10 “Unbelievable”
No other current series is quite so timely as Netflix’s “Unbelievable.” Featuring a stacked cast led by Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, and Merritt Wever, “Unbelievable” is the story of two female detectives (Collette and Wever), who, tired of having sexual assault cases overlooked by their male counterparts, take it upon themselves to investigate a serial rapist plaguing both of their jurisdictions. Dever plays Marie, a young woman who reports her rape to the police, only to recant her testimony during the harsh questioning period with two male police detectives. Wever and Collette’s detectives eventually catch wind of Marie, and realize that her closed case might not be so simple after all. Wever and Collette are great here, but it’s Dever’s sensitive performance that leaves a real impression. 2019 was a big year for Dever, with starring roles in both “Unbelievable” and Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart.” It’s about time the general public comes to recognize Dever’s talent—we’ve been fans going back years now, ever since her fan-favorite role as Loretta McCready in “Justified.” – EF
9. “The Crown”
Netflix’s celebrated period drama already pulled off the impossible over its first two seasons by chronicling the life of England’s Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family in a manner that examined their unique impact on history, warts and all. Replacing the entire cast with actors in the main roles of Elizabeth (Olivia Colman for Claire Foy), Prince Phillip (Tobias Menzies for Matt Smith) and Princess Margaret (Helena Bonham Carter for Vanessa Kirby) in a different period of time was a major risk. Happily, showrunner and writer Peter Morgan has found his groove in capturing the depths of these characters, especially during the darker years of this particular season, the late ’60s to mid-’70s, when Britain’s coming down from the post-WWII boom. A breathtaking new score from Martin Phipps, an even larger global canvas to play on, heartbreaking performances and inspired direction means “The Crown” hasn’t just maintained its lofty status quo. It’s actually even better than it was before. – GE
8. “Chernobyl”
We’re often told to stay in our lane as a culture and Hollywood tends to pigeonhole creatives so badly, they’re often stuck in traffic. So, perhaps the biggest and best lane break of the year (perhaps the decade) is Craig Mazin‘s “Chernobyl,” a testament to versatility, research, and an intelligent human being capable of many layers. Known for comedies, often extremely silly ones (the ‘Hangover’ franchise, the ‘Scary Movie‘ series), Mazin upended all you think you know of his CV with HBO’s searing mini-series “Chernobyl” (he created, produced, and wrote) about the infamous 1980s Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. One of the world’s worst man-made catastrophes, “Chernobyl” is a horror on multiple levels—the obvious human devastation of ill-equipped firefighters and nuclear power technicians bathed in lethal radiation—but also the horror of bureaucracy and politics, arrogant Soviet officials trying to keep their jobs and heartless Soviet communist politicians downplaying the calamity to save face and prevent embarrassment on a global scale, all at the expense of their own people. Starring a who’s who of terrific character actors, Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, Jessie Buckley, and more, the bleak, ashen mood of “Chernobyl” wasn’t exactly sexy stuff and arguably a rough sit for some, but as depiction of unconscionable negligence and failure to properly act, it’s one of the most savaging, and timely, portraits of the Soviet Union’s brokenness, its institutional rot, and the shady, untrustworthy legacy it passed down to Russia. – RP
7. “Russian Doll”
Perhaps the biggest out-of-nowhere surprise of the year, this Netflix series from Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, and Amy Poehler made a huge impact when it hit the streaming service all the way back in February. Much more clever than the numerous “Groundhog Day” ripoffs that came before it, “Russian Doll” actually manages to explore that movie’s central time-loop paradigm in heretofore unexamined ways. Starring a wildly charismatic Lyonne and solid newcomer Charlie Barnett, this series explores the meaning of life and is also extremely fun and enjoyable. Leslye Headland also serves as the show’s primary visual influence, expertly directing several episodes of Season 1. (Side effects of watching “Russian Doll” include having this song burned into your brain for the rest of time.) – EF
6. “Euphoria”
Absent any other positive qualities, “Euphoria” would have earned a place on this list by virtue of being the single most visually ambitious show on TV by far. Luckily, Sam Levinson’s series about teen excess improves significantly over the course of its first season, growing from a pilot, which seemed primarily interested in provocation, into a series with a full ensemble cast of well-rounded characters. Headed up by Zendaya as the drug-addicted Rue, the fantastic cast includes Hunter Schafer as Rue’s confidant and love interest Jules, Jacob Elordi as the frequently terrifying jock Nate, and Eric Dane as Nate’s complicated father Cal. And as previously mentioned, Levinson and Co. make a real effort to infuse the entire show with a truly admirable sense of cinema and visual ambition. Virtually every shot in Season 1 is carefully and intentionally composed; several sequences are as visually thrilling and impressive as any movie that came out this year. Kudos to team Levinson for making an effort. There aren’t many other TV creators out there shaking things up in quite this way. – EF