I decided to do a top 20 this year just for fun, as there’s always plenty of quality television to watch and 2018 was no different. These were my favorites of the year. Every one of these shows is worth checking out in full. Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s to 2019.
1) THE END OF THE F***ING WORLD
A dark comedy and twisted teenage love story that bends genres and mixes violence with humor, pathos and a fantastic soundtrack. It also works as a complete two and half hour road movie with a perfect ending
2) GLOW SEASON 2
The second season topped the first by widening focus on the ensemble cast and deepening the friendships and love between women who are empowered by their unusually cathartic career choice. Also, it’s really funny and full of creativity and fun, matching the style of the show within the show
3) KILLING EVE
An assassin and a government agent circle each other in a deadly cat and mouse game, but with barbed humor and unexpected action. Two fantastic lead performances in Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer make this hitwoman story unpredictable and thrilling
4) BODYGUARD
A pulpy thriller from the UK that blends all the best parts of the genre- illicit affairs, unexpected deaths, infiltrated government agencies and great action scenes, plus an enormously charismatic and commanding lead in Richard Madden as the traumatized vet and bodyguard determined to unravel the conspiracy
5) A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL
A three episode miniseries recounting the scandal of MP Jeremy Thorpe and Norman Scott, the man he tried to have murdered in the 1970’s. English black humor infuses the accountings of events too nutty to be believed, if they weren’t in fact, true. Hugh Grant reaches a career high point, and Ben Whishaw matches him wit for wit in this immensely enjoyable series
6) NANETTE
A groundbreaking comedy special that criticizes comedy itself and takes the art form to a new place, a primal scream that reveals Hannah Gadsby to a global audience and forces a brand new perspective on the world that will leave you in tatters, reassessing your place in it
7) BARRY
Bill Hader stars as a hitman turned actor who can’t quite rid himself of his old habits. This is another dark comedy (I seem be a big fan of those, looking over this list) that challenges the audience to accept the very bad actions of its main character. Do you really want to root for this guy?
8) BETTER CALL SAUL SEASON 4
The fourth season is steeped in anguish and dread, as Bob Odenkirk’s Jimmy turns the corner to Saul officially and takes Kim with him. It just keeps getting better (or worse) for the untethering of our character’s moral coils.
9) CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA
A trippy, gothic series that takes Sabrina Spellman dark, bringing real horror to the Archie comics character with a great cast in tow for family members and fellow witches Zelda, Hilda and Ambrose
10) SHARP OBJECTS
Great acting by Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson and Eliza Scanlen propels this miniseries about the scars, both physical and emotional, haunting the daily lives of different generations of abused women, as a murder investigation unfolds in a small town. Haunting and moody
11) PATRICK MELROSE
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers his best ever performance as a damaged man living with the trauma of child abuse by horrific parents Hugo Weaving and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Based on the novels by Edward St. Aubyn and impeccably acted and directed, exploring the morality of upper class Londonites over four decades
12) THE TERROR
A limited series about the monsters outside the window, stalking the doomed crew of a 19th century Arctic expedition. Effective horror is in short supply on television. Keep the lights on for this one
13) JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE IN CONCERT
The most successfully staged live musical on TV yet, with electric performances from John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Brandon Victor Dixon. High energy all around
14) HOWARDS END
The new version of the classic novel is well performed by the whole cast, but especially Hayley Atwell
15) ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK SEASON 6
Still kicking it after all these years, as the new max setting brings life to familiar characters, and Piper finally comes to the end of her sentence
16) THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL
A cinematic rendering of John Le Carre’s novel by director Park Chan-Wook, with Florence Pugh giving a star turn as actress turned spy Charlie
17) ELITE
Teen drama from Spain that mixes all the best parts of Gossip Girl, Skins and Big Little Lies
18) CASUAL SEASON 4
The final season brings the end of Alex, Valerie and Laura’s unconventional family journey
19) BLUE PLANET II
Stunning footage of Earth’s oceans and marine life continue to amaze and enhance our knowledge in HD
20) DAREDEVIL SEASON 3
The show’s last season brought back Kingpin, introduced Bullseye and pulls Daredevil/Matt Murdock back to his roots. A high note to go out on
