1) Tyrant

It’s unusual for a new show to strike me in such a profound way, but Tyrant climbed right to the top of my list with only one season under its belt. The show created a relevant narrative that didn’t shy away from material that is still very much considered socially taboo and delivered it in a well-written package.

Season one of Tyrant explored an unpopular reality where Middle Eastern politics took center stage and American diplomacy took a back seat. Bassam “Barry” Al-Fayeed (Adam Rayner) returned to his fictitious home country after spending more than twenty years embracing the American dream. The dichotomy between the life he was born into and the one he chose crept through the storyline until it reached a head, forcing him to make a choice that closed out the season.

The season finale is what sealed the deal for me. There wasn’t a happy ending waiting for fans when the final credits started to roll, and the writers didn’t tie everything up in a neat and tidy bow. Instead, it accomplished exactly what season finales are meant to do. It created a reason for fans to tune in next year.