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).

3 of 23 photo by Michelle Faye/Amazon Freevee

82 High School (Amazon Freevee)

(#18) Set in 1990s Calgary, Freevee's high school drama is based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by twin sisters and Grammy-nominated indie pop artists Tegan and Sara Quin, who are played in the show by TikTok stars Railey and Seazynn Gilliland. Guest stars include Cobie Smulders, Kyle Bornheimer, and Nate Corddry, while Clea DuVall (Happiest Season) and Laura Kittrell (Insecure) serve as showrunners. Critics greatly enjoyed the teen drama, noting that it should appeal even to viewers unfamiliar with the music duo.

“A tender portrait of two teenage girls that draws its strength from its knack for unvarnished details and uncommon sense of empathy. ... It offers them the understanding and space they need to become the fullest versions of themselves, and in doing so tells a story that former teenagers anywhere — rock star or not — might be able to connect with.” —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter

Watch it on Freevee (8 episodes)

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