The best new TV shows of 2020 so far
It’s only May (amid a pandemic it feels like 2020 has already lasted 10 years), but dozens of new TV shows are already vying for your attention.
In an era with so many streaming services (get ready for HBO Max and Peacock soon) churning out series alongside traditional broadcast and cable networks, the never-ending onslaught of new programs can be overwhelming. But even though we’re only five months into the year, the cavalcade of new TV in 2020 brings a few gems worth adding to your queues if you haven’t caught them yet.
From a network musical comedy to the return of Jean-luc Picard to two Apple TV Plus shows you probably didn’t know existed, these are the best new series to debut since Jan. 1:
FX’S British sitcom is about the trials of parenting, but it’s infinitely relatable even if kids aren’t in your life. With strong performances by Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard (”Back to Life”), and kids who don’t speak like adult comedy writers, “Breeders” is also about liking your life without being perfectly happy all the time. The series is relatable but also riotously funny — a firstepisode gag involving a sleepless night, a missing blanket and the police will have you laughing long after the episode ends. 1940. With Lindbergh comes fascism, anti-semitism and a friendship with Adolf Hitler, turning 1950s America into a scary dystopia. Starring Zoe Kazan, Winona Ryder and John Turturro, the series is a smartly acted if imperfect parable, with plenty of parallels to 2020.
In emotional resonance, depth and skilled performances, the latest entry in TV’S “Star Trek” canon has blasted above and beyond most of its recent cousins (sorry, “Discovery”). The franchise’s beloved Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) stars in a continuing narrative that actually makes sense for the aged Jean-luc. The writers also surround him with a group of old and new characters worth investing in, including standout performances from Michelle Hurd and Alison Pill.
From the brilliant Josh Thomas, who created and starred in niche Australian series “Please Like Me,” “Okay” is a gorgeously written series about a 25-yearold man (Thomas) who takes custody of his two teenage half-sisters, one of whom has autism, after the death of their father. A surprisingly sunny exploration of grief, “Okay” is frequently hilarious but emotionally affecting. Its portrayal of life with autism seems authentic, in part, because the young actress (Kayla Cromer) is on the spectrum. “Okay” is miles ahead of its Freeform siblings in maturity and class. on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” turn their attention to the video game industry in this workplace sitcom. Full of in-jokes for gaming aficionados but still accessible for total newbs, “Mythic Quest” is wickedly clever. Its cast is a treasure chest of comedic talent, including several sparkling newcomers, “Sunny” stars Rob Mcelhenney and David Hornsby, “Community” standout Dany Pudi and, most hilariously, Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham, clearly having the time of his life. It’s the best series so far on Apple’s burgeoning streaming service.
FX’S historical drama, depicting the fight for and against the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, has a cast so talented it’s embarrassing. Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, Margo Martindale, Sarah Paulson and many more easily bring the era of the ERA to life, helped by sharp scripts and gorgeous costuming. Although all the actresses are great, Blanchett is the series’ real highlight, turning in her best performance since 2015’s “Carol.”
Achingly accurate in its depiction of modern dating life, Hulu’s genderbending remake of the classic John Cusack 2000 movie isn’t a boring rehash of something you’ve already seen, but a natural extension of a timeless tale. Zoe Kravitz is magnetic as Rob Gordon, a Brooklyn, New York-based record store owner who has been unlucky in love. She’s surrounded by a superb cast (particularly Da’vine Joy Randolph and David H. Holmes). Together, they make “Fidelity” sing.
The cheerleading documentary from the producers of Netflix’s also-wonderful “Last Chance U” captured hearts and minds early this year. Beyond memes, “mat talk” and full-outs, the documentary is a shrewd look at a dangerous, mostly unregulated sport in which often vulnerable young adults trade their physical safety for a small chance at glory. The series is exquisitely structured around the Navarro Junior College cheer team as it trains for a competition, creating an arc as tense and riveting as any crime series or epic fantasy.
Mindy Kaling’s teen sitcom is breath of honest, awkward fresh air. Loosely based on Kaling’s own teen years, the series follows Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), an Indian American teen fumbling her way through an angry adolescence. Narrated by John Mcenroe (yes, the tennis player), there’s an energy to “Ever” that is sorely lacking from many of the cookie-cutter teen comedies streaming services have served up lately.
From “The Office” co-creator Greg Daniels, “Upload” is a wickedly smart sci-fi comedy about what happens when death becomes just as commoditized as life. The series stars Robbie Amell (”The Flash”) as a man whose consciousness is uploaded to a digital afterlife that is distinctly less than heavenly. While paying a premium for every little luxury he starts to fall for Nora (Andy Allo), his customer service rep, who’s alive and well back on Earth. Thoughtful, romantic and often hilarious, the series has the makings of a comedy classic if it sustains its momentum past a strong first season.