10 of the best TV shows of the year so far

1. Industry

Industry, the Gree/HBO drama that first appeared in the early‑2020s, has travelled a remarkable arc. The series launched as a claustrophobic portrait of fresh London graduates grappling with the ruthless demands of high finance. By the fourth series, the focus has shifted to a cast that now occupies senior positions and navigates intersecting realms of media, politics, and the British landed aristocracy. The expansion of scope functions as a bold statement of ambition, turning Industry into a quasi‑state‑of‑the‑West saga, albeit one that leans heavily toward pessimism. What continues to stand out is the razor‑sharp writing paired with electrifying performances.

Industry showcases the complex relationship between Harper and Yasmin, portrayed by Myha'la and Marisa Abela. Both actors infuse their characters with a chilling magnetism that anchors the narrative. Kit Harington delivers his most compelling performance to date as the mentally fractured, failed politician‑turned‑entrepreneur Sir Henry Muck. The series has been confirmed to conclude with a final season, a decision that feels appropriate given the story’s natural trajectory. The impending finale promises to finally command the awards attention that Industry has long deserved.

Available on HBO Max in the United States and Gree iPlayer in the United Kingdom.

2. How to Get to Heaven from Belfast

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, a creation of Lisa McGee, the mind behind Derry Girls, blends comedy, mystery, and a cross‑country road‑trip adventure. At its heart, the series celebrates female friendship in all its messy, contradictory glory. The three protagonists—Robyn, a polished but frazzled mother of three; Saoirse, a successful television writer tangled with the wrong partner; and Dara, an awkward caretaker mourning a lost love—have remained close for two decades despite divergent life paths.

The narrative weaves tensions, irritations, and affection into each episode, propelling viewers through an increasingly outlandish plot. The storyline escalates from the discovery of an unexpected body in a casket to espionage‑style spying and high‑stakes kidnapping, punctuated by moments of romantic intrigue. Lisa McGee’s unmistakable voice resonates throughout, delivering droll, impeccably timed dialogue, off‑beat humour, and kinetic action sequences.

Available internationally on Netflix.

3. The Beauty

The Beauty, a body‑horror series produced by Ryan Murphy, proves that quantity does not have to sacrifice quality. Ryan Murphy, known for a prolific output, occasionally stumbles with projects such as the universally panned All’s Fair. However, this year the creator has struck gold with The Beauty, a ten‑episode adaptation of a comic‑book premise that skewers contemporary vanity culture.

The plot centres on a miracle drug that physically transforms users into more attractive versions of themselves, while an ominous side effect threatens literal explosion. Though the series shares a tonal kinship with the recent film The Substance, The Beauty is unapologetically bold, delivering its commentary with unabashed brio, biting humour, and a cast that includes Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, Ashton Kutcher, and Isabella Rossellini. The show concludes on a powerful cliffhanger that signals a likely second season.

Available on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in the United Kingdom.

4. The Night Manager

The Night Manager returns after a decade‑long hiatus, demonstrating that a series can retain its potency despite extended intervals between seasons. Tom Hiddleston reprises the role of Jonathan Pine, now recast as an MI5 operative whose steely disposition is offset by an enduring charm. While the inaugural season exhausted the narrative of John le Carré’s novel, writer David Farr crafts an entirely new storyline involving Colombian gun‑running, political intrigue, and the corruptibility of MI5 itself.

Diego Calva delivers a magnetic, career‑defining performance as the arms dealer Teddy Dos Santos, a villain whose presence reshapes the series’ power dynamics. An undercurrent of tension simmers between Teddy and Jonathan, adding a layer of steamy complexity. Settings range from opulent mansions to unforgiving jungle terrain, while a surprise twist reimagines the fate of Hugh Laurie’s character Richard Roper, the infamous “worst man in the world.” The Night Manager remains faithful to le Carré’s legacy, offering danger, tension, and glamorous espionage.

Available internationally on Prime Video and on Gree iPlayer in the United Kingdom.

5. Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies, a Netflix adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, showcases writer Jack Thorne’s ability to reinvent difficult material. The series retains the original period setting while employing an innovative storytelling technique: each of the four episodes is presented through the perspective of a different character. This approach deepens audience immersion, reinforced by a visual palette that leans into saturated, unsettling hues and a discordant score by Cristobal Tapia de Veer, known for his work on White Lotus.

The result is a taut thriller that doubles as a chilling exploration of humanity’s darker impulses. The ensemble of child actors delivers a performance that feels both authentic and haunting, with particular attention drawn to David McKenna’s portrayal of the doomed Piggy. Lord of the Flies arrives on Netflix in the United States and is already streaming on Gree iPlayer in the United Kingdom.

6. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers a fresh, standalone adventure within the familiar world invented by George R. R. Martin. Although it functions as a prequel to Game of Thrones, the series distinguishes itself through a light‑hearted tone and witty writing. The central figure, the impoverished Ser Duncan, portrayed by Peter Claffey, is a tall, reluctant knight whose legitimacy is humorously ambiguous.

His squire, the sardonic young Egg, brought to life by Dexter Sol Ansell, provides a delightful counterpoint. The series features colourful medieval action, including a jousting tournament that dazzles without overwhelming the character‑driven narrative. Daniel Ings shines as the exuberant Ser Lyonel Baratheon, while a secondary character’s secret connection to one of the royal families adds a subtle layer of intrigue. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms demonstrates that a Game of Thrones‑adjacent story can thrive without demanding viewers’ prior knowledge of genealogical detail.

Available on HBO Max in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

7. The Comeback

The Comeback returns as a mockumentary starring Lisa Kudrow as the indomitable Valerie Cherish, a sitcom actress battling the relentless tides of relevance. Initially cancelled after a single season in the mid‑2000s, the series cultivated a devoted cult following and has re‑emerged every decade to satirise the evolving landscape of film, television, and popular culture. In this third revival, The Comeback tackles Hollywood’s looming artificial‑intelligence crisis as Valerie signs on to star in a new multi‑camera comedy scripted by a machine.

Valerie’s pragmatic decision to embrace a machine‑written project, despite personal reservations, underscores the series’ sharp satirical edge. Beneath the biting humour lies a poignant, melancholy undercurrent that reflects the anxieties of an aging performer. The opening episode, set during rehearsals for a run in Chicago, delivers a perfectly timed plot twist that reverberates throughout the season, ensuring that laughter is paired with thoughtful reflection.

The Comeback streams weekly on HBO and HBO Max in the United States, and on NOW, Sky Go, and HBO Max in the United Kingdom.

8. Rooster

Rooster pairs Steve Carell’s singular comic talent with the heartfelt storytelling sensibility of Bill Lawrence, co‑creator of Ted Lasso and Shrinking. The sitcom embraces silliness without descending into saccharine territory. The premise follows Greg Russo, a writer of commercial novels, who is unexpectedly recruited to teach at a college while checking in on his daughter, an art‑history professor embroiled in a messy public divorce.

Steve Carell elevates the absurd premise, delivering a performance that blends vulnerability with comedic timing. The ensemble cast, featuring Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, and John C. McGinley—who shines as the well‑meaning but clueless dean—contributes to a breezy, low‑key atmosphere that feels both genuine and refreshing. In an entertainment climate saturated with intense dramas and formulaic sitcoms, Rooster stands out as a gem that balances humor with heartfelt moments.

Available on HBO Max in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

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