{shortcode-ac5884538085b7f11ee61b55da42278f121892f8}

10. ‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is a reality TV show that follows a group of Mormon mom influencers known as #MomTok in Utah, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their influencer lifestyles. The show begins with the moms navigating the fallout of a swinging sex scandal, highlighting tensions in their friendships — particularly between Taylor Frankie Paul and Whitney Leavitt, who are both portrayed as leaders of #MomTok. The group of eight moms each navigate different aspects of their lives, including pregnancy, the complexities of choosing brand deals that align with their image as Mormon moms, and the launch of new ventures. Moreover, they grapple with the potential loss of #MomTok due to rising tensions within their circle. The show also integrates and explains facets of Mormon culture, such as their obsession with soda, to help viewers better understand their lifestyle. Ultimately, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” is sure to deliver a drama-filled experience, leaving viewers eager for the upcoming second season. —Allison S. Park

{shortcode-cfabf9bd2254577a25d281b315bc45c9e75afeea}

9. ‘Bridgerton’ (Season 3)

At the top end of the list of the most quintessentially British shows lie titles like “Doctor Who,” “The Great British Bake-Off,” and — of course — “Bridgerton.” The most modern of takes on one of the more alluring periods in royal history, “Bridgerton” brings fans a taste of the British Regency era. With extravagant, Regency-inspired costuming, dramatic plot lines, and a diverse set of characters and actors, Netflix crafted a show that has cemented itself as a classic of period television. Season three of “Bridgerton,” although less well-received than seasons one and two, retains much of what makes the show great, with dramatic twists, acts of secrecy, and an iconic Queen Charlotte. Its fun plotlines, largely inoffensive content, and historical setting earn this season of “Bridgerton” the ninth spot on our list. —Alessandro M. M. Drake

We reviewed Season 3 of “Bridgerton” here.

{shortcode-65273687319d84efdf9c26234c731224158b4c0f}

8. ‘Abbott Elementary’ (Seasons 3 & 4)

Teachers. Students. Cameras. ACTION! This mockumentary series has returned this year bigger and better than ever, with the cast and crew putting in overtime: Season three came out in early February, and season four is releasing weekly now.

“Abbott Elementary” is hilarious, and it’s impossible not to like every single character. Ava (Janelle James) is as unpredictable and abrasive as always, Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter) embodies South Philly culture, Jacob (Chris Perfetti) is still awkward, Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph) remains self-assured and kind, Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) brings something to laugh at in every episode, and Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory’s (Tyler James Williams) long-awaited relationship will leave audiences giddy.

The teachers are relatable. They are human. And they are a family. Their dynamics remain as perfect as they were in the very first season. There is a lot to love about “Abbott Elementary,” like its raw, in-depth portrayal of teachers and the difficulties and triumphs of the school system. The fourth wall breaks, reminiscent of fan-favorite “The Office,” makes the show feel familiar, subtly grounded, and comedic. Despite growth from all of the characters throughout the two seasons released this year, the show is still consistent. It feels like the show has really found its voice, and it will be echoed in other shows for years to come. – J.J. Moore

We reviewed the Season 4 premiere of “Abbott Elementary” and gave it 4.5 stars.

{shortcode-666557161f49b64a91429b0760bd49daa7576d35}

7. ‘The Brothers Sun’ (Season 1)

What do you get when you cross a sitcom with a Taiwanese gangster movie? The answer: “The Brothers Sun,” a Netflix series that follows Taipei triad heir Charles Sun (Justin Chien) as he heads to California to protect hapless younger brother Bruce (Sam Song Li) and Mama Sun (a formidable Michelle Yeoh). Li and Chien’s brotherly bickering is endlessly entertaining, and Yeoh shines as a nagging helicopter mother who is of course lethal in her own right. Rounded off with an excellent supporting cast and glorious fight scenes, “The Brothers Sun” is a hilarious and heartfelt story about familial obligations and the Asian American experience. It’s a shame that Netflix decided to cancel one of its best shows of the year mere months after its premiere. —Angelina X. Ng

{shortcode-04442cdee337e604a3edb72775bf4ab67b3931c4}

6. ‘Nobody Wants This’

Netflix’s feel-good romantic comedy “Nobody Wants This,” starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, follows an LA-based atheist sex podcaster and a young (hot) rabbi who unexpectedly fall for each other. Created by Erin Foster, the TV show was praised for the palpable chemistry between the two leads, as well as the very clever (and at times laugh-out-loud hilarious) script. Jo (Bell) and Noah (Brody) are an unorthodox but brilliant pairing who must navigate a difficult religious and cultural divide, all while finding out more about themselves in the process. In addition to being highly entertaining, the show also tackles several important and eternally relevant themes including feminism, sisterhood, and community. The true success of “Nobody Wants This” lies in its ability to blend lighthearted comedic entertainment with creative cultural commentary — making its place on our list very well-deserved. —Caroline J. Rubin

We reviewed ‘Nobody Wants This’ here.

{shortcode-cf24340db57af47a39e6489e132d6a6a4d3cac5f}

5. ‘Dancing with the Stars’ (Season 33)

Season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” received more attention than ever, with the final episode up 16 percent in total viewers compared to the previous season’s finale. This season’s contestants featured a star-studded cast, including Joey Graziadei and Jenn Tran from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” respectively, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, and con woman-turned-socialite Anna Delvey. While many fans were excited to see such a talented lineup compete, there was also controversy surrounding some of the casting choices. Nevertheless, this did not deter 6.36 million viewers from tuning in to watch the season finale. Each week of the show, the stars and their professional dance partners delivered jaw-dropping routines, ranging from Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s Disney Night Samba to Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold’s Viennese Waltz — a re-creation of Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas’s Viennese Waltz from two seasons prior. This season was also historical as the first Black pair, actress Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, made it to the season finale. Whether one is interested in seeing a celebrity try ballroom for the first time or watching talented professionals showcase their skills, season 33 of “Dancing with the Stars” is sure to captivate audiences with its exciting performances. —Allison S. Park

We interviewed “Dancing with the Stars” contestant Jenn Tran here.

We wrote a think piece about “Dancing with the Stars” here.

{shortcode-0d499cb54d8e4defd79ac91dcc47d0f5f05a9f04}

4. ‘Baby Reindeer’

Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer,” written by and starring Richard Gadd, follows a struggling comedian, Donny Dunn (Gadd), and his relationship with a lonely woman who begins to stalk him. An expert blend of dark humor and dramatic force, “Baby Reindeer” keeps its viewers deeply uncomfortable yet coming back for more at every turn, breaking the tension with irreverent humor just in time to build it all back up again. —Aiden J. Bowers

It’s not hard to understand why “Baby Reindeer” was so popular. Based on Gadd’s own life, the show immediately hooks audiences. What makes the show more effective than any other comedic crime drama out there, is that as Dunn’s stalker Martha (Jessica Gunning) pushes deeper into his life — going to his comedy shows and befriending people around him — the more audiences learn about Martha’s loneliness, and the more viewers learn about Dunn. As Crimson Arts editor, Aiden J. Bowers, said it best earlier, the show is “deeply uncomfortable” — it is hard to turn away from because of how intimate and empathetic of a portrayal it is. The comedic yet solemn writing, Gadd’s expert direction , the acting by everyone involved, and the intricate cinematography and editing could be dissected for a long time to come. They come together perfectly to create an intensely raw portrayal of a man who is impossible to tear your eyes away from. —J.J. Moore

{shortcode-368f9e482d10ac75b7324d059d0a0d8668a4fc76}

3. ‘My Lady Jane’

Magical realism, romance, and 16th-century England collide in Amazon Prime’s TV series “My Lady Jane.” The show takes liberties with history, rewriting the life of Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) in a world where Ethians, humans who can become animals, are spurned by the ruling ordinary humans, Verity, and where Jane Grey ascends to the throne after the death of her cousin, King Edward (Jordan Peters). Jane’s arranged marriage to Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel) establishes the show’s main romance. Their relationship is full of wit and sarcasm, a classic enemies to lovers plot, but their chemistry is compelling and the acquiescence of their animosity is touching. Jane and Guildford’s vulnerability, in addition to scenes of passionate tension between the two, makes their romance one to root for. The show’s writing is humorous, and the jokes are not merely limited to the main leads. Guildford’s brother, Lord Stanley Dudley (Henry Ashton), is a frequent source of comedic relief along with Jane’s mother, Lady Frances Grey (Anna Chancellor), and Princess Mary (Kate O’Flynn). The dialogue is at times unhinged, but the show’s embrace of comedy provides welcome relief from the nerve-wracking plot. “My Lady Jane” keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, and it’s a shame such an exhilarating show was cancelled after just one season. All good things in life must come to an end, and this, sadly, is certainly one of them. —Anna Moiseieva

We wrote about the cancellation of “My Lady Jane” here.

2. ‘Shōgun’

FX’s “Shōgun,” created by husband-wife duo Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks, is everything one could ask for in a TV series. Set in the year 1600, at the end of Japan’s Sengoku period, it follows John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) — a character based on the first Englishman to reach Japan, William Adams. Upon his arrival, Blackthorne becomes entangled in the country’s political turmoil and finds himself learning about the language, customs, and people so different from his own. From a historical perspective, the show’s attention to detail is impressive. From the set and costume design to the plot to the dialogue — which is mostly in an older, traditional form of Japanese that is rarely spoken today — viewers can truly imagine what it must have been like to live among the likes of Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai) or Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada). The show addresses themes of love, violence, tradition, religion, and loyalty in a beautiful tapestry that captivates audiences and invites them to reflect on the complexities of human nature and cultural exchange. —Najya S. Gause

1. ‘The Bear’ (Season 3)

“The Bear” returned this year with yet another outstanding season, solidifying its reputation as one of television’s most consistent and daring series. Season three, however, breaks new ground by slowing down to thoughtfully explore the world it has built, posing the fundamental question: “How did we get here? And why is it so important?”

After two seasons of high-intensity storytelling, season three gives supporting characters their due, exploring them with remarkable intimacy. Highlights include an emotional exploration of Tina’s (Liza Colón-Zayas) journey, which unfolds with quiet determination, and a powerful reconciliation between Sugar (Abby Elliott) and Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis). These moments enrich the narrative and ground the show’s world in authenticity, making each character feel real. After this season, it is impossible not to feel connected to each person on screen.

The acting, as always, is impeccable, with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) anchoring the series. Yet, what truly sets this season apart is its willingness to step away from its protagonist. Carmy’s absence in several scenes allows the supporting ensemble to take center stage, and even without its main character there, the world within the show feels complete.

Season three of “The Bear” ultimately acts as an intermediary chapter, a thoughtful and beautifully constructed bridge that connects the past seasons to an exciting and intense future. This season is a love letter to its characters, proving once again that “The Bear” is among television’s most ambitious and compassionate series. —J.J. Moore