We keep on celebrating the best of 2016 with the top television shows that debuted this year. We surveyed The Young Folks staff, and based on popularity, the following shows were ranked as the top 10 new series of the year. Of course, a number of great shows didn’t make the cut, like Insecure, The Night Of, and more, but that doesn’t mean they will not be represented in our individual Top 10 lists later this month.
Click next to see the Top 10 New TV Shows of 2016.
- Preacher
Somehow Preacher ended up working. AMC got together with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and Sam Catlin to adapt the acclaimed graphic novel series and made something wildly enjoyable. You could only hope that when dealing with a show about a bad boy Preacher armed with the voice of God. Sure, it starts out a little slow and moves away from what comic fans may have been expecting story-wise, but it sure knew how to make up for it. Some epic fights involving chainsaws, angels and lots of replicating dead bodies serve as just one of the many highlights of this show. The colorful characters are great too, with plenty of praise going to Ruth Negga and Joseph Gilgun especially. And you have the sheer confidence in the filmmaking of it all. Preacher has a pretty hardcore attitude that rubbed many folks the right way and sure as hell set itself up for a strong second season. – Aaron Neuwirth
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- The Get Down
Whether you’re a fan of hip hop music or you’re not, there’s no denying Netflix’s The Get Down is a show for everyone out there who ever had a dream beyond where they come from. While the dance and freestyle rap scenes were full of energy and well-choreographed, it was the relentless pursuit of creative satisfaction by the show’s main characters Zeke, Mylene, and Shaolin that truly made the show easily one of the most relatable. Not only that, but the show is just six episodes of pure fun, with emotional stakes always at the forefront instead of any trivial plot concerns. Plus, all the recaps of previous episodes were rapped, which is the coolest “previously on” segments any show could possibly do. – Katey Stoetzel
- This Is Us
From its emotional and clever pilot, This Is Us has had viewers hooked in a way that a family show hasn’t in a long time. NBC’s new drama spans two generational looks at one family and how their past is reflected in their present and what it means for their future. With career-best performances from actors like Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Chrissy Metz and Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us evokes an authentic sense of familial accord and provides a look at a non-nuclear family but one that is as blended, loving, and complicated as they come. – Gabrielle Bondi
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- DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Against all odds DC’s Legends of Tomorrow ended up working largely in spite of itself. Despite its utilization of B-list superheroes, the show thrived because of the core, group dynamics the show presented that the other DC television series had largely been missing. Legends allowed every character to be explored so that the dynamics between the group by the end of the first year were fully realized character beats. On top of this, the narrative, while completely bonkers, inspired just the right amount of the Doctor Who mischievous and wondrous atmosphere to capture the minds of those who were looking for a new fantasy series to latch onto right now. – Allyson Johnson
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- Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
In a better political climate, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee might come off as too passionate. Of course, we are not in that climate, and Full Frontal has been a boon to making that so much more clear. Samantha Bee and her team have wasted no time picking up the part of The Daily Show mantle that no show yet has-truly pushing the boundaries. From the very first episode-in which Bee takes on a Kansas state senator’s calling of his female colleague’s dress unprofessional in a segment called “Elected Paperweight of the Month”-Full Frontal’s mission to take on the male dominated world of late-night TV and change it by force was clear. Full Frontal did take on the election from the very first episode as well, and offered some of the most powerful deconstructions of the disasters occurring right before our eyes. The key to this is that Full Frontal doesn’t just have diverse writers or a social agenda-it’s delivered through the eyes of women and brings to light issues that would never breathe on any other late-night show. With The Nightly Show passed on into the ether, Full Frontal’s desire to be unashamed in its passion will be invaluable in the years to come. – Travis Hymas
- American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson
Riveting, entertaining and so incredibly timely, The People vs. O.J. Simpson brought us an inside look at one of the most prolific American court cases of the 20th century. Viewing the O.J. Simpson murder trial from the perspective of the lawyers, both defense and prosecution, enlightened viewers on how twisted, ridiculous and serious the media frenzy was around the case. From the sexist ridicule of Marcia Clark to the topics of race and class brought up throughout the trial, this murder case proved to be a pivotal moment in American culture, and it’s distinctively brought to life with exceptional performances from Sarah Paulson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Courtney B. Vance, and Sterling K. Brown. – Gabrielle Bondi
- Atlanta
Like TYF staff writer, Jennifer Baugh, put it in her review, “the city of Atlanta in the show is not only a place but a state of mind.” The surreal quality of Atlanta mixed with its real life themes makes it one of the most original new shows this year. Each episode feels so perfectly crafted to make a point, and producer, writer and star Donald Glover delivers every punch whether funny or brutal with skill. But as much as this is Donald’s show, throughout its first season, Atlanta gives ample screen time to its supporting players building up Earn’s world and proving that each of these characters (and performers as well) are strong enough to hold up an episode of their own. –Gabrielle Bondi
- Luke Cage
Since the start of its shared universe of films, Marvel has had a diversity problem. Sure, some of the heavy hitters from the older comics happen to be white men, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t have tried harder to incorporate a more diverse cast or characters. With Black Panther and Captain Marvel on the way, things are looking up for greater racial and female representation. In the meantime, we got the impressive Luke Cage satisfying that need and giving up hope that these fictional stories can serve as inspiration in our real world.
Luke Cage wasn’t perfect, but in its imperfection we found lessons that could be applied to the real world. It tackled issues about how an individual can create change in communities controlled by gang violence, how to handle corruption in a legal system that should be protecting its citizens instead of discriminating against them, and it reminds us that inequality for one is inequality for all. Aside from this, the show also introduces powerful characters taking part in positive change, showing that Marvel can create a socially relevant superhero that is also a person of color. – Jon Espino
- Westworld
The creative in me loves Westworld for its meta commentary on the narrative paths life can take. That pilot episode is beautiful in the way it tells its circular story, a satisfying hour-long tale with a book ended beginning and end. Though things start meandering mid-way through in terms of storytelling, Westworld is full of wonderful characters and actors to carry it the rest of the way. From Ed Harris’ sinister Man in Black to Thandie Newton’s brilliant Maeve Millay, Evan Rachel Wood’s humanly robotic portrayal of Dolores and James Marsden’s comically tragic Teddy, Westworld makes this number two spot for 2016 because it dares to hold a mirror up to humanity while also holding a great deal of sympathy for them, oddly through the use of its robotic characters. – Katey Stoetzel
- Stranger Things
When the opening title sequence mixes the font of a Stephen King novel with John Carpenter-esque synthesizers, you know you’re in for something brilliant. For a lover of 80s pop culture, Stranger Things is the ultimate tribute to the era, showing pure love for the decade’s best work from the likes of Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, and John Carpenter, to name just a few. Creators Matt and Ross Duffer crafted a narrative that is equally creepy as it is funny, in addition to developing young characters that act refreshingly honest for their given ages. Even for all the references sprinkled throughout, nearly everything in the show boasts enough distinctive aspects to feel fresh. Featuring top-notch acting (Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown in particular), a euphoric score, and beautiful visual homages to landmark 80s movies, Stranger Things is addictively wondrous entertainment that makes you want to relive your childhood in the aforementioned decade. – Tyler Christian
Which new TV shows were your favorites of 2016?
Also, check out:
Our MVPs of Television in 2016
TV In Memoriam: 10 Shows We Will Miss
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