The Absolute Best TV Shows of 2021

There was a flood of great television in 2021, with new series making big first impressions and returning shows delivering standout seasons. Comedies, dramas, documentaries, and animated hits all had moments that kept people talking and rewatching. It was a year where limited series felt complete, while ongoing shows expanded their worlds with confidence.

This list gathers the shows that defined the year through memorable characters, strong writing, and distinctive worlds. You will find titles from premium cable and ad supported networks as well as every major streamer. Each entry notes where it aired in 2021 so you can track it down on the right network or platform and dive in.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

Created by Jesse Armstrong, ‘Succession’ follows the Roy family as they battle for control of a global media company. Season three ran in 2021 and continued the story of Logan, Kendall, Shiv, and Roman with boardroom maneuvers and family power plays. The series stars Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin and features original music by Nicholas Britell.

The show aired on HBO in 2021 and streamed on HBO Max. Episodes were released weekly and the season finale drew strong viewership for the network across linear and streaming. The production filmed in New York and Europe and continued to use real world corporate settings for authenticity.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

‘Mare of Easttown’ is a limited series created by Brad Ingelsby and directed largely by Craig Zobel. The story centers on a small town detective investigating a local murder while dealing with family struggles. Kate Winslet leads the cast with Jean Smart, Julianne Nicholson, and Evan Peters in key roles.

The seven episode series premiered on HBO and streamed on HBO Max in spring 2021. Production shot in locations around Philadelphia and Delaware County to match the setting. The show became one of the most watched limited series on the network that year.

‘Squid Game’ (2021– )

Created by Hwang Dong hyuk, ‘Squid Game’ is a South Korean survival drama about cash strapped contestants drawn into deadly versions of childhood games. Lee Jung jae, Park Hae soo, and Jung Ho yeon star, with the striking production design and music playing a major role in its identity.

The series launched on Netflix in September 2021 and reached a large international audience with subtitles and dubbing in multiple languages. Filming took place in South Korea and the show quickly became one of Netflix’s most viewed debuts that year.

‘The White Lotus’ (2021– )

‘The White Lotus’ was created by Mike White and began with a six episode first season set at a resort in Hawaii. The ensemble includes Murray Bartlett, Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton, and Sydney Sweeney. The show explores staff and guests over a turbulent week as personal tensions surface.

Season one aired on HBO in 2021 and streamed on HBO Max. Production filmed at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea under strict health protocols. The series format established a new location and cast approach for future seasons.

‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021– )

Created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman, ‘Only Murders in the Building’ brings together Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as true crime fans who start a podcast after a death in their apartment building. The show blends mystery plotting with a focus on neighborly connections and New York life.

The series premiered on Hulu in August 2021 with weekly episode releases. Filming used real Manhattan locations including the Belnord as the exterior for the Arconia. Hulu supported the series with behind the scenes features and a companion podcast.

‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–2023)

‘Ted Lasso’ was developed by Bill Lawrence, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly, and Brendan Hunt from a character created for NBC Sports. The show follows an American coach hired to manage an English football club and features a large ensemble including Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, and Brett Goldstein.

Season two streamed on Apple TV Plus in 2021 with weekly episodes. The production filmed in the London area and used Hayes and the SkyEx Community Stadium for club scenes. Apple supported the series with global distribution and accessibility options.

‘Dopesick’ (2021)

Created by Danny Strong and based on the nonfiction book by Beth Macy, ‘Dopesick’ examines the origins and impact of the opioid crisis in the United States. The series stars Michael Keaton, Kaitlyn Dever, Peter Sarsgaard, and Rosario Dawson and follows doctors, prosecutors, and families across multiple states.

The eight episode limited series released on Hulu in 2021. Production filmed in Virginia and used a mix of period appropriate design and real locations. Hulu presented the show as a flagship drama during the fall schedule.

‘Station Eleven’ (2021–2022)

Based on Emily St. John Mandel’s novel and developed by Patrick Somerville, ‘Station Eleven’ tracks survivors of a global pandemic and a traveling theater troupe that performs Shakespeare. The cast includes Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, Matilda Lawler, and Danielle Deadwyler, with direction from Hiro Murai and others.

The series aired on HBO Max beginning in December 2021 with a staggered release. Filming took place in Chicago and Toronto with extensive location work. The streamer promoted the show as a limited event across winter programming.

‘Arcane’ (2021– )

‘Arcane’ is an animated series set in the world of the video game franchise League of Legends from Riot Games. The story follows sisters Vi and Jinx and explores the cities of Piltover and Zaun. The show features original music and voice performances by Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Katie Leung.

The series premiered on Netflix in November 2021 and used a three episode drop format. Animation was produced by Fortiche Production in France with Riot Games as the studio partner. Netflix presented the release with synchronized in game events and companion content.

‘Hacks’ (2021– )

Created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs, and Jen Statsky, ‘Hacks’ follows a legendary stand up comedian and a young writer who start working together. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder lead the cast with recurring roles for Carl Clemons Hopkins and Kaitlin Olson.

The first season debuted on HBO Max in May 2021 with a two episode weekly rollout. Production was based in Los Angeles and Las Vegas and included on stage performance scenes filmed at local venues. The show became a key comedy for the streamer’s lineup that year.

‘Reservation Dogs’ (2021– )

Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, ‘Reservation Dogs’ focuses on four Indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma. The ensemble includes D’Pharaoh Woon A Tai, Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis, and Lane Factor, with a supporting cast drawn from Native communities.

The show premiered on FX on Hulu in 2021 with episodes available to stream next day on Hulu. Filming took place in Oklahoma with a primarily Indigenous writers room and crew. FX promoted the series as a new voice in its slate.

‘WandaVision’ (2021)

‘WandaVision’ is a limited series from Marvel Studios that follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision through a reality bending story that pays homage to different eras of television. Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany star with Kathryn Hahn and Teyonah Parris in major roles.

The nine episode series launched on Disney Plus in January 2021 with weekly releases. Filming used soundstages in Atlanta and Los Angeles with additional location work. Disney Plus positioned it as the first live action Marvel series on the platform.

‘Invincible’ (2021– )

Based on the comic by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, ‘Invincible’ is an animated superhero series centered on teenager Mark Grayson. The voice cast includes Steven Yeun, J K Simmons, Sandra Oh, and Zazie Beetz. The show balances high school life with large scale superhero conflicts.

The first season premiered on Prime Video in March 2021 with a hybrid release that combined a multi episode debut and weekly follow ups. Animation production involved multiple studios with color timing and effects work coordinated through Skybound. Prime Video highlighted the series across its genre lineup.

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

Created by Mike Flanagan, ‘Midnight Mass’ tells the story of an isolated island community that begins to change after the arrival of a mysterious priest. The ensemble features Zach Gilford, Hamish Linklater, Kate Siegel, and Rahul Kohli.

The seven episode series debuted on Netflix in September 2021. Production filmed in British Columbia with a constructed fishing village set on Garry Point Park. Netflix released behind the scenes features to document the design and makeup work.

‘The Underground Railroad’ (2021)

Developed and directed by Barry Jenkins, ‘The Underground Railroad’ adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel. The series follows Cora as she escapes a Georgia plantation and travels through a fictional network of trains and stations. Thuso Mbedu leads the cast with Joel Edgerton and Aaron Pierre.

The limited series premiered on Prime Video in May 2021 as a full season release. Production filmed across Georgia and used custom built sets to represent each state’s distinct world. Amazon Studios supported the project with curated educational materials and a companion website.

‘The Beatles: Get Back’ (2021)

‘The Beatles: Get Back’ is a three part documentary series directed by Peter Jackson using restored footage from the 1969 sessions that led to the rooftop concert. The series features John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr at work in the studio.

The documentary premiered on Disney Plus in November 2021 across three consecutive days. Restoration was handled by Park Road Post in New Zealand with advanced image and audio technology. Disney Plus presented the release as a major music event for the service.

‘It’s a Sin’ (2021)

Created by Russell T Davies, ‘It’s a Sin’ follows a group of friends in London from 1981 through the 1990s as the HIV and AIDS crisis unfolds. The main cast includes Olly Alexander, Lydia West, Omari Douglas, and Callum Scott Howells.

The series aired on Channel 4 in the UK in early 2021 and streamed on HBO Max in the United States. Filming took place in Manchester, Liverpool, and Wales to recreate the period setting. International distribution brought the series to multiple territories.

‘The Great’ (2020–2023)

‘The Great’ is created by Tony McNamara and offers a satirical take on the rise of Catherine the Great. The cast features Elle Fanning as Catherine and Nicholas Hoult as Peter with sets and costumes designed to evoke an opulent court.

Season two premiered on Hulu in November 2021. Production was based in the United Kingdom with stages at Three Mills Studios and location work around London. Hulu released the season all at once to allow immediate viewing.

‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (2019– )

Based on the film by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ follows vampire roommates living in Staten Island. The ensemble includes Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, and Mark Proksch, with recurring guest appearances and mockumentary style interviews.

Season three aired on FX in 2021 with next day streaming on Hulu. The show filmed in Toronto with sets replicating the vampire house and neighborhood streets. FX scheduled the season across late summer and early fall.

‘Maid’ (2021)

Based on Stephanie Land’s memoir, ‘Maid’ tells the story of a young mother who leaves an abusive relationship and finds work as a cleaner while navigating social services. Margaret Qualley stars with Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson, and Rylea Nevaeh Whittet.

The ten episode series debuted on Netflix in October 2021. Filming was done around Greater Victoria in British Columbia with real homes used for many client locations. Netflix released the full season at once for global streaming.

‘For All Mankind’ (2019– )

Created by Ronald D Moore, Matt Wolpert, and Ben Nedivi, ‘For All Mankind’ presents an alternate history where the space race never ended. The series follows NASA astronauts, engineers, and families across decades as technology and missions evolve.

Season two streamed on Apple TV Plus in 2021 with weekly episodes from February to April. Production filmed in Los Angeles with extensive visual effects and period set design. Apple provided companion featurettes detailing the science and production craft.

‘I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson’ (2019– )

Created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, ‘I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson’ is a sketch comedy series known for short episodes built around escalating scenarios. The cast includes recurring performers like Sam Richardson and Patti Harrison alongside frequent guest stars.

Season two launched on Netflix in July 2021 as a full drop. Sketches were filmed around Los Angeles with a tight production schedule and compact crew size. Netflix supported the series with global subtitling in multiple languages.

‘Girls5eva’ (2021– )

‘Girls5eva’ was created by Meredith Scardino and follows a former pop group that reunites years after its brief fame. The main cast features Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, and Paula Pell with original songs written for the show.

The first season premiered on Peacock in May 2021. Episodes were released weekly on the platform and production shot in New York City studios and locations. Peacock promoted the series across comedy and music audiences.

‘The Chair’ (2021)

Created by Amanda Peet and Annie Julia Wyman, ‘The Chair’ centers on the first woman to lead the English department at a prestigious university. Sandra Oh stars with Jay Duplass and Holland Taylor and the story covers administrative challenges and campus culture.

The six episode series premiered on Netflix in August 2021. Filming took place in Pittsburgh with campus scenes at Washington and Jefferson College and Chatham University. Netflix released the season as a single batch for immediate viewing.

‘The Expanse’ (2015–2022)

Based on the novels by James S A Corey, ‘The Expanse’ is a science fiction series that follows the crew of the Rocinante across a politically divided solar system. The ensemble includes Steven Strait, Dominique Tipper, Wes Chatham, and Shohreh Aghdashloo.

The sixth and final season began streaming on Prime Video in December 2021 with a weekly release pattern. Production filmed in Toronto with large scale sets and visual effects supervised by multiple vendors. Amazon presented the concluding season as a major event for the platform.

Share your picks for the best TV shows of 2021 in the comments so everyone can compare notes.