The 10 best TV shows of 2019 (so far), from 'Leaving Neverland' to 'Killing Eve'
From "Chernobyl" to "Fleabag" and "Leaving Neverland," these are the best 10 TV series that 2019 has been able to produce, so far.
The 10 best TV shows of 2019 (so far), from 'Leaving Neverland' to 'Killing Eve' From "Chernobyl" to "Fleabag" and "Leaving Neverland," these are the best 10 TV series that 2019 has been able to produce, so far. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/06/12/best-tv-shows-2019-so-far-fleabag-leaving-neverland-chernobyl/1408445001/
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY Published 1:40 p.m. ET June 12, 2019 | Updated 11:39 a.m. ET June 13, 2019
From "Chernobyl" to "Fleabag" and "Leaving Neverland," these are the best 10 TV series that 2019 has been able to produce, so far. USA TODAY
We're only halfway through 2019, but there's already enough TV to fill your time for the rest of the year.
So far we've had dueling Fyre Festival documentaries ("Fyre" and "Fyre Fraud"), a live musical that wasn't so live ("Rent Live"), celebrities singing in poodle outfits ("The Masked Singer") and, of course, a farewell to a certain fantasy world ("Game of Thrones"). And that's all before "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Big Little Lies" returned this month.
And with Emmy nominations swiftly approaching, members of the Television Academy are currently sorting through all the TV that debuted between June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2019, to decide who deserves to win at this year's ceremony (Fox, Sunday, Sept. 22).
Before 2019 gets too far away from us, we're ranking the best TV of the year so far, including a mix of documentaries, comedies and more than one based-on-a-true-story tragedy.
Sharon Salaam (Aunjanue Ellis, left), and son Yusef Salaam (Ethan Herisse), one of the five young men collectively known as the Central Park Five in Netflix's "When They See Us." (Photo: Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix)
10. 'When They See Us' (Netflix)
Director Ava DuVernay turns her camera to the so-called Central Park Five in this miniseries, an unflinching look at the experience of the five black and Latino teens who were wrongfully convicted of the 1989 rape of a jogger in Central Park. DuVernay's blunt style, coupled with performances from the exceptional young actors playing Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Korey Wise, Yusef Salaam, and Raymond Santana, makes "Us" hard to watch but impossible to miss.
Delroy Lindo as Adrian Boseman and Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart on "The Good Fight." (Photo: Patrick Harbron/CBS)
9. 'The Good Fight' (CBS All Access)
Three seasons in, "The Good Wife" spinoff remains one of the only TV series that properly articulates our current era of anxiety, and not just because it continues to rip its stories directly from the headlines. The new season is an even wilder ride than the two that came before it, adding Michael Sheen as an unhinged Roy Cohn-type lawyer and sparing no one from its satire – not even former CBS head Les Moonves, who was ousted last fall after sexual harassment allegations. CBS is giving the first season of its criminally underrated streaming drama a broadcast run this summer to raise its profile, but honestly, it's worth subscribing to All Access if "Fight" is the only thing you watch.
Annie (Aidy Bryant) on "Shrill." (Photo: Allyson Riggs/Hulu)
8. 'Shrill' (Hulu)
The biggest problem with Aidy Bryant's sitcom is that there isn't enough of it. The first season of the series, based on the memoir by fat acceptance activist Lindy West, is a treasure, full of promise and potential wedged into the six episodes Bryant had time to film between "Saturday Night Live" seasons. The series, in addition to being a radically honest portrayal of what it's like to be a fat woman, is a charmingly funny relationship and workplace drama that turns Bryant into a star. Away from the wigs and Trump jokes of "SNL," the actress is able to shine as a leading woman and offer a side of her comedy that is far subtler and more emotional than we're used to seeing.
America Ferrera as Amy, Ben Feldman as Jonah on "Superstore." (Photo: Trae Patton/NBC)
7. 'Superstore' (NBC)
NBC's "Superstore" is the rare sitcom to get better with age, and its fourth season found a brilliant story to tell, with Amy (America Ferrara) promoted to manager just as her friends and former coworkers begin to discuss unionizing. With a deep bench of comedic talent, the series could go on for years to come.
Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri and Jodie Comer as Villanelle on "Killing Eve." (Photo: Robert Viglasky/BBCAmerica)
6. 'Killing Eve' (BBC America)
The first season of the BBC America drama was a surprise hit for the network, a critical darling and the beginning of a well-deserved career resurgence for Sandra Oh. The new season "Eve" proves it wasn't a fluke the first time around and finds a way to expand its story beyond a simple tale of MI-6 cat (Oh) and assassin mouse (Jodie Comer).
Kayvan Novak as Nandor and Harvey Guillen as Guillermo on "What We Do in the Shadows." (Photo: John P Johnson/FX)
5. 'What We Do in the Shadows' (FX)
The brilliance of "Shadows" isn't a surprise for fans of the cult 2014 mockumentary about feckless vampires in New Zealand upon which it's based. The story is seamlessly translated into half-hour episodes by original directors Jemaine Clement ("Flight of the Conchords) and Taika Waititi ("Thor: Ragnarok"), who invent new but equally bumbling vampires to cause chaos in Staten Island, New York. It's only June but 'Shadows' is likely to be the funniest show of the year.
Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) gets to the core of the Chernobyl disaster. (Photo: Liam Daniel/HBO)
4. 'Chernobyl' (HBO)
HBO's account of the 1980s nuclear disaster in the Soviet Union could have been a rote historical drama, a simple re-telling of a tragedy that has become a buzzword. But "Chernobyl" does so much more than give a dry history lesson. Horrifying and fascinating in equal parts, the series is a searing indictment of the lies, corruption and incompetence that led to the tragedy. Its direction and writing manage to make courtroom sessions and government meetings as gripping as time spent in radioactive zones.
Jen (Christina Applegate, left) and Judy (Linda Cardellini) become unlikely pals after meeting at a grief support group in Netflix's "Dead to Me." (Photo: Eddy Chen / Netflix)
3. 'Dead to Me' (Netflix)
With a duo of outstanding actresses (Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini), an electric script and twists that managed to shock in a jaded era, "Dead to Me" is one of the best new series of the year, and one of Netflix's best ever. Applegate, in particular, shines in the tragicomedy about two women who meet in a grief support group and become irrevocably tangled in each other's lives. "Dead" was recently renewed for a second season, and it certainly needs one after that cliffhanger Season 1 finale.
Michael Jackson and Wade Robson in a photo featured in "Leaving Neverland." (Photo: HBO)
2. 'Leaving Neverland' (HBO)
This year has been filled with documentaries that give voices to victims of alleged abuse, from "Lorena" to "Surviving R. Kelly." But even in this context "Neverland" stands out for its sensitive and harrowing portrayal of trauma in telling the story of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who have accused the late pop icon Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them when they were boys. Restrained but unflinching, it is the kind of documentary that lingers with you long after its credits roll.
In "Fleabag," many characters don't get real names, and are identified by their role. Here Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) talks to the Priest (Andrew Scott). (Photo: STEVE SCHOFIELD/AMAZON)
1. 'Fleabag' (Amazon)
The second season of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's "Fleabag" is a monumental achievement, the closest thing to perfection television has gotten in years. In just six episodes, Waller-Bridge, who wrote and stars in the series, brings comedy, romance and blistering tragedy to life, somehow managing to best her brilliant 2016 first season. The new episodes find Waller-Bridge's nameless protagonist falling for a Catholic priest while questioning her own self-worth and ability to love in the process. The actress and writer has said that this is the end of "Fleabag," and although the final episode concludes the story gorgeously, it's hard to accept that there isn't any more of this wonderful series to anticipate.
It's not over: TV shows saved from cancellation
Kiefer Sutherland starred as a low-level cabinet member who becomes the unlikely president in ABC's "Designated Survivor" for two seasons. But after the network canceled it, the show proved to be a true survivor by being resurrected at Netflix. It's not the only series that has been saved from execution by another outlet. Here are a few more. Netflix
"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox to NBC): It only took NBC a day to pick up this comedy after it wasn't renewed by Fox. The show, led by stars including Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher, began its sixth season on NBC in 2019 and the network has already announced its renewal for a seventh. Fox
"Last Man Standing" (ABC to Fox): ABC shelved this comedy starring Nancy Travis and Tim Allen in 2017 after six seasons on the network. But with the recent success of other blue-collar comedy revivals, Fox saw an opportunity to tap into that trend and dusted off the series for another go-around in 2018. Fox
"American Idol" (Fox to ABC): The competitive singing show debuted in 2002, crowning Kelly Clarkson its first winner while making Simon Cowell a household name. But after 15 seasons, several judging panels and sharply declining ratings, Fox shuttered the series in 2016. Two years later, the show was back on ABC with three new judges, singers Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. Eric McCandless, ABC
"Lucifer" (Fox to Netflix): The devilish series about a homicide detective who gets help from Satan got the ax after three seasons. But Netflix once again saved the show, bringing it back to life in 2019 with series stars Tom Ellis and Lauren German. The streaming service announced it renewed the show for a fifth and final season John P. Fleenor/Netflix, John P. Fleenor/Netflix
"Arrested Development" (Fox to Netflix): The comedy spent four seasons on Fox from 2003-06 before getting canned. But in 2013, Netflix resurrected the show with returning stars, including Jason Bateman and Tony Hale. Saeed Adyani, Netflix
"Twin Peaks" (ABC to Showtime): The cult classic about an FBI agent investigating a murder lasted for only two seasons on ABC in the early '90s. But in 2014, Showtime announced it was going to resurrect the series with Kyle MacLachlan returning as Special Agent Dale Cooper. The 18-episode third season aired in 2017. Showtime
"The Mindy Project" (Fox to Hulu): Mindy Kaling ("The Office") created this comedy about a single doctor trying to balance her work with her personal life. Fox canceled the show after three seasons before it was picked up by Hulu, where it streamed for another three seasons until finally ending in 2017. Jordin Althaus, NBC Universal Te
"Community" (NBC to Yahoo): The show, which followed a group of students at a community college and starred Joel McHale, had a running joke about "six seasons and a movie." But NBC decided to cut the comedy loose after only five before it got picked up by Yahoo! Screen. The show lasted one season on the failed streaming service, and fans are still waiting for that movie. Trae Patton, Yahoo/Sony Pictures Television
"Scrubs" (NBC to ABC): The comedy about medical interns starring Zach Braff and Donald Faison spent seven seasons at NBC before spending two final seasons on ABC, the network that had produced the show from the beginning. Scott Garfield, NBC
"Southland" (NBC to TNT): The cop drama, which included Ben McKenzie and Shawn Hatosy, aired just seven episodes on NBC before the network canned it. TNT picked it up and served as the show's home for another four seasons before the series ended in 2013. Doug Hyun
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (WB to UPN): Sarah Michelle Gellar spent five seasons on the WB until a contract dispute led producers to relocate to UPN for two more, ending in 2003. Richard Cartwright, The WB
"Gilmore Girls" (WB to CW to Netflix): After six seasons on WB, the drama about a mother and daughter lasted for only one more season on CW before shutting down in 2007. Netflix revived the show for a four-episode miniseries in 2016 with original stars Kelly Bishop, Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. Robert Voets, Netflix
"America's Next Top Model" (UPN to CW to VH1): The reality competition series hosted by Tyra Banks started out on UPN before it also moved to the newly created CW. But after its 22nd season, the series moved again to VH1. Its 24th season wrapped up in April. Barbara Nitke, The CW
"Nashville" (ABC to CMT): The series about the Nashville country music scene spent four seasons on ABC before getting the ax. Season 6 -- the series' second on its new home, CMT -- debuted this year with Charles Esten reprising his role as singer Deacon Claybourne. "Nashville" will call it quits for good this summer. Jake Giles Netter
"Cougar Town" (ABC to TBS): After getting scratched from ABC's schedule in 2012 after three seasons, the comedy starring Courteney Cox found a second life on TBS. Danny Feld, TBS
"Medium" (CBS to NBC): Patricia Arquette starred as a medium who helped solve crimes for five seasons on NBC. But when the network dropped the show in 2009, CBS, which produced the series, decided to give it a second chance. Mitchell Haaseth, NBC
"Damages" (FX to DirecTV): The legal thriller starring Glenn Close and Rose Byrne spent three seasons on FX before getting axed. But DirecTV swooped in to pick it up. The show spent another two seasons on the satellite provider before finally closing down in 2012. David Russell, Sony Pictures Television
"Longmire" (A&E to Netflix): A&E's Western ran for three seasons, led by Robert Taylor as Wyoming sheriff Walt Longmire. Netflix picked up the series after it was canceled in 2014 and kept it for three more seasons. Cathy Kanavy
More great TV:
Summer's best offerings
The end of the world is funny on television
The best and worst finales of all time
What to stream in June
Does 'Big Little Lies' make Season 2 worth it?
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