Rewind: The Best TV Shows Of 2021

What did 2021 give us in the world of TV? Let’s take a look back at everything that brought us a heaping dose of pure entertainment joy.

2021 was a rough year, and that definitely left its mark on entertainment production. But no matter what, the TV industry kept us from getting bored, treating us to something wonderful practically every single day. Yes, 2021 was an absolutely stellar year for new series.

Here at AdmiGram.com, we loved looking back at everything that had us glued to our screens, so we put together a roundup of the best debut series of 2021 — the ones you simply can’t afford to miss. Every single one of them is worth your time. So let’s dive in!

Rewind: The Best TV Shows of 2021

Arcane (Arcane: League of Legends)

Genre: steampunk, drama, science fantasy
Directors: Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord
Voice cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro

Arguably one of the biggest breakout hits of 2021 was Arcane, the animated series set in the world of League of Legends. It’s basically impossible to find fault with it, and being animated is actually one of its biggest strengths, not a weakness. Everything here operates on a whole other level: the visual style, the character work, the sound design, the story — you name it. Simply put, this is the best series of 2021, and it’s already earned its spot in the “gold standard” hall of fame.

Mare of Easttown

Genre: crime drama
Director: Craig Zobel
Starring: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Jean Smart

We’ve been missing real, top-tier television — the kind without all the “franchise filler.” Mare of Easttown is exactly the breath of fresh air fans of serious drama and serious craftsmanship have been waiting for. Sure, it’s rated 18+ with everything that implies, but honestly, is there any other way to tell a story about small-town America and all its hidden horrors? Of course not. This is honest television, with razor-sharp acting and our collective “inner demons” turned inside out — HBO’s biggest hit of 2021.

Behind Her Eyes

Genre: psychological thriller, mystery
Director: Erik Richter Strand
Starring: Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman, Robert Aramayo

Talk about a plot twist! You can’t help but say that phrase after finishing one of the most underrated shows of 2021. Behind Her Eyes is a gorgeous British cocktail of emotion, music, scenery, psychology, and mystery. The last time we saw anything close to this was arguably Lynch’s Twin Peaks back in 1990. It’s a stunning, delightfully unsettling piece of work that lingers with you long after the credits roll. This one’s best binged in one sitting, and it really hits different when you dive in at night.

Maid

Genre: drama
Directors: John Wells, Helen Shaver, Nzingha Stewart
Starring: Margaret Qualley, Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson

A genuinely important show, especially for anyone who’s faced domestic abuse. The story of a young mother and her child raises questions most people would rather not say out loud, but above all, it’s a story about how each of us has something worth fighting for — something worth living for. Living and loving, even when it takes everything you have. It’s an honest story that millions of people are living through right now in the real world, often without any hope of a happy ending in sight.

Resident Alien

Genre: science fiction
Directors: Robert Duncan McNeill, Jay Chandrasekhar, Shannon Kohli
Starring: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Corey Reynolds

Coziness is the secret weapon of one of the most charming sci-fi shows of 2021. Turns out you can absolutely make great science fiction without blowing a massive budget on flashy promotion and visual effects — even if most of it takes place within four walls. Because at the end of the day, a show lives or dies on story and performances, not overworked CGI. Resident Alien is a delightful blend of mystery, medicine, and sci-fi, all wrapped up in a genuinely funny comedic package.

Move to Heaven

Genre: drama
Director: Kim Sung-ho
Starring: Tang Jun-sang, Lee Je-hoon, Hong Seung-hee

Korean television just keeps surprising us. It might genuinely be the last place left making TV purely for the sake of art. Move to Heaven is rated 18+, but don’t expect the kind of content that usually comes to mind with that rating. This isn’t entertainment in the traditional sense — it’s deep self-reflection and heartbreakingly honest storytelling. It’s the perfect show to watch when you want to sit with your own thoughts and reflect on what really matters. Forget Squid Game — this one hits so much harder.

Invincible

Genre: superhero, thriller, drama
Directors: Robert Valley, Jeff Allen, Paul Furminger
Voice cast: Steven Yeun, J. K. Simmons, Sandra Oh

Amazon Prime Video is clearly onto something, while Marvel and DC stay stuck playing it safe. The Boys was already a cult classic almost overnight, and now Invincible feels like another huge breath of fresh air for the superhero genre — especially on the animation side. There’s really nothing else quite like it: it delivers powerful drama alongside genuinely bold, mature content. The whole thing is daring, energetic, and made with real heart. And yes, it’s rated 18+ — how could it not be?

The Beatles: Get Back

Genre: documentary musical
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: The Beatles

Can a documentary series really count as a piece of art? Absolutely — especially when one of the greatest directors working today, Peter Jackson, is behind the camera. Clocking in at 468 minutes, this project is built from previously unreleased footage of the legendary Beatles. It’s a genuine time machine, a free ticket to the past, and a look behind the curtain at how the band really lived and created together. Is it worth watching if you’re not even that into Beatles music? Absolutely — if only to see just how much more honest and remarkable everything used to be.

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

Genre: romantic comedy
Director: Yoo Je-won
Starring: Kim Seon-ho, Shin Min-a, Lee Sang-yi

Let’s be honest — we all miss simple, sweet shows that haven’t been polished into some over-branded product. This one feels like a cozy little house in the countryside that you just want to keep coming back to every evening, checking in on the lives of everyone in this charming little town. You just watch what fate has in store for these characters, and you can’t help but smile. Warm, comforting, and one of the most feel-good shows of the year.

The Billion Dollar Code

Genre: drama, based on a true story
Director: Robert Thalheim
Starring: Marius Ahrendt, Leonard Scheicher, Mišel Matičević, Seumas F. Sargent

We couldn’t skip this underrated gem from Germany. Based on true events, it follows a hacker and an artist in 1990s Berlin who created the technology behind what we now know as Google Earth — and later took on the tech giant in a battle for their invention. Part nostalgic coming-of-age story, part gripping legal drama, this show captures the idealistic spirit of early internet culture and tells a powerful story about creativity, ownership, and fighting back. It deserves way more spotlight than it got.