Best TV Shows to Binge Watch (May 2023)

Creator: Liz Tigelaar

Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Merritt Wever, Sarah Pidgeon, Quentin Plair, Michaela Watkins

Based on the best-selling book by Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things is a hilarious and heartbreaking dramedy about a woman named Clare who reluctantly becomes an advice columnist despite her own life falling apart. Spanning two distinct timelines, Clare is played by Kathryn Hahn in the present-day and Sarah Pidgeon in flashbacks, and each give a phenomenal performance. Tiny Beautiful Things tackles subjects like grief and strained family dynamics in a refreshingly honest way. If you’re looking to laugh and cry — sometimes simultaneously — make this your next binge. — Taylor Gates

Creator: Debora Cahn

Cast: Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi

Keri Russell (The Americans) brilliantly stars in The Diplomat, an intense political thriller that follows the life of a new US Ambassador to the UK. The Diplomat cleverly blends the personal and political, allowing the tension to overlap through the eight-episode first season, where Russell captivates as Kate Wyler. At times overshadowing political matters, The Diplomat is equally fascinating as Kate faces her demanding husband, a fellow diplomat and rising political star played by Rufus Sewell. Created by Debora Cahn (Homeland), The Diplomat investigates a political climate through turbulent international situations, heightened crises, and astute conversations, ultimately resulting in riveting television. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble

Cast: Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Tati Gabrielle

From creators Greg Berlanti (Riverdale) and Sera Gamble (The Magicians), You stars Penn Badgley (Easy A) as a charming, well-read serial killer who is quick to develop an unhealthy obsession with the women he meets. With each season introducing a new object of his desire, You seamlessly adapts the story to new locations, from New York to Los Angeles to Europe, populated with interesting new characters played by unbelievably attractive actors. You deliciously weaves steamy soap threads, tying them uncomfortably to graphic violence and alluring an audience into an unsettling yet captivating viewing experience. – Yael Tygiel

Cast: Rachel Weisz, Emily Meade, Britne Oldford, Jennifer Ehle, Michael Chernus

Strap in for one of the wildest rides of your life. Based on the 1988 David Cronenberg film, Dead Ringers the series puts a modern female twist on the story of the codependent twin gynecologists. Rachel Weisz plays both Beverly and Elliot Mantle in a stunning performance, and her co-stars, including Britne Oldford as Beverly’s girlfriend and Jennifer Ehle as a deliciously corrupt billionaire investor, are just as impressive. Combining shocking horror, timely topics, and sharp dark comedy, Dead Ringers is a thrilling, one-of-a-kind experience. — Taylor Gates

Creator: Lee Sung Jin

Cast: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino

A brilliant dramedy grounded by excellent performances, Beef stars Ali Wong as Amy, an uptight entrepreneur, and Steven Yeun as Danny, a struggling contractor. When the two are involved in a particularly nasty road-range incident with each other, they spiral out of control. Outrageous — and outrageously funny — Beef will make you laugh out loud. However, it also deals with serious topics like class differences, mental health, and family issues, all of which make for a deeply affecting and emotional watch, too. — Taylor Gates

Created by: Shawn Ryan

Cast: Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins

Based on the novel by Matthew Quick, this thrilling action series follows Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland, an FBI agent who works at the White House as a Night Action phone operator. When he finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy about a mole in the highest levels of the government, however, he must track down the traitor. The show is sure to have you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible not to binge. The excellent performances by Luciana Buchanan and Oscar nominee Hong Chau take this tense drama to the next level. — Taylor Gates

Creators: Will Graham, Abbi Jacobson

Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, D’Arcy Carden, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Kelly McCormack

Based on true historical events and inspired by the Penny Marshall movie, A League of Their Own is a beautifully queer comedy series co-created by Will Graham with star Abbi Jacobson. Shining a light on the World War II All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, A League of Their Own gingerly chronicles not only the formation of the iconic Rockford Peaches, revealing fictional storylines heavily influenced by the stories of real women, but also pointedly focuses on the Black ballplayers of the time. Starring an overwhelmingly talented cast, like Chanté Adams, D’Arcy Carden, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and Kelly McCormack, A League of Their Own is a fantastic series worth watching again and again. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Rian Johnson

Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Barkin, Adrien Brody

A glorious love letter to murder mysteries in general — and Columbo in particular — Poker Face stars Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) as the charming Charlie, a savvy woman with a gift for sniffing out the truth. Created by modern mystery maestro Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Poker Face beautifully builds an anthology of sorts while maintaining a throughline for Charlie that keeps her moving from case to case. Filled with a slew of guest appearances from incredible actors, including Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adrien Brody, and Ellen Barkin, Poker Face is more than a celebrity cameo machine — it’s a captivating journey in each episode so cleverly crafted viewers can’t help but come back for more. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Donald Glover, Janine Nabers

Cast: Mezi Atwood, Dominique Fishback, Damson Idris

Atlanta’s Donald Glover and Watchmen’s Janine Nabers team up as co-creators of Swarm, a new series that combines comedy, drama, and even some horror and suspense. Parodying the intensity of stan culture, Swarm follows a young woman named Dre (Dominique Fishback) as she does anything and everything to get close to her favorite popstar Ni’Jah, who has a huge following that’s not dissimilar to that of Beyoncé. The seven surreal episodes will have you on the edge of your seat, laughing, cringing, and gasping all the while. – Taylor Gates

Creator: Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv

Writer/director Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and original game director Neil Druckmann (The Last of Us) join forces to bring the iconic video game to life in a new medium. In a cinematic series exploring love and loss, The Last of Us takes place in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a voracious fungus that takes control of human hosts to spread. Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) take on the classic lone wolf and cub dynamic as Joel and Ellie, who must travel across the country together while trying to survive infected monsters, raiders, and the fascist military organization FEDRA. The Last of Us is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and terrifying story that expands the lore of the games to perfectly fit the long-form serialized TV format. – Tauri Miller

Creator: Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, Lizzy Caplan, Adam Brody, Josh Radnor

Jesse Eisenberg stars in Fleishman Is in Trouble as a divorced man suddenly abandoned, with his two children, by his ex-wife (Claire Danes). Adapted by Taffy Brodesser-Akner from her novel, Fleishman Is in Trouble is a blend of dark comedy and weird drama with a story that evolves from a mid-life crisis to a thoughtful spotlight on mental illness. Although hard to characterize the series, Fleishman Is in Trouble can be commended on the star-powered cast who supports Eisenberg, including Lizzy Caplan, whose character narrates the series, as well as Adam Brody and Josh Radnor (Hunters). – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Bonnie Turner, Lindsey Turner, Gregg Mettler

Cast: Callie Haverda, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel

A follow-up series to the beloved sitcom That ’70s Show, That ‘90s Show comes from Bonnie Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler. Once again taking place in Kitty and Red’s cozy home in Point Place, WI, That ‘90s Show reunites Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who reprise their roles, while following the life of their granddaughter, Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), and her new friends. All grown up, Topher Grace and Laura Prepon play Leia’s parents and also appear in the sequel series, along with sporadic cameos from original cast members like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher returning to the roles that made them household names. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Tony Gilroy

Cast: Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Stellan Skarsgård

A wonderful addition to the Star Wars universe, Andor is a prequel to the action-packed movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Created by Rogue One writer Tony Gilroy, Andor takes place five years prior to the film, building a rich backstory for an ensemble of characters who would become the Rebel Alliance, including a thief named Cassian Andor, with Diego Luna reprising the role. Rounding out the cast are Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, and Stellan Skarsgård (Thor: Love and Thunder), who allow Andor to delve into the formation of the opposition group, as well as the intricacies of the Galactic Empire, thoroughly enriching the expansive Star Wars universe. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Darren Star

Cast: Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Samuel Arnold, Lucas Bravo

Emily in Paris is an addicting series from creator Darren Star (Younger). With decades of experience telling stories about young, professional women, Star’s latest adventure has taken him to Europe with a fantastic cast led by Lily Collins. Emily in Paris follows Emily (Collins), a naive midwesterner working in the social media space who is thrust into the whirlwind world of luxury marketing in the most romantic city on the planet where she doesn’t speak the language. Although Emily in Paris amusingly focuses on Emily’s consistent faux pas, the true highlights of the series are her new friend Mindy (Ashley Park) and her smart, sexy girlboss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu). – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Emilia di Girolamo

Cast: Alfred Molina, Rossif Sutherland, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Sarah Booth, Anna Tierney

Three Pines is a mystery series about inexplicable murders in an idyllic Canadian town. Starring Alfred Molina (Spider-man: No Way Home) as the chief inspector, Three Pines explores how an investigator can uncover secrets about his case as well as himself. Co-starring Rossif Sutherland (Reign) and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Three Pines has earned critical praise and comparisons to beloved shows like The Killing and Mare of Easttown. With a haunting mystery that unravels over the first season, Three Pines reveals a lot about humanity, as it dives into themes of truth and loyalty. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Alexi Hawley

Cast: Noah Centineo, Katharine King So, Alexandra Petrachuk, Vondie Curtis-Hall

From the cleverly creative mind of creator Alexi Hawley (The Rookie: Feds), The Recruit is another action-filled comedic thriller. Starring Noah Centineo (Black Adam) as a CIA newbie, The Recruit follows as the agency lawyer (Centineo) inadvertently stumbles into the high-stakes world of international espionage. Supporting Centineo in The Recruit are Angel Parker (The Rookie), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black), and Colton Dunn (Superstore), who flawlessly brings Hawley’s signature comedic style to the screen. Together, Hawley and Centineo build a fun and explosive-filled series that allows the young star to explore his skills in the stunt-heavy world of spy adventures. – Yael Tygiel

Creators: Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, Sharon Horgan

Cast: Sharon Horgan, Eve Hewson, Sarah Greene, Eva Birthistle, Claes Bang

Surprisingly not created by a couple of sisters, Bad Sisters comes from the minds of Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, and Sharon Horgan (Housebroken), who also stars in the comedy series with Eve Hewson, Sarah Greene, and Eva Birthistle. In Bad Sisters, Horgan, Hewson, Greene, and Birthistle play the close-knit sisters who are suspected of murder when life insurance investigators suggest one of them might be responsible for their brother-in-law’s death. Finding humor in the macabre as well as ordinary, everyday situations allows Bad Sisters to shine as a charmingly uproarious female-fronted series. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Meaghan Oppenheimer

Cast: Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, Catherine Missal, Spencer House

Stemming from the suspenseful book by author Carola Lovering, Tell Me Lies stars Grace Van Patten (Nine Perfect Strangers) as the complicated Lucy, whose life and secrets unravel through the series, which spans eight years. At the earliest moments of the series, Lucy is just your average beautiful young woman, but when she begins an intoxicating relationship with Stephen (Jackson White), their complex entanglement leads to twisted and messy secrets. Produced by Emma Roberts, Tell Me Lies is a romance exploring themes of infatuation, obsession, and codependency. With intriguing and dark characters reminiscent of You, Meaghan Oppenheimer (Queen America) creates an addictive mystery with Tell Me Lies. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar

Cast: Jenna Ortega, Gwendoline Christie, Riki Lindhome, Jamie McShane

The Addams Family has been through many iterations, from a TV show in the 60s to popular family films in the 90s to a musical in 2010. The newest take on this timeless kooky family is Wednesday, which centers on a teenage Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega). The show sees her attend her parents’ alma mater Nevermore Academy, a school for outcasts. Though Wednesday would rather be anywhere else, she soon finds herself on a mission to look into the mysterious murders happening around campus, using her wit, deadpan delivery, and new supernatural visions to solve the crimes. – Taylor Gates

Creators: Ryan J. Condal, George R.R. Martin

Cast: Rhys Ifans, Matt Smith, Fabien Frankel, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke

Explore the rich Game of Thrones mythology created by author George R.R. Martin as he and Ryan J. Condal dive deep into the Targaryen family with House of the Dragon. Set nearly 200 years before the birth of Game of Thrones’ breakout Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen (ACTRESS), House of the Dragon explores the traditions and turmoil of the family during the height of their reign. Highlighted by an incredible cast of talented actors, including Rhys Ifans (The King’s Man), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), and negroni sbagliato with prosecco advocates Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, House of the Dragon elevates the fantasy genre with complex lore drenched in relationships, politics, and suspense. – Yael Tygiel