The 20 Best New TV Shows of 2020

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 30, 2020

Above are the highest-scoring first-year TV series (including limited series) debuting in the United States between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. 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 29, 2020, and any programs with fewer than 7 reviews are excluded.

16 of 21 photo by Kailey Schwerman/Netflix

87 The Baby-Sitters Club (Netflix)

(#5) The best-reviewed new scripted series of 2020? The numbers say it's this lighthearted, all-ages series adaptation of the Scholastic children's book series by Ann M. Martin. The books were previously adapted as a 1990 television series as well as a 1995 feature film, but this Netflix version from GLOW writer Rachel Shukert is the most successful of the bunch, and has already been renewed for a second season.

“It’s honestly rare to watch a show and not just feel fully confident about being able to recommend it to anyone, regardless of gender or age, but say that it should be watched by everyone. Young women deserve to be taken seriously. And so does this show.” —Liz Shannon Miller, Collider

Watch it on Netflix (10 episodes)

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