24 TV Shows From 2021 That A Lot Of People Loved, But If You Missed Them You Need To Watch In 2022

Gonna keep talking about my love for Yellowjackets for the rest of my life probably.

1. Yellowjackets

Showtime / Everett Collection

If you're ready for a whirlwind of chaos, '90s nostalgia, and major cult vibes, then I beg for you to watch Yellowjackets. The series follows a high school soccer team that gets stranded in the northern wilderness after nearly dying in a plane crash and are forced to do whatever it takes to survive. It's told in a then-vs.-now-style alternating between the Yellowjackets' 19 months in the woods and the survivors' lives 25 years later. This show is seriously so incredible, guys. It's basically Lord of the Flies meets the humor of Dead to Me and the spookiness of The Blair Witch Project. Like...how could you *not* be convinced???

Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, Christina Ricci, Tawny Cypress, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Sammi Hanratty, Ella Purnell, Steven Krueger, Amy Okuda, Warren Kole, and more

Where to stream: Showtime

Watch the trailer here.

2. The Chair

Eliza Morse / ELIZA MORSE/NETFLIX

The Chair follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, who is the newly appointed first woman of color to be made head of the English department at Pembrook University. During her new stint as chair, she must grapple with the older closed-minded white colleagues, balance her life as a single mom, and make sure that professors who constantly go above and beyond get the credit they deserve. Sandra Oh kills as Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, and I love seeing her thrive in comedy. Plus, she and Jay Duplass have such great chemistry that I just want to watch a million more episodes. 

Starring: Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass, Bob Balaban, Nana Mensah, Everly Carganilla, David Morse, Holland Taylor, and more

Where to stream: Netflix

Watch the trailer here.

3. The Sex Lives of College Girls

HBO

Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble comes the best new TV series about college girls and their respective sex lives. No, but believe me when I tell you this show is an absolute delight. From the constant jokes to the cast's perfect comedic timing, I genuinely laughed out loud a bunch. Plus, there are so many strong and poignant, heartfelt moments that'll make you shed a tear for these girls. This series hits the mark again and again while making me nostalgic of my own college experience but oh-so glad I've gotten through it. The Sex Lives of College Girls is really something special, and I'm so happy it exists. 

Starring: Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Renee Rapp, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Gavin Leatherwood, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

4. Mythic Quest

Apple TV+ / Everett

This series revolves around a fictional video game studio behind the MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) Mythic Quest. It's created by the team that gives us It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, so you immediately know it'll be laugh-out-loud funny in the best way possible. I absolutely fell in love with this show in 2021, and can't recommend it enough — you don't even have to be a gamer to love it! Mythic Quest is so good at building up anticipation that it feels like so much more than a workplace comedy. It's such a satisfying show that makes me want to root for all the characters, even after seeing their not-so-great sides. Plus, Rob McElhenney and Charlotte Nicdao's dynamic as the ever-arguing Ian and Poppy is total magic.

Starring: Rob McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Jessie Ennis, Imani Hakim, F. Murray Abraham, and more

Where to stream: Apple TV+

Watch the trailer here.

5. Love Life

HBO

Love Life is an anthology series that focuses on a new main character each season as they navigate their — you guessed it — love lives. Anna Kendrick stars in Season 1 and William Jackson Harper headlines Season 2 as two "no good at love" millennials. Their relationship ups and downs are so true to real life yet feel like a classic romantic comedy that I seek so much comfort in. This show just ~gets~ romance and portrays it in a way that is sometimes messy but oh-so-worth-it. Both seasons are total must-watches in their own ways, and the upside is you honestly don't even have to watch the seasons chronologically. 

Starring: William Jackson Harper, Jessica Williams, Chris Powell, Punkie Johnson, Keith David, Janet Hubert, Jordan Rock, Leslie Bibb, John Earl Jelks, Arian Moayed, Steven Boyer, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

6. Pen15

Hulu / Everett

Pen15's glorious final season hit Hulu in 2021, and, boy, I'm really gonna miss this show. In a similar vein to that of Big Mouth, Pen15 revolves around two tween girls as they just try to live their best adolescent lives. Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine, who created the show, star as 12-year-old versions of themselves in middle school during the early 2000s. Pen15 is a series that represents middle school as it actually happened, along with all the awkwardness, hormones, and nostalgia you could ever imagine. 

Starring: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Mutsuko Erskine, Richard Karn, Taylor Nichols, Melora Walters, Taj Cross, Dallas Liu, and more

Where to stream: Hulu

Watch the trailer here. 

7. Shadow and Bone

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Now I'm not the biggest fantasy/sci-fi fan, but I ended up absolutely *loving* Shadow and Bone. Based on the book series by Leigh Bardugo, the series thrusts you into the war-torn world of Ravka, a country separated by a zone of impenetrable darkness full of deadly monsters — The Shadow Fold. And it turns out that Alina Starkov is the only person around who can summon light and finally put an end to this darkness. But obviously, it's not going to be as easy as it seems, right? Right. After almost being kidnapped and battling against the largest force Alina has ever seen, we find out if she'll become victorious and save Ravka or if she'll get thrown off the deep end. This series has so many wonderful characters that you'll fall in love with immediately and a killer cliffhanger that'll keep you begging to know Ravka's (and Alina's) fate. Luckily, it's already been renewed for a second season, and your questions will eventually get answered. 

Starring: Jessie Mei Li, Archie Renaux, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, Kit Young, Zoë Wanamaker, and more

Where to stream: Netflix

Watch the trailer here.

8. Girls5Eva

Peacock

From the creator of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt comes this musical sitcom about a one-hit-wonder '90s girl group who decide to reinvent themselves after their hit song is sampled by an up-and-coming rapper. Dawn, Summer, Gloria, and Wickie couldn't have gone in more different directions after the band broke up, but now, 20 years later, they realize they might actually be more alike than they thought. This show is such a delight and has songs that are catchy as hell. You won't be able to go a minute without laughing out loud, because the jokes really do come at you at "don't blink or you'll miss it" speed. Tina Fey is an executive producer, and you really get that same kind of 30 Rock humor that works so well. 

Starring: Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, Paula Pell, and more

Where to stream: Peacock

Watch the trailer here.

9. Cruel Summer

Freeform

Cruel Summer follows two drastically different teenagers — Jeannette, a socially awkward introvert who wants to be popular, and Kate, the popular it-girl — over three consecutive summers. After Kate is kidnapped, Jeannette slowly begins to come out of her shell and take Kate's place. However, everything falls apart as soon as Kate's rescued and thrust back into her "normal" life again. In the three dueling timelines, we watch as Jeannette goes through her extreme transformation and rises to the top, and then falls from grace as soon as Kate returns to take her rightful place. At the same time, we get insight into Kate's life, leading up to her disappearance, where she was during that year she was missing, and the aftermath of her rescue. Olivia Holt and Chiara Aurelia give show-stopping performances in this one; I truly couldn't take my eyes off of them, so I watched the entire series twice. If you're into teen drama and thrillers, Cruel Summer is a perfect choice. 

Starring: Olivia Holt, Chiara Aurelia, Froy Gutierrez, Harley Quinn Smith, Sarah Drew, Brooklyn Sudano, Blake Lee, Allius Barnes, Nathaniel Ashton, Michael Landes, Barrett Carnahan, and more

Where to stream: Hulu

Watch the trailer here.

10. The Great

Hulu

The Great tells the sometimes accurate story behind the coup that brought down Peter III and Catherine the Great's rise to empress of Russia. Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult star side-by-side as the treacherous Catherine and not-so-scary emperor Peter, and their chemistry is just...dare I say...great! No, but these two are electric onscreen, and you literally will not be able to take your eyes off them. This show is created by Tony McNamara, who also created The Favourite, so the vibes are satirical, super clever, but so elegantly extravagant. If you're someone who loves period dramas, heck, even if you're someone who typically hates period dramas, I strongly urge you to check this one out. 

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Gillian Anderson, Phoebe Fox, Sacha Dhawan, Charity Wakefield, Gwilym Lee, Adam Godley, Douglas Hodge, Belinda Bromilow, Richard Pyros, Bayo Gbadamosi, Sebastian de Souza, and more

Where to stream: Hulu

Watch the trailer here.

11. Lupin

Emmanuel Guimier / Netflix

Based on the French Arsène Lupin stories comes this modernized series about a gentleman thief and master of disguise. Omar Sy plays Assane Diop, a man inspired by Arsène Lupin's tricks in an effort to avenge his father after being thrown into prison for a false accusation. Lupin is fast-paced, thrilling, and constantly surprises you. Just when you really think you know how the show will pan out, Assane flips the whole story around and has you asking even more questions than you had before. It's truly so much fun watching Assane brilliantly outsmart literally everyone he encounters, and Omar Sy is absolutely stellar in this role. Plus, this series was watched by over 70 million homes during its first month on Netflix, so you know it's a quality TV show. 

Starring: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme, Vincent Londez, Soufiane Guerrab, Shirine Boutella, and more

Where to stream: Netflix

Watch the trailer here.

12. Dopesick

Hulu

Based on the book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America, this miniseries revolves around the opioid epidemic that many Americans face today, and more importantly, the drug company that started it all. The series travels through different stories of people whose lives have been affected by the opioid crisis, including a minor who's seeking pain relief after an injury, a doctor who falls into his own addiction, Oxycontin salesmen whose ethics are turned upside down, and the lawyers trying to take down Perdue Pharma once and for all. The entire cast pulls out some of their best performances in this one. Dopesick is a tough watch, but it's a necessary one.

Starring: Michael Keaton, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Poulter, Kaitlyn Dever, John Hoogenakker, Rosario Dawson, Phillippa Soo, Jake McDorman, Ray McKinnon, Cleopatra Coleman, Jaime Ray Newman, Andrea Frankle, Will Chase, Trevor Long, Meagen Fay, Rebecca Wisocky, and more

Where to stream: Hulu

Watch the trailer here.

13. Only Murders in the Building

Hulu

Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez star as the iconic trio you never knew you needed. After three true crime podcast-obsessives learn that someone from their own building has died, they decide to investigate and start their own murder podcast. This series is so charming and kooky that it feels less like a Dateline episode and more like your favorite new comfort sitcom. Plus, the fashion in this show is literally to die for. Every single one of Selena's costume pieces? I need them all. OMITB has also been renewed for a second season, and Cara Delevingne, Amy Schumer, and Shirley MacLaine are set to join the cast. 

Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Aaron Dominguez, Amy Ryan, and more

Where to stream: Hulu

Watch the trailer here.

14. iCarly

Paramount+

This is the way that TV show revivals should be done! iCarly takes place nine years after the original Nickelodeon show and follows Carly, Freddy, and Spencer throughout their (still chaotic) adult lives. My favorite thing about this revival with iCarly's now more adult humor, the show feels appropriate for its target twentysomething audience while savoring the charm that made us fall in love with the show in the first place. As an avid iCarly fan in the 2000s, I was so happy to see that this revival actually grew up with me, and I absolutely cannot wait for its second season. 

Starring: Miranda Cosgrove, Nathan Kress, Jerry Trainor, Laci Mosley, Jaidyn Triplett, and more

Where to stream: Paramount+

Watch the trailer here.

15. Mare of Easttown

HBO

Mare of Easttown follows Mare Sheehan, a police investigator from a small suburb of Pennsylvania who's tasked with investigating the brutal murder of a teen girl all while trying to cope with the sudden death of her son. On top of that, she's also been unable to solve the disappearance of another missing girl, and the town begins to doubt Mare's skills. This series is the bread and butter of the crime drama genre. It has everything you could ever want including an absolutely bonkers twist ending. I wholeheartedly recommend Mare of Easttown because once you start watching, you won't be able to stop. 

Starring: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, Evan Peters, Joe Tippett, Sosie Bacon, David Denman, Neal Huff, Guy Pearce, Cailee Spaeny, John Douglas Thompson, James McArdle, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

16. Queens

Kim Simms / ABC

Queens follows four women who reunite and try to regain the fame they once had in the '90s as hip-hop music icons the Nasty Bitches. Together, they try to balance their everyday normie lives with their revamped music careers and prove they're just as iconic now as they were 20 years ago. However, along the way, they realize the music industry is not the same as it once was, and the Queens have to decide whether their families and dark pasts are strong enough to prevent them from having this future in music. Yes, it's super similar to Girls5Eva, but Queens couldn't be any more different. Basically, add the drama of a Shonda Rhimes show to Girls5Eva and throw in a dash of the chaos of Empire — that's Queens.

Starring: Eve, Naturi Naughton, Brandy, Nadine Velazquez, Pepi Sonuga, Taylor Sele, and more

Where to stream: Hulu

Watch the trailer here.

17. Hacks

HBO

Jean Smart stars as Deborah Vance, a legendary stand-up comedian who's in danger of losing her Las Vegas residency after being told she's lost her relevancy. Begrudgingly, she hires a new writer to help her freshen up her material though they don't meet eye to eye, like ever. It's such a black to see these two go at it with each other, and you can't help but love the diva that is Deborah. Jean Smart gives the performance of a lifetime in Hacks, and it's such a privilege to get to watch it onscreen. 

Starring: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

18. Starstruck

HBO

Created by New Zealand comedian Rose Matafeo, Starstruck follows a twentysomething living in London who works as a nanny and at a movie theater. After a one-night stand, she learns that she actually slept with a hugely famous movie star and realizes she might even have real feelings for him. Starstruck is a perfect show for your inner rom-com lover because all you want is to see these two characters live happily ever after. It's a joy seeing their chemistry explode right in front of you, and Rose's writing is just so freaking enjoyable. It was renewed for a second season, which is set to air on BBC Three next month and eventually come to HBO Max later this year. 

Starring: Rose Matafeo, Nikesh Patel, Minnie Driver, Emma Sidi, Sindhu Vee, Al Roberts, Jon Pointing, Joe Barnes, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

19. Maid

Ricardo Hubbs / NETFLIX

Margaret Qualley stars as a young single mom named Alex who struggles to support herself and her daughter after leaving her abusive boyfriend. Throughout the course of the series, we watch as Alex struggles to make ends meet and begins working as a maid, all so she can keep her daughter safe. This heart-wrenching series was inspired by Stephanie Land's 2015 memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive. Plus, Margaret's real-life mother, Andie MacDowell, plays her onscreen mother Paula. It's a hard watch at times, but Margaret is phenomenal in this role, and her portrayal is one to be seen. 

Starring: Margaret Qualley, Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose, Tracy Vilar, Billy Burke, and more

Where to stream: Netflix

Watch the trailer here.

20. Ghosts

CBS

When Samantha and Jay unexpectedly inherit an enormous country home, they set out to start their own bed and breakfast there. Unfortunately, the ghosts who live in the estate aren't too thrilled and decide to take matters into their own hands. But, of course, things don't go according to plan, and Samantha wakes from a coma that allows her to see and speak to the ghosts that are currently living in her brand-new home. Ghosts is so much fun, and it genuinely makes me laugh out loud. The cast is wonderful together, and this show is such an easy binge-watch that you'll just wonder why you never started it in the first place. 

Starring: Rose McIver, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brandon Scott Jones, Richie Moriarty, Asher Grodman, Rebecca Wisocky, Sheila Carrasco, Danielle Pinnock, Roman Zaragoza, Devan Chandler Long, and more

Where to stream: Paramount+

Watch the trailer here.

21. Kevin Can F**k Himself

AMC

Schitt's Creek star Annie Murphy stars as Allison McRoberts, a seemingly normal Boston housewife who begins to fantasize about killing her husband so she can start a brand-new life. One of the cool things about this series is that it goes back and forth between a multi-camera comedy (much like Everybody Loves Raymond or King of Queens) and a gritty drama series (think Ozark vibes). Whenever Allison is with her husband, Kevin, we see the series as a bright sitcom with a laugh track, but once Kevin leaves the show becomes darker and gloomier. Basically, think of it as "the humor of Dead to Me mixed with the drama of Killing Eve and Breaking Bad, plus some good old-fashioned sitcom moments."

Starring: Annie Murphy, Mary Hollis Inboden, Eric Petersen, Alex Bonifer, Raymond Lee, Brian Howe, and more

Where to stream: AMC+

Watch the trailer here.

22. Made for Love

HBO

Based on the book of the same name, Made for Love is a dark comedy that follows Hazel Green, a woman who escapes from her suffocating life married to a tech billionaire. After she escapes, she soon realizes that her husband installed a tracking device in her brain and will go to whatever means possible to get Hazel back. Meanwhile, Hazel tries to regain her independence while learning to live life with her estranged dad and his sex doll girlfriend. I just love everything Cristin Milioti, does and her performance in this show makes me love her a million times more. 

Starring: Cristin Milioti, Billy Magnussen, Ray Romano, Dan Bakkedahl, Noma Dumezweni, Augusto Aguilera, Caleb Foote, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

23. The White Lotus

HBO

This show is pure chaos in the best way possible. The White Lotus follows several different guests who come to Hawaii on vacation and stay at the White Lotus hotel. Each episode revolves around a different day of these guests' vacations, and slowly the audience begins to realize that these trips aren't all they're cracked up to be. Between the constant cringe comedy, painfully awkward moments, and building tension lies a mystery that's darker than you'd expect. And once the season ends, you can't help but sit in awe and absorb everything you've just experienced. But in case you weren't on board yet, Aubrey Plaza is already confirmed to star in Season 2. 

Starring: Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, Fred Hechinger, Jake Lacy, Lukas Gage, Brittany O'Grady, Natasha Rothwell, Sydney Sweeney, Steve Zahn, Molly Shannon, and more

Where to stream: HBO Max

Watch the trailer here.

24. Ted Lasso

Apple TV+

Seriously, if you haven't watched Ted Lasso yet, where the heck have you been? This show is just incredible (and their 2021 Emmys sweep just proves it). The series follows Ted Lasso, an uber upbeat American football coach who's sent to England to coach a soccer team, and the delightful team of coworkers and players of AFC Richmond. This series has so much heart and soul that it'll make you laugh your ass off, cry your eyes out, and even realize you need to give your mom a call. There's a reason why everyone's been talking about it for a year now. Just watch it — I promise you'll love it. 

Starring: Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Nick Mohammed, Juno Temple, Sarah Niles, and more

Where to stream: Apple TV+

Watch the trailer here.