The Absolute Best TV Shows of 2020
Some years are packed with good television, and 2020 managed to deliver a surprising amount of standout work across every genre. Viewers found limited series that wrapped up beautifully, returning shows that hit new highs, and documentaries that sparked big conversations. There was no shortage of choice whether you wanted scripted drama, comedy, nonfiction, or something that blended a few of those together.
This list highlights the titles that defined the year in a clear and practical way. You will find the essentials on major platforms along with where they aired, plus the kind of useful details you need to decide what to watch next. Each entry notes creators, key cast, episode counts, and other concrete information that helps you get a feel for the show without spoiling the experience.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
This limited series follows chess prodigy Beth Harmon from childhood to international tournaments, with a story adapted from Walter Tevis’s novel by Scott Frank and Allan Scott. The cast is led by Anya Taylor Joy with Moses Ingram, Thomas Brodie Sangster, and Marielle Heller across seven episodes that were released at once. The series used real chess consultants and recreated period event locations in Berlin and Ontario to match the 1950s and 1960s setting. It streams on Netflix.
The production features original music by Carlos Rafael Rivera and costume design by Gabriele Binder, both widely recognized in award circuits during the following season. The show’s release week saw chess set sales surge according to market trackers, and online chess platforms reported significant increases in usage. Netflix positioned the title as a global event within its drama slate and supported it with a wide international marketing push.
‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)
Created by Michaela Coel, this series spans twelve episodes that examine consent through the life of writer Arabella, with locations in London and Italy. The cast includes Michaela Coel, Weruche Opia, and Paapa Essiedu, and the episodes were written and co directed by Coel with Sam Miller. It debuted in the United Kingdom on BBC One and in the United States on HBO.
The production schedule was notable for its creator retaining full rights and creative control after an early marketplace decision. The score by Rupert Gregson Williams and the show’s curated soundtrack were released alongside the season. The series appeared on many year end lists and collected industry awards the following year, with BBC and HBO continuing to keep it available across their on demand platforms.
‘Normal People’ (2020)
Adapted from Sally Rooney’s novel, this twelve episode series tracks the relationship between Marianne and Connell from school to university. Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal star, with direction by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald. The series was produced by Element Pictures and filmed across Ireland and Italy. It premiered on BBC Three in the United Kingdom and on Hulu in the United States.
The show uses Rooney’s prose closely, with scripts by Rooney, Alice Birch, and Mark O’Halloran. The production became known for its use of intimacy coordination and for its location work around Dublin, Sligo, and Rome. Hulu and BBC supported the release with companion interviews and playlists, and the series became one of the most streamed titles on both services during its launch window.
‘The Last Dance’ (2020)
This ten part documentary chronicles the Chicago Bulls 1997 to 1998 season with extensive archival footage and new interviews. Directed by Jason Hehir, it covers Michael Jordan’s career, the team’s roster, and the league at the time. The series was produced by Mandalay Sports Media and NBA Entertainment and aired on ESPN in the United States.
An international release plan brought the episodes to Netflix outside the United States shortly after their ESPN broadcasts. The music supervision spanned hip hop, rock, and era specific tracks, and the production used remastered game footage and behind the scenes material filmed during the season. ESPN’s Sunday night schedule placed the episodes in primetime and drew large live audiences during the initial run.
‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–2023)
Developed by Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, this comedy stars Sudeikis as an American coach hired to lead an English football club. The first season runs ten episodes and was filmed in Greater London, with real stadiums used for exteriors and recreated sets for interiors. The ensemble includes Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein, and Nick Mohammed. It premiered on Apple TV Plus.
Apple supported the launch with a weekly release model and expanded the season order during production due to strong early response. The show’s writers’ room drew from sports consultants to shape training sequences, and the series employed motion graphics teams to build realistic broadcast packages. Apple TV Plus folded the title into its early flagship lineup and renewed it quickly for additional seasons.
‘The Mandalorian’ (2019-)
Created by Jon Favreau, this live action series follows a bounty hunter operating on the fringes of the galaxy after the fall of the Empire. The first two seasons use StageCraft virtual production to combine LED volumes with real time rendering. Pedro Pascal leads the cast with recurring appearances by Gina Carano, Carl Weathers, and Giancarlo Esposito. New episodes in 2020 comprised the second season. The series streams on Disney Plus.
Ludwig Göransson composed the score, and practical effects teams collaborated with Industrial Light and Magic for creature work and miniatures. Directors in 2020 included Peyton Reed, Robert Rodriguez, and Bryce Dallas Howard. Disney Plus integrated the show into a broad merchandising and publishing program, with character spin off plans announced during investor presentations.
‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)
This drama explores the life of Jimmy McGill before and during his transformation into Saul Goodman. Season five aired in early 2020 with a ten episode run. The series stars Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and Giancarlo Esposito, with Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould as creators. The show airs on AMC in the United States.
Production filmed in and around Albuquerque with on location shoots that match the visual language of its predecessor. The season continued its split timeline structure with flash forwards presented in black and white. AMC supported season five with a weekly after show and expanded digital extras, and the episodes were later made available for streaming through AMC’s partners.
‘The Boys’ (2019–2024)
Based on the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, this series follows a group that monitors and confronts celebrity superheroes. Season two premiered in 2020 with an eight episode schedule and a weekly rollout. The cast includes Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, and Aya Cash. The series streams on Amazon Prime Video.
The production is known for extensive stunt coordination, visual effects by multiple houses, and location work in Toronto. Music supervision features original songs recorded by the cast for in universe bands, along with licensed tracks. Amazon supported the season with companion aftershows and social programming that recapped each episode and previewed effects breakdowns.
‘The Crown’ (2016–2023)
Created by Peter Morgan, this historical drama dramatizes the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Season four arrived in 2020 with a ten episode run that introduced Emma Corrin and Gillian Anderson to the ensemble. The series is produced by Left Bank Pictures and filmed across the United Kingdom and Spain. It streams on Netflix.
The show uses large scale costume and set departments to recreate decades of British life, with detailed replicas of royal residences. Each two season block features a new cast to reflect aging, and season four completed the second block. Netflix positioned the release as a major global event on its schedule and supported it with trailers in multiple languages.
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
This German series created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese concluded in 2020 with season three. The story follows four interconnected families in the town of Winden and spans multiple timelines. The ensemble includes Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari, and Andreas Pietschmann. It streams on Netflix.
The production filmed in Berlin and Brandenburg with a distinctive color palette achieved through on set design and color grading. Composer Ben Frost provided the score and the series featured a curated set of closing credits songs for each episode. Netflix released season three globally on the same day with subtitle and dub options in many languages.
‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)
Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, this crime drama focuses on the Byrde family and their laundering operation in the Lake of the Ozarks region. Season three arrived in 2020 with ten episodes. The cast includes Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and Julia Garner. The series is available on Netflix.
Filming primarily took place in Georgia to stand in for Missouri lakefront locations, with extensive night scenes that used specialized lighting to maintain the show’s look. The production schedule balanced Bateman’s directing work with acting, and the season expanded storylines for supporting characters. Netflix renewed the show for a final extended season the following year.
‘Unorthodox’ (2020)
This four part limited series is inspired by Deborah Feldman’s memoir and follows a young woman who leaves her Hasidic community in Brooklyn for Berlin. Shira Haas stars alongside Amit Rahav and Jeff Wilbusch. It is a multilingual production in Yiddish, English, and German. The series streams on Netflix.
The production employed language coaches and cultural consultants to ensure accuracy in dialogue and rituals. Berlin locations included music conservatories and neighborhoods central to the story, and the show’s costumes and hair styling recreated community specific details. Netflix released a making of special that detailed the research process and the challenges of staging large wedding sequences.
‘Devs’ (2020)
Created by Alex Garland, this eight episode thriller centers on a quantum computing company and its secretive development division. The cast features Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, and Alison Pill. The series premiered on FX on Hulu in the United States.
Filming took place in Northern California and around London, with production design that built a distinctive cube set to house the core facility. Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury composed the score in collaboration with The Insects. FX released the show weekly on Hulu under its streaming brand and paired it with interviews and technical featurettes.
‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019)
Based on the film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, this series follows a group of vampires living on Staten Island. Season two aired in 2020 with ten episodes. The ensemble includes Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Harvey Guillén. The series airs on FX.
Production emphasizes practical creature effects with additional CGI for transformation sequences. The mockumentary style relies on a steady camera team and specific lighting setups to match the in universe documentary look. FX scheduled the season in spring and released episodes for next day streaming on Hulu.
‘The Good Lord Bird’ (2020)
This seven episode limited series adapts James McBride’s novel about abolitionist John Brown. Ethan Hawke stars and also serves as a creator with Mark Richard. The cast includes Joshua Caleb Johnson, Daveed Diggs, and Beau Knapp. The series aired on Showtime.
Filming took place in Virginia and Virginia based sets constructed historical towns and battle locations. Costume and props departments reproduced period weapons and clothing with input from historians. Showtime supported the release with classroom resources and behind the scenes content that outlined the adaptation process.
‘The Great’ (2020–2023)
Created by Tony McNamara, this series presents a comedic take on Catherine the Great’s rise. The cast features Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult. Season one premiered in 2020 with ten episodes and was filmed primarily in the United Kingdom with soundstage and location shoots. The series streams on Hulu.
Production design used historic estates for exteriors, while interiors were constructed to allow complex staging and long takes. The show’s costumes emphasized color and silhouette to signal character status and time jumps within episodes. Hulu placed the show in its originals lineup and renewed it quickly after strong completion metrics.
‘Mrs. America’ (2020)
This nine episode limited series chronicles the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and the opposition it faced. Created by Dahvi Waller, it stars Cate Blanchett, Uzo Aduba, Rose Byrne, and Tracey Ullman. The series is available on FX on Hulu.
Filming occurred in Toronto with sets and wardrobe recreating political events from the 1970s. The writers’ room drew on archival research and public speeches to frame each episode around a specific figure. FX rolled out episodes weekly on Hulu and supported the release with historical background features.
‘Industry’ (2020)
Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, this drama follows a group of graduates competing for permanent roles at a London investment bank. The first season runs eight episodes and stars Myha’la, Marisa Abela, David Jonsson, and Ken Leung. It premiered on BBC Two in the United Kingdom and on HBO in the United States.
The show filmed in Cardiff standing in for London interiors, with location work in London’s financial district for exteriors. The production used financial consultants to build realistic trading floor sequences and compliance procedures. HBO and BBC coordinated a near simultaneous release and made the episodes available on their streaming services.
‘Gangs of London’ (2020)
Created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, this crime series tracks rival organizations fighting for control after a power vacuum opens in the city. The first season runs nine episodes. The cast includes Sope Dirisu, Joe Cole, and Michelle Fairley. The series premiered on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom and later arrived on AMC platforms in the United States.
Action sequences were designed by Evans and stunt teams known for long take choreography, with location filming across London and Wales. The production used a mix of practical effects and digital enhancements for large scale set pieces. AMC acquired rights for North American distribution and scheduled the broadcast with streaming availability on AMC Plus.
‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’ (2020)
This limited series adapts elements from Henry James’s works and serves as a follow up to an earlier installment in the anthology. The nine episode run stars Victoria Pedretti, T’Nia Miller, Rahul Kohli, and Amelia Eve. It streams on Netflix.
Filming took place in Vancouver with sets that built the country manor and its grounds. The production reused parts of the creative team from the previous season, including creator Mike Flanagan as an executive producer. Netflix released the show in October and paired the launch with behind the scenes material that focused on design and literary sources.
‘The Flight Attendant’ (2020–2022)
Based on Chris Bohjalian’s novel, this series follows a flight attendant who becomes entangled in an international investigation. The first season was filmed in New York, Rome, and Bangkok and stars Kaley Cuoco, Michiel Huisman, and Zosia Mamet. The series premiered on HBO Max.
The edit uses split screens and graphic transitions to track multiple timelines and locations. Music by Blake Neely supports the tone, and later episodes incorporated additional international locations through second unit shoots. HBO Max released the season in batches and then weekly to build momentum, and later renewed the show for a second season.
‘The Undoing’ (2020)
Created by David E. Kelley and directed by Susanne Bier, this six episode limited series adapts Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant star, with Donald Sutherland in a supporting role. The production filmed in New York City and upstate New York. It aired on HBO.
The show used a weekly release to anchor Sunday night programming and incorporated a soundtrack overseen by composer David Buckley. Costume and location choices highlighted Manhattan schools, courts, and private residences. HBO reported strong viewership growth across the season through its linear channel and streaming app.
‘The Plot Against America’ (2020)
This six episode limited series adapts Philip Roth’s novel about an alternate version of American history. Created by David Simon and Ed Burns, it stars Winona Ryder, Zoe Kazan, and Morgan Spector. The series aired on HBO.
Filming took place around New Jersey and New York with period cars and signage to match the early 1940s setting. The production engaged historians to ensure accuracy in political rally scenes and newsreel recreations. HBO scheduled the series in spring and made it available on demand immediately after each broadcast.
‘The Outsider’ (2020)
Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, this ten episode series follows a detective and a private investigator working a case that blends police work with the supernatural. The cast features Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, and Mare Winningham. It aired on HBO.
Production filmed in Georgia, using Atlanta and surrounding areas to stand in for the story’s locations. The series employed makeup and visual effects teams to create creature elements and evidence work. HBO placed the show in its winter schedule and paired it with a companion podcast that covered production details.
‘ZeroZeroZero’ (2019–2020)
This eight episode series is based on Roberto Saviano’s nonfiction book and follows a shipment moving from Mexico to Europe through the United States. The cast includes Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, and Gabriel Byrne. The show filmed across Mexico, New Orleans, Senegal, Morocco, and Italy. It premiered on Sky Atlantic and later streamed on Amazon Prime Video in many regions.
The production worked with multiple local crews and languages, and the episodes were edited to track three parallel storylines. Music is by Mogwai, with an album released alongside the show. Amazon handled the international streaming window and positioned the series within its slate of global crime dramas.
‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)
Created by Michael Schur, this comedy completed its fourth and final season in 2020, bringing the total to fifty three episodes. The cast includes Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, and D’Arcy Carden. It aired on NBC in the United States.
The production was filmed in Los Angeles with the backlot used for the neighborhood setting, along with visual effects to extend locations. The series concluded with a supersized finale that wrapped the story and then aired a retrospective special. NBC scheduled the final run in winter and provided next day streaming through its digital partners.
‘Pen15’ (2019–2021)
Created by Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, and Sam Zvibleman, this comedy follows two middle school best friends in the early 2000s. The 2020 season added seven episodes to the first season’s run. The show stars Erskine and Konkle alongside a young supporting cast. It streams on Hulu.
Production filmed in the Los Angeles area using school locations and sets dressed with period specific props and technology. The creative team released a later animated special that bridged seasons. Hulu grouped the show within its comedy slate and pushed episodes in curated teen and nostalgia collections.
‘The Midnight Gospel’ (2020)
Created by Pendleton Ward and Duncan Trussell, this animated series uses podcast conversations as the basis for each episode’s narrative. The first season includes eight episodes and features voice performances by Phil Hendrie, Drew Pinsky, and Trudy Goodman among others. It streams on Netflix.
Animation was produced by Titmouse with a style that blends bright color palettes and detailed background worlds. The audio originated from conversations on The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, then was edited and paired with new storylines and characters. Netflix released all episodes at once and highlighted the series within its adult animation category.
‘The Great British Bake Off’ (2010)
This competition series returned in 2020 with a season filmed in a production bubble to maintain safety protocols. The hosts were Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas with judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. The show airs on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom and streams on Netflix as ‘The Great British Baking Show’ in the United States.
The 2020 season moved cast and crew into a single location for the entire shoot, which allowed regular weekly episodes to continue. The format remained focused on signature, technical, and showstopper challenges, with guest presenters appearing in a few episodes. Channel 4 scheduled the season in autumn and Netflix released episodes on a slight delay in the United States.
Share your favorite picks from 2020 in the comments and tell us which shows you think deserve a spot here.
