This was another strong year for television, blending prestige dramas, inventive comedies, and long-running fan favorites. Streaming platforms doubled down on bold original content, while cable and network TV kept delivering solid hits. Whether you were watching the scheming courts of medieval royalty, the undead apocalypse, or supernatural horrors lurking in small towns, this was a year that kept audiences hooked. Here are the 10 best series of 2017 across Netflix, HBO, Starz, Syfy, and beyond.
10. The White Princess: Season 1 (Starz)
A companion to The White Queen, this historical drama gave center stage to Elizabeth of York and her marriage to Henry VII, which effectively ended the Wars of the Roses. Lavish sets, rich costumes, and a standout performance from Jodie Comer made the series both gripping and emotionally resonant. It was a royal drama that blended intrigue with personal stakes.
9. Z Nation: Season 4 (Syfy)
By its fourth season, Z Nation had fully embraced its gonzo identity — equal parts horror, camp, and action. This wasn’t The Walking Dead’s bleak realism but a more playful, over-the-top take on the zombie apocalypse. Season 4 leaned into wilder plots and character arcs, keeping its cult following entertained with creative twists and outrageous humor.
8. Versailles: Season 2 (Canal+ / BBC Two)
Lavish, decadent, and full of political intrigue, Versailles continued to chronicle the reign of Louis XIV with flair. Season 2 dug deeper into conspiracies, court politics, and forbidden romance, set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most opulent palaces. With strong performances and extravagant production, it remained a treat for fans of historical drama.
7. Van Helsing: Season 2 (Syfy)
Syfy’s gritty vampire apocalypse returned with a darker, more ambitious second season. Vanessa Helsing’s journey deepened as alliances shifted and new threats emerged, blending survival horror with supernatural lore. While rough around the edges, Van Helsing offered plenty of blood-soaked fun for fans of action-driven genre TV.
6. F Is for Family: Season 2 (Netflix)
Bill Burr’s animated sitcom about a dysfunctional family in the 1970s hit its stride in its second season. With its sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and unapologetically raw look at suburban life, F Is for Family struck a balance between crass laughs and genuine emotional beats. Season 2 showed the series could grow while keeping its biting edge.
5. Stranger Things: Season 2 (Netflix)
The pop culture phenomenon returned with bigger stakes and a bigger monster in the Shadow Monster (a.k.a. Mind Flayer). Building on the success of its debut, Season 2 leaned into its mix of 1980s nostalgia, horror, and coming-of-age drama. While not quite as tight as the first season, it still delivered thrilling set pieces, emotional arcs, and the introduction of fan-favorite characters like Max and Billy.
4. Santa Clarita Diet: Season 1 (Netflix)
Few shows embraced absurdity like Santa Clarita Diet, which debuted in 2017. Starring Drew Barrymore as a suburban mom-turned-zombie and Timothy Olyphant as her increasingly frazzled husband, the series mixed domestic comedy with gore in wildly inventive ways. Fresh, funny, and surprisingly sweet, it carved out a cult following.
3. iZombie: Season 3 (The CW)
IZombie continued to blend crime procedural with supernatural comedy-drama in its third season. Rose McIver once again impressed with her ability to embody different personalities as Liv consumed new brains, while the overarching plot pushed Seattle closer to full-on zombie outbreak. Smart, witty, and quirky, it proved to be one of The CW’s most consistent shows.
2. Game of Thrones: Season 7 (HBO)
Though controversial in its pacing, Game of Thrones’ penultimate season brought major payoffs fans had been waiting years to see. Jon Snow met Daenerys, the White Walkers finally crossed into Westeros, and massive battles reshaped the political landscape. With cinematic production values and shocking twists, it remained must-see television, dominating watercooler conversations worldwide.
1. Dragon Ball Super: Season 5 (Toei Animation / Fuji TV)
For anime fans, Dragon Ball Super’s Tournament of Power arc was pure adrenaline. Season 5 delivered jaw-dropping fights, universe-shattering stakes, and the long-awaited Ultra Instinct form for Goku. Blending nostalgia with fresh storytelling, it reignited global love for the Dragon Ball franchise and proved why it’s still one of the biggest names in anime.
The Verdict
2017 was a year that showcased the full range of modern television — historical epics, apocalyptic horror, quirky comedies, anime battles, and blockbuster fantasy. Whether you wanted the comfort of nostalgia, the thrill of the undead, or the spectacle of dragons and super saiyans, there was something for everyone. These 10 shows stood out not just for their entertainment value, but for the way they defined what audiences wanted from TV in a year full of options.
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