Best-Reviewed Returning Series 2020

Season 4 of The Crown finished off the last of its filming just as production shut down for the pandemic – fortunately for fans of the Netflix series about the British monarchy. The season and its stars are now racking up awards, including the No. 1 spot on our list of the best-reviewed returning TV in 2020. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Amazon’s very modern superhero satire The Boys at No. 2. What do most of these titles have in common? Excellent ensemble casts fleshing out strongly-written characters.

The order of the rank below reflects the Adjusted Score as of December 31, 2020. Scores might change over time.

Adjusted Score: 107367%
Critics Consensus: Whatever historical liberties The Crown takes in its fourth season are easily forgiven thanks to the sheer power of its performances - particularly Gillian Anderson's imposing take on The Iron Lady and newcomer Emma Corrin's embodiment of a young Princess Diana.
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Adjusted Score: 107492%
Critics Consensus: The Boys comes out swinging in a superb second season that digs deeper into its complicated characters and ups the action ante without pulling any punches.
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Adjusted Score: 103691%
Critics Consensus: Grounded by Bob Odenkirk's endlessly nuanced, lived-in performance, Better Call Saul's fifth season is a darkly funny, vividly realized master class in tragedy.
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Adjusted Score: 104801%
Critics Consensus: An excellent showcase for Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, and their well-cast classmates, PEN15's sophomore season goes deeper into the nuances of middle school life without losing any of its cringey charm.
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Adjusted Score: 101706%
Critics Consensus: Bat! What We Do In the Shadows loses no steam in a smashing second season that savvily expands its supernatural horizons while doubling down on the fast flying fun.
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Adjusted Score: 103706%
Critics Consensus: Witty, warm, and with just the right blend of wisdom and wisecracks, Schitt's Creek's final season is the perfect farewell to the Roses and the town that changed their lives.
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Adjusted Score: 103567%
Critics Consensus: Sex Education's sophomore season definitely has more going on, but by treating each new subject with care and humor, it leaves plenty of space for its characters to grow.
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Directed By: Jamie Campbell

Adjusted Score: 102363%
Critics Consensus: Ozark finally finds its footing in a third season that ramps up the tension and shines a brighter spotlight on Laura Linney's exceptional performance.
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Adjusted Score: 101627%
Critics Consensus: Big Mouth's fourth season is another tour de force of empathetic cringe comedy that manages to get even better by finally giving Missy the storyline she deserves.
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Adjusted Score: 101408%
Critics Consensus: Sharp and singular, Better Things just keeps getting better.
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