The Absolute Best TV Shows of 2022
Picking standout series in a year packed with buzzy premieres and sharp returning seasons is no small feat. 2022 gave viewers new worlds to explore, fresh voices to follow, and finales that wrapped up long running stories with care. This list brings together the shows that defined the year through memorable storytelling, strong casts, and clear creative identities.
You will find new titles that arrived fully formed alongside veterans that hit important milestones. To make this useful, each entry includes the essentials like the premise, key creative names, release details, and where it aired, with networks mentioned simply as part of the facts.
‘Severance’ (2022– )
This workplace mystery follows employees who undergo a procedure that splits their memories between the office and home. Created by Dan Erickson and directed in part by Ben Stiller, it stars Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Patricia Arquette, and John Turturro. It premiered in February and finished its first season in April with nine episodes.
The series streams on Apple TV Plus, which renewed it soon after the finale. Production used New Jersey and New York locations, and the score by Theodore Shapiro became a signature element across the season.
‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)
This legal and crime drama closes the story of Jimmy McGill and his transformation into Saul Goodman. Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould, it stars Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and Giancarlo Esposito. The final run was split into two parts that aired from April to August with thirteen episodes.
It aired on AMC, with episodes available next day on AMC Plus in many regions. Filming centered on Albuquerque, and the production coordinated directly with the original ‘Breaking Bad’ timeline to align locations and character arcs.
‘The Bear’ (2022– )
This kitchen set drama follows Carmen Berzatto, a chef who returns to run his family’s sandwich shop. Created by Christopher Storer, it stars Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, and Ebon Moss Bachrach. The first season contains eight half hour episodes that released in June.
It streams on Hulu in the United States as part of FX on Hulu programming, with international availability on Disney Plus in the Star hub. The show uses Chicago locations and features extensive culinary consultation to depict line work realistically.
‘Andor’ (2022– )
This spy thriller tracks Cassian Andor’s path in the early days of the Rebellion. Created by Tony Gilroy and starring Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly, and Denise Gough, the first season released its initial three episodes together in September and ran for twelve episodes.
It streams on Disney Plus with a second season planned to complete the story. Production used large built sets and on location shoots across the United Kingdom to reduce reliance on virtual stages.
‘House of the Dragon’ (2022– )
Set in the world of ‘Game of Thrones’, this prequel covers the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Based on George R. R. Martin’s ‘Fire and Blood’, it stars Paddy Considine, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, and Olivia Cooke. The first season features ten episodes that aired weekly from August to October.
It aired on HBO with streaming on HBO Max in supported regions. The production filmed across the UK, Spain, and Portugal, and used a dragon riding rig and extensive visual effects to stage aerial sequences.
‘The White Lotus’ (2021– )
The second season moves the anthology to Sicily and follows a new group of guests and staff at a luxury resort. Created by Mike White, it stars Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Michael Imperioli, and Meghann Fahy. The season premiered in late October with seven episodes released weekly.
It aired on HBO, with episodes available on HBO Max. Filming took place at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, and the music by Cristobal Tapia de Veer returned with new cues tailored to the Italian setting.
‘The Rehearsal’ (2022– )
This unscripted series stages elaborate rehearsals to help participants prepare for difficult life moments. Created by and starring Nathan Fielder, it blends documentary methods with large scale sets and hired performers. The first season ran six episodes that aired in July and August.
It aired on HBO, with streaming through HBO Max. Production constructed a full scale bar replica and a suburban home set, and coordinated with local New York and Oregon communities for extended shoots.
‘Barry’ (2018– )
The third season continues the story of a hitman pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles. Created by Bill Hader and Alec Berg, it stars Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Sarah Goldberg, and Anthony Carrigan. The season consists of eight episodes that aired from April to June.
It aired on HBO with streaming on HBO Max. The season featured tight bottle episodes alongside large exterior sequences, and post production emphasized practical stunts supported by minimal visual effects.
‘The Sandman’ (2022– )
This fantasy adaptation follows Morpheus, the personification of Dream, as he restores order to his realm. Developed by Allan Heinberg with Neil Gaiman and David S. Goyer, it stars Tom Sturridge, Kirby Howell Baptiste, Gwendoline Christie, and Boyd Holbrook. The initial ten episodes arrived in August, followed by a surprise bonus chapter.
It streams on Netflix. Production combined stages in the UK with location work and used a mix of practical sets and CGI to depict the Dreaming, with Framestore and other vendors handling major sequences.
‘Wednesday’ (2022– )
This mystery comedy centers on Wednesday Addams at Nevermore Academy as she investigates a series of events around the town of Jericho. Developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar with episodes directed by Tim Burton, it stars Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, and Christina Ricci. The first season includes eight episodes released in November.
It streams on Netflix. Filming took place in Romania, and the production built key school interiors while using practical monster effects augmented by visual work in post.
‘Bad Sisters’ (2022– )
This Irish dark comedy thriller follows five sisters who come under investigation after a death in the family. Created by Sharon Horgan and adapted from the Belgian series ‘Clan’, it stars Horgan, Anne Marie Duff, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, and Eve Hewson. The season released weekly episodes following a two episode premiere in August.
It streams on Apple TV Plus. The production shot around Dublin and the coastline of Ireland, and the opening titles feature artwork by Edel Rodriguez paired with a score by Tim Phillips and PJ Harvey.
‘Pachinko’ (2022– )
This multigenerational saga traces a Korean family across countries and decades. Created by Soo Hugh and adapted from Min Jin Lee’s novel, it stars Kim Min ha, Youn Yuh jung, Lee Min ho, and Jin Ha. The season uses a trilingual approach with Korean, Japanese, and English across eight episodes.
It streams on Apple TV Plus. Production spanned locations in Korea, Japan, and North America, with a distinct visual grammar for each era and an opening sequence set to a recurring dance in a pachinko parlor.
‘Slow Horses’ (2022– )
This espionage series follows MI5 misfits assigned to Slough House under the abrasive Jackson Lamb. Based on Mick Herron’s novels, it stars Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, and Kristin Scott Thomas. The year delivered two six episode runs adapting the first two books.
It streams on Apple TV Plus. Filming used London locations including the Barbican and the City, and the show maintained a tight schedule to shoot back to back seasons with overlapping crews.
‘The Boys’ (2019– )
The third season continues the story of a vigilante group confronting corporate superheroes. Developed by Eric Kripke from the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, it stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, and Erin Moriarty. The season launched in June with a three episode drop followed by weekly installments.
It streams on Prime Video. Production filmed in Toronto and used extensive prosthetics for set pieces, with Industrial Light and Magic and other studios providing visual effects for powers and large scale action.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ (2022– )
This fantasy epic explores events of the Second Age including the forging of the rings and the rise of Sauron. Developed by J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay, it features Morfydd Clark, Charlie Vickers, Ismael Cruz Córdova, and Cynthia Addai Robinson. The first season includes eight episodes that released from September to October.
It streams on Prime Video. Principal photography took place in New Zealand, and the production built large outdoor sets and practical villages, complemented by Weta FX work on environments and creatures.
‘Ozark’ (2017–2022)
The final season closes the story of the Byrde family’s criminal entanglements in the Lake of the Ozarks. Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, it stars Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and Julia Garner. The last chapter released in two parts across the year with seven episodes in each.
It streams on Netflix. Production continued in Georgia with Lake Lanier and the Atlanta area doubling for Missouri, and color grading preserved the established cool palette across the concluding episodes.
‘Tokyo Vice’ (2022– )
This crime drama is inspired by Jake Adelstein’s reporting on organized crime in Tokyo. Developed by J. T. Rogers and starring Ansel Elgort, Ken Watanabe, Rachel Keller, and Shō Kasamatsu, the first season premiered with three episodes and continued weekly for eight total.
It streams on HBO Max, known today as Max in many regions. Filming occurred on location in Tokyo with cooperation from local authorities, and the production employed bilingual crews for efficiency.
‘Our Flag Means Death’ (2022– )
This period comedy follows gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet and his partnership with Blackbeard. Created by David Jenkins, it stars Rhys Darby, Taika Waititi, Vico Ortiz, and Samson Kayo. The first season has ten episodes that premiered in March.
It streams on HBO Max. Production used New Zealand stages with volume technology for ocean backgrounds, and costuming highlighted historically inspired fabrics adapted for stunt work.
‘Reservation Dogs’ (2021– )
The second season continues the story of four Indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma. Created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, it stars D’Pharaoh Woon A Tai, Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis, and Lane Factor. The season ran ten episodes that released weekly through late summer.
It airs under the FX banner with streaming on Hulu. The production employs a largely Indigenous writers room and crew, and filming takes place around Okmulgee and Tulsa.
‘The Dropout’ (2022)
This limited series recounts the rise and collapse of Theranos and its founder Elizabeth Holmes. Created by Elizabeth Meriwether and starring Amanda Seyfried, Naveen Andrews, and Michaela Watkins, it tells the full story over eight episodes.
It streams on Hulu. The production used Los Angeles area locations to stand in for Silicon Valley offices and laboratories, and incorporated archival inspired props and branding to match period details.
‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ (2022)
This limited series chronicles the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, focusing on victims and community impact. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, it stars Evan Peters, Niecy Nash Betts, and Richard Jenkins. The season spans ten episodes that released together in September.
It streams on Netflix. Production filmed in Los Angeles with carefully recreated apartments and police settings, and the soundtrack uses period tracks to anchor scenes in time and place.
‘Heartstopper’ (2022– )
This coming of age romance adapts Alice Oseman’s graphic novels about Nick and Charlie. Developed by Oseman, it stars Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, and Yasmin Finney. The first season includes eight episodes and quickly reached a wide audience through word of mouth.
It streams on Netflix. Filming took place in the United Kingdom, and the production uses hand drawn on screen flourishes to echo the source material’s style.
‘1899’ (2022)
This mystery thriller follows migrants on a steamship encountering a derelict vessel. Created by Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, it stars Emily Beecham, Andreas Pietschmann, and Aneurin Barnard. The first season consists of eight episodes released in November.
It streams on Netflix. Production used a new virtual production stage in Germany known as Dark Bay, combining LED volumes with real sets to stage ocean sequences.
‘Peacemaker’ (2022– )
This action comedy follows Christopher Smith after the events of ‘The Suicide Squad’. Created by James Gunn, it stars John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, and Jennifer Holland. The first season contains eight episodes that rolled out weekly in January and February.
It streams on HBO Max. Filming took place in Vancouver, and the production features a choreographed title sequence shot with the full cast that was captured in a single location.
‘The Peripheral’ (2022– )
This science fiction series adapts the novel by William Gibson about a gamer who connects to a distant future through experimental technology. Created by Scott B. Smith with executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, it stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Jack Reynor, and Gary Carr. The first season has eight episodes that released weekly from October.
It streams on Prime Video. Filming occurred in London and the American South, with visual effects work supporting future cityscapes and haptic gear designs.
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