The 20 Best New TV Shows of 2019 (So Far)

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – July 2, 2019

Which newcomers on the small screen have impressed reviewers the most during the first half of the year? Above, find the highest-scoring first-year TV shows (and miniseries) debuting between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019. Only shows with at least 7 reviews from professional critics are included.

16 of 21 photo by Ken Regan © 2019 Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC
85 #4 (tie): What's My Name: Muhammad Ali

This two-part, 165-minute HBO documentary from director Antoine Fuqua (and producer LeBron James) chronicles the life of the legendary boxer using nothing but archival footage, with Ali basically serving as his own narrator.

“By stripping most of the standard documentary crutches from his version of the story, Fuqua lays it all bare, and the resulting portrait is vividly detailed even as it’s understandably incomplete.” —Josh Modell, The A.V. Club

Where To Watch
Previous
Next