The 20 Best New TV Shows of 2017

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 27, 2017

Above are the highest-scoring first-year TV series debuting in the United States between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. 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, are ranked in a separate list.)

14 of 22 photo by Amazon

77 Sneaky Pete (Amazon)

(#14) A top-notch cast and strong writing elevate what could have been a standard (though twisty) con-man tale into something entertaining and highly bingeable. In fact, fans of the recently departed Justified should find plenty to like here in a lively crime drama similarly produced by Graham Yost though (in this case) created by David Shore (House) and actor Bryan Cranston. The latter also takes a supporting role in a cast led by Giovanni Ribisi (playing an ex-con who assumes his cellmate's identity—and moves in with his unassuming family—to hide from a gangster who is targeting him) that also features Margo Martindale, Marin Ireland, Shane McRae, and Peter Gerety.

“Sneaky Pete works because virtually every actor involved is two or three degrees better than required, and every character is written with greater detail and intelligence than the story needs to keep moving forward.” —Alan Sepinwall, Uproxx

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