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.

5 of 21 photo by Emmanuel Guimier

82 #15 (tie): Lupin: Season 1

Netflix's second-best French-language original series (after Call My Agent, though your ranking may differ) is inspired by the century-old character of Arsène Lupin, though this modern-day drama is not quite as breezy and caper-filled as you might expect. Directed in part by Louis Leterrier, the suspenseful, stylish, and serialized thriller stars Omar Sy as gentleman thief Assane Diop, who seeks to avenge his father's death and steal a necklace that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Netflix has already aired two five-episode batches this year (the first, in January, quickly became the streamer's most-watched non-English title), and a third installment is in production.

“Lupin' is not only totally addictive, it’s the first great television show of 2021.” —Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com

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