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.)

19 of 22 photo by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/courtesy of HBO

75 Big Little Lies (HBO)

(#19) It may have been a miniseries when it debuted in February, but no longer: With a recent season 2 renewal, there is no longer anything "mini" or "limited" about this 8-time Emmy winner. Regardless, this "season" remains one of 2017's top TV achievements. And the main reason that this crime drama centering on three mothers in Monterey, California is showing up on so many critic top 10 lists is the talent involved. The adaptation of Liane Moriarty's book comes from veteran TV writer David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal, The Practice) and director Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club, Wild) and features a terrific cast led by Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and Alexander Skarsgård.

“Throughout its seven episodes, the show shakes up an odd cocktail of social satire, splashy murder mystery, and absorbing emotional drama, and the result is strangely satisfying.” —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic

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