The year in TV and streaming shows was rather turbulent. Between the emergence of new platforms and the most-anticipated shows facing production delays owing to the writers’/actors’ strikes, a lot has happened. Amidst the chaos, however, 2023 saw some of the best shows that kept audiences coming back for new episodes. While some were returning for new seasons like The Bear’s excellent second instalment and Succession’s final season, newer shows like Beef and Jury Duty grabbed attention, seemingly coming out of nowhere. It was also a great time for adaptations as the hit game The Last Us and the popular manga One Piece got live-action versions that won fans’ approval. It is a rather rare occurrence given the history of adaptations. It’s safe to say that the year was a bit of a rollercoaster full of surprises.
As the year comes to an end, here are some of the best Hollywood shows that were released in 2023.
The Last of Us
The fungal zombie apocalypse doesn’t sound like the most appealing binge-watch on paper, but the live-action adaptation of survival game Last of Us exceeded expectations. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, who were on the cast list of Game of Thrones, teamed up to play Joel and Ellie, respectively. The post-apocalyptic drama had some of the most visually striking and poignant moments on TV. In a world plagued by a deadly infection, a man and a teenager he’s in charge of escorting on a mission, the show unravels brilliant stories of hope and human resilience.
Gen V
The delirious, hyper-violent The Boys got a spin-off this year in the form of Gen V. Starring Jaz Sinclair, Lizze Broadway, Marie Moreau and more, the show revolves around the next generation of Supes as they attend Goldolkin University to hone their skills. Apart from the explosive action and bucket-loads of gore, the show also has some great character arcs and a well-written story.
One Piece
Adaptation is always tricky, especially if the subject is a widely loved manga. Oda Eiichiro’s One Piece got a live-action adaptation this year. The show starring Inaki Godoy as a perfectly-cast Monkey D. Luffy, Emily Rudd as Nami, Mackenyu as a scene-stealing Zoro, Taz Skylar as Sanji and more, adapted the East Blue saga as the crew sets sail together. The show had Oda’s stamp of approval from the beginning and once it premiered, fans easily saw why. The show clearly took its material seriously and got so many things right, it left manga and anime fans impressed. One Piece has been renewed for a second season.
The Bear Season 2
The Bear, an excellent study of grief and its many forms through a pacey commercial kitchen drama returned for a second season this year. The show starring Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Ebari, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and more sees Carmy and the crew put all they have into opening a restaurant. As they head into opening night, traumas and triggers emerge. The season is packed with wonderful performances and a particularly intense holiday episode that is easily one of the most loaded moments of TV this year.
Beef
In Beef, a mini-series starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, two character’s road-rage-filled encounter escalates to unimaginable levels. As Amy Lau and Danny Cho let their anger turn into an obsessive rivalry, the show explores the fundamentals of what makes people tick and what their triggers are. Each episode raises the stakes till the titular beef comes to a boiling point. Apart from delivering a widely entertaining series of conflicts, the show delves into class and Asian American angst.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
Fans of the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels and the Edgar Wright movie were sceptical when an animated series was announced but Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, adapted from the novels is an exhilarating ride from start to finish. It has the basics – Scott, a guitarist of an indie band of outcasts falls for Ramona Flowers but he must go through her seven evil exes in video-game-style battles. But plot twist, Scott loses to the first ex and disappears, leaving Ramona to investigate his disappearance.
Jury Duty
This is a sleeper hit that was hard to predict. Jury Duty, a reality comedy show, came with a unique concept. It revolves around a mock trial over a fictitious case. All the jury members are actors, except Ronald Gladden who believes he is there to serve jury duty. The cast includes James Marsden who plays himself. While it sounds like an elaborate prank, the result is a wholesome show full of feel-good moments.
Succession Season 4
Succession became the show that everyone talks about, maybe going as far as filling the Game of Thrones-sized hole left in streaming. The Emmy-winning show came back for a fourth season after the third season ended on a major cliffhanger. The Roys come together for more family drama as the characters get further divided over the sale of Waystar Royco to Lukas Matsson. The main cast including Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin and Alan Ruck returned for a satisfying finale that left fans reeling for months after it was over.
Blue Eye Samurai
Arriving much later in 2023, Blue Eye Samurai garnered quite the fan-following. The French-American animated series makes for a great watch. It unleashes some gorgeous animation and a storyline that’s both exposition-packed and emotional. Set during Japan’s Edo period, it follows Mizu, an outcast half-white and half-Japanese samurai on a quest for revenge. As she sets out to find her father – one of four white men who stayed in Japan after the border’s closing, Mizu must contend with her own past and identity.
The Diplomat
There were few political dramas this year and The Diplomat stood out. The show starring Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell and more revolves around a new United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. As she settles into her new high-profile role, her marriage with a popular politician begins to crumble. The gripping show doesn’t skimp on the thrills as it explores its complex characters through a major international crisis.
#celeb #celebrity
