harjo’s previous show, “Reservation Dogs,” will recognize its ability to deftly switch between screwball comedy, hard-hitting drama and touching human moments. No word yet on whether FX will renew “The Lowdown” for a season 2. I really hope so. In any case, the show cements Harjo as a must-see television creator. — Willpower

‘Matlock’

Sonja Flemming/News

Let’s hear it from Kathy Bates, the new Matlock We never knew we needed it. The Emmy-nominated series has become very popular for News. Bates plays Madeline “Matty” Matlock, a former lawyer who returns to work to get justice for her daughter’s death. Bates stars alongside Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, Leah Lewis, Sam Anderson and Beau Bridges. The drama is set up like a case-of-the-week TV series, but it’s Matty’s quest to uncover corruption at the Jacobson Moore law firm that will really hook you into the series. Now in its second season, Matty is closer than ever to discovering who hid the documents that could have saved his daughter’s life. But I hope we at least get one or two more seasons of this compelling crime novel. — Ireland

‘Month’

Eddy Chen/Netflix

Few programs today have been brave enough to address the war between Israel and Gaza and the humanity of the Palestinian people. That’s what makes “Mo” one of the biggest shows of the year. The heartfelt Netflix comedy focuses on Mo Najjar’s (played by comedian Mo Amer) experience as a Palestinian refugee in Houston, Texas, straddling two cultures and awaiting an asylum application with his family. Season 2 doubles down on this narrative after Mo becomes stranded on the US-Mexico border, but eventually finds a way to return to his homeland. Even without mentioning the events of October 7, I was pleasantly surprised to see such a clear political framework about Palestine in a program like “Mo.” It was refreshing to see the semi-autobiographical series find a smart, authentic way to enter the conversation, especially when it added levity. Being poignant and funny at the same time while analyzing such a heavy topic is no easy feat, but “Mo” pulled it off perfectly. It’s a shame that after its second and final season, we don’t get more of this groundbreaking storytelling about Palestine at a time when the world obviously needs it.
— Man

‘Paradise’

Hulu

Any show starring Sterling K. Brown gets my immediate attention these days. But in the case of “Paradise“, there’s plenty more that kept me tuned in week after week (and not just to avoid spoilers on social media). First, there’s the reunion of Brown and his “This Is Us” collaborator, creator Dan Fogelman, in another mind-bending drama, this time set in a post-apocalyptic world where the assassination of a former president unravels a shocking conspiracy behind a secret underground city. Brown impresses as the Secret Service agent who relentlessly investigates the conspiracy and the person he suspects is responsible said. (played menacingly by Julianne Nicholson.) At a time when the binge-watching model has dominated the streaming era, it’s refreshing that a Hulu series not only had a weekly release schedule but also proved successful. Man

‘The pit’

HBO

The main reason I was hesitant to tune in”The pit“ is perhaps the biggest driver of the great success of the medical drama. It was hard to imagine how a show focused on a single 15-hour shift in the emergency room of a trauma center (with each episode covering one hour of said shift) could become an entertaining show. However, the HBO Max series achieved something miraculous thanks to its magnificent cast, led by Emmy winner Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, and a host of true stories that accurately depict life inside American hospitals. Most scripted medical shows today invest more time in the drama between the hospital staff, but “The Pitt” is also interested in dropping viewers right in the middle of what’s happening with its many patients. It’s what makes the show both intriguing and endearing. I’ll take 20 more seasons, please. — Man

‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City’

Bravo via Getty Images

Every season, I look forward to the antics and drama of the ladies of “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” Snowflakes are downright messy and somehow charming. This season, Meredith Marks totally loses her mind over Britani Bateman’s “relationship” with Jared Osmond; Bronwyn Newport confronts her bitter, mean mother; Mary Cosby finds ways to keep us laughing at farts; and Angie Katsanevas, the Greek goddess of Salt Lake City, finally takes us to Santorini. Everyone even finds a way to make a tea-spilling event dressed as America’s Founding Fathers feel like must-see television. As the season winds down, we’re looking forward to seeing if the infamous footage from the first-class fight is ever released. Andy Cohen, for all the good in the world, release the tapes! — Ireland

‘The studio’

AppleTV+

“The Studio” read the Hollywood filth machine in the funniest way possible this year. The unfiltered satire follows the madcap antics of a beleaguered studio executive (a hysterical Seth Rogen) who constantly struggles to balance giving in to corporate demands with indulging his own nerdy cinephile tastes. The program is a mirror of the film industry You Enter playfully critiques his obsession with franchise intellectual property and blockbuster cinema with inside jokes and wacky antics. Much of that credit goes to the excellent cast, led by Rogen, along with Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Chase Sui Wonders and Bryan Cranston, and the dozens of wild celebrity cameos that take the humor a step further (the best of which might be a tie between Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard). I still don’t understand how Rogen and his team managed to get all these stars to blatantly mock a version of themselves and land. But what is certain is that the show is undoubtedly one of the comedies of the year, if not the funniest. I can’t wait to see how the Emmy-winning series tops itself when it returns for season 2. — Man

‘Your friends and neighbors’

Apple TV

Apple TV has a hit on its hands with Jon Hamm’s “Your Friends & Neighbors.” The series allows us to see Hamm at his best: he’s a recently divorced and laid-off hedge fund manager who resorts to robbing his rich neighbors to keep up with the Joneses. While acquiring large, expensive works of art and lavish jewelry, Coop also tries to navigate his ex-wife Mel (Amanda Peet), her new boyfriend Nick (Mark Tallman), and their two children. The dark comedy thrives during Hamm’s heists and when Munn’s character arc reaches a diabolical peak. Catch up on Season 1, ahead of Season 2 premiering in April 2026. – Ireland