The Best Miniseries, TV Movies, and Specials of 2017

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – December 26, 2017

Above are the highest-scoring special TV programs—including "limited" series, made-for-TV-movies, and one-off specials—debuting in the United States between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. Titles are ranked by Metascore (an average of grades from top professional critics on a 0-100 scale) prior to rounding, and any programs with fewer than 7 reviews are excluded. (Note that regular TV series will be ranked in a separate list coming later this week.)

11 of 16 photo by courtesy of HBO

80 The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee (HBO)

(#11) Ben Bradlee is having a moment. In addition to being portrayed by Tom Hanks in Steven Spielberg's new film The Post, the late Washington Post editor is also the subject of this HBO documentary, which examines his early career as well as his 23 years leading that newspaper, during which time he helped lead it to prominence through coverage of Watergate and the controversial publication of the Pentagon Papers. Bradlee himself serves as the film's narrator.

“Chronicling its subject's life and career in fascinating detail, The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee will prove catnip to journalism and political buffs, not to mention anyone who cares about the free press and its role in our democracy.” —Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter

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