The 20 Best New TV Shows of 2018

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 28, 2018

Above are the highest-scoring first-year TV series debuting in the United States between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. Shows are ranked by Metascore (an average of grades from top professional critics on a 0-100 scale) prior to rounding, and any programs with fewer than 7 reviews are excluded. (Note that limited series, as well as TV movies and specials, will be ranked in a separate list arriving this weekend.)

9 of 22 photo by World Productions/Netflix

79 #9: Bodyguard

One of British television's biggest hits of the past decade (it aired there on BBC One in August), this twisty, six-episode thriller streamed on Netflix in the United States, where it received strong reviews (and a pair of Golden Globe nominations). Reminiscent of a UK version of Homeland, the series stars Game of Thrones alum Richard Madden as a PTSD-afflicted Afghanistan war veteran who is assigned to protect a British cabinet member (Keeley Hawes). There's no official renewal yet, but talks are reportedly underway.

“The story takes wild, violent leaps amid myriad conspiracies, leading to a crazy, nail-biting climax that is both preposterous and wholly satisfying. Some binges feel like a slog. Bodyguard is more of a race, well worth the run.” —Matt Roush, TV Guide Magazine

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