While the writing is sharp on the miniseries, created by Marissa Jo Cerar (The Fosters), the performances take already strong material and make it resonant.

Central Park is funny and warm, and has songs that will stick in your head.

Pachinko continues to be a show that deftly handles its sprawling settings and themes to make for a compelling multi-generational drama.

From witty one-liners and endearingly exaggerated personalities to physical comedy, musical numbers, and more it bears repeating that Shrinking is very funny and never maudlin. The series excels at giving viewers emotional whiplash (complimentary), but the team hasn’t just mastered the art of flicking from poignant to playful scenes on a dime.

Maid is not a cozy weekend binge nor is it a crackling murder mystery. That said, it does deserve to be your next Netflix watch. The series tells a haunting, but ultimately inspiring, human story and features a next level performance from Margaret Qualley. It might also change the way you think about poverty.

Girls5eva continues to build out its quirky, colorful world in Season 2, and each new face and development only makes it all richer. ... A showcase for some seriously funny women and infectious ear worms.

The show is a daring take on the saturated genre. .... When it returns to the investigation and drops the “oh-too-predictable” bombshells, it contextualizes them beyond the gritty details. Hehir’s direction and story sequence is riveting, and the interview subjects have much to offer, whether it be from a first-hand account or through decades of research and advocacy.

Those of us who are weary of alpha-male coaches anchoring football docs may see this season of Last Chance U as a breath of fresh air (although some of Beam’s staff exudes some of that cuss-’em-out energy). But overall, this is just extraordinary nonfiction storytelling.

If you slept on the first season of Swagger, Season 2 is good enough to go back and catch up now. It’s a worthy successor to Friday Night Lights, but more than stands on its own.

HBO’s six-part I’ll Be Gone in the Dark isn’t merely an examination of one of most devastating and least understood criminals in modern history. It’s a heartfelt deep dive into the extraordinary everyday woman who led to his capture.

For All Mankind Season 3 delivers more of what made its excellent Season 2 so thrilling. ... If there’s one spot, though, where For All Mankind Season 3 might frustrate viewers, it’s the resurrection of one of the most contested storylines in the show’s run. By the end of Episode 8, however, I could see where the writers were going with this story and its conflicted main player. ... Overall, For All Mankind is just freaking good TV.

Searing. ... Because Gibney is committed to showing the full scope of opioid-related sin, it’s hard to hang our anger on one singular party. Gibney’s most popular past documentaries left us understanding who the villains were and who the victims were. The lines get blurred when it comes to the opioid crisis in part because there are so many at fault and so many who have gotten hurt.

It’s through Byrne’s cutting insults and screams buried under her pained smile that Physical truly finds its voice. ... Shelia and her near-constant self-flagellation become Physical’s driving force. It’s a positioning that’s pointedly brilliant.

An ensemble that both highlights these characters’ strengths and humanizes their weaknesses. Leading the charge is Nicole Kidman in a role practically designed for her. ... The result is a show that’s as addicting and delightfully soapy as HBO’s summer hit The White Lotus.

Crush is just damn good, effective journalism.

With this hour, he allows us, too, to accept the inevitability of death and loss while also embracing the courage of feeling whatever grief or levity might come our way. Either way, we can put down the bat and pick up the feather. So to speak.

They prove time and again that as singular as they may be individually as scene-stealers, they’re a powerhouse duo together. Even if plenty of their sketches find themselves feeling a pinch of imposter syndrome. No, they belong here. They certainly belong here.

If you’re coming to it for the first time, you’re watching a series that not only has some of the best actors working on sitcoms today, but they’ve been a TV family long enough that the chemistry among the cast is quite apparent.

Through it all, Jean Smart continues to reign supreme. She once again delivers an iconic performance as Deborah Vance and Emmy voters should be prepared to hand her yet another trophy this fall. Hacks Season 2 isn’t just good. It’s freaking great.

The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez is a very difficult show to watch. But it’s one of those that’s a must watch, because it’ll show you how the government agencies that are supposed to protect children can often fail, often for very stupid reasons.

It may have taken four years for Atlanta to come back, but it’s lost none of its daring in the interim. We do prefer the episodes where Earn and crew are all together, but we’re looking forward to seeing where Glover and company take their storytelling this season.

Reboot is right up there with Abbott Elementary as 2022’s funniest new series, mainly because the confidence Levitan has in creating character-driven comedy is enhanced by a fantastic cast.

It’s hard not to say that Netflix has another Nobody Wants This, albeit a quirkier and more unconventional one, on their hands. Thanks to Stalter and Dunham, Too Much is a winning comedy that will remind you to adjust your expectations for finding a match, but keep your heart open.

Often, the elliptical, nonlinear storytelling in Dear Mama is powerful enough to elevate it completely out of the documentary form. ... The five-part series Dear Mama feels like the Tupac Shakur documentary of record as it connects the rapper’s enduring legacy to the philosophies at work in his upbringing and presents its story in a challenging, rewarding nonlinear fashion.

True Detective: Night Country doesn’t ever quite hit the smarmy noir notes Pizzolatto’s seasons were known for, but it’s crisp, chilling fun. Foster is fantastic, Reis a revelation, and López an auteur on the rise. It’s a dark and twisty thriller that’s perfect for these cold winter Sunday nights and even better for dissecting Monday morning with friends.

This special installment of Euphoria slows things down and presents a truly gutting character study and a breathtaking performance from Hunter Schafer.

Ultimately what makes Bridgerton such a gem is its adoration of the historic romance genre. The attention to detail in this show doesn’t cater to fussy historic accuracy, but the way the romance genre drowns readers in fantasy. Bridgerton is a swoon-inducing treat that will leave you hot, bothered, and begging for more.

If you give Flanagan’s new miniseries the time and respect it deserves, you’ll be treated to a soulful and gorgeously acted novel about what faith, religious or otherwise, means that concludes with a truly spectacular finale. Seen in its entirety, Midnight Mass is haunting, one of those shows that threatens to lurk in the corners of your mind and question your long-held beliefs long after you finish the last episode. But if three hours of buildup seems like too much, you may be better off rewatching The Haunting of Hill House.

Another distinctive addition to Apple TV’s impressive library that delivered several agonizing jump scares, loads of laughs, and intrigued until the last second of the 10 episode season.

There aren’t enough shows on network television right now that are as aspirational as this one is, and Hale’s magnetic performance as Katy will keep you watching.

Its consistent, formulaic approach is perfect for a complex story with several moving parts. You won’t cheer for the implication this story has on modern foreign relations (a component teased in upcoming episodes), but you’ll be thankful it’s told with such focus and clarity.

Not only is it funny, but it sets itself up from the first minute as the next great workplace comedy, one that even gamers will like.

My Brilliant Friend: Season 4 kicks off with a compelling and dramatic premiere that will immediately have viewers hooked and hungry for more. From the incredible acting to the impactful writing, this Italian series continues to expertly depict the complexity of human relationships over time and seems poised to end on a high with this fourth and final season.

From its slick animation to its excellent voice cast, it's a winner from top to bottom. And just when you think you know exactly which direction it's going to explore, it pulls the rug out from under you in a truly exciting way. The long-running comic series couldn't have been made into a better serialized format, and if the rest of the show is just as interesting as this one, Amazon has quite the hit on its hands.

We finally have a sequel that continues the Willow saga with the heart and soul the story deserves. Disney+‘s new series Willow is a raggedy, hilarious, and absolutely enchanting continuation of the Lucasfilm cult classic. Instead of wallowing in “grimdark” imagery or losing itself tripping over unnecessary mystery boxes, Willow embraces the joy of its source material. Willow is a tour de force of fun and fantasy frivolity.

The doc succeeds in its pacing, its storytelling, and its genuine capturing of such an only-in-America story: that desperate hunger to be (and remain) one of the most influential athletes and public figures of all time, and the ultimate reminder of how someone can have it all, and yet, never enough.

Torres remains a unique and special voice not just in comedy, but in the performing arts, and we could use more voices like his.

Awkwafina is pretty funny in Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens. But so is the rest of the cast, and she grounds her comedy by concentrating on her family.

If there’s any character in the Trek universe that can carry a season-long story arc, it’s Jean-Luc Picard.

Stream it, all the way to Mars and back. For All Mankind continues to audaciously rewrite history in season four. It’s got a handful of legacy characters with over thirty years of baggage to process, as well as new frontiers of the continuing space race to explore with both its sharp writing and stunning production design.

Somebody Somewhere looks like its going to end the way it began, as a funny, emotional, poignant show with characters we love to spend time with.

Season 2 looks to be another successful season of original, entertaining, thought-provoking animation and toe-tapping tunes from the brilliant brain of Vivienne Medrano.

Them is truly great bit of horror wrapped around a biting commentary about American racism. ... This narrative and acting excellence is consistently complimented by Them‘s beautiful camerawork and inspired soundtrack.

Dave is nothing if not a show for a very specific taste. It’s too smart to be labeled sophomoric, and while it’s packed with really great acting and a lot of heart, it’s also entirely common and accurate to use the word “weird” to describe it. But, like Dave himself, that’s part of its charm.

Maron’s at the top of his game, and we’re all the better for it.

The incisive writing and nuanced performances combine to make Heels one of the most entertaining shows of the summer. ... Amell and Ludwig are the headliners but Heels is bolstered by its exceptional undercard.

Schmigadoon! is silly, sweet, sharp, and most of all, sensational. It’s just the latest in a string of Apple TV+ comedies to balance wit and heart.

Dancing with the Devil is raw and heartbreaking and challenging to watch — which makes it all the more imperative that people do hear Lovato’s harrowing story. ... This is not a fun, poppy documentary, and it’s also not four episodes of hot goss. There’s a calming quality to the fact that the backgrounds of these interviews feature water or fountains or palm trees, while the clothes seem to pop with light, bright colors, as the concern in everyone’s voices will keep you watching.

Somebody Somewhere has that settled-in feeling that make good shows become terrific shows in their second seasons. Some characters may be gone, but the show’s comedic core and its heart are still there, and we’ll follow its slice-of-Midwest-life vibe for the entire season.

It’s an upscale version of the classic primetime soap and one that’s perfect to get lost in when real life drama is too much.

Insert your favorite Beatles or McCartney title here — the point is, 3, 2, 1 will have you enthralled. ... McCartney 3, 2, 1 is imbued with a loose, parlor conversation vibe that belies the gravity of the memories and recording studio insights that McCartney peppers into the conversation. 3, 2, 1 is fascinating.

The final season of Reservation Dogs looks like it’s going to take some creative risks, which is going to make a pretty damn good series even better.

A darkly enchanting look at the bleaker side of having superpowers.

The seven new episodes of Squid Game are stunning, shocking, heartbreaking, and even exhilarating. Squid Game Season 2 is good! It isn’t quite as good as the spectacular first season, but coming up a smidge short of utter genius means Squid Game is still pretty great.

This is Maron at his best. He’s calm, cool, collected, a comedic leader for this crazy time in our lives.

Big ideas here. Profound at times. But they’re encased in an oddly buoyant and funny context that also manages to be substantial and emotionally resonant. Salazar and Odenkirk are in tonal concert within the trippy setting and concept, finding comedy and affection in the material and making it seem effortless. ... To not continue watching Undone would be foolhardy.

It has the all-consuming romance, gritty action, gorgeous costumes, shocking melodrama, mystical magic, feudal politics, and enchanting Celtic backdrop that made Outlander such an intoxicating hit over a decade ago. Outlander: Blood of My Blood is going to be your new favorite escapist obsession.

Season 3 finds Spear, dead but not down, on a journey he doesn’t know the shape of, which only means more opportunity for this series’ already impressive animation and storytelling.

Industry Season 3 is a fabulous level up for an already great show. The impressive ensemble cast continues to excavate the beautiful, broken characters the[y] play.

Where the series shines is through its at times brutal, at times delicate realism. Through Ptolemy’s widened unseeing eyes, you can understand the pure terror his life must be every day. If you’ve ever been someone diagnosed with dementia, Jackson nails their mannerisms while also infusing his performance with a degree of empathy many of these patients rarely experience. ... Fishback’s quietly powerful take on Robyn is what makes Jackson’s performance so notable.

I was astonished by how much I liked Keeping Faith. Sometimes it feels like we’ve seen it all in the British crime drama genre, and it’s true, Keeping Faith does share a lot in common with some other shows. The good news, though, is that it’s specifically like Big Little Lies crossed with Broadchurch.

Crazy Delicious is your new cooking show obsession.

Shadow and Bone delivers pure escapism with timely social commentary and good old fashioned soapy storytelling. It is the next big fantasy sensation. ... This show is extremely dense. ... For Grishaverse virgins, Shadow and Bone could prove to be overwhelming.

This new season is exactly what you want from What We Do in the Shadows, but even better.

Even with the lofty stories it’s woven throughout the years there’s nothing quite as ambitious, intense, or grand as Fargo Season 4. Whether or not that’s a good thing will depend on what draws you to Fargo in the first place.

Minx is effervescently fun, full of heart and smarts, and a heck of a lot of promise for what’s still to come.

While it’s a bit of a slow burn of a show, Andor draws you in because it is so thoroughly and messily human. ... Andor is Star Wars, distilled down to its revolutionary soul.

A bittersweet, magical trip down memory lane, Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts offers everything you could possibly want out of a reunion special.

For All Mankind remains ever ambitious with its fifth season, where the series makes the reflection off its alternate history mirror even stronger as the lives of everyday people get squeezed between the politicians of Mars fighting with the politicians of Earth.

I loved the first season of Netflix’s Locke & Key adaptation, which brilliantly skirts the line between horror, drama, comedy and dark fantasy the comics by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez helped innovate.

It’s easy to get hung up on the choice to recreate Chamberlain’s voice, but love that choice or hate it, Goliath is a first-rate piece of sports documentary filmmaking, one worthy of its titanic subject.

In its second season Tuca & Bertie is unafraid to get deep, and we’re all better for it.

Never Have I Ever is just about as perfect of a teen TV comedy as you can get.

Star Wars: Visions feels like the best Star Wars we’ve had all year. ... Star Wars: Visions may be too good. ... It makes you wish that Lucasfilm would loosen the reigns a bit. It turns out that Star Wars feels most like Star Wars when it’s defying all expectations.

All you really need to know about the second season is that it was absolutely worth the wait.

The Other Bennet Sister is hands down the best Austen-inspired series to hit television in years, if not decades, surpassing the likes of Masterpiece on PBS’s Sanditon. Its fresh approach to classic material only enhances Austen’s enduring genius.

The Narrow Road To The Deep North is a gritty, powerful watch with striking imagery and riveting performances that sometimes read as subtle in all the best ways.

The first chunk of episodes in Bridgerton Season 3 are an ecstatic delight. Bridgerton might have a new showrunner in long-time writer Jess Brownell, but the world is still as enchanting and romantic as ever. .... This season is truly a showcase for new leading lady Nicola Coughlan. The Irish actress absolutely sparkles as wallflower-turned-heroine Penelope Featherington.

From end to end, Sin Eater is a fascinating look at a man who is really only the tip of the spear for a rotten system. Pellicano makes for a perfect documentary subject, both for what he did and what he reveals about an industry that is nowhere near as far from its scandalous heyday as we are led to believe.

The Saved By The Bell reboot makes the smart decision to be much more about the new kids at Bayside than about the middle-aged versions of the characters who went to the school 30 years ago. Sure, there’s going to be some self-referential jokes on the show, but Wigfield has that aspect under control so it won’t overwhelm the series.

Despite the fact that Schwarzenegger isn’t exactly the most introspective person in the world, Arnold is still a fascinating portrait of a person who has was determined to be a success in the United States and has achieved in mostly every field he entered.

In its triumphant fourth season, The Good Fight remains one of the best, and most insane, shows on television.

The latest season of Girls5Eva took a risk by making a few significant changes to its formula, but it didn’t suffer for it. The fact is that the talented actresses in the group, along with the show’s funny-because-it’s-so-ridiculous writing and songs are as solid as they’ve ever been and keep the show’s frenetic pace moving.

The new version of The Wonder Years doesn’t try to be like the original, and that’s a good thing. It doesn’t have the impact the original one had, but we’re confident that it’ll follow its own comedic path and become one of the better network comedies.

It’s an intimate portrait of artists at work, and stands in stark contrast to the very public, very pop persona that has characterized Swift for much of her career.

The strong performances of Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow continue to make The Old Man a must-watch, but it definitely has enough confidence in its ensemble to give us stories without either of them in front of the camera.

The show is going to have to move at a swift clip to answer for everything but it’s already gotten the ball rolling just one episode in.

The fact that Rogen, Goldberg and company manage to give everyone else a chance to be over-the-top funny makes for a good balance, with Matt’s desire to make good films grounding everyone else’s motivations of greed and ambition.

The comedy is so black sometimes you can’t see the funny. But it’s all in the absurdities of life, and this well-written and well-acted show promises to be a satisfying watch to anyone ready for its bleakness.

Even if Kroll doesn’t spill the tea on what happened on set here, he’s still more than willing to open his big mouth with embarrassing details from his own life. As he says: “Guys, we are all just doing our best.” His best is better than OK.

Whether you’ve read Hannah-Jones’ work or are coming to it for the first time, The 1619 Project is a fascinating look at the Black population’s significant contributions to the building of the U.S., with a nuanced approach that was never in our U.S. History books.

Always Jane shows the life of a 2020s teenager who just happens to be trans, with all the struggles that come with being at that stage of life. What makes it interesting to watch is that her life isn’t being treated as some sort of anomaly, either by the filmmakers or her family.

We Are The Champions shows contests that you may have never heard of or seen, but even if you have seen them before, the show treats them with such reverence that you’ll become fans.

Amadeus works as a series, not just because it looks fantastic, but that the main characters are treated as the nuanced people they were, and there seems to be less filler than one might expect.

The makers of The Yogurt Shop Murders are not just curious about the case but how deeply the case affected Austin and the people who were intimately involved with it over the past three decades, an approach that we wish we saw more often in true crime docs.

The docuseries is entertaining despite its structural machinations, because it takes the phenomenon of Chippendales as seriously as it should be taken.

Well-balanced in its voices, clear of narrative and tough as nails — just as it absolutely needs to be.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is a prequel that not only captures a particular place at a particular time but also builds a world that can quickly help the show stand alone from its parent series.