The 10 Best New TV Shows of 2020

After spotlighting 2020’s 10 best TV shows, it’s time to honor the new series that in their first year managed to break through the glut of broadcast, cable and streaming content. That task is tough enough on its own, but Covid-19 was especially challenging for new shows: The timing of the pandemic production shutdowns meant that broadcasters were only able to launch a handful of new shows in the second half of the year—none of which were strong enough to make it onto this list. Instead, incredible new shows from streaming services—including a pair of upstart platforms—comprise the bulk of this year’s best-of freshman lineup. Here are the 10 new shows you should start binge-watching immediately. 10. Never Have I Ever (Netflix) Netflix has established itself as the go-to destination for YA content, but nothing resonated like this coming-of-age comedy, created by Mindy Kaling, about a first-generation Indian American sophomore (newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who is magnificent) navigating high school with her two best friends, while struggling to come to terms with the recent death of her father. It movingly, and often hilariously, touches on themes both personal and universal. 9. P-Valley (Starz) A premium cable network airing a series about a Mississippi Delta strip club called the Pynk sounds like a throwback to HBO and Cinemax’s “Skinemax” era, but the show’s titillating location is merely a backdrop for riveting drama. Katori Hall adapted her play that looks at the grit behind the glitter, focusing on an enthralling group of small-town characters with big dreams, including Uncle Clifford, the Pynk’s nonbinary owner played by Nicco Annan. 8. The Great (Hulu) The title refers to its main character, Catherine the Great (played by a stunning Elle Fanning), but it’s an accurate description of the show itself as well. The comedy-drama hybrid is an only-occasionally factual look at Catherine’s rise, following her arranged marriage to Russian Emperor Peter III (Nicholas Hoult, having the time of his life playing a cruel dimwit). If The Crown is a bit too stuffy for you, this might be more to your liking (as long as you don’t mind the occasional severed head). 7. The Flight Attendant (HBO Max) Based on the novel by Chris Bohjalian, this drama follows a hard-partying flight attendant (Kaley Cuoco) who wakes up in a hotel bed next to a dead man—and the conspiracy she finds herself, and those closest to her, drawn into. After a dull launch slate of new shows, HBO Max has found its first must-watch series, which zips along like a great beach read complete with a huge cliffhanger at the end of each episode to propel you into the next one. It’s still unclear what direction the show can go in once the murder mystery is wrapped up, but it’s been a fun, breezy ride so far. 6. Central Park (Apple TV+) For its first foray into adult animation, Apple TV+ scores with an animated musical comedy from the creators of Bob’s Burgers about a family living in Central Park (where the dad is the park manager), battling the hotel heiress trying to turn the land into condos. The cast is packed with Broadway vets, including Hamilton alums Daveed Diggs and Leslie Odom Jr., and The Book of Mormon’s Josh Gad, who also executive produces. In each episode, they belt out memorable original songs like “Weirdos Make Great Superheroes,” written by Sara Bareilles. 5. Little America (Apple TV+) An anthology series spotlighting the touching stories of various immigrant experiences in America (inspired by real stories featured in Epic Magazine) was particularly resonant under an administration that seems interested in driving away many of its subjects. Almost every story finds a new way to tug at your heartstrings, from the tale of a Nigerian college student in Oklahoma who tries to fit in by becoming a cowboy, to the Syrian cook thrown out by his family after they discover that he’s gay. 4. Normal People (Hulu) There have been hundreds of shows and films about two teens falling in love, but none have them have ever felt quite this raw and real. Sally Rooney co-adapted her New York Times bestselling novel of two people who connect first in their Irish school, and later in college in Dublin. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal’s chemistry is off the charts, which heightens your emotional investment in their relationship—making its highs and lows hit that much harder. 3. I May Destroy You (HBO, streaming on HBO Max) Michaela Coel created and stars in this provocative story about an up-and-upcoming millennial writer who realized she was drugged and assaulted the night before. She spends much of the season trying to piece together her memory of that night, as her friends struggle with their own traumas. Inspired by Coel’s real-life experiences, the show can be tough to watch at times, but is ultimately rewarding and thought-provoking. 2. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) There’s no way this should have worked. Jason Sudekis revived the character he created in 2013 for a series of NBC Sports promos when the company was airing the Premier League, playing a fish-out-of-water U.S. coach selected to train a professional soccer team despite having no experience in the sport. But like the good-hearted Ted Lasso himself, the show quickly wears you down and wins you over. The man brings out the best in everyone around him and makes people smile in spite of themselves—making it the perfect antidote to a truly bleak year. 1. Lovecraft Country (HBO, streaming on HBO Max) There was no show this year—new or returning—that was more ambitious that Misha Green’s adaptation of Matt Ruff’s novel about two intertwined Black families in 1950s Jim Crow America struggling with racism while also facing off against every kind of supernatural horror you can imagine (and many you can’t). It embraced a new genre every week, while presenting us with one terrifying creation after another (such as the zombie-like demonic twins Bopsy and Topsy, who were the show’s version of A Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddy Kreuger). We named Green our Game Changer of the Year for a reason: She has redefined what is possible for a series. It still hasn’t officially been renewed yet, but Season 2 can’t come fast enough. Honorable Mentions These programs came very close to cracking the best new series list, and are also worth seeking out: Breeders (FX, streaming on Hulu) Dave (FXX, streaming on Hulu) How to With John Wilson (HBO, streaming on HBO Max) Tehran (Apple TV+)