There was a lot of competition this year, but here are the Stylist team's picks of the must-watch shows that brought them the most pleasure this year.
SMOTHERED
"I probably shouldn't admit this in a public forum, but I inhaled the entirety of Smothered in one evening; that's how much I loved it," says features writer Holly Bullock.
"It has the perfect balance of rom and com, the casting is excellent (Danielle Vitalis and Jon Pointing make great leads and Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, as a cynical flatmate is inspired), the episodes are a pacey 20 minutes and the storyline feels like a genuinely fresh take: less 'will-they-won't-they' and more 'should-they-shouldn't-they'. My Christmas wish is that we get a second season ASAP." Watch on NOW
PLATONIC
"Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the high-stakes, rapid-fire drama of shows like The Bear and Succession, but the one show I genuinely enjoyed every minute of this year was just about two grown-ups being silly," admits Meena Alexander, features director.
"Platonic manages to tread the familiar ground of friendship in a refreshing and unexpected way as it follows full-time mum Sylvia (played to Bridesmaids-esque perfection by Rose Byrne) and middle-aged hipster Will (Seth Rogen in his element). As they rekindle an old friendship, it brilliantly observes the tensions and joys of connecting with someone who is your opposite in many ways – to hilarious and heartwarming effect." Watch on Apple TV+
BEEF
"Beef brings together its two central characters with a chance encounter in a car park. However, this is far from a typical meet-cute as Danny (Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong) let their anger over a minor parking mishap consume them – honking, chasing each other through red lights, swerving onto pavements and fuelling a months-long vendetta against each other," reminisces Emma Nicklin, acting group production director.
"The performances are stellar and despite the high-octane moments (attempted robberies, fraud, gun fights…), the show is at its most gripping when we see each character's internal struggles and two people who clearly love/hate each other keeping it simmering beneath the surface." Watch on Netflix
HAPPY VALLEY
"The best thing I watched this year (maybe even this decade) has to be Sally Wainwright's drama set to the sometimes bleak backdrop of the Yorkshire Valley," says Rachel Bailey, acting art director.
"Catherine Cawood (played perfectly by Sarah Lancashire), a divorced no-nonsense police sergeant, goes in pursuit of the man she blames for her daughter's suicide. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and actually screamed at the TV during the finale this year. Gritty British drama at its best." Watch on iPlayer
SUCCESSION
"I can't decide whether Jesse Armstrong is a genius for finishing Succession while it was at the absolute top of its game or on my naughty list for taking the revolting Roy family and their media empire away from me forever," laments entertainment director Helen Bownass. "I think it can probably be both, right?
"Series four, which concluded earlier this year, managed to be ruthless, devastating and hilarious in equal measures – and how many other dramas have the gumption to kill off the protagonist at the centre of all the drama with seven episodes to go? RIP you little slime puppies." Watch on NOW
DROPS OF GOD
"For someone who likes to think they know a bit about wine yet falls to pieces when a well-meaning shopkeeper asks, 'So, what is it you're looking for?', Drops Of God was like catnip," raves sub-editor Steven Cowan.
"Based on a Japanese manga, the series seamlessly shifts in language between French, Japanese and English, and centres around a competition to determine who will inherit the $148 million cellar of famed wine critic Alexandre Léger following his death. Will it be his estranged daughter, Camille, or his star pupil, Issei? Tense, complex and nicely structured… just like a good chablis. (I'm so sorry.)" Watch on Apple TV+
THE LAST OF US
"On paper, The Last Of Us sounds almost oppressively bleak," says Kayleigh Dray, freelance entertainment writer. "Set in a not-so-distant future, it follows hardened smuggler Joel (Pedro Pascal) as he escorts teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) on a terrifying journey across a ruined USA filled to bursting with cannibalistic humans.
"So far, so *whisper it* classic zombie fare. This devastatingly brilliant hopepunk series, however, was so much more than classic zombie fare. It dealt deftly with LGBTQ+ themes, shone a light on the realities of grief and taught us an uncomfortable home truth about love. It presented us with ethical dilemmas and philosophical issues aplenty. It reminded us of the very best – and worst – of humanity. And it has inspired a Pavlovian-style response in me to cry uncontrollably every single time I hear Linda Ronstadt's Long Long Time. Excellent stuff." Watch on NOW
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