2021 was a phenomenal year for television. Hit shows like Succession, The Expanse, Ted Lasso, Big Mouth, The Great, Servant, and more came back strong with some standout new seasons. Even more impressive, though, was the seemingly endless supply of stellar new series. Virtually every streaming service had a strong offering, including global hits like Squid Game on Netflix, a slate of Marvel shows on Disney Plus, and Apple TV Plus’ continued rise as a premium streamer. So, which were the best new shows of 2021?
Below, you’ll find our picks for the 10 standout new series that dominated in 2021. These include sleeper hits, blockbuster knockouts, and just plain solid entertainment. While a few cable shows like Yellowjackets, Chucky, and The White Lotus were among the very best new shows of 2021, we’ve limited this list to streaming exclusives.
