Top 10 TV Programs of 2022-2023

1. Succession (HBO)
2. Better Call Saul (AMC)
3. Fire Island (Hulu)
4. Abbott Elementary (ABC)
5. House of the Dragon (HBO)
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime Video)
7. The Bear (Hulu)
8. This Is Going to Hurt (AMC)
9. The White Lotus (HBO)
10. Barry (HBO)

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2022-2023 TV

1. Sarah Snook, Succession
2. Matthew McFadyen, Succession
3. Kieran Culkin, Succession
4. Jeremy Strong, Succession
5. Ali Wong, Beef
6. Vivian Oparah, Rye Lane
7. Brian Cox, Succession
8. Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
9. Paddy Considine, House of the Dragon
10. Steven Yuen, Beef

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2021-2022

As we await tomorrow morning's Emmy nominations for the 2021-2022 TV season, a feeling of FOMO is already setting in. Indeed, as I fail miserably to catch up with my watchlist, I continue to be amazed as the plethora of quality programming on offer. Though I may have missed some of the major critical and audience faves, the ones I did watch were certainly satisfying in their own right. Without further ado, I present my Top 10 TV Programs of 2021-2022:

1. Succession (HBO)
2. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
3. Station Eleven (HBO Max)
4. Dopesick (Hulu)
5. The Great (Hulu)
6. Maid (Netflix)
7. Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (HBO)
8. Hacks (HBO Max)
9. Insecure (HBO)
10. Squid Game (Netflix)

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2021-2022 TV

If there's one thing that the 2021-2022 TV season proved, it's the power of a great ensemble. Sure, it would have been nice to spread the wealth and not fall into the myopic trap of the typical Emmy voter. But in the end, I couldn't ignore the stellar work on display by two programs in particular - "Succession, "Scenes from a Marriage" - ultimately taking up 7 slots in my list of the Top 10 Acting Performances of 2021-2022 TV:

1. Brian Cox, Succession
2. Jeremy Strong, Succession
3. Elle Fanning, The Great
4. Margaret Qualley, Maid
5. Kieran Culkin, Succession
6. Murray Bartlett, The White Lotus
7. Jessica Chastain, Scenes from a Marriage
8. Oscar Isaac, Scenes from a Marriage
9. Matthew Macfadyen, Succession
10. Nicholas Braun, Succession

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2020-2021

Is it film, TV or something else entirely? This ongoing debate reached a fever pitch in the past year, as streamed content continued to blur the lines of the various filmed mediums. Indeed, the most recent awards season saw programs like "Hamilton" and "Small Axe" earn recognition within film and TV circles alike. As I reflect on my own personal favorites of this Emmy cycle, my picks similarly reflected this evolution of television as we once knew it. Whether you agree that they fit the rightful definition of TV, there's no denying that they provided satisfying entertainment from the comfort of our quarantined homes. Here are my Top 10 TV Programs of 2020-2021:

1. Hamilton (Disney+)
2. David Byrne's American Utopia (HBO)

3. I May Destroy You (HBO)

4. Small Axe (Amazon Prime Video)

5. Mare of Easttown (HBO)

6. Black Is King (Disney+)

7. P-Valley (Starz)

8. The Underground Railroad (Amazon Prime Video)

9. WandaVision (Disney+)

10. The Crown (Netflix)

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2020-2021 TV

If there was still any doubt that "the small screen" is delivering some of the greatest performances across all content platforms, then this year's TV actors should put that debate to rest. From Black freedom fighters in Britain, to abuse survivors dealing with trauma, these performers knocked it out of the park. With such an embarrassment of riches, some of these incredible thespians will inevitably be snubbed by Emmy voters. But they'll always hold a special place in my heart. Here are my picks for the Top 10 TV Performances of the 2020-2021 TV Season:

1. Shaun Parkes, Small Axe 

2. Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You 

3. Letitia Wright, Small Axe 

4. Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird 

5. Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown 

6. Paapa Essiedu, I May Destroy You 

7. Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale 

8. Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant 

9. Gillian Anderson, The Crown 

10. Weruche Opia, I May Destroy You

Honorable Mention: The cast of Hamilton

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2019-2020

There's no denying that this is a cynical time in America. And as is often said, life imitates art (and vice versa). It seems appropriate then, that this year's most memorable TV programs confronted the terror of America's sociopolitical makeup throughout several of the medium's genres. From sci-fi dystopias to alternate histories which resonate uncomfortably with the present day, audiences were unable to ignore the glaring flaws in the supposed "land of the free." It wasn't all doom and gloom, however, with several standout comedies airing successful seasons. But as the Top 10 Programs listed below will show, the drama series and limited series proved to be most compelling.

1. The Plot Against America (HBO)
2. Watchmen (HBO)
3. Unbelievable (Netflix)
4. Mrs. America (FX/Hulu)
5. Normal People (Hulu)
6. GLOW (Netflix)
7. Better Call Saul (AMC)
8. Ramy (Hulu)
9. The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
10. Mindhunter (Netflix)

Honorable Mention: Pose

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2019-2020 TV

Best Casting: Big Little Lies, Mrs. America, The Good Place

In a prime showcase of how the TV industry is slowly beginning to reflect the diversity of society, this past season saw several incredible performances from underrepresented minorities. From Indya Moore's authentic, wrenching embodiment of a trans woman's desire to achieve her dreams, to Ramy Youssef's challenging and complex exploration of Muslim-American life, these fresh voices impacted the TV landscape for the better. Meanwhile, several veterans continued to show why the small screen continues to be a fertile playground for our finest actors. As we await the announcement of this year's Emmy nominees, here are my picks for the 10 most outstanding performances of the season:

1. Merritt Wever, Unbelievable
2. Regina King,Watchmen
3. Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America
4. Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable
5. Paul Mescal, Normal People
6. Indya Moore, Pose
7. Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale
8. Hugh Jackman. Bad Education
9. Ramy Youssef, Ramy
10. Thomas Middleditch, Silicon Valley

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2018-2019

There's no business like show business. As streaming, broadcast television and the theatrical experience continues to wage a war to capture audiences, viewers have benefitted from this competition greatly. This is most evident in the TV landscape, where the variety of programming delivered some truly extraordinary storytelling. Notably, the best of them included brilliant showcases of the life and work of female entertainers, at a time when their voices are crying out to be heard. As I bore witness to the awe-inspiring narratives of these wrestlers, comedians and musicians, it filled me with hope that they will be silenced no more. Indeed, this current Golden Age of Television continues to thrill us in unforgettable and surprising new ways. So without further ado, here are my picks for the best of TV from this wonderful year.

1. GLOW
2. Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
3. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé
4. Better Call Saul
5. Fleabag
6. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
7. The Good Fight
8. Veep
9. When They See Us
10. Escape at Dannemora

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2018-2019 TV

Best Casting: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Queen Sugar, When They See Us

As has already been said in many other forums before, contemporary TV has gifted today's actresses with golden opportunities like never before. Indeed, in reflecting on the past season of television, the most memorable performances were largely drawn from a remarkable array of female characters. Whether they were forging life-changing careers in the entertainment industry or exploring deep personal traumas, these women kept us glued to our screens, compelled by their rich inner lives and unique perspectives. And right behind them were a trio of award-worthy performances from male performers, capping yet another extraordinary of acting for the "small screen". Here are my Top 10 Acting Performances of the 2018-2019 TV Season.

1. Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
2. Alison Brie, GLOW
3. Amy Adams, Sharp Objects
4. Patricia Clarkson, Sharp Objects
5. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag
6. Betty Gilpin, GLOW
7. Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul
8. Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
9. Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
10. Jharrel Jerome, When They See Us

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2017-2018

Maybe I've become spoilt for choice over the years, but I must confess that the overall TV programming in 2017-2018 didn't feel as groundbreaking as seasons past. Apart from a few exceptions - including a returning powerhouse duo from the ever reliable FX - the top programs I watched this year were mostly stalwart favourites offering familiar pleasures. Still, the ever growing TV landscape did provide some freshman entries which underlined the boundless potential of peak TV. As eclectic as ever, the best of TV provided a diverse range of entertainment to suit virtually all tastes. Here are those Top 10 Programs of the 2017-2018 TV Season:

1. Queen Sugar (OWN)
2. The Americans (FX)
3. Patton Oswalt: Annihilation (Netflix)
4. Outlander (Starz)
5. Godless (Netflix)
6. Insecure (HBO)
7. Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
8. Game of Thrones (HBO)
9. Atlanta (FX)
10. The Good Fight (CBS All Access)

Honorable Mention: Queer Eye

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2017-2018 TV

Best Casting: Godless, GLOW, Queen Sugar

While the 2016-2017 season brought a heavenly smorgasbord of outstanding female performances, I found myself unexpectedly drawn more to the scintillating men of the small screen this year. Indeed, my Top 10 Acting Performances features 6 such male actors who challenged themselves with daring work that proved integral to the success of their respective shows. Crude, bizarre and even downright psychotic, these MVPs never played within the comfort zone.

Equally impressive were their 4 female counterparts on this list, who all portrayed leaders in their own right and brilliantly navigated the associated complexities relating to racial oppression and capitalism. Altogether, their characters may live in vastly different eras and locales. But they are all uncompromising portrayals that get to the heart of what it means to live in America. Here are my Top 10 Acting Performances of the 2017-2018 TV Season.

1. Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace
2. Donald Glover, Atlanta
3. Marc Maron, GLOW
4. Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Queen Sugar
5. Rutina Wesley, Queen Sugar
6. Keri Russell, The Americans
7. Matthew Rhys, The Americans
8. Jon Jon Briones, The Assassination of Gianni Versace
9. Brian Tyree Henry, Atlanta
10. Danielle Brooks, Orange Is the New Black

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2016-2017

Looking back on the landscape of television this past season, I continue to be impressed by the medium's ability to surprise me. As you'll see in my Top 10 list below, my faves ranged from music concerts, to lavish costume dramas, to provocative sci-fi and everything in between. Among this eclectic bunch, it's worth repeating that women-centric programming had a standout year, with the majority of these shows featuring a female lead - and in some cases, multiple female leads.

Much credit for this welcome sea change from the brooding male antihero of years past goes to Netflix and HBO. Indeed, these premium content providers landed 4 and 3 shows each on my list, including such actressy delights as "The Crown", "Orange is the New Black" and "Big Little Lies". Meanwhile, "Transparent" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Feud: Bette and Joan" ensured representation for Amazon, FX and FXX. And though there were no network shows that made the cut, they also played a major role in offering quality programming for all audiences. In short, it's a great time to be a TV fan.

Here are my Top 10 Programs of the 2016-2017 TV Season:

1. Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids (Netflix)
2. Black Mirror: San Junipero (Netflix)
3. Transparent (Amazon)
4. The Crown (Netflix)
5. The Leftovers (HBO)
6. The Night Of (HBO)
7. Big Little Lies (HBO)
8. Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)
9. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FXX)
10. FEUD: Bette and Joan (FX)

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2016-2017 TV

Best Casting: Big Little Lies, Transparent, The Crown

At the end of another strong season of television, one thing is clear when it comes to the best performances of 2016-2017. Thanks to a slew of excellent women-centric shows, the women ruled the roost. From fading screen legends to underestimated young queens, the small screen offered female roles that captivated audiences and had the world talking. As one of the complicated mothers on "Big Little Lies" for example, Nicole Kidman sparked renewed interest in her career through her exquisite portrayal.

Among the male actors, there were also some outstanding performances. These included Tituss Burgess and Andrew Rannells who subverted expectactions of the "sassy gay friend" by showcasing their vulnerability, acerbic wit and yes, even a showtune or two. Other highlights included Jeffrey Tambor's deeply affecting work on "Transparent", further proving that TV is really where it's at if you want to see a diverse range of ethnic, gender and sexual representation. So without further ado, here are my Top 10 Performances of the 2016-2017 TV Season.

1. Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies
2. Reese Witherspoon, Big Little Lies
3. Carrie Coon, The Leftovers
4. Claire Foy, The Crown
5. Jessica Lange, FEUD: Bette and Joan
6. Shailene Woodley, Big Little Lies
7. Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
8. Andrew Rannells, Girls
9. Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
10. Matthew Rhys, Girls

Honorable Mention: 

Angela Bassett, Master of None (Best Guest Actress in a Comedy)

Kathryn Hahn, Transparent (Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy)

Issa Rae, Insecure (Best Lead Actress in a Comedy)

Glynn Turman, Queen Sugar (Best Guest Actor in a Drama)

Ann Dowd, The Leftovers (Best Guest Actress in a Drama)

Michael J. Harney, OITNB (Best Supporting Actor in a Drama)

Vanessa Kirby, The Crown (Best Supporting Actress in a Drama)

Kofi Siriboe, Queen Sugar (Best Lead Actor in a Drama)

Alfred Molina, FEUD (Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series/Movie)

John Turturro, The Night Of (Best Lead Actor in a Limited Series/Movie)

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2015-2016

In less than 24 hours, the Emmy nominations for the 2015-2016 TV season and with that, we begin the final goodbyes to the past year of small screen programming. And what a great year it was, notably on the comedy side where shows both old and new brought as much depth and refined craft as their typically more esteemed drama counterparts. The laughers really brought it this year, proving that indeed, we are experiencing a renaissance for the TV comedy. Overall, there was much to love in this age of "too much TV", including stellar work from Variety Specials like "Lemonade" and anthologies like "Fargo". As such, I'm proud to present my Top 10 Programs of the 2015-2016 TV season:

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Top 10 Acting Performances of 2015-2016 TV

Looking back on the landscape of the 2015-2016 TV season, one thing is clear. The miniseries is where it's at for the best performances. From the understated tragedy of Oscar Isaac's character arc in "Show Me A Hero" to the fragile vulnerability of Lili Taylor on "American Crime", the various limited series provided a bevy of compelling characters and the A-grade acting to match. As a result, this year's Top 10 Performances was overwhelmingly dominated by shows with close-ended storylines. Below you'll find the full list of the Top 10 Performances that struck a chord with me this year.

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My Emmy Ballot: Drama

N.B. These ballots are based on the official submissions and follow the Emmy rules for nominations (i.e. 10 for Programs, 6 for Actors and 5 for Casting). All ballots are in ranked order, with winners in bold.

As always, the drama categories were once again fiercely competitive this past TV season, especially among the lead performers, with many gifted actors delivering superlative work. Indeed, the quality of acting was the main draw for me this year, which explains my obvious love for one show in particular. While most fans are singing the praises of Season 4 (I still need to catch up) of "Orange is the New Black", I'm still in awe of the brilliantly character-focused work of Season 3, which produced one of the most moving and cathartic seasons of television I've ever seen. As a result, this heavily female-driven show nearly swept my drama ballots this year, leaving room only for Louis CK's disarming dramatic performance on "Horace and Pete" and Graham McTavish's rambuctious turn as Dougal MacKenzie on "Outlander".

Here's my full list of winners and runners-up for the Drama categories for 2015-2016:

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My Emmy Ballot: Comedy

N.B. These ballots are based on the official submissions and follow the Emmy rules for nominations (i.e. 10 for Programs, 6 for Actors and 5 for Casting). All ballots are in ranked order, with winners in bold.

Looking back on the 2015-2016 season, there's no doubt that the Comedy Series categories will be some of the strongest at this year's Emmy race. With the allure of "Modern Family" finally starting to wane for many viewers (including myself, a former champion of the show), the "Next Big Thing" has come from surprising new places. Indeed, all my Comedy winners this year are first-timers. And of course, one of the most exciting developments is the diversity within the quality, which is evident all over my ballots. Much of that is thanks to the greatly improved "Black-ish", which had an endlessly hilarious season that also touched on the zeitgeist in thoughtful ways. Showrunner Kenya Barris et al. certainly proved that you don't need to be on cable to fuel a conversation (or thinkpiece).

So without further ado, here are my picks for the best of the best in the various Comedy categories for 2015-2016:

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NEW TV 2015-2016: Final Report Card

Wow, what another exciting year of television it's been, highlighted by a strong crop of fresh new programs. Among them, the comedies, miniseries and specials have been particularly impressive, with the level of acting, ambition and general talent on display continuing to redefine the boundaries of the medium. This year, I caught up with a grand total of 18 new shows. Here's a graded rundown of all of them:

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Top 10 TV Programs of 2014-2015

We've come to the final post of Film Actually's coverage of the 2014-2015 TV season. By now you will have realized which programs were my favorites based on my Emmy ballots, so I won't reiterate anything I've already said. I hope you've enjoyed reading these articles and perhaps I've directed you towards your next favorite show in the process. If there's one thing I'd like to get across, it's that contemporary TV provides an abundance of riches for cinephiles. From comedy to drama and everything in between, there's no shortage of compelling programming. My own lineup numbered a total 37 shows (including movies, series, variety specials etc.) and every one of them had aspects of merit.

So without further ado, here are my Top 10 Programs of the 2014-2015 TV season:

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