As mentioned in our Best Movies of 2020 piece, it is clear that there is much better quality material in the Best TV Series of 2020 in contrast. Perhaps long form story telling is the way forward especially in this streaming era. Anyways, there was an abundance of TV series to choose from in 2020, so our preference for genre fiction held sway in this Best TV Series of 2020 list. (In alphabetical order)
Dark Season 3
This German scifi time travel drama series is probably one of the best of all time! Season 3 wrapped up the plot lines perfectly. No mean feat as getting the ending right is usually the most difficult task of all!
Lovecraft Country Season 1
So much unrealised potential here. In the final analysis, identity politics got in the way of story telling once more. That said, there were one-off episodes – “Meet Me in Daegu” – that truly demonstrated what was possible. Sadly, that was the high point of the series. Vastly inferior to Alan Moore’s similarly themed Providence comic book series.
Raised by Wolves Season 1
This Ridley Scott produced series began promisingly but then devolved into a convoluted mess halfway through. Still, the visuals were spectacular enough and sometimes that can be worth disconnecting your brain. Read our analysis.
Star Trek : Discovery Season 3
Unfinished as I write this, Season 3 picked up from Season 2’s new status quo and did well to develop the core character of the series i.e. Michael Burnham. However, the world building for this future milieu is a tad suspect. Hopefully, a strong conclusion to Season 3 is delivered in the weeks ahead. Read our reviews.
Star Trek : Picard Season 1
Thoroughly enjoyable debut for the return of Picard to Star Trek TV. Genuinely emotional moments when TNG vets were brought in with new characters being fairly engaging as well. Patrick Stewart as always brought us all home. Read our review.
The Boys Season 2
Upping the ante from Season 1, The Boys demonstrated that there is still lots of life yet in the saturated superhero market. Visceral and unrelentingly dark, this adaptation of the Garth Ennis classic continues to impress and surprise. Essential. Read our reviews.
The Crown Season 4
Being a sucker for British royal history has ensured our collective obsession with The Crown. The Charles and Di plot kept us enraptured even as critics decry its historical inaccuracies. It’s not a documentary, you plebs! Read our review.
The Expanse Season 5
Hard science fiction is not easy to translate to a mass market audience. Thankfully, The Expanse continues to do so. We are only about halfway through this fifth season but already it’s looking like the most exciting one thus far. Read our reviews.
The Mandalorian Season 2
Saving Star Wars! Yes, without a doubt the geek culture event of the year was that Season 2 finale when you-know-who made a grand fan-favourite appearance. Moving forward it’s clear that Lucasfilm is shifting gears and focusing on all things Mando in the foreseeable future. Read our reviews.
The Queen’s Gambit Season 1
The TV series that made chess hip! What an achievement. Personally, Anya Taylor-Joy made this series enjoyable, even as an utter lack of interest in chess challenged that dedication. Still, anything set in the 1960s will always provide entertainment.
We have left out quite a few TV series in our Best TV Series of 2020 not because the bar is especially high for TV series but because of our own predilections towards geek culture. Am expecting much more in 2021 especially with the MCU streaming TV series coming online.
… still there’s more …