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).

14 of 23 photo by Apple

87 Pachinko (Apple TV+)

(#7) Apple's first trilingual drama series is a stunning achievement in storytelling and filmmaking. Featuring dialogue in Korean, Japanese, and English (and color-coded subtitles to guide you through it), Pachinko is based on the acclaimed best-selling 2017 novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, though some story elements are unique to the series, which jumps back and forth through different decades of the 20th century to tell the stories of multiple generations of a Korean family that emigrates to Japan. The adaptation comes from Soo Hugh (The Terror) and is the first TV series directed by acclaimed filmmaker/video essayist Kogonada (Columbus, After Yang), who splits the eight episodes with director Justin Chon. Youn Yuh-jung (a recent Oscar winner for Minari), Korean superstar Lee Min-ho, Jin Ha (Devs, Love Life), and Kim Min-ha are just some of the faces in one of TV's best casts.

Surprisingly snubbed by the Emmys (save for a nomination in title design) but recognized by numerous other organizations, Pachinko was renewed for a 2nd season, though don't expect it to return anytime soon: Filming is scheduled to continue through June of 2023.

“A a masterfully crafted, beautifully photographed, magnificently acted and profoundly resonant piece of work you’ll never forget.” —Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

Watch it on Apple TV+ (8 episodes)

Where To Buy