Shelby’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2021

This year is not dissimilar from the last in that plenty of us turned to the small screen for comfort.

For some of us, that means revisiting old favorites. For others, that means jumping into new shows that introduce us to characters to fall in love with and new worlds to escape into when we need it most.

What’s lucky about the TV landscape of 2021 is that there are plenty of shows that aired throughout the year that offer all of that and more.

From revival and reboots to spin-offs and sequels, the TV landscape continues to evolve to encompass more stories for us to enjoy.

In no particular order, here are the top 10 TV shows that brought me a whole lot of joy, a ton of feels, and even more comfort this year.

1. Blindspotting (Starz)

Blindspotting is a spin-off series from the 2018 film with the same title. It follows Ashley Rose as she tries to get by and raise her son Sean when her longtime boyfriend Miles is arrested and must serve a jail sentence. Jasmine Cephas Jones delivers one of the year’s best performances on this show that redefines the comedy genre. 

Blindspotting is unwaveringly confident in itself and the narrative it wants to focus on as it lets Cephas Jones’ Ashley step into the spotlight. The creative team (led by Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, who reprises his role as Miles) and cast push the boundaries of storytelling as Blindspotting seamlessly incorporates fourth-wall breaks, spoken word, and dance into the narrative.

It’s a visually stunning and emotionally powerful show that calls for plenty of rewatches because of all the Easter eggs. Plus, Oakland is not simply a backdrop for this show; it’s as much a character as Ashley, Janelle, or Trish. The characters interact with it as often as they do each other.

Beyond Cephas Jones’ now award-winning performance, you will leave every episode fawning over the performances of Jaylen Barron, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, Benjamin Earl Turner, Casal, and the legendary Helen Hunt. This series is simply a must-watch.

2. Sex Education (Netflix)

Sex Education avoids a slump in its third season by focusing on character-driven stories, as it does so well in the prior seasons. It’s also not the only show on this list that includes an emotional support goat. Netflix has a brand, and it’s spectacular.

Season 3 takes this show to new heights, and because of that, it’s bizarre that this show doesn’t get more recognition in the awards scene. Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa, and Aimee Lou Wood are just a few members of its stellar cast that deserve more attention for their performances.

Sex Education continues to take its characters to new depths in exploring their sexualities and otherwise. The Moordale High students band together to protect their individuality, resulting in a beautiful expression of friendship, freedom, and love. 

Beyond that, this season delves deeper into the mother/son relationship between Otis and Jean Milburn. That emotional arc stands up alongside an equally touching one where Eric visits Nigeria. Basically, Sex Education rarely misses. 

3. iCarly (Paramount+) 

As far as reboots go in 2021, iCarly is one of the best. Where some others of its kind fumble to find their footing, iCarly is sure of itself from the first episode. It takes what we love about the original series and makes it better. If you haven’t yet, this is a reboot you don’t want to miss.

The tone and humor work better since most people streaming the show grew up watching the original. The zany storytelling aged like a fine wine — as did the talent at the heart of this show. Miranda Cosgrove, Nathan Kress, and Jerry Trainor are better than before if you can believe that.

This show creates meaningful changes in Carly, Freddie, and Spencer’s lives that it feels like we are catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. While answering lingering questions about Sam, iCarly expands the ensemble with a few key players that genuinely improve the show.

Laci Mosley is an absolute scene-stealer as Carly’s roommate, best friend, and stylist, Harper. Also, Jaidyn Triplett keeps up with her costars with her comedic timing and excellent one-liners as Freddie’s daughter Millicent. 

4. Saved By The Bell (Peacock)

Saved by the Bell is yet another reboot that should be on your must-watch list. The second season is even better than the first, which didn’t seem possible. The writing is sharp and side-splintering hilarious. The pop-culture references are pure genius.

This show knows its tone and delivers excellent (and often self-referential) satirical commentary in Season 2. In addition, the development of OG characters takes a few of them beyond the caricatures they were in the first season. Namely, the growth of Jessica Spano and Slater is incredibly heartwarming to watch.

However, the younger cast of characters comes into their own in this season through equally amusing and heartfelt performances. The dynamics strengthen, the relationships deepen, and there are a few surprising developments along the way. Moreover, Josie Totah is a scene-stealer as Lexi and deserves all the awards.

Maybe most shockingly, Saved by the Bell Season 2 manages to reference the last year or so we’ve all experienced with a genuine level of sincerity that doesn’t clash with the humor. This show is a true feat, and it needs to return for Season 3. 

5. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Ted Lasso feels like a warm hug after the longest day, which only amplifies in the second season. This show is hopeful in the bones of its storytelling. Still, Season 2 goes to dark, shocking places with the AFC Richmond family.

In some ways, that makes Ted Lasso an even more comforting watch because we see characters we genuinely love go through tough times and (for the most part) get through them together.

There is a reason why Ted Lasso keeps sweeping the comedy categories at award shows. An overwhelming majority of the character arcs are well-defined from beginning to end, and the show maintains an always-welcome alternative to toxic masculinity.

The performances are stunningly nuanced and cater to the characters’ complexities wonderfully. Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, and Nick Mohammed are only a few of the standouts because, honestly, this entire ensemble is excellent at every turn.

6. The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max)

The Sex Lives of College Girls is one of the best new comedies of the year. That shouldn’t be shocking because do Mindy Kaling and Justin Knoble ever miss? Seriously, this show is reason enough to renew your HBO Max subscription to stream the entire first season.

The writing is whip-smart and genuinely hilarious. The performances from the core four are earnest, and there are plenty of standout one-liners and performances from its supporting cast you cannot miss. More specifically, its confirmed second season would be even greater if Ilia Isorelýs Paulino was a series regular as Lila.

The Sex Lives of College Girls ventures into an era of young-adult storytelling that few teen dramas survive — life after high school. It demonstrates the rich stories for characters, especially women, in college. 

Bela, Kimberly, Leighton, and Whitney come to life through Amrit Kaur, Pauline Chalamet, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott’s performances. Their chemistry develops as their fictional counterparts’ does, and it is truly delightful and touching to watch.

7. Station 19 (ABC)

Station 19 proves spin-offs can be equally, if not more successful than their predecessors. This series shows no signs of cooling off well into its fifth season. Its success is a good sign since procedural dramas continue to be all the rage with TV fanatics.

A genuine comrade between the characters radiates from the cast’s chemistry and lets this group of people feel less like co-workers and more like a found family — a firehouse family. That electric chemistry makes every pairing on Station 19 an opportunity to learn something new about the characters.

The relationships (romantic or otherwise) are as complicated, dynamic, and sometimes messy as the people who make them up. That aspect of Station 19 lets this series feel like a reflection of real-life as much as the heavy-hitting, real-world topics it tackles with care.

Somehow along the way, particularly this season, this firehouse family has become a band of comfort characters to turn to when things get rough. It’s easy to look forward to Travis and Vic bickering like an old married couple or Maya and Carina making their way as a newly married couple. 

8. Superman & Lois (The CW)

Superman & Lois is an obvious must-watch for any fan of the intrepid reporter and caped hero, but it’s also the perfect show for newcomers to this iconic couple’s super world. This show takes what we know about Clark Kent and Lois Lane and switches up the narrative for a fresh take on the live-action heroes.

It’s unafraid to prioritize the heart of its heroes when sometimes that perspective can get lost in Smallville’s weeds. Plus, this series is the first time an episodic show focuses on Clark and Lois’ lives as heroes and parents to two teenage boys — one of which develops the same powers as his father. 

With that premise comes knock-out performances from Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch as the titular pair. You will be stunned by the work Alex Garfin and Jordan Elsass bring to the table as well. The rest of the supporting cast delivers incredible work that lets their characters shine as heroes in their own right.

Essentially, Superman & Lois is a family drama that happens to also be about superheroes. This show knows what it is, and it leans into until the season finale — with plenty of twists and turns even a Superman fanatic won’t see coming.

9. WandaVision (Disney+)

WandaVision is a love letter to television and a launchpad for the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s strongest Avenger. It dares to defy the boxes anyone (characters within the narrative or critics outside of it) try to put it in at every turn.

Each episode is filled to the brim with Easter eggs for TV and MCU aficionados alike. It’s one of the wildest rides of the year, which is why it created such a stir on social media. Watching WandaVision became a communal experience when we needed that companionship the most.

Elizabeth Olsen gives a career-defining performance as Wanda Maximoff with brilliant and nuanced supporting performances from her partners-in-magical-crime Paul Bettany (as Vision) and Kathryn Hahn (as Agatha Harkness). Additionally, this series introduced Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau to the MCU.

Plus, this limited series reminded everyone that love stories could be great, epic stories, too. The MCU could always use this reminder. People were looking for something to fill the Bridgerton-shaped holes in their hearts, and by some twist of fate, WandaVision became the anecdote. 

10. Shadow and Bone (Netflix)

This list would not be complete without Shadow & Bone. It’s a fantasy series that took audiences by storm at the start of the year and maintained our interest to the end. Milo the Goat was just a beautifully unexpected bonus.

It transported me back to the days of dystopian YA book-to-movie adaptations’ monopoly on popular culture through its ability to completely envelop me into the vast world and the Shadow Fold. In that sense, Shadow & Bone is a comforting watch because of its perhaps accidental nostalgia.

This brilliant cast brought the characters off the page in such a convincing way. Their performances make the wait for Season 2 unbearable because we must know what happens to Alina, Mal, the Darkling, and the Crows next. The first season built high stakes, believable consequences, and a rich world in only eight episodes.

There is also something to be said about a series that believes found families are as powerful as the light we choose to follow in the face of believably insurmountable darkness. Despite its rather daunting premise, Shadow & Bone is an optimistic series with a whole lot of heart.

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