25 Best TV Dramas of 2022

We all love a good TV drama to get our hearts pumping and leave us on the edge of our seats. 2022 has been a year of some fantastic TV dramas, from medical shows like The Resident and emotional ones like This Is Us, to first responder shows like Chicago Fire and suspenseful dramas like Ozark.

2022 also saw the end of some iconic drama mainstays, including Better Call Saul. Catch us watching them all again, from the beginning, on streaming. After all, that is the best way to watch a drama — binge it.

In no particular order, here are the 25 Best TV Dramas of 2022. (Note that we’ll have a separate list dedicated to sci-fi/fantasy series, so you won’t see those series listed here.)

1. The Resident

With an overabundance of medical dramas on TV, it’s difficult for any of them to stand out. However, the story of Conrad and his personal struggles has been at the forefront of television for six seasons now. 

Conrad continues to work medical miracles despite having lost the love of his life late last year. Even with the time jump, we still find his and his daughter’s story worth our time.

The Resident gives us a multitude of multi-faceted characters who we constantly want to root for. The way this show approaches a variety of topics is familiar and new all at once. 

2. Succession

The Roys are back in town. Succession is a top drama for a reason — you never know what to expect from one episode to the next.

This season, the Roy siblings try once and for all to take their father down. That is, except for Conner who needs his father for his political aspirations. This quest has an extreme effect on Roman and Kendall, to the point of mental breakdowns.

While Kendall’s is outward, we don’t see Roman’s breakdown until the final betrayal from both of their parents. It’s stories like this that keep us coming back for more. And there will be more in the coming year — so look out.

3. Fire Country

In a TV landscape that features so many first responder and medical shows, Fire Country is a standout. At its core, this is a story of redemption and repair and bringing old and new families together.

The show has taken such care to develop these characters and stories in really compelling ways. This is heartbreak of the best kind, knowing there is a chance to make everything better in the end.

What Fire Country does best is remind viewers that we are not the worst versions of ourselves. There is hope, and second chances are opportunities to be better.

4. Reacher

Reacher, starring Alan Ritchson with strong supporting turns from Willa Fitzgerald and Malcolm Goodwin, provides some of the year’s best action on the small screen. A mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, explosive showdowns with bad guys, and a smattering of romance combine for a great new drama.

Ritchson as Jack Reacher is perfectly cast as he manages to be a formidable foe with his huge stature while also bringing an emotional depth to the sometimes enigmatic hero. He’s also charismatic as hell and injects enough humor into the role so that the show is just as fun as it is thrilling.

Loved by readers of the book series and new fans alike, Reacher gives audiences a hero to root for. Given that each season will cover a different book in the series, the anticipation is high to see how the series follows up to a stellar debut.

5. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

When announced that Pretty Little Liars was going to get a spin-off fans were a bit skeptical. However, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin delivers and then some.

Set in the town of Millwood, a young pregnant teen is about to find out her mother’s suicide is connected to events in the town 20 years ago. Alongside a group of other girls at her school, Imogen finds that secrets are never buried forever and that connections run deep. 

While seemingly separate from the Rosewood story of the original series completely, this spin-off manages to tie in with it through little callouts and similar dramatic events. 

6. P-Valley

Starz isn’t sleeping on their top hit, P-Valley, and we aren’t either. This exciting drama has just been renewed for a third season and we can’t wait, especially after the beauty that was Season 2.

With timely subjects focused on trauma, domestic abuse, and more, this season was definitely one to talk about. The show, and this season, serves as a love letter to the communities in our American South who don’t get a voice very often.

It is one of those LGBTQIA+ shows that truly knows its audience and works its hardest to fully represent them.

7. Heartstopper

If you looked up LGBTQ+ dramas for this year the top contender is definitely going to be Heartstopper. Based on a comic by Alice Oseman, this lighthearted look at young love, finding yourself, and queer issues is beloved by all.

Nick and Charlie aren’t without their own personal demons and dramas, but their love considerably lightens the load. It rarely feels like watching a drama because everything is so sweet and lovely.

It depicts the kind of love everyone hopes to have because it’s what we all deserve. While we only got 8 episodes this year, there is more to come for these great characters.

8. This Is Us

An NBC mainstay for the last few years, This Is Us ended this year and the fans miss it already.

The Pearson clan saw its share of drama and heartbreak over the years, but 2022 was definitely their hardest. With the loss of their matriarch, this show came to a tearful end turning the finale toward the children and their families and the future. 

From start to finish, This Is Us was consistent and gave us the character development we always asked for. It will most likely remain beloved for years to come.

9. Pachinko

Quite a few of the top dramas this year come from books. Pachinko is one such series from creator Soo Hugh. 

This saga chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in a quest to survive and succeed. The family elements are what keep us tuned in from episode to episode. 

The duel storytelling across decades and oceans gives a richer, fuller story about this family that just wants to thrive in a new land. The story isn’t over yet and we can’t wait to see what else we can expect.

10. Blue Bloods

After 13 years, the Reagan family’s story about being a cop family still manages to draw us in. Unlike many other cop shows available to us, this one shows all facets of the job — from the PC to detectives to intelligence to the streets.

In a somewhat idealistic way, Blue Bloods shows us a police commissioner who doesn’t tolerate aggressive or racist behavior from his cops. His eldest son might be known for his aggressive tactics, but Frank still stands by the book and allows punishment to hit him when necessary.

While there are still issues with how cops are shown on the show, it’s a nice look into how the NYPD could be in reality if we continue to fight for it. 

11. Chicago Fire

Now in its 11th season, Chicago Fire continues to prove why fans love it the most out of all the firefighter dramas on TV. Even with show veteran Jesse Spencer departing the drama, the members of Firehouse 51 have kept us going.

What makes Chicago Fire stand out above the rest is its ability to keep us on our toes with the unexpected. Stellaride continues to make our hearts turn to mush, but not without drama within their relationship as well as out of it. 

Even the newer members of the team have us frustrated, excited, and crying alongside them as they face their own job woes. From the top to the bottom this drama knows how to handle its characters.  

12. Slow Horses

The ever-talented Gary Oldman is making a big name for himself on the small screen as the leader of a group of ragtag MI5 agents. Oldman’s Jackson Lamb is obnoxious to the point that he should be despised, yet the writing on Slow Horses endears us to him.

These agents are out to solve the latest and greatest espionage cases affecting the safety of England. Slow Horses is based on a book series, which is great news because it means there is definitely more story to expect from these spies.

13. Yellowstone

This drama centers on the Dutton family — of which Kevin Costner is the patriarch — as they fight to keep their ranch afloat. This family has been ranching for generations and things haven’t gotten easier with time.

John Dutton leads his family with some unsavory actions, but it’s all in the name of protecting the land. Yellowstone gives new meaning to high-stakes drama. After all who knew ranching could be so politically motivated and intense?

14. Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets is the kind of show that will have you on the edge of your seat with every passing episode, trying to decipher what will happen next. A talented cast of women of all ages proves once more why female-led TV series should be more common than it actually is.

These characters aren’t your typical women and that is precisely why we love them so much. The mystery, action, and never-ending question marks are what make this show so great.

Yellowjackets Season 1 was a class act on how to start off a series and introduce new characters in a fictional world that works so perfectly. It was definitely a step in the right direction for Season 2, which is coming soon.

15. Bridgerton

In 2022, we returned back to the Ton just in time to witness all the drama during a brand new marriage season. This time around, Anthony is the one hoping to have a wedding by the end of the season.

Between the heartwarming Bridgerton clan scenes and Kate and Anthony’s romance, there’s so much to love about Season 2. Bridgerton handles the changing of the main characters with ease, assuring us that while the main romance has changed since Season 1, everything we loved about the show has not.

Despite the series veering from the order of the books, we’re excited to witness Colin’s love story during the upcoming Season 3.

16. The Crown

This Netflix drama was capturing everyone’s attention even before the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September of this year. The Crown gave us all the juicy drama we’ve known to be lurking within the royal family just under the surface.

What makes this show even better is the overdramatization of real events. Sure, most of what is conveyed about the Queen and her family is factual — there is added oomph to make it fascinating.

In 2022, the show finally gave us the part of the royal family history we’ve been waiting for — Charles and Diana’s sordid tale. Everyone tuning in wanted to see their beloved princess, for which the show didn’t disappoint.

17. Big Sky

The stories on Big Sky had already been exciting prior to this season. However, 2022 saw an increase in intensity with the added talents of Reba McEntire and Jensen Ackles as series regulars for Big Sky: Deadly Trails.

This season the show centers on mysterious happenings that seem to be linked to the new Sunny Day Excursions outside of town. With the new sheriff, Beau in hand Jenny and Cassie set off to figure out how the two are connected.

Big Sky keeps on winning and we are here to take this ride wherever it goes. 

18. Ozark

Ozark went in some wild directions over its four-season run.

From the titular highlands to Chicago and Mexico, Ozark‘s final season packed an impressive amount of punch with the Byrde family dealing with higher stakes than they ever had before.

Brilliantly dark writing, poetic cinematography, and stunning performances all work together in concert to tell a riveting tale of loyalty, betrayal, and above all, family. 

19. The Summer I Turned Pretty

Young Belly has the summer to remember when her mom and brother travel to the beach to stay for the holiday. The Summer I Turned Pretty centers on Belly’s experience with first love and the heartbreak that follows.

While they have always spent their summers together, Belly soon realizes that this summer with brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, is different. Suddenly, they both have an interest in her beyond friendship.

The series brings to life Jenny Han’s beautiful story in unexpectedly great ways. 

20. Queer As Folk

A reimagining of the hit early ’00s series of the same name, Queer As Folk takes on more current issues in the LGBTQIA+ communities. All while holding true to the elements of the show that fans of the original will remember — the found family and finding pure bliss.

This young cast of varying abilities, genders, and races give a more rounded image of what the LGBTQIA+ community is and can be. The heavier themes make this modern retelling a bit harder to handle at times, but still very necessary.

It’s a shame this show wasn’t given an opportunity to flourish beyond its freshman season.  

21. 9-1-1

For six seasons now, 9-1-1 has captivated us with its intense emergencies and character-driven storytelling. We can’t quit this first responder show because we connect to the characters in deep, meaningful ways. 

After all these years, this show still manages to keep us on the edge of our seats during the most intense scenes and cry when our favorite characters are in danger. We can’t wait to see what adventures lie around the corner for these firefighters, EMTs, cops, and 9-1-1 dispatchers we love so much.

22. Dark Winds

We all love a good murder mystery drama. What makes Dark Winds unique is that it turns the genre on its head. With a principal cast of indigenous actors and characters, this show gives us a new perspective on what it means to be part of a police force.

With a combination of the murder investigation and fighting their own personal demons, Lt. Leaphorn and Deputy Chee are determined to prove they are the best ones for the job. Their personal traditions and histories are the backdrop to an already interesting investigation.

And some great news: Dark Winds has been renewed for a second season.

23. Peaky Blinders

This year brought the end of the Shelby family’s story. Peaky Blinders brings to life the violent, albeit exciting, life of street gangs trying to control Birmingham, England and it’s captivated us for several years now.

In the final season, we saw everything come to a head as the Shelbys continued to fight for dominance on the streets of their ever-changing world. It is one of those dramas that you want to binge over and over again for excitement and action.

There has even been some talk of a film and a spin-off series — so never fear, Tommy Shelby will be back sooner than you think.

24. Better Call Saul

For six seasons the Breaking Bad spin-off has had fans on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately, this year marked the end of this very iconic series. 

Better Call Saul couldn’t have ended in a better way, with Saul’s future — and Kim’s, being revealed on the series finale after seeing how exactly Jimmy McGill transformed into Saul Goodman. 

There has never been anything disappointing about Saul Goodman and company, and the series finale lives up to that expectation.

25. Young Royals

This Swedish drama captivated us last year when Season 1 was released on Netflix. This year we got a second season and more drama between Wilhelm, Simon, and company. 

Young Royals is the sort of teen romance that changes the formula a bit. Wilhelm is at a prestigious boarding school because he is from the royal family and it’s expected of him. 

There is no love at first sight or even smooth sailing for his romance with Simon. They are their own individual characters who happen to be in love but struggle with what that means for their lives.

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What were your favorite dramas this year? Did we miss any? Sound off in the comments below. 

*Additional Contributions from Lara Rosales, Allison Nichols, Erin Allen, Justine Kraemer, and Breeze Riley

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