TV critic Matt Roush just dropped his definitive list of 2025’s best television shows, and it’s a masterclass in what makes great TV.
After wading through what he calls “an embarrassment of riches,” the TV Guide veteran narrowed down his choices using one simple criterion: which shows refused to leave his mind.
His top 10 spans everything from mind-bending sci-fi to gripping medical dramas.
Here’s what made the cut and why these shows dominated 2025’s television landscape.
The Surreal World of Workplace Drama
Coming in at number 10, “Severance” on Apple TV+ continues to baffle and captivate audiences in equal measure. The show explores Lumon employees whose “outie” real lives remain completely separated from their “innie” cubicle existence.
Roush doesn’t pretend to understand everything happening on screen. But that’s exactly the point.
There’s nothing quite like that weird, little, surrealistic show.
Historical Perspectives Meet Modern Streaming
Ken Burns delivered another monumental documentary with “The American Revolution” on PBS, earning the number 9 spot. The 12-hour deep dive into America’s founding received high praise from Roush.
A necessary testament to public TV’s essential place in our cultural landscape.
At number 8, “Andor” on Disney+ proved that Star Wars spinoffs can deliver substance alongside spectacle. Roush highlighted how this thrilling prequel to Rogue One showcases what happens when intellectual property meets genuine storytelling ambition.
Political Drama Returns to Prestige Form
“The Diplomat” secured spot number 7, with its third season drawing comparisons to one of television’s most beloved political dramas.
Roush called it the most entertaining political drama since “The West Wing” — high praise in today’s crowded prestige TV landscape.
Emmy-Worthy Performances on the Horizon
“Pluribus” on Apple TV+ landed at number 6, featuring Rhea Seehorn from Better Call Saul. She plays Carol, a misanthrope battling against a world that’s suddenly transformed into relentless cheerfulness.
Roush isn’t hedging his bets on Seehorn’s performance — he’s confident she’ll win an Emmy for the role.
Netflix’s Dark Masterpiece
At number 5, “Adolescence” tackles heavy subject matter with technical brilliance. This four-episode Netflix series examines the fallout after a teenage boy kills a classmate.
What sets it apart? Many episodes unfold almost entirely in single takes.
One of the strongest things Netflix gave us all year.
Celebrating Television History
The “Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special” claimed the number 4 position. SNL stars spanning five decades gathered in February to celebrate the iconic late-night show’s half-century milestone on NBC.
Franchise Reinvention Done Right
“Alien: Earth” on FX earned spot number 3 by breathing new life into a beloved sci-fi horror franchise. Roush described this reimagining as smart, scary, and impressively epic — proof that classic properties can still surprise audiences.
Hollywood Satire Hits Different
Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” on Apple TV+ secured second place with its sharp take on modern corporate filmmaking.
Hollyweird in Seth Rogen’s rollicking and masterful satire.
Roush praised the series as both clever and timely.
A really clever series that had a really good year.
The Medical Drama That Changed Everything
Topping Roush’s list at number 1: “The Pitt” on HBO Max. Noah Wyle, famous for his role on “ER,” returns to medical drama as the head of a Pittsburgh hospital emergency room.
Roush didn’t hold back his enthusiasm for this one, calling it an instant classic that successfully recreated and elevated the medical drama genre.
Great acting, just great production. One of the great genres of television and they just took it over the edge. It was an amazing series.
Fans won’t have to wait long for more. Season two arrives January 8, 2026.
What These Picks Reveal About Television Today
Roush’s selections paint a picture of television’s current golden age. Streaming platforms dominate the list, with Apple TV+ claiming four spots and traditional networks holding their ground with quality programming.
Several themes emerge across these picks:
- Genre reinvention matters: Shows like “The Pitt” and “Alien: Earth” prove familiar formats can feel fresh
- Technical innovation impresses: Single-take episodes in “Adolescence” demonstrate how form enhances storytelling
- Star power still counts: Recognizable faces from Rhea Seehorn to Noah Wyle anchor compelling narratives
- Intellectual property works when done right: “Andor” shows franchise TV can deliver substance
The diversity across Roush’s selections — from documentary to satire, sci-fi to medical drama — reflects television’s expanding creative boundaries. Whether tackling America’s founding or imagining dystopian workplaces, 2025’s best shows found ways to linger in viewers’ minds long after credits rolled.
That staying power, according to Roush, separates good television from truly great television.