The 20 Best New TV Shows of 2021 So Far

by Jason Dietz, Metacritic Features Editor – July 1, 2021

Which newcomers on the small screen have impressed reviewers the most during the first half of the year? Above, find the highest-scoring first-year TV shows (including limited series and specials) debuting between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Only shows with at least 7 reviews from professional critics are included.

19 of 21 photo by Kyle Kaplan/Amazon Studios

92 #2 (tie): The Underground Railroad: Season 1

In development since 2017, Amazon's limited series adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer-winning novel of the same name comes from Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), who directs all 10 episodes. Like the book, the series depicts an alternate history of America's 19th century South, where an escape route for slaves features a literal—rather than merely metaphorical—subterranean railroad. South African actress Thuso Mbedu, a newcomer to American audiences, plays the lead role of Cora, while Chase W. Dillon, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Pierre, Lily Rabe, and The Good Place's William Jackson Harper also star.

“The most worthwhile 10 episodes of TV given to us in a long while. ... 'The Underground Railroad' is a massive accomplishment and a weighty one, and not to be rushed. Even if you absorb it all at once, parsing its pathways and traveling with it for time seems inevitable, and I suspect we'll be talking about this for a while.” —Melanie McFarland, Salon

Where To Watch