There’s no doubt 2022 was an excellent year for television. Whether you’re looking for something to binge over the Christmas break, or just want to find the best shows you missed watching this year, we’ve named the best TV shows of the year for your perusal.
The White Lotus
To not be watching The White Lotus season two this year was to miss the zeitgeist. Mike White managed to do something rare in the age of binge watching: make television an event. Dissecting fan theories and Easter eggs after each episode was half the fun, and even though the finale finally revealed who died, we were left with more questions than answers. (Did [redacted] sleep with [redacted]? And what really happened between [redacted] and [redacted]?) Meghann Fahy was robbed of an Emmy nomination in my opinion, but at least Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza and F. Murray Abraham were recognised. The White Lotus season three can’t come soon enough. — Alex Bruce-Smith, digital managing editor.
Watch it: on Binge (with a 14-day free trial here).
Tell Me Lies
I devoured the book by the same name (written by Carol Lovering) within two days and when the television adaptation dropped, I was exqually as obsessed. Grace Van Patten and Jackson White sizzle as tv’s most toxic couple (fun fact: the pair are a dating IRL too). Set in an American college in the noughties, the series navigates difficult family, friend and romantic relationship dynamics with a suspicious death thrown in for good measure. The internet loved to hate the world’s worst gas lighting boyfriend Steven, but I couldn’t get enough of him. Thankfully Hulu have announced a second season. Bring on the lies and deceit! — Bree Player, Features Editor
Watch it: on Disney+.
Slow Horses
The British spy thriller trope may be a bit of a cliché, but Slow Horses completely turns the genre on its head for a enigmatic and captivating series centred on political espionage. Led by the masterful Gary Oldman, with a cameo from House Of The Dragon star Olivia Cooke, this show focuses on the jaded M15 agents who have been sentenced to administrative purgatory and end up uncovering the biggest conspiracy inside the British Government. Plus, the second season has just premiered meaning there is over 12 hours of ‘who-done-it?’ content to consume over the Christmas break. — Ava Gilchrist, Digital Writer
Watch it: on Apple Plus.
Severance
I loved how original and different this show was! Essentially, the premise is that there is this new procedure where employees can sever their memories between their work and home life. In an age of quiet quitting and reassessing the work / life balance the show echoed the social discourse in a unique, thrilling and comedic way. Cannot wait for the next season! — Harriet Sim, Feature Writer
Watch it: on Apple Plus.
Andor
Where do I begin with Andor. It’s a Star Wars show, but not how you imagine Star Wars to be. Set shortly before the events of Rogue One (which in turn is set shortly before A New Hope), Andor is a story of rebellion and authoritarianism, following future Rebel captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) as he finds himself joining the disparate Rebel forces. The enemy in Andor isn’t a supremely evil being, but Empire apparatchiks weilding just a little too much power. Instead of references to “the force”, you have workplace tensions and familial scenes. The Star Wars universe has never felt so lived in. If nothing else, watch it for all-time speech deliveries from Stellan Skarsgârd and Andy Serkis — you won’t regret it. — Alex Bruce-Smith, Digital Managing Editor
Watch it: on Disney+.
The Offer
You don’t have to be obsessed with The Godfather to be captivated The Offer, a raucous drama on the making of arguably Hollywood’s greatest-ever film. Sure enough, this 10-parter is about Francis Ford Capola’s 1974 masterpiece, but it’s also a rollicking ride through Hollywood at its peak. There are mafioso bosses, crazy movie producers, weirdo actors (Justin Chambers’ turn as Marlon Brando is perfection), fabulous 70s fashion and one lovable, coke-sniffing, party-loving Paramount boss, played exquisitely by Matthew Goode. Final advice: don’t be deterred by Rotten Tomatoes’ 57% rating. If you’re craving pure entertainment this Christmas break, The Offer is your one-way ticket to stream-screen heaven. (Oh, and Miles Teller’s in it; enough said!) — Nicky Briger, Editor
Watch it: on Paramount+.
Euphoria
It’s no secret Zendaya’s performance was mind-blowing, but it must be said that Sydney Sweeney as the lovesick Cassie Howard had some serious scene-stealing moments. The critics agreed with Golden Globe and Emmy nominations going to both actors. Bring on the chaos of season three. — Samantha Stewart, Lifestyle Editor
Watch it: on Binge (with a 14-day free trial here).
The Crown
Watching Elizabeth Debicki re-imagine some of Princess Diana’s most iconic outfits is a nostalgic look back into my 90s childhood. Growing up, I was one of the many millions who loved and looked up to Princess Diana and this latest series brings The Crown firmly into my living memory. So, even though I know everything that is said it is almost entirely ficationalised, I was gripped by Debicki’s brilliant depiction of the many personal and public knocks Diana went through. — Sally Hunwick, Beauty Director
Watch it: on Netflix.
Heartbreak High
I don’t know why, but I wasn’t as excited as everyone else when I heard Aussie classic Heartbreak High was scoring a reboot. I missed it the first time around, and this second take didn’t feel like it was for me (which is fine!). Then I watched it on a whim one night, and realised how wrong I was. Heartbreak High is gripping from the start, teasing out the tale of an all-too-familiar friendship breakdown that turns out like nothing you’d expect, while immersing us in the world of a group of high school kids just trying to make it through. It brings me so much joy to know this little Netflix show has launched a new group of Australian actors onto the world stage — and a particular shout-out to Chloe Hayden, who is not only bringing some much-needed authentic representation to our screens, but was voted the Rising Star at marie claire‘s Women of the Year awards this year. I can’t wait for season two, and this time, I’ll be watching it from the get go. — Alex Bruce-Smith, Digital Managing Editor
Watch it: on Netflix.
Ozark
When everyone (and I mean *everyone*) was talking about the fourth and final season of ‘Ozark’ earlier this year, I realised there was nothing else for it but to jump on the bandwagon. I went in—all four seasons of it. Not only was the plot utterly gripping—as in, forgo sleep in order to watch the next episode addictive—but the acting was also in a league of its own. Julia Garner is God tier. — Jess Pullar, Digital Culture Editor
Watch it: on Netflix.
The Queen’s Funeral
I know. I know. It’s not going to be up for an Emmy this year, but for me this was blockbuster mourn porn for the masses and the standout drama of the year. I’m a sucker for a big live breaking news story and the end of the reign of Elizabeth II had it all; family tears, warring siblings, a pedophile prince, a grieving nation, sad corgis, men in feathers, funeral chic and pageantry up the wazoo. Sure it needed a good edit (that incessant marching all over London could have been cut down to a highlights reel) but it was the one TV event that everybody watched (if only to see the Charles chucking a tanty). Happy and glorious. — Mel Gaudron, Deputy Editor
House of the Dragon
I couldn’t let this list of the best tv shows of 2022 go live without mentioning House of the Dragon. As a die-hard Game of Thrones fan (season eight not counting), I was apprehensive about whether a prequel would live up to the magic. And although it was a slow burn at first, by halfway through I was utterly hooked. Matt Smith is terrifyingly hot (and yes, unfortunately this show is making us root for incest couples… again), while Emma D’Arcy is an absolute force. And in the final episode, we witnessed what terrifyingly unconstrained power dragons really weild. Consider me hooked. — Alex Bruce-Smith, Digital Managing Editor.
Watch it: on Binge (with a 14-day free trial here).
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