alicia gilstorf top tv shows 2023 Alicia Gilstorf’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2023

Alicia Gilstorf’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2023

Abbott Elementary, Bridgerton, Critic Picks, Ghosts, Lessons in Chemistry, Lists, Platonic, Shadow and Bone

This year sitcoms, spirits, and romantic soulmates reign supreme for me.

In the mood to dabble with the paranormal, I had the teens of School Spirits and Lockwood and Co. for a dose of supernatural shenanigans. I turned to dependable comedy gems like Abbott Elementary and Platonic for a good laugh. And if I wanted a little of both, I always have Ghosts.

This year brought the laughs and those trusty staple series, but it also delivered a lot of unexpected gems — and so much chemistry!

In no particular order, here are my top 10 TV shows of 2023:

1. The Flatshare (Paramount+)
The Flatshare
The Flatshare (L-R) Tiffany (Jessica Brown Finlay) and Leon (Anthony Welsh)

A swoon-worthy rom-com in a sea of fantasy and crime dramas, The Flatshare is a delight from start to finish.

The premise uses the housing crisis to orchestrate the perfect one-bed trope between Tiffany and Leon, who foolishly think they can share a one-bedroom apartment without meeting.

This slow-burn love story adorably uses sticky notes as the pair’s main form of communication. It also imbues the story with romantic lighting; Leon has a moody purple for his night shifts, and Tiffany has bright colors for her day job.

As they piece together who they are living with through visual clues and cheeky notes, the story blossoms into something visually beautiful and emotionally enthralling.

If I wasn’t already head over heels for these roommates’ chemistry, I was sold by their first face-to-face meeting.

2. Platonic (Apple TV+)
PLATONIC Season 1 Episode 8, "San Diego" ROSE BYRNE, SETH ROGEN Photo via Apple TV+
PLATONIC Season 1 Episode 8, “San Diego” ROSE BYRNE, SETH ROGEN Photo via Apple TV+

I know what you’re thinking: a Seth Rogen comedy from the creators of the Neighbors movies? Won’t that be a gross minefield of pratfalls and dick jokes? That’s what I thought, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Platonic is a rare comedy gem devoted to unironically exploring the struggles of embracing middle age.

Rose Byrne and Rogen capture the painful reality of making room for childhood friends in adulthood with dating catastrophes for Rogan’s immature bachelor and a housing crisis for Byrne, who hilariously refuses to accept the house she’s purchasing is haunted.

Throw in a blonde bombshell moment for Rogen and the perfect straight-male supporting role for Luke Macfarlane, and you won’t regret wasting a few hours on this wholesome joyride.

3. Ghosts/Ghosts UK (CBS)
Ghosts Season 2 Episode 8, "The Liquor License"
“T”e Liquor License” – GHOSTS. Pictured (L-R): Sheila Carrasco as Flower, Devan Chandler Long as Thorfinn, and Asher Grodman as Trevor. Photo: Bertrand Calmeau/CBS ©2022 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Ghosts — my ride-or-die comfort watch, my beloved supernatural sitcom. This year would not have been nearly as entertaining without this comedy to turn to for a laugh.

In Season 2, the ghosts double down on everything that makes them so damn likable. Isaac got down on one knee for Nigel, Alberta’s murder mystery saga came to a deliciously shocking conclusion, and Florfinn finally found the courage to date.

There is no ensemble that works better together onscreen, no show that does a better job of giving each performer their flowers. Ghosts cares about these characters and spoils us with in-depth studies and tons of inside jokes.

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It is an understatement to say I love this show and everything it brings to the table!

And what a fun twist, getting to know the ghosts across the pond while ours were on sabbatical. As the original haunt, Ghosts UK illustrates how brilliant and versatile this concept is with equally loveable chaos makers.

4. Lockwood and Co. (Netflix)
Lockwood and Co. Season 1 (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)
Lockwood and Co. Season 1 (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)

With teen dramas left to fend for themselves, series like Lockwood and Co. remind us of what we’re missing.

This dark teen romp through the streets of a spirit-infested London has romance, quippy banter, nostalgic special effects, and nail-biting action.

The horror elements are chilling and establish high stakes for any operatives that step out into the cover of night. But if this supernatural playground wasn’t enticing enough, the trio of lead characters had to steal our hearts with their scrappy detective skills and aggravating head-butting.

Plus, the spark of chemistry between co-workers Lockwood and Lucy cements this series as something special — a series that deserves a chance to grow old.

5. Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+”
Lessons in Chemistry Season 1 Episode 8, "Introduction to Chemistry"
Brie Larson in “Lessons in Chemistry.” Photo courtesy of Apple TV+.

If any show embodies the motif of Mother, it is Lessons in Chemistry.

An unapologetic feminine manifesto of tragedy and love, Brie Larson’s cooking drama is a triumph for how it utilizes the Oscar-winning actress. Elizabeth Zott is a force from the jump, and watching her power through loss and terrifying career changes with headstrong conviction is a breath of fresh air.

The outspoken woman is so common in today’s media that everyone dismisses these empowering stories. But for many women, we never get tired of watching series that champion our resilience and intelligence.

Seeing Elizabeth confront her biases toward women while challenging the housewife trope with her love for cooking is a delight, even if the show itself is devastating.

I want to be Elizabeth Zott when I grow up.

6. Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Abbott Elementary Season 2 Episode 20 - WILLIAM STANFORD DAVIS, CHRIS PERFETTI, LISA ANN WALTER, QUINTA BRUNSON, SHERYL LEE RALPH
WILLIAM STANFORD DAVIS, CHRIS PERFETTI, LISA ANN WALTER, QUINTA BRUNSON, and SHERYL LEE RALPH on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY — Educator of the Year — (ABC/Gilles Mingasson)

Abbott Elementary is single-handedly keeping workplace comedies relevant. I relish the nights I can walk the halls of Abbott with this delightful ensemble of teachers.

Season 2 promoted its staff to new heights, with Jacob hilariously becoming a human lie detector in Gregory’s presence. With lines like “Stop or I’ll scream” or “Night Jacob has that dog in him,” this white boy punching bag is slowly earning our respect.

Side-eye King Gregory had no business being so smooth this season, buying Lego flowers for his girlfriend — come on, man! Throw in that breathtaking garden kiss and Janine’s stand against Melissa, complete with an impression and quick getaway, and these two are unstoppable together.

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If that’s not enough, we also got iconic guest appearances from Ayo Edebiri, Leslie Odom Jr., and Taraji P. Henson.

7. Shadow and Bone (Netflix)
Shadow_and_Bone_S2_E8
Shadow and Bone. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2023

What business, Netflix? For canceling this grand fantasy brimming with character, we will gladly make you our villain.

Shadow and Bone might have had weaknesses, but at the heart of this fantasy is a gang of super-powered baddies, loveable pirates, and a misfit crew of criminals who wear their hearts on their sleeves.

Every actor poured their heart into these roles, dedicated to bringing Leigh Bardugo’s books to life with respect and precision. Not to mention, The Crows stole my heart again this season.

Freddy Carter captures the chilling introduction of Dirtyhands with unnerving savagery, and Amita Suman’s Inej meets his cold gaze with a chemistry that sets this show ablaze. Plus, Jesper and Wylan kiss, Nina terrorizes her new crew, and Sturmhond becomes a prince — all too perfect to bear.

Perfectly casted shows always come at a cost, but they shouldn’t. Shadow and Bone deserves the sun and the stars for what it tried to give us.

8. School Spirits (Paramount+)
Seance Anything
SCHOOL SPIRITS: “Seance Anything” (L-R): Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda, Milo Manheim as Wally, Peyton List as Maddie, and Nick Pugliese as Charley in season 1, episode 7 of the Paramount+ series SCHOOL SPIRITS. Photo Cr: Ed Araquel/Paramount +

School Spirits’ frights are nothing short of a delight!

This paranormal drama elevates the teen genre, with teenagers who can be silly, gullible, and hormonal without cheapening the story. This afterlife soap opera doesn’t come to play with stinging twists and heartbreaking character developments.

Maddie’s mystery is methodical and extremely well-paced, and it has ghosts! As this list establishes, I love ghost stories.

Aside from having Peyton List play a moody sleuth who can rock 90s’ grunge, the show introduces us to a gaggle of adorable teen ghosts, including Milo Manheim’s golden retriever jock Wally.

School Spirits also pulls off an incredibly satisfying season finale. The reveal of Maddie’s killer aligns beautifully with the clues left in the pilot. There are no gimmicks to make it unsolvable, and the final scene will leave you desperate for more.

9. The Bear (FX)
The Bear Season 2
The Bear Season 2 (Photo: Courtesy of FX)

The Bear had a stellar first-season run, winning me over with its tranquil cooking and the chaos of its volatile workplace. Season 2 doubles down on the likeability of that realism while embracing a more supportive workplace relationship.

I will say writing women as manic pixie girls in 2023 is unacceptable. But everything else about this second outing is perfection.

Tina’s joy when Sydney promotes her, and Will Poulter’s cameo as Carmy’s British counterpart are season stand-outs. As is Richie’s love for singing Taylor Swift songs at the top of his lungs in traffic.

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The icing on the cake this season is The Bear Season 2 Episode 7, “Forks” — a perfect episode of TV, in my opinion.

It not only turns Richie’s entire arc around in one episode, but its ability to have us root for him as he bonds with his new co-workers is exhilarating. No other show can begin to recreate the warm fuzzy feelings this stand-alone episode made me feel.

10. Queen Charlotte (Netflix)
QUEENCHARLOTTE_101_Unit_01161RC
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. (L to R) India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte, Corey Mylchreest as Young King George in episode 101 of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2023

I would never pick favorites amongst the Bridgerton siblings, but Queen Charlotte might be my favorite chapter of storytelling in the Bridgerton universe thus far.

The prequel arrives in The Ton easily, as if Charlotte and George have been fixtures of its DNA since the beginning. It is unexpectedly darker and topical, something the Regency romance usually shies away from.

Watching India Amarteifio’s Queen roll with these heavier storylines is a sight. However, Young Charlotte and Lady Danbury stealing every scene with force and tenacity had me abandoning the romance to watch them disrupt the palace together.

And I am obsessed with the fashion. The stunning afro-accentuating hairdos and beaded ballgowns are a crowning achievement.

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Alicia is a Rotten Tomatoes Certified Critic and a Critics Choice Association member. She credits her passion for TV to workplace sitcoms, paranormal dramedies, and coming-of-age stories. In her free time, Alicia loves to curl up with a good book and lose herself in a cozy game. Keep a lookout for her coverage of Ghosts. You can also find her work on Eulalie Magazine and Cool Girl Critiques. Follow Alicia on social media: @aliciagilstorf