With just about a week to go in 2025, I’m hitting pause briefly on film reviews to share some of the TV series and miniseries I loved watching this year. While most TV fans tend to binge-watch over 50 shows annually, I only managed to catch a little more than a dozen—more if you consider watching parts of a series (just a few episodes, not the whole season). It’s a mixed bag, featuring both beloved returning shows and some exciting new ones.

So here are 10 I enjoyed the most, in order of personal favorites.

Andor S2 (Disney+)

I was so excited for Andor’s second season, but it also made me a bit sad since I knew it would be the final one. Sometimes, I totally forget I’m watching a Star Wars show, which is probably the best compliment you can give to creator Tony Gilroy. Since Rogue One is my all-time favorite SW standalone film, the series really embraces that revolutionary spirit of the freedom fighters battling against an oppressive empire. In the second season, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor is even more captivating, and the show features amazing performances from seasoned actors like Stellan Skarsgård and Genevieve O’Reilly, along with breakout star Denise Gough, who plays a complex, chilling, yet not entirely heartless fascist character.

Mon Mothma’s ‘dance like nobody’s watching’ scene will be a TV classic…

Pluribus (AppleTV)

This is my introduction to Vince Gilligan’s work since I’ve never watched Breaking Bad or its spinoff, Better Call Saul. Apple’s mysterious marketing campaign really piqued my interest about what it’s all about. I’m glad I decided to check it out. This show is totally different from any other post-apocalyptic series I’ve watched. It’s hard to tell if we’re facing zombies or aliens, but it definitely has that unsettling vibe. Pluribus grabs your attention right from the beginning, and the mystery just keeps getting stranger and more intriguing. Rhea Seehorn shines as Carol, a fantasy novelist, one of just 12 people on Earth who are somehow immune to a hive-mind pandemic triggered by a virus made from alien code. Labeled as “the most miserable person on Earth,” the grumpy Carol has to stand her ground against everyone else, and Seehorn is often the only character we see in an episode.

I love Seehorn’s performance; she balances humor and deep emotion perfectly. Karolina Wydra is great as Zosia, the alien collective’s chaperone and liaison to Carol, whose true motive remains a mystery for most of the series. It’s fascinating that a show like this emerges as our world becomes more divided, but the idea of a forced collective mindset is definitely not appealing. This series makes a strong case that our uniqueness is something we shouldn’t take for granted, as it is precisely what makes humanity worth preserving.

Slow Horses S4 (AppleTV)

I’m thrilled that Apple keeps bringing back this UK series; it’s definitely one of their best ever! This season kicks off with a mass shooting that shakes London, stirring up the already tense mayoral race. Based on Mick Herron‘s novel London Rules, we get to see more of Slough House’s cocky tech whiz Roddy Ho, whose glamorous new girlfriend is caught up in a Libyan conspiracy. Christopher Chung is fantastic as Ho, who’s so clueless, annoying, and full of himself. The banter between Ho and Kristin Scott-Thomas’s Taverner, MI-5’s Deputy Director-General, is just hilarious.

The show keeps highlighting how utterly incompetent the pompous Claude Whelan (James Callis) is; he actually belongs in the Slough House! Gary Oldman remains the delightfully grumpy old curmudgeon who gives his loyal team, River and Catherine (Jack Lowden and Saskia Reeves), a hard time. It’s Oldman at his peak, and he seems to be having the best time playing the hygiene-averse Jackson Lamb. There’s nothing slow about this banging spy comedy/thriller!

Here’s a brilliant scene where Lamb effortlessly chews up Whelan for breakfast…

Daredevil: Born Again (Disney+)

I’ve dedicated a post to this amazing series. What I really appreciate about this Daredevil series is its focus on crime drama rather than just being another superhero flick, similar to Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. The second season is gritty, powerful, and doesn’t shy away from exploring some of the darkest sides of humanity, both in a physical and psychological sense. Thankfully, we’re still getting that same dark and intense atmosphere we’ve come to adore. The cast truly delivers in the new series. Even with a seven-year break, they slip back into their roles as if no time had passed. Watching Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio is a treat, as the chemistry between Murdock and Fisk consistently steals the show. I’m so excited for more Daredevil since season 3 has already been confirmed.

Dept Q (Netflix)

 

Finally, we have a series that truly showcases Matthew Goode’s skills. He takes on the role of Carl Morck, a once top-notch detective who’s burdened with guilt after an incident that left his partner paralyzed and another officer dead. Upon his return to the force, he’s put on a cold case that takes over his life. It starts off a bit slow, but once it picks up, it’s incredibly captivating.

Goode shines as a gloomy, socially awkward yet sharp detective, and he ends up rallying a group of misfits to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie). Anyone tuning in would probably agree that Alexej Manvelov steals the show as Akram Salim, who keeps his Syrian background under wraps. The chemistry between Carl, Akram, and young DC Rose (Leah Byrne) is a joy to watch, so fingers crossed Netflix gives us more seasons of Dept Q!

The Gilded Age S3 (HBO)

It’s not just about the breathtaking costumes and extravagant production design, which are definitely a treat to see; Julian Fellowes takes it up a notch this season. I’d argue this is the best one yet, packed with more drama, emotional richness, and significant plot developments. The script highlights the repercussions of ambition with jaw-dropping twists, like George’s assassination attempt and how his near-death experience makes George reflect on his life and marriage. Could he possibly be leaving his ruthless, domineering wife, Bertha? [gasp!] That’s definitely the biggest heart-pounding moment, and Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector are still the show’s MVPs.

This shift makes the series a more serious and engaging drama with higher stakes and outstanding performances. The storyline of Gladys & the Duke brings some fascinating surprises, and I always enjoy following Peggy Scott’s (Denée Benton) life and romantic journey. There are so many fantastic characters in this show, yet it remains easy and enjoyable to follow.

The Penguin (HBO)

Similar to ANDOR, The Penguin is way more than just a show about a Batman villain. I teamed up with the amazing artist and blogger Resa McConaghy for the show’s incredible costume design, and we’re both big fans of the series as a whole. Creator Lauren LeFranc really nailed it with a genuinely gritty, dark, and suspenseful mob thriller that keeps you guessing. The way The Penguin is portrayed here is on par with Heath Ledger’s Joker, which is saying something.

The script, acting, production design, and everything else are top-notch, and the chemistry between Oz Cobb and Sofia Falcone is completely captivating. Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti are outstanding, definitely the best TV duo I’ve seen this year. The supporting characters are also well-crafted, especially Clancy Brown and Carmen Ejogo. Don’t expect to see Batman appearing here, but then again, with villains like these, you won’t exactly miss the caped crusader.

Murderbot (AppleTV)

Stories about robots merging with humans aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but it’s refreshing to see a unique spin on it. Alexander Skarsgård nails the role of a self-aware, thoughtful robot who unexpectedly acquires free will. The show follows his adventure with the Preservation Alliance team on their mission. Skarsgård embodies the introverted killing machine who would rather binge-watch soap operas than save humans, and his deadpan humor is absolutely hilarious.

There’s even a show within the show, featuring a funny space opera, The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, starring John Cho, which the bot is totally obsessed with. While there are some violent moments, the overall vibe is mostly comedic. Like any great sci-fi, it also provides sharp social commentary and cleverly poses the question, ‘What does it truly mean to be human?’

Down Cemetery Road (AppleTV)

I dove straight into this show mainly because of the cast, with Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson playing total opposites. Thompson takes on the role of personal investigator Zoë Boehm, while Wilson is an art restorer who gets unintentionally caught up in the case when her neighbor disappears. Another reason I was drawn in is that the source material comes from the books by Mick Herron, the same author behind the fantastic Slow Horses, which has become one of my all-time favorite series.

The similarities end there, however, as this show has a different tone and style. It’s less comedic, though there are certainly some funny situations, albeit leaning more on very dark humor. It starts off a bit slow for my taste, but I stuck with it, and I’m glad I did because once the massive government cover-up plot comes into play, it becomes much more engaging. The Oxford backdrop is really atmospheric, and it gets even darker when they reach a hidden Scottish island. The supporting cast is a bit hit or miss, especially the dynamic between Adeel Akhtar and his boss (Darren Boyd), which can feel a bit awkward and frustrating at times. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is quite memorable, while Fehinti Balogun is absolutely chilling as a killer assassin.

Untamed (Netflix)

Here’s another series where the main attraction is definitely the cast. I really like Eric Bana, and I think he should get more leading roles in films, but I’m happy to see him taking the lead in several mystery series. Bana plays Kyle Turner, a National Park Service agent, who is looking into a brutal death at Yosemite National Park. The location is almost a character in itself, and the cinematography is another reason to see this.

I’m also a fan of the casting of Bana’s fellow Aussie, Sam Neill, who plays a warm-hearted Chief Park Ranger and acts as Kyle’s mentor. The crime drama includes Kyle’s backstory, revealing that he’s still affected by the death of his son he shared with his ex (Rosemarie DeWitt). Sometimes, the flashback scenes feel a bit excessive, and I wish they wouldn’t take up too much time away from the main mystery.

Nevertheless, there’s a lot to appreciate and enjoy in this series, such as the fun dynamic between Kyle and a rookie ranger, Naya (Lily Santiago), which is why it deserves a place on my top 10 list.

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HONORABLE MENTIONS

Hostage (Netflix)
The Night Agent 2 (Netflix)

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Series I partly watched this year:

Unlike the top 10 list, here are the shows I started but quickly stopped watching after a few episodes. The reasons differ, but mostly I just lost interest. I realize that some of these shows are featured on many critics’ top 10 lists and have even received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. This really highlights how subjective movies and shows can be.

• The Studio
• Chad Powers
• Silo S2
• Severance S2
• The Bear S2

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So what are your favorite series you saw this year?

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