Top 10 TV Shows of 2021: From 'Ted Lasso' to 'Money Heist'
After a dreadful 2020, people around the world hoped that 2021 would be kinder to them. The year started with a lot of promise and it felt like the world was finally going to get rid of the pandemic and life would get back to normal. But who knew that things would get even worse and the entertainment industry would chafe under Covid-19 restrictions once again.
But just like Jeff Goldblum said in ‘Jurassic Park’ – life finds a way. The entertainment industry did just that. It found a way to put a smile on our faces despite the world crumbling down around us. The industry came out with some of the best TV shows in recent history and managed to captivate the minds of the people. From ‘Ted Lasso’ to ‘Mare of Easttown’, here is MEAWW's list of top shows of 2021. Some are long-running ones that have delivered remarkable content over the years but there are also some really extraordinary debuts.
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So, let’s take a look at the list of Top 10 TV shows of 2021 that we loved in the time of Covid.
10) 'Post Mortem: No One Dies in Skarnes'
This one is a bit of a dark horse and other media outlets have ignored this gem of a show. But not us! It is undoubtedly one of the best shows to premiere in 2021. The Norwegian show revolves around a woman named Live Hallangan (Kathrine Thorborg Johansen) who suddenly wakes up after being declared dead. However, things are pretty different now because she has changed a lot and that’s something that she has to adjust to.
The premise of the show is very interesting and it is not your typical vampire story and that’s why the show is so successful. It is one of the shows that people will want to see another season of and Netflix should definitely bring this Norwegian gem back for another run.
9) ‘Maid’ (Netflix)
Margaret Qualley gave a glimpse of her acting talent in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ and is destined to become a future superstar. With ‘Maid’, she has reassured everyone that she’s not just a gorgeous face, but also a talent to watch out for. The Netflix series follows revolves around a single mother who turns to housekeeping to barely make ends meet as she battles against poverty, homelessness, and bureaucracy.
The drama beautifully captures the story of a single mother’s struggles and takes viewers on a journey that is heavy and sometimes even miserable. However, you would remain glued to your screens throughout the series. Surely, one of the most thought-provoking shows of 2021, and Qualley’s heart-wrenching performance took the show to a whole new level.
8) ‘Reservation Dogs’ (FX on Hulu)
FX has a knack for creating shows which tell intimate stories extremely well, and ‘Reservation Dogs’ is no different. The show primarily follows the journey of four friends – Bear, Elora, Willie Jack, and Cheese - who become the accidental founders of a gang labeled as the "Reservation Bandits." They only have one dream — to have enough money to start a new life in California.
The show is funny and full of moments that will make you realize how revolutionary the show actually is. On one hand, it shows you what friendship really is and on the other, it shows you how friends make fun of each other for the choices they make in their lives. Truly, a wonderful show that smashes a lot of stereotypes, and most importantly, it features an all-Indigenous writers room.
7) ‘Midnight Mass’ (Netflix)
After the massive success of ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ and ‘Bly Manor’, creator Mike Flanagan collaborated to come out with ‘Midnight Mass’, a show that will creep the hell out of you. What truly makes the show so unsettling is the sheer conviction of the characters when it comes to their faith. Hamish Linklater as Father Paul is a force to be reckoned with and steals the show with his amazing performance. Meanwhile, Samantha Sloyan pulls off her role effortlessly. The show actually offers eye-opening insights into the darker side of the human psyche and that’s what makes this show extraordinary.
6) ‘Succession’ (HBO)
The HBO series took everyone by storm when it arrived in 2018 and became one of the most-watched series for the network. With ‘Season 1’ and ‘Season 2’ being supremely successful, the news of the show getting renewed for a third season was not shocking. But it’s fascinating to see how a show manages to capture so much drama in such an extraordinary way. Season 3 has a Shakespearean level of drama and superb writing that makes the show interesting than ever. Funny and enormously wicked, ‘Succession’ is on its way to achieving its peak.
5) ‘Money Heist’ Season 5 (Netflix)
The first part of ‘Money Heist’ Season 5 ended with the tragic death of Tokyo (Ursula Corbero). However, the second part of the final season is all about how Professor (Alvaro Morte) and The Heist team manage to come out of the bank without anyone else dying. If the first part was all about action, the story part comes forward in the final set of episodes and the action takes a step back, which was a gutsy decision, but the makers handled it so well that the result is fabulous. ‘Money Heist’ Season 5 Part 2 is the perfect farewell for these characters and a strong ending to a show that gave us so many memorable moments. It is truly an end of an era.
4) ‘Hacks’ (HBO Max)
If you want to see one of the most well-made shows of 2021, then ‘Hacks’ should be in your top 5 for sure. The show follows a 25-year-old writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) trying to get her career back on track after losing her job due to a bad tweet. See, how believable this is? People actually lose their jobs in real life due to the stupidity they display on social media platforms. But Ava’s life turns dramatically when she starts writing a story about Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a comedy veteran. Smart is at her peak here, moving from hilarious in one scene to quietly heartbreaking in the next. Meanwhile, Hannah is tremendous as well. With a stellar cast and amazing storylines, ‘Hacks’ should definitely be on everyone's watchlist.
WE HAVE A TIE FOR 4th PLACE!!!!
4) ‘Dickinson’ Season 3 (Apple TV+)
Yes, we have a tie for the fourth position, and it's none other than Apple TV+ show ‘Dickinson’ that also makes a cut on our list. Season 3 is really delightful and talks about pushing boundaries. The makers have made sure that there are enough moments that put a smile on people’s faces. In the process, they have also made sure that they give something to think about as well with some of the most thought-provoking moments on the show. Hailee Steinfeld continues to impress everyone with her acting skills and even though the show will end with Season 3, the legacy of the show will carry on.
3) ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 2
This show can easily be placed in the number one spot. Infact the top three shows on this list are so neck-to-neck that you can consider them to be equally good. ‘Ted Lasso’ returned for its second season this year and managed to take the team to glory this time around. The second edition was a bit different than the first season. It had a lot of emotional moments that took you by surprise and made you reach for the tissues. On the other hand, Lasso’s simplicity and positivity took your heart away and all you can do is just admire how decency is all we really need in the world right now. Season 2 was criticized by some people because of its tonal shift. But, to be honest, the tonal shift worked brilliantly for the show and gave us a new perspective on the lives of some people we have come to love on the show. ‘Ted Lasso’ is a modern masterpiece that should be cherished by everyone.
2) ‘Only Murders in the Building’ (Hulu)
What do you expect from a show that has Steve Martin and Martin Short in the lead roles? You expect it to be a laugh riot and that’s what ‘Only Murders in the Building’ is. The show revolves around three neighbors who investigate the murder of a person in their building. Police called it a suicide, but they feel that it’s not a suicide but a murder. It was so delightful to see the legends of comedy coming together for a show and they completely floor us with iconic performances. However, it is Selena Gomez who surprises everyone with an extraordinary performance. It’s not an easy job to outshine Steve Martin and Martin Short, but Gomez has managed to do that with her witty performance. See, Steve and Short are brilliant as usual, but Gomez is mind-blowing in ‘Only Murders in the Building’. It’s a tremendously funny and entertaining series that’s been made with a lot of heart.
1) ‘Mare of Easttown’ (HBO)
There was a lot of curiosity among everyone when it was announced that Kate Winslet will be seen on the HBO limited series ‘Mare of Easttown’. People expected a lot of amazing things from the show and when it came out, it exceeded all the expectations. The show focuses on a police officer named Mare Sheehan (Winslet) who’s not having the best time of her life as she’s going through a lot of changes in her personal life, but her life turns upside down when a murder case comes to her and everything that happens after that shows the heavy pain of just being alive. The show takes you on an enthralling journey filled with mystery and a whole lot of dramatic situations. But, it’s the ending that makes you speechless. All in all, this show is the absolute best of the best.
Honorable Mentions: ‘Loki’ (Disney+), ‘Halston’ (Netflix), ‘Kevin Can F**K Himself’ (AMC), ‘Yellowstone’ Season 4 (Paramount), and ‘Sex Education’ Season 3 (Netflix).