20 Best TV Shows Of 2023

Despite the many obstacles in television's path throughout 2023 - the Writers' Strike, poor casting decisions, the rise of AI - the small screen has still managed to deliver a delightful year of great TV shows, both new and returning.

From subversive superhero hits to daring franchise spin-offs, affectionate sitcoms and instant-classic dramas wrapping things up in truly spectacular fashion, 2023 has given audiences a lot to sink their teeth into, and plenty more to look forward to in 2024.

Though the future of TV seems more clouded than ever at the moment, thanks to the continuous rise of streaming services and lingering controversies surrounding the way many studios like Warner Bros. treat their properties, so long as shows such as these keep pushing through the cracks, there are many reasons to stay excited.

With that in mind, from the more obvious to the gems that may have passed you by, here are the 20 best TV shows of 2023...

Because there were simply too many great shows released or returning this year, it seems fair we spend some time on those that didn't crack the top 20.

On the Star Trek front, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Picard have ventured into their latest seasons with more heart and bracing adventure than ever before, proving a rollicking good, nostalgic time for new and old fans alike.

Elsewhere, memorable miniseries such as Fleishman Is In Trouble, A Small Light and Dead Ringers have given their stars (including Rachel Weisz, Jesse Eisenberg and Bel Powley) ample opportunity to dig into the dark parts of the human soul - tackling divorce, war, and mental anguish with impeccable care.

On a lighter note, the underseen comedy-drama Extraordinary serves as another reminder the superhero genre is far from dead, whilst Donald Glover's return to TV, Swarm, perfectly balances macabre laughs with harrowing social commentary. Elsewhere, in Lessons in Chemistry, Captain Marvel's Brie Larson has delivered another exceptional performance.

All told, it's been a great year for TV fans, and though these shows (and many more, including the brilliant Daisy Jones & The Six, Cunk On Earth, Yellowjackets and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off) didn't make the final list, they're definitely all worth your time.