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.

The Crown: Season 4 (2020)
96%

#1

Adjusted Score: 107154%

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.

Starring: Olivia Colman, Tobias Menzies, Gillian Anderson, Emma Corrin

Directed By: Peter Morgan, Stephen Daldry, Philip Martin, Andy Harries

The Boys: Season 2 (2020)
97%

#2

Adjusted Score: 107394%

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.

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

Directed By: Eric Kripke, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver

Better Call Saul: Season 5 (2020)
99%

#3

Adjusted Score: 103643%

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.

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian

Directed By: Michael Morris, Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Mark Johnson

PEN15: Season 2 (2020)
100%

#4

Adjusted Score: 104751%

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.

Starring: Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle

Directed By: Sam Zvibleman, Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, Sam Zvibleman

What We Do in the Shadows: Season 2 (2020)
98%

#5

Adjusted Score: 101666%

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.

Starring: Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillén

Directed By: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement, Yana Gorskaya

Schitt's Creek: Season 6 (2020)
100%

#6

Adjusted Score: 103666%

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.

Starring: Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Annie Murphy, Chris Elliott

Directed By: Andrew Barnsley, Dan Levy, Eugene Levy, Fred Levy

Sex Education: Season 2 (2020)
98%

#7

Adjusted Score: 103511%

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.

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey

Directed By: Jamie Campbell

Ozark: Season 3 (2020)
98%

#8

Adjusted Score: 102317%

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.

Starring: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner

Directed By: Jason Bateman, Chris Mundy, Bill Dubuque, Mark Williams

Big Mouth: Season 4 (2020)
100%

#9

Adjusted Score: 101604%

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.

Starring: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas

Directed By: Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett

Better Things: Season 4 (2020)
100%

#10

Adjusted Score: 101384%

Critics Consensus: Sharp and singular, Better Things just keeps getting better.

Starring: Pamela Adlon, Celia Imrie, Mikey Madison, Hannah Riley

Directed By: Pamela Adlon, Blair Breard, Dave Becky, Pamela Adlon