New Shows to Watch 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to This Year’s Must-See Television
Why 2025 Is a Landmark Year for Television
Television in 2025 has proven that quality programming remains alive and well despite industry challenges. After concerns about declining content quality, 2025 has delivered truly original shows that are daring, stylish, and entertaining, with something meaningful to say about today’s world. From highly anticipated returning series to breakthrough new shows, this year offers viewers an exceptional range of compelling content across all major streaming platforms and networks.
Emmy-Winning Shows That Dominated 2025
The Pitt won the Emmy for Best Drama, while Adolescence took Best Limited Series, Severance Season 2 earned multiple acting wins, and The Studio claimed Best Comedy. Adolescence, a four-part British limited series about a teenager accused of murdering a classmate, became Netflix’s most viewed show the weekend it premiered, with each episode shot in a single extended take.
Must-Watch Returning Series
Severance Season 2
Severance proved worth the years-long wait with its highly anticipated second season. The sci-fi drama about bifurcated consciousness in the workplace defied expectations of a sophomore slump, continuing to explore the misery of severed workers at Lumon Industries.
The Studio
Seth Rogen’s showbiz satire broke the record for most Emmys collected by a freshman comedy, delivering a superb character study about creative insecurity and ego management in the streaming age.
Task
Task features Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey in superb performances in this culturally-specific crime story that’s unrelentingly bleak but equally riveting.
Breakthrough New Series
This year is shaping up to be a mini golden age for television, with Severance, Andor, Wednesday and Poker Face all building on incredibly satisfying first seasons with equally masterful second runs. New arrivals include critically acclaimed shows like Paradise, The Diplomat Season 3, and The White Lotus Season 3.
What’s Coming in December 2025 and Beyond
Hundreds of broadcast, cable and streaming programmes are debuting throughout 2025, with premiere dates updated daily. Notable December releases include Percy Jackson and the Olympians returning to Disney+ for Season 2 on December 10. Looking ahead to 2025, viewers can anticipate returning favourites alongside fresh content from major streamers including Netflix, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Disney+.
Why These Shows Matter to Viewers
The television landscape in 2025 demonstrates the medium’s resilience and creativity. Even a challenged television landscape has been rife with transportive stories that immerse viewers in different time periods, alternative universes, and force us to examine our everyday lives. Whether seeking escapism, thought-provoking drama, or laugh-out-loud comedy, 2025’s television offerings provide exceptional entertainment that reflects and challenges our contemporary world. With streaming platforms and networks continuing to invest in quality storytelling, viewers have unprecedented access to diverse, compelling content that makes this year truly memorable for television enthusiasts.