The 20 Best New TV Shows of 2022

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 27, 2022

In the gallery on this page are the highest-scoring first-year TV series (including limited series) debuting in the United States between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Shows are ranked by Metascore (an average of grades from top professional critics on a 0-100 scale) prior to rounding based on scores as of December 23, 2022, and any programs with fewer than 7 reviews are excluded. One-off TV specials and made-for TV movies are also excluded (though the best of these is revealed at the end of the gallery, along with a list of the year's highest-scoring returning shows).

12 of 23 photo by Courtesy of HBO

86 The Rehearsal (HBO)

(#9) One of the 2022's buzziest and most acclaimed newcomers—while also ranking among the year's most divisive shows—The Rehearsal is the latest thought-provoking comedy series from Nathan for You's Nathan Fielder. Once again, Fielder works with ordinary people to improve their lives. But while the subjects in his prior show were entrepreneurs (of a sort), the new series goes beyond business; instead, Fielder utilizes a team of actors and crew to help everyday folks rehearse an upcoming major life moment (ranging from a confession of a minor lie to deciding whether or not to have children) by building a simulation of reality—at times, a ridiculously detailed (and expensive!) simulation.

Certainly, roots for the new series can be seen in Fielder's prior show (especially in episodes like "Smokers Allowed," "The Anecdote," and "The Hero") and The Rehearsal walks a similar ethically questionable tightrope between reality and staged entertainment—all while, like a magician who shows you how a trick is done, the show never hides the fact that it is doing so. And, once again, Fielder himself is often the true subject of the series, as he becomes increasingly drawn in to the simulated world he has created. The result drew comparisons to the work of Charlie Kaufman though, really, it stands alone as one of TV's most unique programs. It'll be back for a second season next year.

“More audacious and thoughtful, and at times funnier, than Nathan For You. ... The Rehearsal will create many feelings inside anyone watching it, starting with vast amusement and perhaps ranging all the way to tears, even at the fakest parts. This is a great one.” —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone

Watch it on HBO Max (6 episodes)

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