I watch a lot of TV.
Like, A LOT. It’s the nature of the beast when you have the passion I do for the Australian TV industry.
That doesn’t mean that my opinions are any more important than yours–if anything, the volume allows me to offer generous critique and I’ll give anything a three-ep shot. Not everything makes the cut however, and this year is no different. There is a sizeable list of things that I watched and loved and, frankly, you might enjoy them too.
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Have I missed something? Got some feel-pinions about what’s in my list? Drop a comment at the end and let’s make this a resource for everyone!
So, here we go – my favourites from 2025 in no particular order (with one snuck in that premieres on New Year’s Day 2026)…
THE PITT S01 (HBO Max)
All fifteen episodes available in full, season two (another fifteen eps) coming in January
Part ER, part 24, all sorts of amazing. Noah Wyle stars as Dr Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, the senior doctor in Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s emergency rooms. We follow him as he starts his day across the fifteen hours of his shift (one hour per consecutive episode) and shares the highs, lows, and absolutely f*cked with his co-workers that include a bunch of residents all trying to get the hang of being a doctor in an ER. A phenomenal tale of the various personalities in a medical setting and the physical and emotional baggage each brings with them to a ‘normal’ day of work. The intensity of the hour-to-hour format allows stories to grow and fade at various speeds while others fester across the 15 eps. It’s literally delight-to-disaster and we get to feel each moment vicariously and, at times, intimately. Wyle is incredible across the season, ably supported by Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Brionies, Gerran Howell, Shawn Hatosy, Shabana Azeez and Sepideh Moafi. There’s people everywhere and tales that don’t get conclusions and others that surprise as much as horrify. A breakout hit of 2025, THE PITT is a show to binge right now in preparation for the new season coming in a couple of weeks.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (Netflix)
All six episodes available in full
I was transfixed as the story broke about the fraudster Belle Gibson. The global health influencer who had convinced the world that her eating plan and life choices had cured her of various cancers had been revealed as a shyster, and worse–some actually sick people had believed her and followed her advice to their accelerated demise. It was a stunning fall from grace after Gibson was touted by Apple (among others) as the next big thing…so the reveal that she simply made it all up was a kick in the world’s collective balls that captured significant attention. Samantha Strauss (DANCE ACADEMY) ably translates the story to episodic glory where each thread is knit and unwoven with deft touch. Each member of the cast puts in a noteworthy performance, starting with Kaitlyn Dever as the enigmatic Belle (with one of the best Australian accents by an American yet), but not to be overshadowed so too do Alycia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Mark Coles Smith, Ashley Zukerman, Susie Porter, Matt Nable, Essie Davis and Catherine McClements, among others. It’s a uniquely Australian story, made by Aussies, and starring a bunch of Aussies all besting drama on a world stage. I was surprised by just how much I dug this series.
PARADISE S01 (Disney+)
All episodes available in full, season two coming in February
The first episode so neatly sets up the series that I shan’t spoil it here, other than to offer that Dan Fogelman (THIS IS US, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING) has created a political thriller like we’ve not seen in some time. Watch the first episode. If, by the end, you aren’t in then that’s OK – move on to something else. If the hook it delivers snags you then you’ve got another seven episodes alone in season one to captivate and entertain you. Stars Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Jon Beavers, Krys Marshall, Aliyah Mastin, Matt Molloy and Gerald McRaney.
ADOLESCENCE (Netflix)
All four episodes available in full
It’s a tragedy wrapped in a riddle as Eddie (Stephen Graham) comes to terms with the actions of his son Jamie (Owen Cooper) on one fateful night. Brutal, dark, and compelling, the series adds significantly to the tension by delivering each of the four one-hour episodes as single shots…ostensibly a series of four one-hour plays. Graham co-created/co-wrote the series using the understanding that the parent/adolescent relationship is more fraught than ever, and how can a parent ever really know their child anyway? As a series its phenomenal, and that’s before you layer in that this series is Cooper’s first ever performance–for which he’s now won a Primetime Emmy Award. The third episode where Jamie goes toe-to-toe with court-appointed psychologist Briony Aston (Erin Doherty) is as disturbing as it is mesmerising, and made even more so with the acknowledgement this was the first episode of the four captured. The ensemble cast is fleshed out with talent including Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Mark Stanley, Christine Tremarco, Amelie Pease and Hannah Walters.
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Of all the shows in this list ADOLESCENCE is the one I encourage everyone to watch and then talk about with everyone else as much as possible. It’s more than just bloody incredible drama; it’s important conversation-starting TV.
SEVERANCE S02 (Apple TV)
Both seasons available in full
What if you could leave work at work and not have it interrupt your personal life (and vice versa)? Adam Scott continues his work as Mark Scout, an employee of Lumon Industries who works on the severed floor, has had a chip implanted so that when he goes to work he remembers nothing of his personal life and upon leaving remembers nothing of work as he goes about the rest of his day. Season two gave us a deeper understanding into Lumon’s manipulation of its severed staff and a glimpse into their reasoning for it (and managed to break our heart in the process). Scott is joined by Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock, John Turturro and Christopher Walken who, as an ensemble cast, deliver performances out of their collective skin. Ben Stiller leads a team of executive producers including Patricia Arquette and Beau Willimon (HOUSE OF CARDS) delivering this stunning, mind-bendingly confronting drama.
THE BEAR S03 (Disney+)
All seasons available in full
Jeremy Allen White continues to frustrate and amaze as Carmy Berzatto, the Michelin-starred chef who has returned to his family’s Chicago sandwich shop to transform it into a fine dining establishment as he exorcises his own demons in the process. Season three made some sharp decisions that, at times, feel like padding (reportedly creator Christopher Storer had a three-season arc planned and Disney convinced him to turn it into four) however the development of the characters and the layers in their relationships continue to deliver dividends. It’s sharp, fast-paced, and unapologetic in the nature of people’s impact on each other when they are forced into pressured situations together and that is possibly THE BEAR‘s greatest strength…nobody can really be ‘the good guy’ when there’s barely time to apologise and mean it. Also stars Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colon-Zayas, Abby Elliott and Matty Matheson.
ANDOR S02/final (Disney+)
Both seasons available in full
A narrative drama with Stormtroopers that speaks with distinction and accuracy in its reflection of modern politics and society. Diego Luna stars as Cassian Andor, an orphan who grew up to be a ruffian that is co-opted into the burgeoning rebellion against the concrete-fisted Empire. Set as a prequel to the Star Wars movie ROGUE ONE (which immediately precedes Episode IV: A NEW HOPE) creator Tony Gilroy delivers 24 episodes of dystopian thriller set in a galaxy far, far away. Luna is joined by Kyle Soller, Adria Arjona, Stellan Skarsgard, Denise Gough, Varada Sethu, Benjamin Bratt, Alan Tudyk and Ben Mendelsohn–however it is Genevieve O’Reilly as Senator Mon Mothma (the mother of the Rebel Alliance) that offers us the most devastatingly accurate portrayal of someone living the daily pressures of a double life that could see her killed in either existence that anchors the series. Superb.
THE STUDIO S01 (Apple TV)
10 episodes, available in full
There are three reasons you simply must watch this show:
- Seth Rogan as Matt Remick, the newly-appointed studio head who is juggling keeping his boss happy while trying to deliver ‘art back to Hollywood’ and ensure his team (Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, Chase Sui Wonders) keep all their ducks in a row
- Catherine O’Hara as the usurped boss Patty Leigh, who knows what depth Matt will have to dive to so that he survives while attempting to gut him at every turn – so vindictive its hilarious and it hurts; and
- Bryan Cranston as Griffin Mill, the owner and CEO of the studio Matt has just been appointed head of. A more diabolical piece of shit you will rarely see given a life and an attempted humanity by one of the best actors in the business.
- (The list of real-life stars, including Martin Scorcese and Ron Howard as parodies of themselves is an unofficial fourth reason.)
The series won 13 Emmys this year. The galling and satirical peeling back of the Hollywood facade is so close to the truth you have to laugh or you’ll cry.
THE LAST OF US S02 (HBO Max)
Both seasons available in full
Building on an incredible first season this series delivered a narrative drama based on the computer game series of the same name that ensured visceral reactions to key moments. The universe of this show has found a way to co-exist in its societal collapse after a fungal infection turns the majority of the population into monsters (and not a beef wellington in sight). For those in the know from the games, season two faces a couple of sizeable challenges which it handles deftly – thanks in no small part to the involvement of Craig Mazin and game creator Neil Druckmann as writers/showrunners. Key casting of and amazing performances from Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey ensured satisfaction for both sets of fans, and the inclusion of Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced, Young Mazino, Kaitlyn Dever and Catherine O’Hara only added more meat to these readily gnawed-at bones. The series will conclude with a third season in 2027 and a fourth still to be given an airdate.
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TASKMASTER UK S19 (BINGE)
10 episodes each season, all available
The series continues to confound and delight participants and viewers alike, however for mine it was season 19’s inclusion of its first American contestant – Jason Mantzoukas – that brought a new level of chaos and joy to the already glorious fray that had him competing with Fatiha El-Ghorri, Mathew Baynton, Rosie Ramsey and Stevie Martin. Greg Davies is affably curmudgeonly as the Taskmaster, and show creator/Taskmaster’s assistant Alex Horne plays his role note-perfectly. The series offers a neat twist in that it allows each performer to be celebrated individually – it’s not making fun of them; rather, it allows them to present their best ideas and question their suitability as they struggle to solve puzzles, challenges, some of the silliest conundrums yet seen anywhere, let alone TV.
GUY MONTGOMERY’S GUY MONT SPELLING BEE Australia S02 (ABC)
10 episodes, all on ABC iview
It’s a spelling bee with (mostly) idiot comedians who can’t spell. Start with the dryness of creator/host Guy Montgomery, sprinkle in a dash of assistant Aaron Chen, stir well and sit back and watch the comedic detritus rise to the top and be so easily cast aside. Parlour games serve as the premise for a broad collection of comedic egos such as Hannah Gadsby, Nina Oyama, Kirsty Webeck, Rove McManus, Tony Martin, Alexi Toliopolous, Susie Youssef, Hamish Blake and Gillian Cosgriff to ply their trade in competition with each other. Perfectly pleasant comedy from all concerned–no notes. (Only disambiguated because the original New Zealand version is also available on the platform and is equally as funny.)
MYSTERY ROAD: ORIGIN S02 (ABC)
6 episodes, all on ABC iview
Mark Coles Smith is stunning in his portrayal of a younger iteration of indigenous police officer Jay Swan made famous in the movie and TV series this version runs as a prequel to. Using breathtaking Australian locations and deft care from producers Bunya Productions, with directorial duties shared for season two between Wayne Blair and Jub Clerc, the series demands we pay attention to authentic Australian stories when told as well as this. A universe that deserves to keep growing. Also stars Tuuli Narkle, Helen Morse, Robyn Malcolm, Nicholas Bell and Luke Carroll.
JOHN CANDY: I LIKE ME (Prime Video)
1 episode
A love letter from one Canadian (Ryan Reynolds) to Canada’s greatest comedic son. Directed effortlessly by Colin Hanks, with interviews from Candy’s adult children and many who came up/worked with him (notable conversation with the now-reclusive Dan Ackroyd). His impact, his personal struggles, his ability to draw a laugh, and his impeccable acting are remembered with love and generosity and we’re welcomed into some intimate moments of vulnerability as those that loved him – which appear to be pretty much everyone – admit he was their hilarious glue. It’ll prompt you to dive into his back catalogue immediately and be overcome with just how gentle he was as he inhabited his characters.
TASK S01 (HBO Max)
7 episodes
Created by MARE OF EASTTOWN‘s Brad Inglesby, and set ostensibly in the same bleak poverty-stricken American universe, Mark Ruffalo stars as a former Catholic Priest-turned-FBI agent tasked with setting up a task force to address a series of armed robberies. He’s broken and not exactly match fit, and it opens the door for an array of equally broken people to enter and exit his orbit as he works hard to be the good guy his town needs but doesn’t necessarily want. Brilliantly bleak crime drama. Also stars Tom Pelphrey, Emilia Jones, Fabien Frankel, Thuso Mbedu and Martha Plimpton.
LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER S12 (BINGE)
30 episodes on catch-up
Heavy researching and consistently good joke-writing are a keystone of the success of this series, along with the consistent self-deprecation of its host. Nothing and everything is serious, and the humanity of the team that make this show is worn on its chest like a medal. What will become of it assuming Netflix get the green light to buyout Warner Bros, current ‘TV Daddy’ of the show? They’d be mad to mess with it.
THE CHEAP SEATS S05 (Ten)
30 episodes on catch-up
Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald racked up their fifth season of this weekly comedy show that has gotten better and better with each yearly iteration. Fun jokes, attempts at serious interviews, and a rolling cast of guest hosts and pop-ups (including Mel Tracina and Adam Rosenbachs) make each show a grab bag of goodness. While not everything lands the two hosts are quick enough to take it on the chin and let the other bring it up ad nauseam to ram home a Graham Kennedy-esque skewering. The moral of THE CHEAP SEATS must be: keep trying, because if you fail it’ll only make it funnier for all of us.
DMV S01 (BINGE)
On mid-season break, total 20 eps, airs weekly
Harriet Dyer (creator and star of COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS), Tim Meadows, Molly Kearney, Tony Cavalero, Gigi Zumbado and Kiwi Alex Tarrant star in a super-fun skewering of what used to be the US Government Department with the worst reputation of all (the Department of Motor Vehicles). It’s stupid, fun, heartfelt, and just the right amount of self-aware.
PLURIBUS S01 (Apple TV)
9 episodes, S01 finale Christmas Eve
Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) is the unhappiest person in the world, and after an alien-induced apocalyptic event it rests on her shoulders to save the world from happiness. Vince Gilligan creates and directs this joyously bleak look at group think, loneliness, triumph, and what happens when you get everything you want. PLURIBUS is simply compelling drama that will only have you reaching for your remote to press ‘next’.
FALLOUT S02 (Prime Video)
8 episodes, currently airing weekly
Another game-turned-drama series that showed what a solid budget, great casting and actual effort in storytelling can do when it creatives are given the chance to ply their trade at their best. Following the same premise as the popular game series (but not the same story) we follow Ella Purnell‘s Lucy who has spent most of her life in Vault 33 after a global nuclear incident. After a tragedy she decides there’s more to life on the surface and falls face first into a world of bizarre characters and even weirder creatures, all hell bent on killing this innocent girl. Season two picks up in the game franchise as it heads to ‘New Vegas’ and a deeper look at the sinister corporation responsible for it all. If Walton Goggins didn’t make it reliable enough then enjoy additional stars Aaron Moten, Kyle MacLachlan, and Justin Theroux.
STRANGER THINGS S05/final (Netflix)
Volume 2 (3 eps) 26 December; Volume 3 (final ep) New Year’s Day
10 years ago the Duffer Brothers delivered a supernatural story of a boy who vanished to an alternate reality and his friends that fought to have him return as they faced the demons from their Dungeons & Dragons universe come to life. With part 1 already breaking Netflix’s delivery system a couple of weeks ago the final two missives are coming and they promise to close out a story that has helped raise a generation. The series returned Wynona Ryder, Sean Astin, Linda Hamilton and Paul Reiser to our collective consciousness, and made stars of Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp and David Harbour. The Duffers have promised a completed story and moments for everyone…so grab a pillow, your popcorn and a remote (and about 7 hours for the final 4 eps) and settle in.
THE LAST YEAR OF TELEVISION 2025 (BINGE)
1 episode, 29 December
Mitch McTaggart has has a gift and a very big spreadsheet of Australian TV’s hits, misses, and mediocre middles. Each year he pumps out a packed hour that will remind you just how incredible TV can be, and just how horrendous we’ve let it become. This latest offering is without doubt one of his best (if you’ve never seen an ep then there is a back catalogue of terror/joy awaiting you), leaning into questionable decisions about programming choices, the lack of support for actual good Aussie TV, and so many WTF moments you’ll be rewinding to catch the other three punchlines you missed while laughing at the first. Also check out Mitch’s THE BACKSIDE OF TELEVISION which takes a deeper dive into some incredible stories of Australian TV you probably had no idea about, all packaged with his dry tone and whip-smart writing.
(…and one to look out for…)
DEAR LIFE S01 (Stan)
All six episodes deliver on New Year’s Day
A brilliant surprise turn from Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler in delivering this gut-punch of a narrative drama that will absorb you in its story and render you transfixed by its performances. We follow Brooke Satchwell’s Lillian as she deals (poorly) with the aftermath of the death of her partner and her adherence to his decision to have his organs donated. Rarely do we see the entire cast deliver characters so unique and complex and the Gristmill team should be applauded for it. Deeply grounded in the tragedy and inanity of living, DEAR LIFE is already in my top five shows of 2026 (already!). Set aside the time to devour all six episodes with multiple boxes of tissues at the ready. Also stars Ryan Johnson, Eleanor Matsuura, Ben Lawson, Annie Maynard, Daniel Henshall, and Kerry Armstrong.
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