TV has been stealing attention away from movies for years, but in 2021, that transition felt complete. With cinemas throughout much of Canada closed for a chunk of the year, there were no big Endgame-style theatrical events.
Instead, seemingly every big cinematic moment of 2021 took place on the small screen. Whether it was Squid Game smashing Netflix records, Succession turning every Sunday into a barrage of Kendall memes, or SNL parodying Mare of Easttown's extremely specific regional accents, TV was at the centre of cultural conversations in 2021, and film just couldn't seem to keep up.
And it's no wonder, because the were a lot of great series this year. Exclaim!'s list of the best series of the year includes three different HBO prestige shows, the most heartwarming sitcom of the year, and a new teen show that puts a fresh spin on a classic story. Read the list below.
12. Ted Lasso
(Apple TV+)
While Ted Lasso Season 2 wasn't better than Season 1, the new season continued to bank on the comedic charms of American coach Ted Lasso, played impeccably by Jason Sudeikis. He continues to drop gold one-liners with laugh-out-loud comic timing while simultaneously warming viewers' hearts with his philosophical theories on life. This season also gives more screentime to the other characters: scene stealer Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, Juno Temple's Keeley and Hannah Waddingham's Rebecca Welton all bring more depth to the well-rounded ensemble. There are moments that may make you laugh and tear up at the same time, and that is the gift that Ted Lasso keeps on giving.
Marriska Fernandes
11. WandaVision
(Disney+)
The MCU is known for its high-stakes superhero adventures with tons of galactic battles involving its many characters. But this year's WandaVision, created by Jac Schaeffer, took a much different approach, instead focusing on a smaller-scale story centred on Wanda Maximoff and husband Vision. It's an emotional watch that deals with grief, loss and love in mesmerizingly clever ways. Elizabeth Olsen's terrific performance is just the cherry on top.
Caillou Pettis
10. The Underground Railroad
(Amazon Prime)
Moonlight director Barry Jenkins brings Colson Whitehead's 2016 novel to the small screen with this limited series. The director's epic takes shape through his remarkable vision, which is anchored by an unflinching ensemble of actors (particularly Aaron Pierre, Thuso Mbedu and Joel Edgerton) and an unconventional episodic rhythm, with episodes running from 20 minutes to near-feature length films. Jenkins captures the horrifying realities of slavery in America while drawing on the fantastical elements his fans have become accustomed to in his theatrical works.
Allie Gregory
9. Only Murders in the Building
(Disney+/Hulu)
What do you get when you place Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in a complex murder mystery set in a classic NYC apartment building? You get Only Murders in the Building, an outrageously entertaining comedy series that may be short in runtime but is big on laughs, intrigue and heart. This is one series that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Caillou Pettis
8. Succession
(HBO)
Following the bombshell cliffhanger ending of Season 2, audiences have had to wait to see how America's wealthiest and most dysfunctional family would react — and Season 3 doesn't disappoint. The Roy family and their accomplices are as nasty (and unsympathetically hilarious) as ever, with manipulation and backstabbing all on the menu. A special shout out to Matthew Macfadyen, who elicits such pity and vitriol as Tom Wambsgans that he stands out as the most fascinating creature in a zoo of the worst people imaginable.
Rachel Ho
7. Maid
(Netflix)
Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley, real-life mother and daughter, portray the hardships of single-motherhood, poverty and domestic abuse for Netflix's Margot Robbie-produced Maid. It's a primal scream for all women, as it shows back-to-back devastations and the resilience and determination that follow. Against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Northwest's greys and greens, Qualley embodies an imperfect heroine: a house cleaner for the well-off, a homeless mother, a crafty survivor. We watch her forge a brand new life from nothing, aided by the companionship and compassion of clients. It's awe-inspiring, sensitive and lush — a feat given its soul-crushing plot.
Allie Gregory
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6. Midnight Mass
(Netflix)
After the runaway successes of Netflix's Haunting of Hill House (2018) and The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), writer and director Mike Flanagan is three-for-three with his latest horror mini-series. Midnight Mass is the culmination of a passion project for Flanagan, transplanting his penchant for existential and cerebral horror to a remote fishing village in the grip of terminal social decline and crises of faith. It's a moody and compelling character drama with superb pacing, stellar performances (Hamish Linklater's portrayal of Father Paul Hill is Emmy-worthy in of itself) and a killer twist.
Owen Morawitz
5. Invincible
(Amazon Prime)
Though the superhero genre is now fully played out and the antihero (think The Suicide Squad and The Boys) is also in fashion, Invincible is a breath of fresh air with its '90s animation style and gruesome violence. Created by The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman (who also wrote the comic book), we follow young Mark Grayson (Steven Yuen) as he comes into his superpowers inherited from his father, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). The violence can be shocking, especially for an animated show. But it's the compelling storyline and ideas — and humorous send-ups of superheroes and their movies — that have us not-so-patiently waiting for Season 2.
Rachel Ho
4. Mare of Easttown
(HBO)
Considering how many amazing performances Kate Winslet has under her belt, it's really saying something that Mare of Easttown could potentially be her defining role. From the Philly accent to the occasionally deadpan humour, Winslet's turn as the deeply unsympathetic Mare Sheehan in this HBO limited series is nothing short of brilliant. Mare of Easttown's murder mystery is compelling and thrilling, all while existing in a fully realized world. But, as intriguing as that is, the series excels most as a character study of a woman grieving. It's not a particularly light watch, but it does what it says on the tin and more.
Rachel Ho
3. Squid Game
(Netflix)
It would be easy to explain Squid Game's massive success in terms of its cultural relevance: impoverished people attempt to dig themselves out of debt by surviving a sadistic contest, which is bankrolled by ultra-wealthy elites who sip champagne and gamble while the players slaughter one another. It's a canny critique of capitalistic violence. But I suspect that the real reason Squid Game is so addictive is far simpler: the sets and costumes are cool as hell, and it's fascinating to see which gruesome game is up next. It's not quite perfect — the English dialogue is laughable, and the finale goes on far longer than necessary — but Squid Game was the TV event of 2021 for good reason.
Alex Hudson
2. The White Lotus
(HBO)
While the prospect of a well-earned holiday remains far off for most people, writer and director Mike White's The White Lotus uses the idyllic locale of a high-end Hawaiian resort to slowly unravel the social fabric of our collective moment. Through affably eccentric characters, crackling dialogue and an escalating whodunit premise, White's biting satire gradually peels back the romantic filter of sticky swimsuits, glamorous day spas and sleepy buffet breakfasts to reveal a dark meditation on racism, class, privilege, consent and the potency of human desire.
Owen Morawitz
1. Reservation Dogs
(Disney+/Hulu)
Like so many of the best stories, Reservation Dogs depicts a very specific situation while achieving something universal. The titular Rez Dogs are a clique of teenagers living on a reservation in Oklahoma, committing crimes in order to fund a planned move to California. After a fast-paced beginning filled with carjacking and fights instigated by the charismatic but insecure Bear (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) and his buddies, the eight-episode run downshifts into a lower gear: the middle chunk of the season fleshes out the world with episodes focusing on supporting characters, while later episodes dig into the grief that's been simmering under the surface all along. The result is an absolutely classic teen show from co-creators Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, as the Rez Dogs learn to love the little things about the home they claim to resent.
Alex Hudson
Instead, seemingly every big cinematic moment of 2021 took place on the small screen. Whether it was Squid Game smashing Netflix records, Succession turning every Sunday into a barrage of Kendall memes, or SNL parodying Mare of Easttown's extremely specific regional accents, TV was at the centre of cultural conversations in 2021, and film just couldn't seem to keep up.
And it's no wonder, because the were a lot of great series this year. Exclaim!'s list of the best series of the year includes three different HBO prestige shows, the most heartwarming sitcom of the year, and a new teen show that puts a fresh spin on a classic story. Read the list below.
12. Ted Lasso
(Apple TV+)
While Ted Lasso Season 2 wasn't better than Season 1, the new season continued to bank on the comedic charms of American coach Ted Lasso, played impeccably by Jason Sudeikis. He continues to drop gold one-liners with laugh-out-loud comic timing while simultaneously warming viewers' hearts with his philosophical theories on life. This season also gives more screentime to the other characters: scene stealer Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent, Juno Temple's Keeley and Hannah Waddingham's Rebecca Welton all bring more depth to the well-rounded ensemble. There are moments that may make you laugh and tear up at the same time, and that is the gift that Ted Lasso keeps on giving.
Marriska Fernandes
11. WandaVision
(Disney+)
The MCU is known for its high-stakes superhero adventures with tons of galactic battles involving its many characters. But this year's WandaVision, created by Jac Schaeffer, took a much different approach, instead focusing on a smaller-scale story centred on Wanda Maximoff and husband Vision. It's an emotional watch that deals with grief, loss and love in mesmerizingly clever ways. Elizabeth Olsen's terrific performance is just the cherry on top.
Caillou Pettis
10. The Underground Railroad
(Amazon Prime)
Moonlight director Barry Jenkins brings Colson Whitehead's 2016 novel to the small screen with this limited series. The director's epic takes shape through his remarkable vision, which is anchored by an unflinching ensemble of actors (particularly Aaron Pierre, Thuso Mbedu and Joel Edgerton) and an unconventional episodic rhythm, with episodes running from 20 minutes to near-feature length films. Jenkins captures the horrifying realities of slavery in America while drawing on the fantastical elements his fans have become accustomed to in his theatrical works.
Allie Gregory
9. Only Murders in the Building
(Disney+/Hulu)
What do you get when you place Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in a complex murder mystery set in a classic NYC apartment building? You get Only Murders in the Building, an outrageously entertaining comedy series that may be short in runtime but is big on laughs, intrigue and heart. This is one series that will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Caillou Pettis
8. Succession
(HBO)
Following the bombshell cliffhanger ending of Season 2, audiences have had to wait to see how America's wealthiest and most dysfunctional family would react — and Season 3 doesn't disappoint. The Roy family and their accomplices are as nasty (and unsympathetically hilarious) as ever, with manipulation and backstabbing all on the menu. A special shout out to Matthew Macfadyen, who elicits such pity and vitriol as Tom Wambsgans that he stands out as the most fascinating creature in a zoo of the worst people imaginable.
Rachel Ho
7. Maid
(Netflix)
Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley, real-life mother and daughter, portray the hardships of single-motherhood, poverty and domestic abuse for Netflix's Margot Robbie-produced Maid. It's a primal scream for all women, as it shows back-to-back devastations and the resilience and determination that follow. Against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Northwest's greys and greens, Qualley embodies an imperfect heroine: a house cleaner for the well-off, a homeless mother, a crafty survivor. We watch her forge a brand new life from nothing, aided by the companionship and compassion of clients. It's awe-inspiring, sensitive and lush — a feat given its soul-crushing plot.
Allie Gregory
Click "Next" to continue reading.
6. Midnight Mass
(Netflix)
After the runaway successes of Netflix's Haunting of Hill House (2018) and The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020), writer and director Mike Flanagan is three-for-three with his latest horror mini-series. Midnight Mass is the culmination of a passion project for Flanagan, transplanting his penchant for existential and cerebral horror to a remote fishing village in the grip of terminal social decline and crises of faith. It's a moody and compelling character drama with superb pacing, stellar performances (Hamish Linklater's portrayal of Father Paul Hill is Emmy-worthy in of itself) and a killer twist.
Owen Morawitz
5. Invincible
(Amazon Prime)
Though the superhero genre is now fully played out and the antihero (think The Suicide Squad and The Boys) is also in fashion, Invincible is a breath of fresh air with its '90s animation style and gruesome violence. Created by The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman (who also wrote the comic book), we follow young Mark Grayson (Steven Yuen) as he comes into his superpowers inherited from his father, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). The violence can be shocking, especially for an animated show. But it's the compelling storyline and ideas — and humorous send-ups of superheroes and their movies — that have us not-so-patiently waiting for Season 2.
Rachel Ho
4. Mare of Easttown
(HBO)
Considering how many amazing performances Kate Winslet has under her belt, it's really saying something that Mare of Easttown could potentially be her defining role. From the Philly accent to the occasionally deadpan humour, Winslet's turn as the deeply unsympathetic Mare Sheehan in this HBO limited series is nothing short of brilliant. Mare of Easttown's murder mystery is compelling and thrilling, all while existing in a fully realized world. But, as intriguing as that is, the series excels most as a character study of a woman grieving. It's not a particularly light watch, but it does what it says on the tin and more.
Rachel Ho
3. Squid Game
(Netflix)
It would be easy to explain Squid Game's massive success in terms of its cultural relevance: impoverished people attempt to dig themselves out of debt by surviving a sadistic contest, which is bankrolled by ultra-wealthy elites who sip champagne and gamble while the players slaughter one another. It's a canny critique of capitalistic violence. But I suspect that the real reason Squid Game is so addictive is far simpler: the sets and costumes are cool as hell, and it's fascinating to see which gruesome game is up next. It's not quite perfect — the English dialogue is laughable, and the finale goes on far longer than necessary — but Squid Game was the TV event of 2021 for good reason.
Alex Hudson
2. The White Lotus
(HBO)
While the prospect of a well-earned holiday remains far off for most people, writer and director Mike White's The White Lotus uses the idyllic locale of a high-end Hawaiian resort to slowly unravel the social fabric of our collective moment. Through affably eccentric characters, crackling dialogue and an escalating whodunit premise, White's biting satire gradually peels back the romantic filter of sticky swimsuits, glamorous day spas and sleepy buffet breakfasts to reveal a dark meditation on racism, class, privilege, consent and the potency of human desire.
Owen Morawitz
1. Reservation Dogs
(Disney+/Hulu)
Like so many of the best stories, Reservation Dogs depicts a very specific situation while achieving something universal. The titular Rez Dogs are a clique of teenagers living on a reservation in Oklahoma, committing crimes in order to fund a planned move to California. After a fast-paced beginning filled with carjacking and fights instigated by the charismatic but insecure Bear (D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) and his buddies, the eight-episode run downshifts into a lower gear: the middle chunk of the season fleshes out the world with episodes focusing on supporting characters, while later episodes dig into the grief that's been simmering under the surface all along. The result is an absolutely classic teen show from co-creators Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, as the Rez Dogs learn to love the little things about the home they claim to resent.
Alex Hudson
