2025 gave us TV series that sparked widespread discussion.
From Scottish crime noir and British social drama to science fiction, Hollywood satire, and epic historical productions, this year delivered a diverse lineup of acclaimed shows. We’ve compiled the 10 best TV series of 2025 that remained at the center of attention throughout the season.
«Dept. Q»
A Scottish noir with the smell of a damp basement. Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) is appointed to lead a newly created cold case department—his office is located in a former restroom, which says a lot about the team’s status.
Morck takes on the disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard, a case that has been gathering dust for more than four years. Alongside him are the mysterious Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), a former Syrian police officer with a dark past; the ambitious trainee Rose; and his partner James Hardy, who was left paralyzed after being shot.
The series was created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, based on the novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, and premiered on Netflix on May 29, 2025.
«The Studio»
Hollywood has long been an easy target for satire, but The Studio hits the mark more accurately than most films about Hollywood itself. It’s not just a parody of the dream factory—it’s a painfully recognizable story about an industry struggling to survive between art and corporate reports.
Seth Rogen, one of the show’s creators, plays Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of Continental Studios. He calls himself a cinephile and dreams of making “great cinema,” but every day he is forced to balance marketing budgets.
The supporting cast is flawless: Ike Barinholtz plays deputy Sal Saperstein, Catherine O’Hara appears as Remick’s predecessor, and Kathryn Hahn plays the head of PR, capable of turning any scandal into an “opportunity.” Celebrity cameos—from Ron Howard and Olivia Wilde to Zoë Kravitz—serve not as fan service but as an integral part of the show’s satirical structure. Martin Scorsese’s appearance in the opening episode is especially memorable—self-deprecating and remarkably precise.
«Adolescence»
One of the year’s most harrowing and widely discussed series. «Adolescence» is a British miniseries that begins as a crime story about a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering his classmate, before evolving into a painful examination of what is happening to teenagers in the age of social media.
The series became a cultural phenomenon in the United Kingdom: it was debated in Parliament, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly supported screening it in schools.
At the center of the story is schoolboy Jamie Miller. The evidence against him becomes increasingly convincing, but the series is not a detective mystery. Instead, it asks a deeper question: how does a child reach the point where tragedy becomes possible? As Jamie’s parents, therapist, and the detective try to piece the puzzle together, viewers are exposed to deeper issues—toxic online communities, distorted ideas of masculinity, and the loneliness of teenagers living amid the constant noise of the digital world.
«Pluribus» («The One»)
After Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Vince Gilligan turned to science fiction while retaining his signature tool—an ironic, cool-headed analysis of human nature.
Pluribus premiered on Apple TV+ on November 7, 2025, and quickly became one of the platform’s most talked-about releases. The premise resembles a dystopian fable: a new virus makes people permanently content, kind, and optimistic. No aggression, no anxiety—only artificial happiness. The only person immune to the infection is writer Carol. Now she must save humanity from total bliss.
Critics praised the series, giving it an 8.2 rating on IMDb, a 98% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, and 87 points on Metacritic with the label “Must-See.” A second season has already been confirmed, and it’s one of those stories that clearly has plenty of room to grow.
«Your Friends & Neighbors»
Jon Hamm plays a man who appears to have it all: wealth, status, and a home in an affluent neighborhood. But when infidelity, divorce, financial troubles, and job loss begin to pile up, that polished façade cracks—and the protagonist falls from the comfortable height to which he had grown accustomed.
Created by Jonathan Tropper, the series is not driven by crime intrigue alone. Its real focus is the inner world of a man who fears losing his social status more than losing his conscience. Your Friends & Neighbors explores themes of consumerism, social pressure, and collective hypocrisy. After all, you’re expected to look successful—even when everything around you is falling apart.
«Alien: Earth»
The events of this prequel series take place two years before Ridley Scott’s original 1979 film Alien.
At the center of the story is Wendy, whose life changes after she discovers a gigantic spacecraft that appears as if from nowhere. The mysterious vessel carries a threat that is almost impossible to comprehend. At first, the girl tries to stay away, but she is found by a squad of soldiers who reveal the truth about hidden experiments and corporations’ long-standing interest in extraterrestrial beings.
The world’s greatest scientists have long been searching for evidence of extraterrestrial life, but now Wendy unwillingly becomes part of these processes. Eventually, she comes to the conclusion that the creatures humanity sought to make contact with intend to destroy humans and turn those who survive into slaves.
The show was created by Noah Hawley, known for the series Fargo and Legion.
«Murderbot»
The series is based on Martha Wells’ book series The Murderbot Diaries. It follows an android that calls itself Murderbot. It is capable of independent thought but is forced to hide it. While carrying out dangerous missions, it simultaneously feels drawn to humans and fears their weakness.
The lead role was played by Alexander Skarsgård. It is already known that the series will continue for a second season.
«The White Lotus»
The third season of HBO’s drama, set in Thailand, became a record-breaking hit in terms of viewership: the premiere was watched by 2.4 million viewers, while the finale reached 6.2 million.
New episodes introduced new characters: Parker Posey played a pill-dependent beauty, while Amy Lou Wood portrayed Chelsea.
Despite critics’ comments about the slower pace, measured character development, and restrained finale, the series remained one of the year’s leading shows.
A fourth season is already in development, with its events set to take place in Paris and on the French Riviera.
«Chief of War»
The events of the series take place at the end of the 18th century, during the era of wars between the four kingdoms of the Hawaiian Islands.
At the center of the story is Ka’iana, a Native Hawaiian warrior who returns home after years of traveling. He is portrayed by Jason Momoa. Ka’iana joins a bloody campaign to unite the islands, but at a crucial moment he leads a rebellion against cruelty and violence.
This turning point becomes the catalyst for the unification of Hawaii, which took place from 1782 to 1810.
If, after a TV series marathon, you want to switch to feature films, we recommend checking out our selection “25 Best Movies of 2025 You Can Watch Right Now” — it includes films ranging from Ukrainian documentaries to major auteur premieres.
