We’ve looked back at our favorite movies of 2019, and we even enumerated our biggest disappointments of the year. Now, on the final day of 2019, the Fandomania staff lists our favorite TV shows that aired during the past 12 months. Check it out!
Good Omens
“A fantastic cast, great source material, and a wonderful adaptation that brought Aziraphale and Crowley to life. Michael Sheen and David Tennant were perfect casting for these characters. I could have spent more than twice the run-time with the world of Good Omens.” – Kimberly Lynn Workman
“I read this book long enough ago that I couldn’t remember the plot details but knew I loved it. The adaptation held up and rekindled that love, making it one of my favorite TV shows of the year.” – Jason Dorough
“Amazon knocked it out of the Garden of Eden with their adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel. David Tennant and Michael Sheen played their roles perfectly. It was one of the top miniseries I enjoyed this year.” – Mandi Harris
The Boys
“It’s a grim and gritty subversion of the superhero genre, and on paper it sounds like an outdated concept that should have made me roll my eyes. It ended up really working, though, and it became one of the most uncomfortable but gripping shows I watched all year.” – Jason Dorough
“Once again, another Amazon spectacular. The show was insane and hard to turn away from. The acting by all the characters was amazing. I was genuinely impressed with the storyline and the level of bonkers the show presented.” – Mandi Harris
The Mandalorian
“Who knew that Disney+’s inaugural series would turn out to be the best live action Disney Star Wars production so far? I have spoken.” – Jason Dorough
Supernatural
“The Winchesters have gone from fighting ghosts to fighting God. The stakes couldn’t be higher as Sam and Dean take on one more fight, one that they might not survive. And as we travel this road one last time, we get to say a long goodbye to this beloved show.” – Kimberly Lynn Workman
Carnival Row
“Period drama, check. Murder mystery, check. Fairies, check. The show had everything I love in one package. I’m so looking forward to Season 2.” – Mandi Harris
Schitt’s Creek
“It’s rare that you find a feel-good show with goodhearted characters and an absence of prejudice, but that’s what you get every week. Fantastic writing, human characters, and witty one-liners make this a much-watch show. I’m looking forward to David and Patrick’s happily-ever-after.” – Kimberly Lynn Workman
Stranger Things
“After I loved the first season, season two left me entirely cold. I went into season three with low expectations and ended up loving it. Getting the gang back together instead of isolating Eleven made all the difference, and Stranger Things is back in top form again.” – Jason Dorough
The Umbrella Academy
“I hadn’t read any of the Umbrella Academy comics when I watched the Netflix series, and I feel like that helped me enjoy this series even more. It’s a bizarre spin on superheroes with heavy dips into sci-fi, and it fell right into my wheelhouse.” – Jason Dorough
Barry
“I marathoned through both seasons of Barry this year, and I loved every bit of it. I previously wasn’t super familiar with Bill Hader’s work but now definitely am a fan!” – Jason Dorough
Pen15
“There weren’t many in my circle of friends who adored this show. Many thought it was too ‘cringy’ because the leads were adults playing 7th graders and well, they lived through the ‘00s in their teens and didn’t want to head back. Me on the other hand, I lived for the cringe. The main reason I live for the coming of age genre is that because no matter the decade, the setting, the adolescent – it’s always a struggle. The awkwardness and immense torture that is middle and high school is what truly connects us and Pen15 took me back there and I loved every second. Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle captured the pure essence of not only that time of one’s life but the beginning of the new millennium in such a way that is comparable to The Wonder Years, That ‘70s Show, and The Goldbergs.” – Kendra Beltran
Russian Doll
“Russian Doll is one of those shows you either don’t care for or become obsessed with in an instant. Since it’s here it’s easy to see I was binging the hell out of it and was fine and dandy with how this repetitive (in the best way possible!) show was going and then BAM! in fell a huge twist that changed the course of the whole dang season.” – Kendra Beltran
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
“When it comes to coming full circle and tying up loose ends, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt set the bar high and didn’t leave a dry eye behind.” – Kendra Beltran
What We Do in the Shadows
“I loved the movie, and the show was equally amazing. The eccentric storylines and vampires tickled my heart. I shared the show with many people and they fell in love too.” – Mandi Harris
Tales of the City
“As someone who was a fan of the original and has been an admirer of the entire literary series, this return to 28 Barbary Lane felt like slipping on a comfortable quilt of memories. With a mixture of new characters and old favorites, the new series bridged the years and brought new fans to Armistead Maupin’s work. And, as a personal aside, Paul Gross (Brian Hawkins) has aged like fine wine and it’s a wonderful sight to see.” – Kimberly Lynn Workman
Schooled
“When ABC sees something that works, they go spinning – off that is. Blackish has spawned two other shows, and from The Goldbergs we go Schooled earlier this year. The pilot offered up the story of a teenage Black girl in the ‘90s and I was instantly in as um, me much? Then a minute went by and the focus changed. Gone were the teenage girl’s sister and mother, and the plots were more centered on the staff rather than the students. At first, it didn’t work for me, but slowly the Adam Goldberg magic took over and the way he intertwines nostalgia with heartfelt lessons of friendship, love, and the importance of teachers everywhere pulled me back in every week.” – Kendra Beltran
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“With a move from Fox to NBC, the concerns that the show would change were unfounded. The same humor we know and love has continued on, as we saw Jake and Amy embark on their lives as a married couple, Gina leaving to pursue other dreams, and Terry passing the Lieutenant’s exam. The Nine-Nine is alive and well!” – Kimberly Lynn Workman
Midsomer Murders
“I fell down the rabbit hole of of this 20 year old show and haven’t come out. The long running BBC drama features funky storylines, memorable characters, and famous actors who got a start on the show (Henry Cavill being one). The show just ran its 21st season this year. I’m addicted.” – Mandi Harris
Broad City
“It took me a few minutes to start writing this as I cry every single time I think of the ‘Broad City’ episode. Broad City gave us what so many comedies haven’t in recent years…two leading women who were hilarious, flawed, gritty, and inspiring all at the same time. It was one of the hardest shows to say goodbye to, but one of the most subtle, sweetest endings to such a comedic classic where the beauty of friendship was at the center of a show that wasn’t afraid to showcase pegging, hidden speakeasies, and the wonder of Bed Bath & Beyond coupons.” – Kendra Beltran
