Best TV Series In The Last 5 Years You Haven't Binged Yet Tonight
The Best TV Series in the Last 5 Years That Deserve More Views
The best TV series in the last 5 years (2021-2026) include Severance, The Bear, Succession, The Last of Us, Wednesday, The White Lotus, Stranger Things, and The Crown. These shows dominate critical acclaim, Emmy wins, and viewership records, with Severance leading 2025 TCA nominations with 5 nods, The Bear winning 21 Emmys total across seasons, and Wednesday hitting 341.2 million hours watched in its first week on Netflix.
Critically Acclaimed Drama Leaders
Severance (Apple TV+, 2022-present) redefines workplace psychological thriller with its memory-separation premise. It earned 5 nominations at the 41st TCA Awards, including Program of the Year and Outstanding Drama. Adam Scott and Britt Lower received top acting nods for the 83rd Golden Globes.
Succession (HBO, 2018-2023) concluded its run as one of television's most decorated dramas with 19 Primetime Emmy wins across four seasons. The finale attracted a series-high 2.9 million viewers, and critics praised its "brutal" final season.
The Last of Us (HBO, 2023-present) won 8 Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2023, leading the field that night. The series accumulated 119 total wins from 294 nominations, including BAFTA TV Awards and Critics' Choice honors.
Comedy & Dark Comedy Standouts
The Bear (FX/Hulu, 2022-present) won 21 Emmys total: 10 for season one and 11 for season two. Despite a 2025 shutout with zero wins from 13 nominations, it remains SHIFTER magazine's Best TV Series of 2025 based on journalist roundtables including Golden Globe and Critics Choice voters.
Hacks (HBO Max, 2021-present) secured 4 TCA Award nominations in 2025, including Program of the Year. The series consistently ranks among comedy category leaders at Emmy ceremonies.
Streaming Phenomena by Viewership
| Show | Platform | Release Year | Key Metric | Award Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Netflix | 2022 | 341.2M hours (week 1) | 4 Creative Arts Emmy wins |
| The Mandalorian S3 | Disney+ | 2023 | Most-watched streaming original 2023 | 24 Emmy nominations (S2) |
| Stranger Things S5 | Netflix | 2025 (finale) | Nov 26-Dec 31, 2025 release | Global phenomenon, highest buzz score 33.3 |
| The White Lotus | HBO | 2021-2024 | 5 Emmy wins total | Outstanding Limited Series 2022 |
Episodic Excellence & Limited Series
The White Lotus won Outstanding Limited Series at the 74th Primetime Emmys in 2022. Jennifer Coolidge took home Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, with the series securing 5 total Emmy wins from 23 nominations at the 75th ceremony.
Adolescence (Netflix, 2025) emerged as a 2025 breakout, earning 4 TCA nominations including Program of the Year. TVLine named it among the 15 best shows of 2026, calling it a "chilling drama" no parent can watch without anguish.
Historical & Period Drama Achievement
The Crown (Netflix, 2016-2023) concluded with Season 6 in late 2023, earning 18 Emmy nominations for its final season including Outstanding Drama Series. The series dramatized six decades of the British monarchy across seven years.
- Severance - Apple TV+ (2022-present): 5 TCA nominations, Golden Globe acting nods
- The Bear - FX/Hulu (2022-present): 21 Emmy wins total, SHIFTER's Best 2025
- Succession - HBO (2018-2023): 19 Primetime Emmys, 2.9M finale viewers
- The Last of Us - HBO (2023-present): 8 Creative Arts Emmy wins, 119 total wins
- Wednesday - Netflix (2022-present): 341.2M hours week 1, most-watched English Netflix premiere 2022
- Severance explores memory separation with workplace psychological tension
- The Bear delivers high-stakes kitchen drama with 21 Emmy wins
- Succession portrays media dynasty power struggles with 19 Emmys
- The Last of Us adapts the video game with 8 Creative Arts Emmy wins
- Wednesday combines supernatural mystery with 341.2M first-week hours
These series represent elite storytelling that blends educational rigor in narrative structure with spiritual and social mission-values aligned with holistic development in Marist pedagogy. School administrators and educators can use these shows as case studies for character development, ethical decision-making, and community engagement in Latin American contexts.
Everything you need to know about Best Tv Series In The Last 5 Years You Havent Binged Yet Tonight
What are the best TV series from 2021 to 2026?
The best TV series from 2021 to 2026 are Severance, The Bear, Succession, The Last of Us, Wednesday, The White Lotus, Stranger Things, and The Crown, based on Emmy wins, TCA nominations, viewership records, and critical consensus.
Which TV show won the most Emmys in the last 5 years?
The Bear won 21 Emmys total (10 for season one, 11 for season two), making it the highest Emmy-winning series of the period. Succession follows with 19 Primetime Emmy wins across its four-season run.
What is the most-watched Netflix series since 2022?
Wednesday is Netflix's most-watched English series since 2022, with 341.2 million hours watched in its first week and 50 million views in Season 2's debut. It beat House of the Dragon for 2022's most-viewed premiere.
Which Apple TV+ series has the most critical acclaim?
Severance leads Apple TV+ with 5 TCA Award nominations in 2025, including Program of the Year, and Golden Globe acting nominations for Adam Scott and Britt Lower. It also earned Best Drama nomination for the 83rd Golden Globes.
Did Succession win any awards after its finale?
Yes, Succession concluded with 19 Primetime Emmy wins total, and its finale attracted 2.9 million viewers-the series high. Critics praised the "brutal" fourth and final season as one of the last decade's most acclaimed dramas.
