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.

20 of 21 photo by Netflix

96 #1: Bo Burnham: Inside

Like a magician who reveals how his trick works as he is performing it without diminishing its impact, comedian/actor/director Bo Burnham spends his newest Netflix comedy special stuck at home alone in a room full of audiovisual equipment during the seemingly endless months of the pandemic. So he films himself performing to an audience of no one, with the highly introspective and innovatively shot material (frequently in the form of comedic original songs) often commenting on the circumstances and itself. The much-discussed result stands alongside recent mold-destroying comedy specials like Natalie Palamides' Nate and Hannah Gadsby's Nanette and also serves as a time capsule of a most unusual and difficult year.

“Despite its many levels of jokes and meta-jokes, Inside is one of the most sincere artistic responses to the 21st century so far: a beautiful, intricate chambered nautilus shell filled with loathing.” —Matthew Dessem, Slate

Where To Watch