This was a good year to be someone who loves binge-watching TV shows. Not only did we get some incredible new titles, we also saw many fan favourites return with brilliant new seasons. Popular Indian web seriesGullak and Panchayat came out with new seasons that made audiences fall in love with the characters once again, while shows like The White Lotus and Stranger Things returned to our screens and instantly gave us countless memes that saturated the Internet for months.
This was a year that saw the (near) redemption of the Game of Thrones Universe with the spin-off prequel series House of the Dragon. Many biographical dramas like The Dropout, and Rocket Boys made their mark too.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite new TV shows that we loved in 2022 (in no particular order) so you can add them to your watchlists in case you want to re-experience the magic as the year comes to an end.
House of the Dragon
While the world was still seething from the disappointing finale of Game of Thrones, the prequel series House of the Dragon swept in and made everyone give the GoT universe another chance. The series follows the rise and fall of the House of Targaryens and is set centuries before the events of GoT.
Severance
This sci-fi psychological thriller was quickly pronounced as one of the best TV shows of, not only this year but, of all time. Directed by Ben Stiller, the show follows the employees of Lumon Industries whose non-work memories are separated from their work memories because of a mysterious program. An entry of a new colleague starts making them question the truth about their jobs.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
This heartwarming K-drama is about an autistic lawyer who gets hired by one of the country’s top legal firms and her daily struggles. The show has earned itself a nomination in the Best Foreign Language Series category at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards and even counts several BTS members as its fans.
Business Proposal
This romantic-comedy series was based on a webtoon of the same name and quickly became one of the most popular K-dramas around the world. In the show, Shin Ha-ri agrees to go on a blind date in place of her best friend as part of their ongoing scheme to scare away prospective suitors. Their plans go south when Shin Ha-ri discovers that the latest blind date is her boss, the company’s CEO who is notoriously bad-tempered and anti-social.
Rocket Boys
This biographical drama series was based on the lives of Homi Jehangir Bhabha and Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, two men who played a strong role in shaping India’s science landscape. The story follows three crucial decades in India’s history, from the 1940s to the 60s. It stars Jim Sarbh, Ishwak Singh, Regina Cassandra, and Saba Azaad.
Human
The thriller explored the dark underbelly of the medical industry in India that is rife with scams, human drug trials, and the insidious nexus between pharmaceutical giants, private hospitals, and government officials, The series starred Shefali Shah and Kirti Kulhari in lead roles.
Andor
This Star Wars spin-off series stands out from its ilk for being more mature in tone than the others. It follows the adventures of thief-turned-Rebel spy Cassian Andor during the five years that lead to the events of the movie Rogue One (2016) and Star Wars: New Hope (1977). Diego Luna reprises his role from Rogue One and stars as the lead in this critically-acclaimed series.
The Bear
This comedy-drama series is already poised to be a favourite during the award season. It follows a young chef who has to come back home to run his family’s Italian beef sandwich shop after the suicide of his older brother. The story follows his journey to deal with his new job, his brother’s death, and a staff that refuses to cooperate.
Our Blues
This Korean drama is set on the picturesque Jeju Islands and follows the lives of the people living on the island who belong to different generations and walks of life. Park Jimin, of BTS, was featured on one of the tracks of the OST, leading it to become a chart-topper in various countries, to no one’s surprise.
Thirty-Nine
One of the most underrated K-dramas out there, this one stars Son Ye-jin, Jeon Mi-do, and Kim Ji-hyun. It follows three close friends who are about to turn forty and how they stick with each other through romantic misadventures, family drama, and heartbreaking tragedy.
Faadu
This relatively new series has been directed by Bareilly Ki Barfi director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwary and follows a man’s ambitious journey to leave behind his circumstances and rise to the top. The show stars Pavail Gulati and Sayami Kher.
The Dropout
Amanda Seyfried stars as Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the disgraced biotechnological company Theranos. The biographical crime drama mini-series is based on the podcast of the same name. Seyfried’s incredible physical transformation into the character earned her an Emmy award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series of Movies.
Twenty Five Twenty One
One of the highest-rated K-dramas of all time, this show follows the romantic lives of five characters, spanning from 1998 to 2021. The show comes with glowing recommendations by popular K-pop idols like BTS’ Jungkook, Red Velvet’s Yeri, and Blackpink’s Lisa.
Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein
While the show was critically divisive, there’s no denying that it was one of the most memorable web series of the year. Starring Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathi, and Aanchal Singh, the show followed the life of a man who is being pursued by a powerful woman against his will and how he tries to reclaim his life.
Mai
This Netflix series followed a grieving mother as she discovers her daughter’s death by accident was actually a pre-planned murder. The discovery leads her down a dangerous path to find out the truth about her daughter’s death and to bring justice to the perpetrators.
