My top 10 TV shows of 2021
A lot of people bring out their top 10 lists in early December but I like to leave it as late as possible to give myself time to catch up!
Without further ado, here’s a list of the best TV shows I watched this year:
10. Ted Lasso S2
I wasn’t as enamoured with the second season of this sports comedy as I was with the first. It certainly had a shaky start but it delivered in the end and I’m intrigued to see where it goes next. Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) had an interesting storyline this season and Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent has solidified himself as the show’s MVP. Available on Apple TV+.
9. Squid Game
I would never have watched this show if it wasn’t for the hype. Everyone was talking about it so it had to be done. The fact that it became such a big word-of-mouth hit despite it being South Korean and dropping on Netflix with very little promo is a testament to how good it is. My favourite episode was Gganbu – the marbles challenge – as it was surprisingly moving and quite the game-changer for the characters’ arcs. Available on Netflix.
8. Dopesick
This TV show is the one that made me the angriest this year. I legit cried because I was so angry about how big pharma corporations see their medications as money-making machines and ignore the impact they have on peoples’ lives. This show tells the story of Purdue Pharma and the creation of OxyContin, a potent prescription painkiller, and the opioid crisis in America. It covers it from all angles – Purdue, pharma sales reps, doctors, patients and investigators. It’s a tough but very important watch. Available on Disney+.
7. Maid
Margaret Qualley has been nominated for a few awards for her role in this and I’m thrilled because she is absolutely fantastic. She plays Alex, who escapes a domestic violence situation with her young daughter and struggles to financially support them. It is compelling stuff. You can’t help but feel sorry for Alex, she hardly ever seems to catch a break! She goes through so much s**t. It sounds depressing but I think there’s a good balance between heavy and light material. I really like how her bank balance is shown onscreen. I think it’s told in a very smart way and it can’t be accused of poverty porn, a la Hillbilly Elegy. Available on Netflix.
6. WandaVision
This is by far the strongest of all this year’s Marvel shows on Disney+. It was so bonkers and out-there at first and I didn’t know what to make of it but it eventually came together in a fantastic way. I loved that it was essentially an exploration of grief and Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) coped by putting herself inside old-fashioned sitcoms. It was super clever and Olsen, Paul Bettany and Kathryn Hahn are all excellent here. Available on Disney+.
5. Only Murders in the Building
I didn’t have the highest hopes for this sitcom and only tuned in because I liked Selena Gomez and I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, it’s lightweight throwaway stuff, but I loved watching Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin become unlikely friends who team up to solve a murder in their apartment block. I also love the theme tune and listen to it regularly! Available on Disney+.
4. Mare of Easttown
I love a good murder mystery and this HBO drama was right up my street. Kate Winslet plays a small-town detective investigating the murder of a young girl and it definitely kept me guessing! It was a very well-written show and the performances across the board were fantastic – Winslet, Evan Peters, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart… you get the idea. I won’t spoil what happens but the show goes from being good to holy s**t great in the game-changing episode five. Available on Now TV and to rent via Apple TV+.
3. Bo Burnham: Inside
I wasn’t sure whether to include a comedy special on this list and I decided to go for it because I loved this so much. Bo Burnham shot this special while quarantining during the pandemic and he did it all himself – songwriting, performing, directing, the camera work etc. It’s incredible what he manages to achieve all by himself. I listen to the soundtrack constantly and my favourites are Comedy, Content and All Eyes on Me. Available on Netflix.
2. It’s a Sin
I was a bit slow on this one and watched it weeks behind everyone else but holy cow, what a show. Olly Alexander and company tell a story that starts off so fun and light-hearted and then gets really sad and serious. I’ve seen films and TV shows depicting the HIV/AIDS crisis in America but never here and it’s a devastating watch. I bawled my eyes out several times. Available on All 4.
1. Succession S3
I think I’ve made my thoughts about Succession pretty clear with my other blog posts. The writing is phenomenal, it is so clever and funny, the dynamics between the main players change constantly and you have no idea where it’s going to go. It took its time to get going but build to a nail-biter of a finale. Excellent television. Available on Now TV.