2019 Spring/Summer TV Scorecard

Critics Consensus: A hodgepodge of science fiction homage, Another Life lacks the distinctive spark necessary to set it apart from the array of stories it aspires to be.

Starring: Katee Sackhoff, Selma Blair, Tyler Hoechlin, Justin Chatwin

Critics Consensus: A spin-off to nowhere, L.A.'s Finest operates on outdated sensibilities and wastes its talented leads' time -- especially unfortunate considering Gabriel Union's committed performance.

Starring: Gabrielle Union, Jessica Alba, Ernie Hudson, Zach Gilford

Critics Consensus: The Village commendably attempts to affirm the bonds between neighbors in an urban community, but the series' overeagerness to wring tears from viewers will most likely only prompt them to roll their eyes.

Starring: Moran Atias, Dominic Chianese, Warren Christie, Frankie Faison

Critics Consensus: Despite its pedigree, The Code does little to differentiate itself in a crowded field.

Starring: Anna Wood, Ato Essandoh, Phillipa Soo, Raffi Barsoumian

Critics Consensus: A deliriously delicious performance from Renée Zellweger can't save What/If from its own mediocrity, but boy is she fun to watch.

Starring: Renée Zellweger, Jane Levy, Blake Jenner, Samantha Marie Ware

Critics Consensus: Though it teases some appealingly pulpy puzzle pieces, The Rook's dour tone and convoluted machinations ​overshadow its intriguing premise.

Starring: Emma Greenwell, Jon Fletcher, Adrian Lester, Olivia Munn

Critics Consensus: Promising performances and an intriguing premise can't keep Chambers' meandering melodrama from getting lost in its own haunted hallways.

Critics Consensus: Despite an impressive cast and crew, Four Weddings and a Funeral falls flat, relying too heavily on genre clichés to offer audiences anything more than just another mediocre romcom.

Starring: Zoe Boyle, Nathalie Emmanuel, Guz Khan, Sophia La Porta

Critics Consensus: Crude, rude, but without that charming British attitude, Love Island fails to make a splash across the pond -- though fans may still find comfort in its cynically familiar formula.

Starring: Arielle Vandenberg, Elizabeth Weber, Caroline "Caro" Viehweg, Mallory Santic

Critics Consensus: Blood & Treasure never finds the X that marks the sweet spot, but viewers who heed an undemanding call to adventure may find some charm in the series' concept.

Starring: Matt Barr, Sofia Pernas, Michael James Shaw, Katia Winter

Critics Consensus: Despite some good performances from its star-studded cast, ​Motherfatherson​​ fails to present the dramatic range it aims to achieve.

Starring: Richard Gere, Helen McCrory, Billy Howle, Sarah Lancashire

Critics Consensus: Beautiful, but bloated, Carnival Row boasts meticulously crafted mythology and luscious world building -- unfortunately its story of haves and have nots simply has too much going on.

Starring: Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, David Gyasi, Karla Crome

Critics Consensus: Game of Thrones' final season shortchanges the women of Westeros, sacrificing satisfying character arcs for spectacular set-pieces in its mad dash to the finish line.

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen

Critics Consensus: Bonding's writing too often teeters uncomfortably between bewitchingly funny and bewilderingly underwhelming to make it a truly satisfying experience.

Starring: Zoe Levin, Brendan Scannell, Micah Stock, D'Arcy Carden

Critics Consensus: Though Why Women Kill falls short of its ambitious premise, fans of Marc Cherry and his impressive cast will find much to like it its darkly soapy and stylish delights.

Starring: Lucy Liu, Ginnifer Goodwin, Kirby, Jack Davenport

Critics Consensus: Despite delivering some memorable and splatter-filled zombie set-pieces that fans crave, Fear the Walking Dead feels stiff with early-onset rigor mortis in a fifth season that emphasizes altruism over coherent characterization.

Starring: Lennie James, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Maggie Grace, Colman Domingo

Critics Consensus: Though BH90210's strange take on the "reboot" doesn't always hit its mark, it still proves an endearingly wild trip thanks to it's committed cast's continued chemistry.

Starring: Gabrielle Carteris, Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth, Brian Austin Green

Critics Consensus: Though Nos2a2 strains to build the necessary atmosphere to pull off its ambitious premise, it does capture the spirit of Joe Hill's singular work and provide a new psychopath for Zachary Quinto to sink his teeth into.

Starring: Zachary Quinto, Ashleigh Cummings, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Jahkara J. Smith

Critics Consensus: Grim and graphic, Too Old to Die Young is stylish, but its languid story does little to justify its violent tendencies-- though fans of Refn's may find enjoyment in its neon laden misery.

Starring: Miles Teller, John Hawkes, Augusto Aguilera, Jena Malone

Critics Consensus: Though it can't quite out drive its past, its affable new hosts bring a fresh and fun energy that keeps Top Gear spinning along nicely.

Starring: Patrick McGuinness, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Harris, Damon Hill

Critics Consensus: While intriguing characters and impressive set-pieces make for an engaging spy-thriller, Pennyworth doesn't add much to the greater Batman mythos.

Starring: Jack Bannon, Ben Aldridge, Paloma Faith, Hainsley Lloyd Bennett

Critics Consensus: If not always graceful, The Red Line is never less than empathetic, effectively applying tried and true storytelling techniques in its attempts to untangle complicated cultural issues.

Starring: Noah Wyle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Aliyah Royale, Noel Fisher

Critics Consensus: Though Pearson trades the juicy intrigue of Suits for straightforward political drama, it works thanks to Gina Torres' commanding performance.

Starring: Gina Torres, Morgan Spector, Bethany Joy Lenz, Simon Kassianides

Critics Consensus: Perry Mattfeld is compelling as an amateur sleuth In the Dark, although the series' recycling of mystery tropes and questionable treatment of physical handicaps may leave some viewers with a dim impression.

Starring: Perry Mattfeld, Brooke Markham, Keston John, Kathleen York

Critics Consensus: Preacher returns as creatively violent, bloody, and profane as ever, but it seems to be running out of steam in its final season.

Starring: Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun, Ian Colletti

Critics Consensus: Grand Hotel is a vivacious summer soap, gathering a glamorous ensemble of Latinx talent and letting them bounce off each other in delightfully sordid turns of betrayal.

Starring: Demián Bichir, Roselyn Sanchez, Denyse Tontz, Bryan Craig

Critics Consensus: Though City on a Hill's meandering story can't quite match its ambitions, it's entertaining -- and even occasionally riveting -- to watch Kevin Bacon and company take on bureaucracy.

Starring: Aldis Hodge, Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Tucker, Mark O'Brien

Critics Consensus: Even if it's not the most satisfying finale for an entire era of Marvel television, Jessica Jones' final chapter finishes strong by giving its complicated heroine the space to change -- and Krysten Ritter one last chance to work her sarcastic magic.

Starring: Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, Eka Darville, Carrie-Anne Moss

Critics Consensus: The Twilight Zone explores the strangeness of the modern world through Rod Serling's winning formula, creating a thought-provoking -- if not always spine-tingling -- showcase for Jordan Peele and his exceptional crop of collaborators.

Starring: Jordan Peele, John Cho, Zazie Beetz, Kumail Nanjiani

Critics Consensus: The Spanish Princess blends soapy melodrama with beautifully rendered historical set-pieces to paint a rounder -- if still not fully realized -- portrait of an often overlooked queen.

Starring: Charlotte Hope, Richard Pepper, Harriet Walter, Aaron Cobham

Critics Consensus: Black Summer has enough undead carnage and a sinewy pace to please zombie fans, but the series suffers from scant characterization and doesn't add much storytelling meat to the genre's gnawed-on bone.

Starring: Jaime King, Justin Chu Cary, Christine Lee, Sal Velez Jr.

Critics Consensus: Though it may not win many new converts, fans of Danny McBride will find much to praise in The Righteous Gemstones's darkly hilarious pews.

Starring: Danny McBride, John Goodman, Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson

Critics Consensus: With a stronger central mystery steeped in witchy world building, Chilling Adventures remains a deliciously dark, delightfully campy romp that pushes Sabrina deeper down the path of night -- if only she would get there a little faster.

Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis, Ross Lynch

Critics Consensus: Well-written and endearingly down-home, Bless This Mess' greatest gift is the joy of seeing its hilarious and like-able ensemble all in one place.

Starring: Lake Bell, Dax Shepard, Ed Begley Jr., Pam Grier

Critics Consensus: Like a pleasant visit to a place you used to live, Tales of the City provides ample nostalgic comforts, while maintaining the series' mission of celebrating the diversity of San Francisco on its own terms.

Starring: Laura Linney, Elliot Page, Paul Gross, Olympia Dukakis

Critics Consensus: The Handmaid's Tale's third season reigns in its horrors and inspires hope that revolution really is possible -- if only the story would stop spinning its wheels and get to it already.

Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Samira Wiley

Critics Consensus: Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams give viewers plenty of razzle and dazzle in Fosse/Verdon -- a straightforward miniseries that is hampered by rote biographical tropes, but still shimmies with the requisite glitz, grit, and all that jazz audiences crave.

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Michelle Williams, Margaret Qualley, Norbert Leo Butz

Critics Consensus: Though viewers' mileage may vary, The Boys' violent delights and willingness to engage in heavy, relevant themes are sure to please those looking for a new group of antiheroes to root for.

Starring: Jack Quaid, Karl Urban, Laz Alonso, Tomer Capon

Critics Consensus: Though at times hard to watch, Euphoria balances its brutal honesty with an empathetic -- and visually gorgeous -- eye to create a uniquely challenging and illuminating series, held together by a powerfully understated performance from Zendaya.

Starring: Zendaya, Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane

Critics Consensus: A smörgåsbord of heavenly imagery and irreverent hilarity, Good Omens works thanks to Michael Sheen and David Tennant's very-nearly-holy (or maybe unholy?) chemistry -- though, at only six episodes, it's a rare adaptation that may have benefitted from being a little less faithful to the good book.

Starring: Michael Sheen, David Tennant, Jon Hamm, Jack Whitehall

Critics Consensus: Though it loses a bit of narrative steam, On Becoming a God in Central Florida proves a clever and absurd satire that will make you want to buy whatever Kirsten Dunst is selling.

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Théodore Pellerin, Mel Rodriguez, Beth Ditto

Critics Consensus: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power continues to go from strength to strength with ebullient flair in a second season that will enrapture younger fans while reminding adult viewers about the virtues of friendship and kindness.

Starring: Aimee Carrero, Karen Fukuhara, Amanda Michalka, Marcus Scribner

Critics Consensus: A cleverly crass exploration of life in the sunshine state, Florida Girls is a perfect summer comedy with something to say.

Starring: Laura Chinn, Laci Mosley, Melanie Field, Patty Guggenheim

Critics Consensus: Though its story at times leaves something to be desired, Wu Assassins's exceptional choreography and bold aesthetic makes it an action packed delight.

Starring: Iko Uwais, Byron Mann, Li Jun Li, Celia Au

Critics Consensus: An intriguing tangle of mystery and melodrama, what The Society lacks in levity -- and at times clarity -- it makes up for with its surprisingly thoughtful exploration of community, culture, and what it means to grow up.

Starring: Rachel Keller, Kathryn Newton, Alex Fitzalan, Kristine Froseth

Critics Consensus: Das Boot possesses the atmospheric pressure of its cinematic forebear while adding new depth to its compelling ensemble, making for a riveting international production.

Starring: Vicky Krieps, Tom Wlaschiha, Lizzy Caplan, Rick Okon

Critics Consensus: Luther returns in fine form from its extended exodus with a grizzly mystery and the welcome reappearance of Ruth Wilson's psychotic villain, Alice Morgan.

Starring: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Ruth Wilson, Michael Smiley

Critics Consensus: Dead to Me doesn't always deliver on the gallows humor that it promises, but the sterling duo of Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini elevates the series above its pulpier aspects -- offering a deeply moving relationship shaped by mutual grief.

Starring: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Ed Asner

Critics Consensus: Though not quite as sharp as Joseph Heller's seminal novel, Catch-22's handsomely rendered, hilariously horrifying exploration of war still soars thanks to its stellar cast and reverent adherence to its source material.

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, George Clooney, Hugh Laurie

Critics Consensus: Gorgeous and gripping, Big Little Lies's second season doubles down on the dark humor and gives its impressive cast even more juicy drama to chew on -- especially an excellent Meryl Streep.

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz

Critics Consensus: While Cobra Kai's subversive kick no longer carries the same gleeful impact of its inaugural season, its second round is still among the best around -- no amount of mid-life crisis and teenage ennui's ever gonna keep it down.

Starring: William Zabka, Ralph Macchio, Courtney Henggeler, Tanner Buchanan

Critics Consensus: An epic fantasy adventure that will please old and new fans alike, Age of Resistance expertly builds on the lore of The Dark Crystal, crafting compelling new mythos without losing sight of the humanity at the story's heart.

Starring: Taron Egerton, Caitriona Balfe, Helena Bonham Carter, Harris Dickinson

Critics Consensus: GLOW dives even deeper into the lives of its divas to deliver a knock-out third season that solidifies its place as one of TV's most compelling -- and hilarious -- character studies.

Starring: Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Marc Maron, Sydelle Noel

Critics Consensus: Years and Years scathingly critiques the present with a nihilistic projection of the future, leavening the devastating satire with a buoyant sense of humor and characters who are easy to become invested in.

Starring: Emma Thompson, Russell Tovey, Rory Kinnear, T'Nia Miller

Critics Consensus: Though at times it vamps more than it grows, Dear White People's third season still excels thanks to its continued willingness to confront tough social issues with comedic grace.

Starring: Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, Antoinette Robertson, DeRon Horton

Critics Consensus: An anxiety producing dramatization of real world events, The Hot Zone is a sobering reminder of exactly how deadly a disease can be.

Starring: Julianna Margulies, Topher Grace, Liam Cunningham, Robert Sean Leonard

Critics Consensus: Suranne Jones' boundless charisma brings the indomitable Anne Lister to vivid life in Gentleman Jack, a gently revelatory series that mines terrific humor from the icon's unapologetic forward-thinkingness - although the series isn't as willing to ruffle feathers as she was.

Starring: Suranne Jones, Sophie Rundle, Gemma Whelan, Timothy West

Critics Consensus: Marshmallows, rejoice! Veronica Mars returns in fine form, capturing much of what made the series so beloved while adding new wrinkles that satisfy more often than they mystify.

Starring: Kristen Bell, Enrico Colantoni, Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs III

Critics Consensus: A fun, family-friend show that benefits greatly from its hyperbolic hosts, Holey Moley is a delightful summer diversion.

Starring: Steph Curry, Rob Riggle, Joe Tessitore, Jeannie Mai

Critics Consensus: Devastating, hilarious, and surprisingly light, This Way Up captures the complexities of mental health with an empathetic -- if at times wandering -- eye.

Starring: Aisling Bea, Sharon Horgan, Aasif Mandvi, Kadiff Kirwan

Critics Consensus: Stranger Things transforms itself into a riveting -- if familiar -- summer ride that basks in its neon-laden nostalgia without losing sight of the rich relationships that make the series so endearing.

Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Natalia Dyer

Critics Consensus: The Fab Five keep going deeper and just keep getting better -- Can you believe?

Starring: Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness

Critics Consensus: Real-world and supernatural horrors collide in Infamy, an exceptionally well-crafted ghost story that creeps under the skin and stays there.

Starring: Derek Mio, Shingo Usami, Naoko Mori, Cristina Rodlo

Critics Consensus: Challenging and thoughtful, Our Boys explores a real-world tragedy with grace and compassion.

Starring: Shlomi Elkabetz, Johnny Arbid, Ruba Blal, Adam Gabay

Critics Consensus: Six seasons in and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to deepen its exploration of space and the relationships between its heroes.

Starring: Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennet, Elizabeth Henstridge

Critics Consensus: Though its ambitious attempts to tackle tricky subject matter don't always land, Alternatino proves a perfect showcase for Arturo Castro's impressive range of comedic talents.

Starring: Arturo Castro

Critics Consensus: In its final season, Legion remains a singular piece of visually arresting, mind-bending television that never fails to surprise.

Starring: Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, Aubrey Plaza, Bill Irwin

Critics Consensus: Carla Gugino shines in JETT, a stylish -- if overtly violent -- noir that benefits from its willingness to crank its genre set-pieces up to eleven.

Starring: Carla Gugino, Giancarlo Esposito, Elena Anaya, Michael Aronov

Critics Consensus: A cornucopia of visual wonder and environmental advocacy, Our Planet's breathtaking cinematography explores more of this beautiful, blue marble while presenting an urgent call to action to its inhabitants.

Starring: David Attenborough

Critics Consensus: With the titillating cat-and-mouse game still rooted at its core, Killing Eve returns for an enthralling second season of considerably higher stakes, hilariously dark humor and a captivating dynamic between characters, solidifying its position as one of the best spy thrillers out.

Starring: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia

Critics Consensus: By leaning into the horror of it all, Swamp Thing swims deep into the trenches of this strange world and returns with a scary good TV show.

Starring: Crystal Reed, Andy Bean, Derek Mears, Virginia Madsen

Critics Consensus: Honest and genuinely affecting, Special lives up to its name with a funny -- if a bit too concise -- first season brightened by Ryan O'Connell's infectious charms.

Starring: Ryan O'Connell, Jessica Hecht, Punam Patel, Marla Mindelle

Critics Consensus: Chernobyl rivets with a creeping dread that never dissipates, dramatizing a national tragedy with sterling craft and an intelligent dissection of institutional rot.

Starring: Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Emily Watson, Paul Ritter

Critics Consensus: Director Erin Lee Carr expertly blends journalistic edge and empathy in I Love You, Now Die to create a concise, compelling, and refreshingly exploitation-free exploration of a complicated crime.

Critics Consensus: Succession returns in darkly funny form, with sharp writing, exceptional performances, and a surprising new level of sympathy for some of television's least likable characters.

Starring: Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin

Critics Consensus: Ava DuVernay pulls no punches in When They See Us, laying out the harrowing events endured by the Central Park Five while adding a necessary layer of humanity to their story that challenges viewers to reconsider what it means to find justice in America.

Starring: Michael Kenneth Williams, Vera Farmiga, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash

Critics Consensus: A delightful, delicate dance of light and dark, Pose's second season achieves a striking balance between the grittiness of reality and the glamour of the runway.

Starring: Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Billy Porter, Indya Moore

Critics Consensus: An insightful and hilarious glimpse into the life of a Muslim American family, Ramy perfectly articulates the precarious nature and nuances of identity and announces Ramy Youssef is a talent to watch.

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Mohammed Amer, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked

Critics Consensus: Carried by its exceptional ensemble, Orange Is the New Black's final season gets straight to the point, tackling hard-hitting issues with the same dramatic depth and gallows humor that made the show so ground-breaking to begin with.

Starring: Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba, Danielle Brooks

Critics Consensus: As funny and fun as the first outing, The Tick's sophomore season leans into the strengths of its secondary characters and is all the better for it.

Starring: Peter Serafinowicz, Griffin Newman, Valorie Curry, Yara Martinez

Critics Consensus: A refreshingly chill music documentary, Shangri-La provides an insightful -- if not exactly revelatory -- peak into the private world of producer Rick Rubin.

Starring: Rick Rubin, Morgan Neville, Jeff Malmberg

Critics Consensus: Delightfully uncomfortable, Harlots continues to push boundaries, but never at the expense of its deliciously campy fun.

Starring: Samantha Morton, Lesley Manville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Liv Tyler

Critics Consensus: Of Mics and Men condenses the mythology surrounding the celebrated Wu-Tang Clan with finesse, honoring the hip hop collective's aura of legend while also delving into each member's earthy humanity.

Starring: RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck

Critics Consensus: Smart, stylish, and fully realized thanks to show-runner Tanya Saracho and her talented crew, Vida's second season is a masterclass in crafting multidimensional characters.

Starring: Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada, Ser Anzoategui, Maria-Elena Laas

Critics Consensus: Lodge 49 continues its strange journey with a superb second season that leans further into the shows idiosyncrasies.

Starring: Wyatt Russell, Brent Jennings, Sonya Cassidy, Linda Emond

Critics Consensus: Fresh faces, exceptional performances, and a more clearly defined sense of purpose help Krypton find its footing.

Starring: Cameron Cuffe, Georgina Campbell, Aaron Pierre, Ann Ogbomo

Critics Consensus: Powerful, beautiful, and like nothing else on TV, David Makes Man blends dreamy aesthetics with an empathetically crafted story to create a truly unique viewing experience.

Starring: Akili McDowell, Alana Arenas, Isaiah Johnson, Travis Coles

Critics Consensus: Singular, subversive, and simply hilarious, A Black Lady Sketch Show finds universal humor in specific spaces to craft quick-witted sketches that perfectly showcase Robin Thede and her talented cast.

Starring: Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis, Quinta Brunson

Critics Consensus: Bold, brisk, and beautiful, Sherman's Showcase is a delightful and stylish sketch show that moves to its own groove and invites everyone to laugh along.

Starring: Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle, John Legend, Kenneth Lucas

Critics Consensus: Absurdly funny and fearless, South Side successfully captures the spirit of a community and confronts tough social constructs with smart writing, a spectacular cast, and just the right amount of silliness.

Starring: Diallo Riddle, Bashir Salahuddin, Sultan Salahuddin, Chandra Russell

Critics Consensus: Igualmente hilarante y horripilante, Los Espookys is an espooky good time.

Starring: Ana Fabrega, Julio Torres, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Bernardo Velasco

Critics Consensus: Dark's sumptuous second season descends deeper into the show's meticulously-crafted mythos and cements the series as one of streaming's strongest and strangest science fiction stories.

Starring: Oliver Masucci, Karoline Eichhorn, Jördis Triebel, Louis Hofmann

Critics Consensus: Tuca & Bertie skips right past Bojack Horseman's shadow with its chipper sensibility and madcap sight gags, bringing plenty of laughs as it addresses adulting anxiety and exalts the joys of friendship.

Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, Nicole Byer

Critics Consensus: Mindhunter expands its narrative horizons without losing sight of the details that made its first season so rich, crafting a chilling second season that is as unsettling as it is utterly absorbing.

Starring: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Joe Tuttle

Critics Consensus: Fleabag jumps back into the fray with a bracing second season that upholds its predecessor's frenzied wit and delicate heart, replete with Phoebe Waller-Bridge's indefatigable charisma.

Starring: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Andrew Scott, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman