What are the best TV shows so far in 2022? Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Paramount+
With a number of big-name titles released exclusively on digital platforms this is undoubtedly the age of streaming, but which new shows should you watch?
Streaming services have becoming increasingly central to the creation, production and dissemination of television shows. At the 2021 Emmy Awards, Netflix recorded an astonishing 26 wins, the most for a single platform in the award’s history.
This year it was HBO and its HBO Max streaming service who came out on top, securing a dozen victories. The trend looks set to continue with major television series streaming exclusively on the various platforms.
In recent months Disney+ has released Star Wars: Andor; HBO Max has dropped the long-awaited Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon; while The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is available exclusively on Amazon Prime.
But with so many shows released across a number of platforms it can be hard to decide what to watch. Fortunately, IMDb has released a list of the highest-rated television shows of 2022.
Here’s the top ten…
10. Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
The Netflix original true crime drama explores the horrifying crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the Milwaukee Monster. The story is told from the perspective of his many victims with Evan Peters in the title role.
9. Pachinko
Following the story of a New York Times bestseller, Pachinko centres on the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family in the United States. The show is available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+.
8. This Is Going To Hurt
A more light-hearted entry to the top ten comes courtesy of the BBC, with Ben Whishaw starring as an over-worked junior doctor. The show is one of few new series which is available to watch for free, albeit with some adverts, on The Roku Channel, as well as on Amazon Prime.
7. The Bear
Available to stream exclusively on Hulu, The Bear follows a young chef forced to drop from the world of fine dining to help out at his family’s Chicago sandwich shop. The comedy-drama was released in June and was created by FX Productions.
6. House of the Dragon
Few TV shows have captured the public consciousness like Game of Thrones, and almost none have left fans as bitterly disappointed as the show’s widely-panned final season. However the iconic theme music is back for House of the Dragon, which is available exclusively on HBO Max.
5. Heartstopper
A classic coming-of-age series adapted from Alice Oseman’s webcomic and graphic novel of the same name. Heartstopper is another Netflix original and sees teens Charlie and Nick navigate their experiences and feelings of young love.
4. The Rehearsal
Comedian, actor and meme icon Nathan Fielder stars in a documentary series in which people can rehearse their own lives in a meticulously crafted environment, to see how it effects their success out in the world. Centred by Fielder’s own brand of comedy the show is unlike anything else on TV, and is available exclusively on HBO Max.
3. The Offer
Producer Albert S. Ruddy was under a huge amount of pressure to turn the well-renowned novel The Godfather into a wildly successful movie. Despite having not previously read the book, Ruddy brings together an unlikely cast to create cinematic history. Available to view on Paramount+.
2. Severance
This Apple TV+ mystery drama follows a team of office workers whose memories are divided between work and personal lives. Adam Scott stars as the head of the team, Mark, who slowly comes to terms with his reality after the intervention of a mysterious new colleague.
1. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
An autistic lawyer with a high IQ and incredible memory skills must navigate life at a high-flying Seoul law firm. Following the success of Squid Game last year, Extraordinary Attorney Woo broke a Korean TV record for the highest viewing figures on ENA for the season finale. In the US it’s available to stream on Netflix.