From Jessica Jones, 13 Reasons Why, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and so much more- here are the 25 Best TV shows of 2018 you should add to your watchlist including drama, sci-fi, comedy, and documentaries:
13 Reasons Why
Easily among the Best TV Shows of 2017, 13 Reasons Why will make a comeback with its 2nd season in Summer/Spring 2018. The show will follow the events of the previous season and the consequential journeys of the characters. Netflix has not announced any specific date yet so; you have a lot of time to watch the first season if you have not already.
Black Mirror
The fourth season of the anthology series featured six episodes touching on different subject matters but all rooted on the technological anxieties and the possible future of it, making it one of the best TV shows on our list. The fourth season was released in December last year and although an official statement regarding the fifth season hasn’t been made by Netflix yet, in case it releases this year then it will be in late 2018.
The Alienist
The ten-episode series based on the novel of the same name by Caleb Carr will premiere on TNT on January 22. The show is set in 1896 New York City. It’s based on the adventures of a journalist played by Daniel Bruhl and his partner investigative team that includes Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning. These people are commissioned by Teddy Roosevelt to investigate mysterious murders. Period drama and mythology makes up a classic formula that lists The Alienist as our best TV show of 2018.
Orange Is The New Black
June 2018 can be good news for OITNB fans since season 6 is likely to drop, then. With the fifth season ending in a cliffhanger, there are a lot of “crazy eyes” on the lookout for the show that needs no introduction. In case that you do, this show that has garnered a huge following is one of the best TV shows that touch on the memoirs of Piper Kerman in a minimum-security women’s facility.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
This upcoming anthology western is written, directed, and produced by the Coen brothers who gave us True Grit. The series will feature 6 episodes and a cast that includes James Franco, Zoe Kazan, Tyne Daly, and Ralph Ineson. Tim Blake Nelson and Stephen Root will also make appearances with Nelson as Buster.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock is an upcoming American psychological horror series created for Hulu. It is based on the stories of Stephen King, intertwining characters and themes from the fictional town of Castle Rock starring the man behind Pennywise from King’s IT 2017 adaptation, Bill Skarsgard as a Shawshank prisoner.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events
Being received as one of the best TV shows in the past year, this Netflix adaptation of the famous children’s book of the same name will come back for its second season with Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf.
Cloak And Dagger
Based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name, the series is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and tells the story of two teenagers played by Olivia Holt as Tandy Bowen / Dagger and Aubrey Joseph as Tyrone Johnson / Cloak. They are from different backgrounds and acquire superpowers while forming a romantic relationship. They soon realize that their powers work better when they are together, “but their feelings for each other make their already complicated world even more challenging.”
Maniac
This dark-comedy television series features main roles played by Jonah Hill and Emma Stone and revolves around the fantasy worlds of two patients of a mental institute. The series is based on a 2014 Norwegian series.
Mosaic
The first of its kind, Mosaic is a multi-platform interactive series that is written by Ed Solomon. The show properly premieres on January 22 but you can begin “watching” it through the Mosaic app. You can interact with different sections of the story by clicking on pictures or documents/files to choose your own adventure and dive deeper into the twisty plot that follows the aftermath of the murder of a beloved children’s book author played by Sharon Stone.
Jessica Jones
After its success from the first season, the super strong titular heroine is back for a second season to yet again face her archenemy Kilgrave as well as a more thorough look into her superpowers and the secrets surrounding her brother’s death.
The X-Files
The famous alien mystery is coming back for its 11th and probably last season. If this is not the end of the series then it sure is for Gillian Anderson as she announced to exit the show after this season. The pressure builds on The X-Files after a rather disappointing season 10 back in 2016 but with more mysteries unfolding, like a decoded and reversed secret message in the first episode, this long-running and one of the best TV shows is a must watch in 2018.
American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace
After the triumph that was American Crime Story: The People vs O.J Simpson, the creators bring the story of the assassination of famous designer Gianni Versace. The show casts Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace, Darren Criss as the murderer Andrew Cunanan and Ricky Martin as Gianni’s romantic partner. It will premiere on January 27.
Black Lightning
Starring Cress Williams as Jeff Pierceson, the superhero series shows how he comes out of retirement as Black Lightning, when he had left behind fighting crimes to become a high school principal and spend time with family. In a turn of events, we will also see his daughter discovering her own powers.
Baskets
The underrated but absolute doozy of a comedy starring Zach Galifianakis as a clown who was trained in Paris. After failing to achieve a career there, he returns home to Bakersfield to live with his mother, Mama Basket and his evil twin brother with an impeccable southern accent, played by Galifianakis himself. The third season will premiere on January 23 and you need to watch it if you love the kind of comedy Zach Galifianakis serves.
Patrick Melrose
A five-episode mini-series following the character Patrick Melrose, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, based on the novels by Edward St. Aubyn. It shows Cumberbatch as an aristocratic and funny playboy who is leading his life to counter the aftereffects of a strict childhood that has shaped him into a narcissistic, suicidal alcoholic.
Luther
After two years, the fifth series of Luther seeing Idris Elba in the titular character will return and be brutal and dedicated Detective Chief Inspector who gets consumed by the crimes he investigates. The new season will include four episodes.
Rituals
The makers of Human Planet bring a new show surrounding the bizarre rituals around the world. It is intriguing, appalling and all the right things. A definite best TV show to watch while lounging. Will premiere in February.
Roseanne
Set to revive after the series’ wrap in 1997, Roseanne has the fans overjoyed to see their favorite Conner’s family back on TV on March 27. All the old and loved characters will return with a few new additions to not only the cast but plot as well.
One Day At A Time
A refreshing take back to 70’s sitcoms by legendary producer Norman Lear paints an endearing picture of the life of Alvarez family that has veteran-turned nurse Penelope Justina Machado, her mother Lidia, and her two kids. The show ticks all the boxes of vintage comedy and that is the main reason why it makes the list of best TV shows you must add to your watchlist.
Love
Coming back for its third season, Love tells an untraditional story of the romance between a people pleaser Gus and wild child Mickey. A must watch that has people looking out for its third season premiere on March 9.
Glow
Glow is a comedy-drama, based on the short-lived ‘80s series of the same name set in Los Angeles in 1985, and follows the story of Ruth Wilder played by Alison Brie, a struggling actress who, as a last resort, auditions for a women’s wrestling television show. With big hair, bold and bright clothing, and fierce rivalries, the series will return for its second season in summer 2018.
The Good Place
The best comedy about afterlife returns after its midseason hiatus on January 4. It shows Eleanor played by Kristen Bell being mistakenly sent to Heaven-like utopia after her death as she tries to hide her morally imperfect behavior.
Mindhunter
Expected to premiere in winter 2018, the second season of this ever intriguing and intense crime drama will return to showcase more thrilling mysteries being unfolded at the hands of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they get into the minds of the criminals to study their damaged psyches and catch them.
Trust
Set in 1973, this anthology series features the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III, son of John Paul Getty Jr. and grandson of J. Paul Getty.
The story tells how Getty Sr. refused to pay ransom for his grandson as he deemed that his other grandchildren will be next until he received some hair and Getty III’s ear in an envelope. To which, he accepted to lend ransom money to his son on 4% interest. The plot makes it a must watch.
Be sure to let us know which of these best TV shows of 2018 have your approval.
