As we kick off 2026, it's the perfect moment to look back at the standout television that captivated audiences over the past twelve months. Let's be honest: keeping up with every new release is a near-impossible task. With the sheer volume of content flooding platforms like Netflix, Binge, Paramount+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max, even the most dedicated reviewer can miss a potential hit.
The Unmissable New Dramas of 2025
Several dramatic series made a profound impact this year. Leading the pack is HBO Max's "The Pitt," a medical drama that will feel wonderfully familiar to fans of the classic ER. Spearheaded by Noah Wyle, the series unfolds during a single intense 15-hour shift at a Pittsburgh hospital. It delivers a compelling, reportedly accurate look at modern emergency medicine while weaving in complex moral dilemmas and personal staff dramas, culminating in a breathtaking season finale.
Over on Netflix, "Adolescence" emerged as a critical darling and awards magnet. This haunting four-part series, a technical marvel filmed in single takes per episode, investigates the murder of a schoolchild. The focus isn't on who did it, but why, offering a chilling exploration of the impact of online misogyny on young minds. The performance by co-creator Stephen Graham is a masterclass in acting.
Another Netflix standout is "Dept Q," a crime mystery with a distinct personality. Matthew Goode shines as the gruff Scottish detective Carl Morck in this nine-episode adaptation of a Danish book series, offering plenty of offbeat characters and a gripping central mystery.
Comedy, Mystery, and Unclassifiable Gems
For those seeking lighter fare, 2025 delivered in spades. Apple TV+'s "The Studio," created by and starring Seth Rogen, is a fast-paced comedy for film buffs. It follows a passionate cinephile trying to run a Hollywood studio with art as his guiding principle, leading to hilarious chaos and cameos from stars like Dave Franco and Ron Howard.
Netflix also served up the delightfully fun whodunit "The Residence," featuring Uzo Aduba as an eccentric detective investigating a murder at a White House state dinner attended by Australia's own Kylie Minogue. While sadly not renewed, the single season is a complete joy.
Perhaps the most original series of the year was HBO Max's "Dead Hot." This British import defies easy categorisation, blending comedy, thriller, grief drama, and queer celebration into a uniquely wacky package about two best friends searching for a missing loved one.
Local Flavour and Genre-Bending Hits
Australian audiences had a homegrown mystery to dig into with Paramount+'s "Playing Gracie Darling." This spooky series follows a child psychologist returning to her hometown to investigate strange events linked to a friend's disappearance 30 years prior, complete with 90s nostalgia and ouija boards.
For period drama with a modern edge, Netflix's "House of Guinness" offers a fictionalised, stylish take on the famous brewing family, complete with a punk-infused soundtrack. Meanwhile, Binge's "Film Club" is a subtly romantic British comedy co-created by Aimee Lou Wood, perfect for movie lovers.
Rounding out the list are two more exceptional series. HBO Max's "Happiness" is a charming Kiwi comedy about a Broadway expat staging a musical back home, and Apple TV+'s "Pluribus," from the creator of Breaking Bad, is a gripping sci-fi thriller about a hive mind takeover, powered by a stellar lead performance from Rhea Seehorn.
While beloved returning shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty continued to delight, these eleven new titles defined the innovative and quality storytelling that made 2025 a fantastic year for streaming television.
