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).

9 of 23 photo by Rob Youngson/Netflix

85 Heartstopper (Netflix)

(#12) Critical hits seem to be few and far between for Netflix these days. But the streamer did land one title on our best-of list, and the family-friendly rom-com has captured the hearts of critics and viewers alike. Adapted by Alice Oseman from her own YA graphic novel/webcomic, Heartstopper centers on Charlie (Joe Locke), a gay British teen who falls for one of his classmates (Kit Connor). The eight-episode first season, directed in its entirety by Euros Lyn (Broadchurch, Doctor Who), pays homage to the webcomic by incorporating animated flourishes during key scenes. A second season will stream sometime in 2023, and a third has also been ordered.

“It’s the kind of gem that rarely pushes its characters and their stories. Instead, it allows them to feel as gradual and real as possible, ensuring that its wisdom within strikes especially true.” —Nick Allen, The Playlist

Watch it on Netflix (8 episodes)

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