New Shows to Watch 2025: The Ultimate Guide to This Year’s Must-See Television
Why 2025 Is a Banner Year for Television
Television viewers have plenty to celebrate in 2025, with the industry having mostly moved past the delays caused by the major writers’ and actors’ strikes. The result is a packed schedule of both highly anticipated new series and returning favourites that promise to keep audiences glued to their screens throughout the year.
From streaming platforms to traditional networks, 2025 offers an unprecedented variety of content. Even with broadcast TV premiering just a handful of new shows, dozens of noteworthy series are debuting this season thanks largely to streaming, with Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, and Apple TV+ leading the charge with ambitious new programming.
The Standout New Series of 2025
Among the year’s most celebrated debuts, The Pitt has emerged as the show of 2025 so far, reuniting ER actor Noah Wyle with producers R. Scott Gemmill and John Wells for a hospital drama set over 15 consecutive hours on the same emergency room shift. The series has earned widespread critical acclaim for its realistic portrayal of medical professionals facing relentless challenges.
Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan has also made a triumphant return with Pluribus on Apple TV+, featuring Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn. Mark Ruffalo leads an FBI task force in HBO’s Task, Jude Law and Jason Bateman play troubled brothers in Netflix’s Black Rabbit, whilst Anne Rice’s Immortal Universe expands with AMC’s Talamasca.
AFI’s top 10 TV shows of the year include, in alphabetical order: Adolescence, Andor, Death by Lightning, The Diplomat, The Lowdown, The Pitt, Pluribus, Severance, The Studio and Task, showcasing the impressive range of quality programming available this year.
Highly Anticipated Returns and Finales
The year isn’t just about new arrivals. Netflix is stretching the Hawkins farewell over three drops during the holiday season, with the fifth and final season of Stranger Things rolling out in three parts: November 26, December 25, and December 31, 2025. This strategic release ensures the beloved series maintains its cultural dominance through the holidays.
Other significant returns include Severance, Andor, Wednesday and Poker Face, which have all built on incredibly satisfying first seasons with equally masterful second runs. Meanwhile, Prime Video has the Season 2 debut of Fallout (Dec. 17), whilst Netflix has a new season of Emily in Paris (Dec. 18).
What This Means for Television Viewers
The abundance of quality programming in 2025 reflects television’s continued evolution in the streaming era. Top creators, from Vince Gilligan and Sterlin Harjo to Liz Meriwether and Mara Brock Akil, are back with exciting new projects, whilst movie stars like Seth Rogen, Ethan Hawke, and Michelle Williams bring smart, character-driven stories that might not find homes in modern cinema.
For viewers, this golden age of television means more choice than ever before, though it also requires careful curation. Whether you’re drawn to medical dramas, sci-fi mysteries, or character-driven comedies, 2025 offers something exceptional across every genre. The key is knowing where to look—and with so many critically acclaimed options available, there’s never been a better time to explore new shows.