2023 is a year of transition for television. It started slow for new shows, finally picking up the pace starting in March. The Writers Guild Strike will hopefully net wages and benefits that will help screenwriters produce quality content. Unfortunately, the strike will also have a ripple effect on shows for years to come. With the bubble bursting, the streaming wars enter a new phase where survival is the main objective. Streamers are still trying to figure out how to be profitable and attract customers. Spending a crapload of money on original content isn’t sustainable anymore and TV shows, particularly on streaming services, are given short leashes to get eyeballs. We have also seen the end of some of television’s great shows over the last decade or so.
Television is at a crossroads right now but 2023 has produced some amazing shows so far. I’ve watched 50 new seasons of television from 2023 but there are some shows I have not gotten to yet. With that being said, I’ve compiled a list of my top shows of 2023 so far. I’ve split the list up into two groups: returning shows and new shows. Here are my top shows so far for 2023.
New shows
I’m not going to lie, 2023 has been a struggle for new shows. It started very slow and a lot of shows are struggling to gain traction with audiences. There are still many great new shows out there though. Here are my top new shows of 2023
5) Daisy Jones and the Six (Amazon Prime Video)
What I enjoyed about this miniseries are the performances, how perfectly it encapsulates the rise and fall of a hot band, and the spirit of rock ‘n roll music. Riley Keough and Sam Claflin are electric together and both give amazing performances. The 70s rock scene in Daisy Jones is filled with the typical drugs and drama you’d hear about in documentaries. Watching the band crawl to its slow death was tough to see at times, but overall I enjoyed the series more than I was expecting.
4) Silo (Apply TV+)
Apple TV+ is on a roll with sci-fi shows. Silo has the potential to be their signature show for a while. Rebecca Ferguson anchors a solid mystery about people living in an underground silo after a pact is reached in a war that destroyed the surface. Sporting a gorgeous setting, strong supporting performances, dazzling cinematography, and an intriguing story that ends with a strong reveal that will change how everything is perceived, Silo is Apple’s top drama of 2023 so far.
3) A Small Light (National Geographic, Disney+, Hulu)
I’ve heard the story of Anne Frank a lot in my life, and I’m familiar with Miep Gies in the grand scheme of history. What I was not expecting is to still have a strong emotional reaction all these years later. With a slow burn that culminates an amazing episode that chronicles how the Franks and their other companions in their hidden annex were caught, A Small Light is an important story to tell now about how important it is to stand up for people who truly need it.
2) Shrinking (Apple TV+)
Maybe it’s Bill Lawerence and his quirky brand of comedy? Maybe it’s the cast being so amazingly strong and funny together? Maybe it’s watching Harrison Ford give a crap about performing? Regardless, Shrinking consistently made me smile throughout its rookie season. The jokes are smart and I enjoyed the interactions each person had with other people. Out of all these shows, this might be the one I’m looking forward to the most coming back hopefully sooner rather than later.
1)The Last of Us (HBO)
The Last of Us will go down as being the best video game adaptation ever created. The pilot is beyond devastating and it stays pretty true to the game (from what I can gather from my friends who have played the game). The real standout for this series is the season’s third episode about a couple surviving the zombie apocalypse. It’s a beautiful showcase of what humanity can gain in such a hopeless time. It’s my favorite episode of television not only in 2023 but might be one of my favorite episodes ever. HBO has another hit on its hands.
Honorable mention: Mrs. Davis (Peacock)
Peacock is sneakily having a great year so far. Between Bel-Air and Poker Face (narrowly missing honorable mentions), Mrs. Davis stands out for having a great story that has strong commentary about technology (which I was expecting), religion (I was not expecting this), and the state of humanity.
Honorable mention: Beef (Netflix)
A24 continues to put out incredible movies and TV shows. Beef is such a timely show, where people continue to escalate conflict over the most trivial of issues. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong are amazing in Beef, especially when they get a chance to talk through what happened together.
Returning shows
Several great shows ended their runs in 2023. These aren’t just any shows though. In the span of a few weeks, we said goodbye to some of the most Emmy award-winning shows of the last decade. Shows that didn’t make my list but are worth mentioning include Ted Lasso (which is a bit divisive in terms of how the show predictably ended) and Barry (which I didn’t like the final season but it’s growing on me more and more). Here are my top returning shows of 2023:
5) The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime Video)
The series finale of this show is among my favorite of all the shows that recently ended. Midge’s final set was a triumph and so good in terms of being funny AND providing callbacks and closures. The final season wasn’t perfect but the finale made up for a fair amount of what I didn’t like about the rest of the season. Yes, the show is past its prime but it still made me sad to say goodbye.
4) Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Abbott Elementary continues to be one of the best television shows right now. Considering this is the only show that made my top series that premiered on regular cable, the series has the potential to be good for years to come. I like the mix of comedy and commentary about the current state of the US education system. All the performances are outstanding and we’re finally starting to get to the point where we’re seeing more and more development from all our characters. This year or next will be the start of Abbott Elementary’s ascent to becoming an Emmys juggernaut.
3) The Great (Hulu)
The Great is among one of Hulu’s most underrated shows. Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult are spectacular together, but The Great had the guts to change everything halfway through season three this year. It was a devastating second half of season three and one that was heartbreaking and necessary for the story to progress forward. Huzzah!
2) Succession (HBO)
Succession had the wherewithal to get out of television while it was still in a hot streak Truth be told, I didn’t think the show could progress much further since it’s been about all the family trying to outsmart Logan Roy. The focus of this season though is much more about the kids and one that I think was the right choice, especially for a final season.
1)The Bear (FX)
I’ve said it once, and I’ll repeat it, The Bear is the best television show right now. Everything matters in the show: every episode, every moment, and every character. If you’re a savvy TV watcher, this will be a treat to watch all the little things throughout the season as they pay off. I love all the character’s stories this season, but Richie is my MVP this year. I absolutely cannot wait for more of The Bear, which is a certified hit for Hulu and FX.
Honorable mention: Dave (FX)
No show on television can get a guest star quite like Dave can. The nice thing about season three is that it gets L’il Dicky out of his comfort zone and puts him on tour. In addition, they have had one of the great season finales in recent moment.
Honorable mention: Blindspotting (Starz)
Blindspotting is an experience unlike any other. If you’re looking for a show that is truly art, Blindspotting is the way to go.
What are some of your favorite shows of 2023? Let me know in the comments or message me!
