The 10 best TV shows of 2022 so far

Rory Cashin

If you haven’t seen them all, you’ve got some great binging ahead of you…

180 days or so into 2022, and we’ve had some properly fantastic TV so far.

For the below list, the only rules are it had to have been made available in Ireland in 2022 (which is why some shows that debuted in 2021 in the States are on here), and they have to have completed their series run.

Which is why shows like Better Call Saul Season 6, The Boys Season 3 and Only Murders In The Building Season 2 have yet to finish their episode runs, but if they keep up with how they’ve started, then you should expect to see them on the end of year lists.

Now, on with our top ten, in alphabetical order, starting with…

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY

Available on Disney+, 13 episodes, 22 minutes per episode

Easily ranking alongside great recent sitcoms like Modern Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place, this feel-good mockumentary set within the walls of an American high school is essentially a big warm hug disguised as a TV show.

THE AFTERPARTY

Available on Apple TV+, eight episodes, 31-48 minutes per episode

From the comedic genius creators behind 21 Jump Street, The LEGO Movie and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, this murder-mystery features a great all-star cast, with each episode taking on a different genre (musicals, Fincher-y thriller, rom-coms, etc.). The best part is the mystery itself is properly riveting.

ATLANTA SEASON 3

Available on Disney+, 10 episodes, 23 to 35 minutes per episode

It has been four long years since the second season, but it has also absolutely been worth the wait. Donald Glover and co. are in the middle of their European Tour, with the story mixing the great comedy you’re used to from hanging out with these characters, mixed with some incredible, gut-punching drama.

BARRY SEASON 3

Available on NOW/Sky, eight episodes, 26 to 35 minutes per episode

The incredibly dark comedy starring and created by Bill Hader hasn’t dipped in quality at all since it began. Following the path of a contract killer who tries to make it as an actor, the new season deepens the relationship between Barry and Gene (Henry Winkler), his acting coach.

THE DROPOUT

Available on Disney+, eight episodes, 45 to 55 minutes per episode

In the shadow of Dopesick, streaming services have really been on the look out for a very specific subgenre of television: Big Companies That Flopped Because Of One Egomaniacal Leader. In 2022 alone, we’ve had Inventing Anna, WeCrashed and Super Pumped, but The Dropout is inarguably the best of the lot. Just give Amanda Seyfried all of the actor awards now, please and thank you.

HACKS SEASON 2

Available on Amazon Prime Video, eight episode, 26 to 35 minutes per episode

The perfect combination of Jean Smart as a “washed-up” Vegas comedian and Hannah Einbender as a “cancelled” writer who are forced to work together continues to strengthen both its laughs and its drama, as the duo head on a cross-country tour to test out new material.

HEARTSTOPPER

Available on Netflix, eight episode, 26 to 33 minutes per episode

This achingly cute queer rom-com sees gay teenager Charlie (Joe Locke) embark on a friendship with rugby jock Nick (Kit Connor), and how the course of their relationship impacts their lives and the lives of their friends and family.

SEVERANCE

Available on Apple TV+, nine episodes, 40 to 57 minutes per episode

A total mindfuck of a sci-fi psychological thriller, Severance is set within the weirdly retro-futuristic walls of a nondescript mega-company, which forces its employees to “sever” their memories from what goes on inside the building, and their every day lives outside. And wouldn’t you know it, the company is absolutely up to no good…

SLOW HORSES

Available on Apple TV+, six episodes, 41 to 53 minutes per episode

When one of the main writers of In The Loop and VEEP says he’s tackling a spy thriller, you sit up and pay attention. Thankfully, Slow Horses is still just as acerbically funny, but matched with a Bourne-esque level of political intrigue, and matched with some outstanding performances from the likes of Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jack Lowden and Jonathan Pryce.

THE STAIRCASE

Available on NOW/Sky, eight episodes, 59 to 73 minutes per episode

While you can absolutely take this beautifully crafted murder mystery at face value, with Colin Firth and Toni Collette at the centre of a shocking murder trial with more twists and turns that any airport novel, there is so much more to get out of this mini-series. Layers unravel as you compare and contrast the documentary series that told the same story (or did it?), the lawmakers who did their best to find justice (or did they?), and how everything from income to sexuality is used as a motive (or are they?).