20 Exceptional New TV Shows from 2019

With so many ways to watch, TV today offers a wealth of options– so many that they can be overwhelming. Yet it’s hard to complain when there’s so much quality content, too.

Every year, that field grows bigger, offering sitcoms, action shows, and dramas to audiences. Fans eagerly await these freshman series, ready to determine what could be a new favorite show.

Taste is subjective, and it can be difficult to narrow down such a wide field, but here are 20 new TV shows (in no particular order) that are largely loved by fans, critics, members of the Tell-Tale TV team. Take a look and see if you agree with our choices!

1. Evil (CBS)

Crime shows are standard network fare, so they need something extra to stand out. Evil gains its edge through an intriguing concept and engaging performances. It explores religious quandaries openly, honestly, and with good humor.

Above all, though, this drama stands out as perhaps the scariest show of the year amongst some tough competition. Watch late at night if you dare, but you might not want to plan on a good night’s sleep. See Janelle McCammack’s reviews of Evil here!

2. Unbelievable (Netflix)

Unbelievable tells the true story of a young rape victim who saw her trauma redouble as those meant to seek justice instead gave into doubt and tore into her pain. The results are painful but essential viewing highlighted by top-notch acting.

Seeing what Marie is put through should hurt us all the more because we know how real it is. Sadly, these stories are all too familiar, and this spotlight on how victims are treated has been a long time coming. 

3. When They See Us (Netflix)

Another true story taken on by Netflix, and another one met with rave reviews, When They See Us tells of the “Central Park Five,” a group of black and Hispanic boys falsely imprisoned for an assault on a white woman. Like with Unbelievable, watching this show can be a brutal experience for the terrible reality it reflects.

The lead actors give gut-wrenching performances that reflect youth lost, lingering pain, and a reflection on our society that lasts through today. The title is apt as well: though the Central Park Five’s truth has been depicted before, it is still not known widely enough. 

4. All Rise (CBS)

All Rise could have easily been another standard law procedural in the pool of dozens like it. What makes it stand out in the crowd, however, is its rich characters, led by the incomparable Simone Missick as Judge Lola Carmichael.

The series focuses on a group of judges, lawyers, and bailiffs trying to do what’s right in a system of corruption where the “little guy” is often steamrolled by backdoor deals and forged evidence.

Sometimes they get a victory, sometimes they fail; but with each case we’re shown a genuine passion for justice, so believable that viewers get immersed in the case and fight for justice from their own couches.

The series tackles issues that hit close to home, often right from the headlines, and breathe heart and soul to the stories that we may not see otherwise. See Caitlin Wyneken’s reviews of All Rise here!

5. Dollface (Hulu)

Even in 2019, it’s hard enough to find a show that has realistic female representation, whether that’s through characters or in the writers’ room. It’s even harder to find a truly female-driven show, and Dollface feels like a breath of fresh air.

Telling the story of a woman dealing with a breakup largely through her interactions with her friends, it portrays women who support each other when so many other shows find “tension” in characters who tear each other down.

That doesn’t mean it falls to cliche inspiration tropes. The show is bitingly funny, and the cast led by Kat Dennings will have you rooting for them in success and failure alike. See Lauren Busser‘s reviews here!

6. Euphoria (HBO)

Countless series have talked about addiction either as a character arc or a main topic of the show. Doing this well can be extremely difficult, and that’s even more true when placing these heavy subjects on the shoulders of teenagers.

The grit in Euphoria comes not so much from violence as the cycle of a disease few truly understand. Based on an Iraeli series, the show delves unflinchingly into this, as well as how personal struggles impact the difficult and often endless work of recovery. It’s geared toward other teens, but anyone can benefit from the empathy we’re handed toward the stark reality of addiction. 

7. Watchmen (HBO)

Comics-inspired shows have gotten increasingly gritty, and with Watchmen’s source material and home on HBO, it might be the most intense one yet. What matters is that there is a point to the violence.

The notion of heroes acting as vigilantes in a world where they have been outlawed is just a starting point for greater analogies and frank depictions of racism and other assaults against minorities. This is a sci-fi/fantasy comic series, but it pulls from our past and present to be relevant in its darkness. Read Kevin Lever’s reviews here!

8. His Dark Materials (HBO)

As a cable interpretation of an epic fantasy series, the announcement of His Dark Materials set perhaps the highest expectations for a series premiere this year. To please fans, the show would need to be both narratively and visually engaging, and most agree that it’s achieved and surpassed these goals.

The series both establishes the story for those who haven’t read Phillip Pullman’s novels and visualizes what long-time fans have loved. Besides, with Lin-Manuel Miranda involved, how can it not be great? See Kevin Lever’s reviews here!

9. Good Omens (Amazon Prime)

Image courtesy of Amazon Prime

Yet another eagerly-awaited book adaptation (from the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett,) Good Omens is a buddy comedy about saving the universe. If you’re okay with a little thoughtful blasphemy, this is a rollicking and hilarious adventure of an angel and demon working to save Earth from a war between Heaven and Hell, mostly so they can continue to live out an existence they enjoy.

That means thrilling special effects, imagery, and costumes. Above all, it’s just a great, fun time– though you might not want to mention it to your most conservative family members. See Lacy Baugher’s review here!

10. Sex Education (Netflix)

Sex Education is a teen sex comedy that has a lot of heart and takes a lot of care when tackling real-life issues. Within its fictional town, the world of Sex Education seems fantastical, defying location and time with its mix of English and American influences and a style that is at once modern and retro—much inspiration coming from John Hughes films. But, the storylines are rooted in reality which makes it relatable.

The delightful cast, sharp-witted writing, and charming production value round out a well-balanced series that not only shines a light on social and sexual stigmas but addresses them thoughtfully within the stories.

It educates as it entertains, it informs as it makes us feel, and it has Gillian Anderson in it, giving viewers a wonderfully unique and useful television experience. See Erin Allen’s review of Sex Education here.

11. The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

On its face, The Righteous Gemstones is an outrageous satire of megachurches and the often dubiously Christian behavior of those who run them. If this was the extent of the show, it might well still make this list, the work of great comic actors like John Goodman shining in every episode.

But this is also a show about grief and how a family deals within. That we can feel for the Gemstones even as we laugh at them and question their ethics, says a great deal for the notion that pain can be funny when it’s done right. See Keven Lever’s reviews here.

12. Russian Doll (Netflix)

You’ve probably never asked yourself what would happen if the concept from the movie Groundhog Day was reinvented in a black comedy sitcom with a sarcastic female lead. Russian Doll will make you wonder why.

Nadia is hilarious even in (or perhaps through) her exasperation at dying repeatedly, and while the chaos of this break in the time-space continuum will leave your head spinning, it’ll also have you coming back for more.

The deeper you get, the more depth is revealed, and the more these characters become complex and even heartbreaking. See Mary Misasi’s review of Russian Doll here!

13. Looking for Alaska (Hulu)

Teen dramas are often looked down upon by critics. To be fair, they can range from melodramatic to problematic (see 13 Reasons Why,) and often give an only semi-accurate portrayal of teens (who are played by actors in their mid-to-upper twenties.) Looking for Alaska blows these standards away.

Based on the book by John Green, it gives us a cast of characters that feel real, dealing with the kind of issues that come on the cusp of adulthood. The acting, the writing, and even the music combine for a story that reflects youth but works for people of all ages. See Christine Laskodi’s review here!

14. Stumptown (ABC)

Like Evil, Stumptown stands out in the wide genre of crime drama by gaining an edge. In this case, that edge is, well, edge. Plenty of shows work for a balance of comedy and drama, but often wind up dropping the ball for one side or the other.

Here, we get consistent sharp wit, most often through Cobie Smulders’ lead right alongside an unflinching willingness to take on issues like PTSD. Having her brother played by Cole Sibus, an actor who himself has Down Syndrome, is a nice bonus as well. Read Sarah Fields’ reviews here.

15. The Boys (Amazon Prime)

Superheroes exist outside the bounds of normal, ordinary restrictions of life. It is a wild existence. The new Amazon series The Boys zeroes in on that heightened, indeed super, aspect of superhero life while twisting and piercing the “hero” aspect. The storytelling is rich and almost gluttonous. This show does not hold back. But under the gloss is also a keen dissection of violence and self-preservation.

There is room for romance amidst the ruthless storylines, and that just enhances the show’s ability to showcase the absurd experience of normal life. The Boys was picked up for a second season before the first season aired.

We can look forward to more hours of wild characters portrayed by incredibly adept actors, especially Jack Quaid, Kal Urban, and Chace Crawford. See Kevin Lever’s review of The Boys Season 1 here.

16. Emergence (ABC)

Several critics have compared Emergence to Lost, and at first glance, the shows do reach out to similar audiences. Still, this show is an original, balancing mystery and suspense with emotion and relatable characters that pull us in from the first few minutes.

What it does share with other renowned epic dramas is the intrigue to draw in viewers and make sure there will always be questions we want answered. It also relies heavily on the work of a child actor, and thankfully, Alexa Swinton is totally up to the task. See Drew Koenig’s reviews here!

17. The Society (Netflix)

The Society is the perfect combination of dystopian, sci-fi, mystery and drama. The fact that kids who haven’t even entered college yet are forced to deal with issues involving politics, justice, and health in order to survive intensifies drama that may seem typical in a cast full of adults.

Every situation is a difficult one on this show, but The Society still doesn’t shy away from controversial topics like domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and gun violence.

They also focus on representation, particularly with the character of Sam Eliot (Sean Berdy), a gay, deaf teen. Bredy is a deaf actor known for playing Emmett Bledsoe on Switched At Birth.   

18. For All Mankind (Apple TV+)

Space travel remains one of the most cherished achievements of American history and the subject of many works that all seek to be moving and inspirational. It can be hard to stand out in a genre like this, but For All Mankind manages in its speculative story of a continued Space Race.

For telling stories of people we know and those we don’t, and especially for giving us a history where women go to space much sooner, the show deserves attention. A pre-season 1 renewal suggests it’s getting it. See Kevin Lever’s reviews of For All Mankind right here!

19. The Morning Show (Apple TV+)

Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, and Reese Witherspoon in one show? This should be enough of a draw on its own, but set them and many other great actors in a smart satire that feels a little too real, and The Morning Show is all but destined to be a success.

Though it does take some time to fully build on the big names it brings, this is the kind of show that plunges full-force into subjects like sexism in the workplace while A. treating them with the seriousness they deserve, and B. still making us laugh at the absurdity of what we know so well. It’s a a true dramedy, and the cast shines just as much in painful moments as in the humorous ones they’re often known for. You may come for the leading roles, but you’ll stay for much more. See Esme Mazzo’s reviews here!

20. Living with Yourself (Netflix)

From apparent eternal youth to playing both main characters of a single TV show, is there anything Paul Rudd can’t do? A show this strange might not work in lesser hands, but the humor and twists in this story of a man and his better clone are engaging.

There’s not much more to say about Living with Yourself without giving away spoilers, but we can agree than getting a mysterious procedure at a place called “Top Happy Spa” might not be the world’s best idea. See Erin Allen’s reviews here and here!

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*Additional contributions by: Esme Mazzeo, Christine Laskodi, Janelle McCammack, Erin Allen

What did you think of our picks for new shows in 2019? Are there shows you’d add to the list? Sound off in the comments!

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