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.

20 of 21 photo by Courtesy of Netflix

88 #1: Russian Doll: Season 1

It may be yet another twist on the Groundhog Day formula, but it's a wildly successful one—and 2019's best-reviewed newcomer so far. The Netflix comedy stars Natasha Lyonne as the guest of honor at a never-ending party in New York. Well, technically, it does end—repeatedly—with her death, only for it to restart each time with her unharmed. Lyonne co-created the eight-episode comedy with Amy Poehler and Leslye Headland (Bachelorette), and also served as one of the directors (along with Headland and Jamie Babbit). Despite reaching a pretty satisfactory conclusion, the series will return next year.

“The show is so striking and smart that I made a note to include it on my favorite TV shows of 2019 immediately after blowing through the season--which is saying something, since that was back in December of 2018. But part of what makes the series so special is how it’s meticulously constructed, shedding layer after surprising layer until the bittersweet end.” —Caroline Framke, Variety

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