It has been four years since we entered the 2020s, and it has already been a wild ride for television. At the beginning of the decade, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed and halted many productions. Last year, the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes paused shows for five months. Despite this, the decade’s first few years have welcomed us with new TV shows with excellent storytelling, captivating performances and stunning visuals. If you are looking for a recent series to binge, here are 10 TV shows from the 2020s that you should check out.
The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
A period drama about chess may not sound exciting to many people, but watching a few episodes of The Queen’s Gambit will leave you hooked. This coming-of-age series stars a young chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, who rises in the ranks of chess during the 1950s and 1960s but struggles due to her drug and alcohol problems. The way the series showcases the complexity of the chess community will make you want to play the game yourself.
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Squid Game (2021)
You couldn’t go anywhere in late 2021 without everyone talking about Squid Game, the most-viewed show on Netflix. The Korean drama centers on gambling addict Seong Gi-Hun, who competes in a series of children’s games along with 455 other players suffering from financial trouble to win billions of dollars. The show quickly became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, media and social conversations.
Reservation Dogs (2021)
This heartfelt teen dramedy created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi made history as the first American series to feature an all-Indigenous cast and crew. Reservation Dogs centers on four Indigenous teenagers in Oklahoma who commit petty crimes to make enough money to leave their reservation for California. The show follows the teens as they navigate challenges throughout their youth.
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Arcane (2021)
You don’t have to be a fan of League of Legends to appreciate the brilliance of Arcane. Set in the same video game universe, this steampunk action-packed series centers on sisters Vi and Jinx, who find themselves in opposing conflicts. The show was praised by fans and non-fans of the video game for its well-written characters and outstanding visuals.
The Bear (2022)
The Bear serves a satisfying dish by showing the complexity of working in the restaurant industry and not shying away from heavy topics. The FX original series centers on award-winning NYC chef Carmen Berzatto, who returns to his hometown, Chicago, to manage a sandwich shop owned by his older brother, who recently died from suicide. Carmen tackles the huge challenge of running the sandwich shop while dealing with his personal trauma.
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Heartstopper (2022)
It is rare to find LGBTQ+ media today that doesn’t dwell on a tragic storyline, but Heartstopper was able to bypass it. Based on Alice Oseman‘s young adult graphic novels of the same name, the Netflix teen series follows the romance between two British schoolboys, Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, while also exploring the lives of their friends. This show positively portrays queer characters, offering comfort and representation.
Severance (2022)
Severance is the most original show that brings a new concept into the standard old office setting. The Apple TV original centers on the employees of the Lemon industries who participate in the “severance” program in which their non-work memories are separate from their work memories. This show will keep you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next in the office.
The Last of Us (2023)
The Last of Us breaks the cycle of failed video game adaptions by creating a show that depicts the video game brilliantly. Based on Naughty Dog’s video game franchise, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey star as Joel and Ellie, who travel across a post-apocalyptic United States destroyed by zombie-like creatures infected by a fungus. Fans and newcomers will appreciate this video game adaptation for its storytelling, performances and cinematography.
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Beef (2023)
Beef takes two opposite people who have never interacted before and throws them into a chaotic and hilarious situation. The A24 dramedy miniseries stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, who get involved in a road rage incident that results in an enduring rivalry between them. This show will have you clicking on the next episode to see the comedic dynamic of how they settle their “Beef.”
Blue Eye Samurai (2023)
Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai is the best animated series to come out in 2023. The show follows a mixed-race warrior on her quest for revenge during the Edo period in Japan. The show’s gripping story and stunning animation will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The TV shows from the 2020s so far have been incredible and beloved by many, and the remaining years of the decade will bring even more. What is your favorite show on this list? Are there other shows released in the 2020s that you enjoy?
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