2021 was the year television got truly experimental. Streaming platforms exploded with new shows, blending genres in ways audiences didn’t see coming. From superhero satire to animated epics, psychological thrillers to frontier dramas, TV in 2021 wasn’t afraid to take risks—and those risks paid off. These ten shows stood above the rest, offering fans a mix of jaw-dropping spectacle, rich storytelling, and unforgettable performances.
10. Another Life: Season 1 (Netflix)
This sci-fi series starring Katee Sackhoff explored humanity’s first contact with an alien artifact. While the show divided critics with uneven pacing, it found a loyal fanbase among sci-fi enthusiasts who craved interstellar drama, high-stakes survival, and space opera thrills.
9. Solos: Season 1 (Amazon Prime Video)
Anthology drama Solos was a meditation on loneliness, connection, and humanity’s future. Featuring powerhouse performances from Anne Hathaway, Anthony Mackie, and Helen Mirren, it leaned on monologue-style storytelling. While minimalist in scope, it was emotionally resonant for audiences still grappling with pandemic isolation.
8. Tell Me Your Secrets: Season 1 (Amazon Prime Video)
A psychological thriller that blended mystery, murder, and moral ambiguity, Tell Me Your Secrets followed three interconnected characters with dark pasts. Its slow-burn storytelling and twisted revelations kept viewers hooked, though some criticized its pacing. It thrived on atmosphere and complex character studies.
7. Behind Her Eyes: Season 1 (Netflix)
This British thriller seemed like a simple domestic drama until its shocking supernatural twist redefined the narrative. With strong performances and an unforgettable ending, Behind Her Eyes sparked endless debates online, cementing its place as one of the year’s buzziest shows.
6. Cruel Summer: Season 1 (Freeform/Hulu)
Told across three timelines, Cruel Summer explored obsession, lies, and teenage rivalry in the 1990s. Its nonlinear storytelling and suspenseful mystery made it a standout in teen drama, appealing to fans of Pretty Little Liars and 13 Reasons Why. It quickly developed a cult following.
5. Black Summer: Season 2 (Netflix)
Zombie horror was reinvented in the tense, bleak second season of Black Summer. Stripping away sentimentality, it delivered raw survival storytelling with nerve-shattering action sequences. Its minimalist style and relentless pacing made it one of the most terrifying entries in the zombie genre.
4. Evil: Season 2 (Paramount+)
Mixing horror, theology, and psychological drama, Evil continued its unsettling exploration of faith, science, and the supernatural. Michael Emerson’s chilling performance as Leland Townsend and the show’s refusal to provide easy answers elevated it far above traditional network horror fare.
3. 1883: Season 1 (Paramount+)
As a prequel to Yellowstone, 1883 was an ambitious western epic. Starring Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill, it told the gritty and tragic story of the Dutton family’s journey west. With sweeping cinematography and emotional weight, it proved westerns could still thrive in modern television.
2. Invincible: Season 1 (Amazon Prime Video)
Adapted from Robert Kirkman’s comic, Invincible subverted superhero tropes with brutal violence and emotional storytelling. Its shocking pilot finale hooked audiences instantly, while its mix of heartfelt family drama and grotesque spectacle made it one of 2021’s biggest breakout hits.
1. Arcane: Season 1 (Netflix)
Few expected a League of Legends animated spinoff to redefine adult animation, but Arcane exceeded every expectation. With breathtaking visuals, layered characters like Jinx and Vi, and a soundtrack that became iconic, it was a triumph of world-building and emotional depth. Universally acclaimed, Arcane set a new bar for video game adaptations.
The Verdict
Television in 2021 was bold, strange, and beautifully diverse. From the mind-bending twists of Behind Her Eyes to the animated masterpiece of Arcane, the year proved that genre television could be as emotional and impactful as prestige drama. Whether through the dark morality of Evil, the bloody chaos of Invincible, or the sweeping frontier tragedy of 1883, TV in 2021 delivered stories that stuck with audiences long after the credits rolled.
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