Top television shows of 2018

By Jordan Parker

Everyone was talking about original Netflix content this year.

From the rise of Haunting of Hill House to Jonah Hill-Emma Stone-starrer Maniac to the cancellations of wonderful Marvel shows DaredevilIron Fistand Luke Cage, it's been a crazy year for the streamer.

I, for one, enjoyed their more low-key efforts like season two of AtypicalWanderlust and the comeback of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but it was really HBO and a resurgence in major network comedies that caught my eye this year.

The Deuce

The sophomore season of this HBO drama about the pornography and pimping industry in New York City in the 1970s improved incredibly.

From David Simon — the man behind The Wire — this incredible show stars James Franco as twin brothers Frankie and Vince, one a nonchalant bar owner in too deep with his mob bosses, and one a huge screw-up who gambles and drinks his way through life.

But despite the double-Franco billing, it's Maggie Gyllenhaal as an escort with tenacity who really brings the show full circle.

This season is full of wonderful character art, huge developments and twists that will turn this into one of the best shows on television.

Mayans M.C.

Four years after the almost-perfect ending to motorcycle club drama Sons Of Anarchy, series creator Kurt Sutter is back with this continuation show.

While it may not have the legs of its predecessor, Sutter creates a fantastical, familiar world for lovers of the old show, and FX gives him the room to do so.

JD Pardo is a force as EZ Reyes, a jailbird who begins as a prospect for the Mayans bike club, set on the California-Mexico border.

With mostly unknown actors — save for Edward James Olmos as EZ's father, and familiar face Emilio Rivera as MC leader Marcus Alvarez — this show is going to take another half season to rev at full power.

But trust me, it will emerge in time as one of the best on TV, just like creator Sutter's Sons of Anarchy and The Shield were.

Keep an eye on this one for sure.

This Is Us

The third season of this drama still packs a wallop, and will have you reaching for your Kleenex.

It still follows a unique set of triplets, and the flashback sequences to mother and father, played by Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore, and their trials and tribulations are some of the best of the series.

The ensemble cast is incredible, but Sterling K. Brown as Randall is the obvious stand-out once again. The fact this show wasn't nominated for a single Golden Globe this year perplexes me.

Dan Fogelman, also the writer of Steve Carell film Crazy, Stupid, Love — keeps getting better here.

A Million Little Things

Set up by the network as the 'male version' of the aforementioned This Is Us, this first-season show revolves around three friends coping with the suicide of their lynchpin Jonathan.

Frankly, with shows like 13 Reasons Why looking at the issue of suicide with shock value, it's nice to see this tender show look at a huge issue with restraint and honesty.

DJ Nash — known best for producing Brad Garrett sitcom 'Til Death — makes a pretty amazing transition to drama here.

With a cast including David Giuntoli, Romany Falco, Allison Miller, Grace Park and Ron Livingston, this is an incredible showcase.

But I would be remiss if I didn't say Psych alum James Roday is the true star of the show here.

The Good Place

This unbelievable, gut-busting comedy, now in season three, began with four people who are sent to Heaven (The Good Place), but one of them knows she was put there by accident.

The show, created by the writer of gems The Office and Parks and Recreation, is bar-none the best comedy on network TV.

Kristen Bell rebounded from the cancellation of HBO series House of Lies with this amazing show, and she's joined by Ted Danson in his best role since Cheers.

Perhaps, though, D'Arcy Carden, as other-worldly being Janet, is the best part of this affair though.

Murphy Brown

This show about a TV journalist first began in 1988, and this year, it was the subject of a successful revitalization.

After a fantastic performance in Book Club with Jane Fonda, we see Candice Bergen back as Murphy Brown, and she's a revelation.

The series hasn't been shy about slaying President Donald Trump and the current administration, and it's mix of comedy and politics is a perfect blend.

This truly is one of the most pointed, hilarious, topical shows on TV today, and with the first season just wrapping, it should be available to stream too.

Patrick Melrose

This five-episode miniseries from HBO was one of the most entertaining things on television screens this year.

It's based on the novels about Patrick Melrose by Edward St. Aubyn, and it striking and witty at every moment.

Benedict Cumberbatch takes a break from being a big-screen heartthrob and returns to TV to play the drug-addicted, alcoholic Melrose, a rich debutante who returns home when his abusive father dies.

He's spectacular and Emmy-worthy here as a man trying to reconcile his deep-seated resentment of a man who ruined his childhood. Hugo Weaving — best known as Agent Smith from The Matrix — shows the most depth of his career here.

Jennifer Jason Leigh continues her streak of fantastic performances as the victim mother, and this is quite frankly the most difficult, but best show on the list.

Pose

Show creator Ryan Murphy has had a heck of a year. From a fantastic sophomore season of first-responder drama 9-1-1 to a thrilling season ofAmerican Horror Story, he's been on fire.

But he really hits a great note with Pose, his drama for FX about drag in 1987. It's a truly spectacular showing, with a great, big, beating queer heart at the centre.

Murphy regular Evan Peters is great here, but it's MJ Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson and the tenacious Billy Porter are incredible.

Young Ryan Jamaal Swain also shows fantastic potential here, and with supporting performances from Kate Mara and James Van Der Beek, this is one of the best dramas of the year.

It's a great look into queer culture and it's a wonderful show. I can't wait for next season.

Barry

This HBO gem about a hit-man who heads to Los Angeles and falls in love with the theatre. He soon tries to balance both worlds, to the chagrin of his handler.

Bill Hader — the goofy funnyman best known for his loud demeanour — plays it quiet here as the sensitive, conflicted Barry.

Stephen Root is his handler and a huge highlight of the show. But it's Henry Winkler as Barry's acting coach who is absolutely hilarious.

This is a great black comedy, although it is a little violent. If you like movies like The Cable Guy, you'll probably enjoy this.

The Affair

The award for “most insane” season of television goes to The Affair

This show, which has evolved in 1,000 different ways over four seasons, began as the story of a married man who has an affair with a woman while he's on vacation.

Told through the lens of the man, his wife, the young woman and her ex, it gives different takes on every situation through different perspectives.

Every single frame, in every episode, from the opening credits to the end scenes, is absolute mastery.

This season has career-best performances from The Wire alum Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, a grown-up Joshua Jackson, and Emmy nominee MauraTierney.

This is a shock-a-minute drama, and one of the best darn shows on TV. The fourth season only improved upon this show's legacy.

Honourable Mentions:

  • Queer Eye
  • Yellowstone
  • Divorce
  • Assassination of Gianni Versace
  • Billions
  • The Che
  • Westworld

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