Mads’ Top 10 TV Shows of 2022

From when I was a small child trying to stay up late to catch re-runs of old classics with my mom to an adult trying to find enough hours in the day to catch everything, I have always been passionate about TV. 

This year is no different, possibly even more so than recent years past. Through everything this year offered, I had TV to fall back on to see me through and remind me that I am seen.

In 2022, TV meant new stories for old favorite characters, heartfelt queer dramas and comedies, as well as some hard-hitting dramas to make me feel alive. Through it all, it was really difficult for me to truly narrow down my Top 10 favorites because there was just so much TV that I loved this year.

In no particular order, here are my Top 10 favorite TV Shows of 2022.

1. Succession

From the moment we first met the Roy family, I was transfixed. These characters are completely flawed and all-around not good people. We are meant to hate them, which is what endears us to them.

For me, Succession Season 3 was the show’s best season yet. With the siblings (minus Conner, but who really counts him anyway) finally coming together with the unified goal of taking down Logan once and for all, the twists and turns had us on edge and gasping.

The Season 3 finale had me truly breaking down in complete understanding and connection with Roman Roy as his world completely crumbled. I know Shiv and Kendall will handle their parents’ betrayal just fine, but my heart is aching for Roman because I know this is going to destroy him for Season 4 — and I can’t wait.

2. Obi-Wan Kenobi

Anyone who knows me knows that from the time I was a small child the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi has been my number one comfort character. Naturally, this means his first solo TV show was a major highlight for me this year.

I went into the series thinking I would just get some more Obi-Wan Kenobi content, but instead, I walked away mesmerized by the additional Princess Leia content we got as well.

Obi-Wan Kenobi allows us to feel akin to one of the greatest Jedis of all time through his mental health journey post-Anakin Skywalker betrayal. It’s a side of this iconic character no one ever imagined we’d get and now that we have we want to see more of it within the Star Wars universe. 

3. Our Flag Means Death

One of the biggest surprises for me this year came in the form of queer pirates. Our Flag Means Death almost didn’t happen for me, but I was bored one night and decided to check out a suggested for me option on HBO Max.

This show over the course of a day changed my life completely. Right before my eyes I got to see queer people who looked like me, identified the same way as me, and had a later-in-life queer awakening like me. 

Nothing on other LGBTQIA+ media, but this show about silly pirates was the first time I felt completely validated by what I was seeing onscreen. All of the central characters are older, queer, and of all shapes, sizes, and colors, which made my heart just sing.

Then to find out that the writer’s room reflected the characters they were writing about made it even more significant.  

4. Evil

For the last few years, Evil has been one of my favorite supernatural dramas. This show manages to combine all sides of the supernatural spectrum: the skeptic, the religious, and the logical in a cohesive, fun manner.

From season to season, I change up who my favorite character is because this show gives each of the main three the focus they deserve throughout the years. I personally lean more toward Ben’s perspective — the skeptic — because I know there is usually a scientific explanation for things. 

The performance of Michael Emerson gets stronger with each passing season and this year was his best season yet. The way we can’t trust Leland and yet we continue to be mesmerized by him is a testament to Emerson’s talents.

5. Heartstopper

In early 2022, I was introduced to the writing of Alice Oseman through her book Loveless and then her webcomic Heartstopper. The Netflix drama takes after the first volume of her comic of the same name and I was anticipating it for months before its release.

What I love most about this show is its unique way to make the romantic lives of high schoolers relatable to people of all ages. Unlike many other teen dramas, the story of Nick, Charlie, Tao, Elle, Isaac, Darcy, and Tara never seems immature.

In fact, it reminds us that those initial feelings of love and lust are universal to everyone. Heartstopper makes me, a giant cynic, believe in the magic of love again.

6. Stranger Things

I am definitely one of those late-bloomer watchers of the Netflix hit, Stranger Things. My best friend and I binged it this year — her millionth time, my first — as part of our TV-sharing ritual. 

From the first moment I entered Hawkins, Indiana I was transfixed by these complicated young characters. Often times when the cast is mostly teens I lean heavier toward the “parent” characters. 

However, with this show I find myself heavily attached to the friendship between Steve and Dustin. There is a level of joy that can’t be explained seeing Steve go into big brother mode with the younger boy. 

7. A League of Their Own

I grew up watching the film version of A League of Their Own at least once a year with my mom. When this show was announced I was skeptical because of how timeless the film manages to be. 

But, when I sat down and watched the series the cast of new characters took me on a journey I never expected. The way this show creates opportunities for diversity as well as topical subject matter — LGBTQIA+ issue is always genuine and natural — never pushy.

I need to know more about Lupe and Jess as well as more iconic Clance badassery. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this alive about a show that I’m actively pushing for a network to renew it. 

8. The Conners

Growing up watching Roseanne prepared me to enjoy The Conners with my whole heart. This sitcom spin-off that focuses on Darlene and Becky as adults are everything I need in a comedic distraction from real life. 

I am very much a Darlene Conner so to see her grow and evolve into who she is during Season 5 gives me hope. Hope that I too can continue to make leaps and bounds in my career — even if I don’t necessarily have the education to back it up.

This show continues to get better and better with each passing season, which is hard to do. 

9. Abbott Elementary

Most people don’t know this, but I have a teaching degree. I almost became a second-grade teacher, but some life circumstances got in the way.

This fact about my life is what initially drew me to Abbott Elementary. The quirky characters that are all relatable on some level have kept me laughing now into its second season.

There is an air of truth to Abbott Elementary that I find refreshing as a former educator. It doesn’t shy away from touching on the difficult parts of teaching that most people don’t realize are there — and for that I am grateful. 

10. Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods is a show that I have loved for many many years. When I first moved from the midwest to the east coast this show was in its early years and it comforted me when I felt alone.

The Reagan family has been a mainstay in my life for 13 seasons and I half expected the show to fall off long before now. However, this season Blue Bloods starts things off by putting my favorite — Jamie Reagan — in harm’s way. 

For the show to go from that to giving him a long-awaited promotion, it took a gamble that could’ve failed in big ways. I truly believe Jamie’s promotion is what has made this season even more exciting and special than previous seasons.

—

What were your favorite TV shows this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

25 Best TV Dramas of 2022