Ashley Bissette Sumerel’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2025

Narrowing down my favorite TV shows of the year proved to be a bit tougher than usual in 2025. There was so much to love, from lighthearted comedies to brilliant new dystopian thrillers and detective shows with quirky police consultants.

My list this year includes two new spinoffs, a little science fiction, and some solid comfort TV.

In no particular order, here are my top 10 TV shows of 2025:

1. Dexter: Resurrection

Dexter Morgan returned this year on Dexter: Resurrection, proving that nothing can keep our favorite serial killer down. The new spinoff series brought back several fan-favorite characters as Dexter recovered from the gunshot wound everyone thought had killed him. 

Along the way, Dexter: Resurrection pushed his character into new territory and deepened his complicated relationship with Harrison, all while bringing major pieces of his past full circle.

2. Paradise

Dan Fogelman’s newest series allowed Sterling K. Brown to shine in a new way, while still managing to tug on our heartstrings. Paradise is full of twists — what seems at first to be a political drama and murder mystery after the president is found dead, instead turns out to be a dystopian sci-fi thriller.

The series is full of powerful performances and explores themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of unchecked technology. It was truly one of the most engaging and surprising series of the year. 

3. Elsbeth

Brilliant, quirky Elsbeth Taschioni is still solving cases like no one else can. Although it’s disappointing that Kaya is no longer a regular presence, it’s fun to see Elsbeth working with different people each week in Elsbeth Season 3.

The show also continues to feature intriguing cases while remaining lighthearted and easy to watch. Add in some excellent guest stars, and it’s the kind of show you can’t help but look forward to watching on a weekly basis.

4. High Potential

Speaking of highly intelligent women solving murder cases, Morgan Gillory on High Potential also has her own unique way of helping the police. High Potential has the right mix of mystery, suspense, humor, and heart, weaving weekly whodunnits with strong character-driven storytelling.

The chemistry between Morgan and Detective Karadec adds an extra layer of charm, while the long-running mystery of what happened to the father of Morgan’s daughter years ago gives the series real emotional weight.

5. Resident Alien

Alan Tudyk is once again fantastic and hilarious as Harry, an alien still trying to figure out what it means to be human. Resident Alien leans into its bizarre premise in all the best ways, staying funny without being silly, but also offering genuine emotional moments and plenty of suspense.

The rest of the cast is perfect as well, turning the town of Patience into a place you genuinely care about, quirks and all. Resident Alien’s final season was just as funny and heartwarming as the rest of the series, and it ended with a finale that felt completely earned and entirely satisfying.

6. The Paper

The Paper is the perfect example of how to do a spinoff series. Making a spinoff of a show like The Office, especially so many years later, was a risky move, but it paid off.

The premise works well, the connection to the original series is clever, and the tone of the show pays homage to The Office while also updating it for a modern audience. 

It doesn’t try to copy everything about The Office, but it certainly draws inspiration from its characters and themes. Domhnall Gleeson plays the role of Ned perfectly, and Oscar Nuñez’s reprisal of his character is spot on. 

7. Pluribus

Easily one of the most engaging, suspenseful shows of the year, Pluribus is the kind of show that’s impossible to stop watching once you start. The series comes from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan, and it stars Better Call Saul’s Rhea Seehorn.

Seehorn plays Carol, a cynical author who finds herself in a changed world after a terrifying, mysterious event. Now it’s up to her to change it back, but the twists that keep coming make that an incredibly difficult task. While much of the tone, directing, and cinematography feel similar to Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, the premise is entirely different — and it’s excellent.

8. Found

A unique take on the procedural drama, the second and final season of Found held nothing back. The new season raised the stakes with Sir on the loose and Gabi’s secrets coming to light. The second season also expanded on other characters and included a few new twists, with quick pacing and plenty of intrigue.

Meanwhile, each week brought a new case with important stories as the team at Mosely and Associates continued to look for missing people who might otherwise be overlooked. Unfortunately, the series has been canceled, and the second and final season ended on one heck of a cliffhanger. 

9. The Way Home

This cozy Hallmark drama series continued to prove itself to be something special in its third season. The Way Home is edgier and darker than most people would expect from Hallmark, but it still has all the heartfelt moments and the classic, comforting vibe.

The Way Home Season 3 added even more layers to the mystery of the pond and the Landry family, making the series that much more intriguing. It also took us to a new time period and explored even more complicated family dynamics. 

10. Your Friends and Neighbors

Starring Jon Hamm, Your Friends and Neighbors was a surprisingly fun drama series this year. Hamm plays Cooper, a successful hedge fund manager whose perfect life begins to fall apart after one bad decision.

Desperate to set things right, he ends up doing things he never thought he’d consider, which then kicks off a full-on comedy of errors. It’s suspenseful and dramatic, but also funny, and it features some uniquely well-rounded characters. 

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What were your favorite TV shows of 2025? Let us know in the comments below!

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