Best-Reviewed Returning TV Shows 2018

The widely varied top 10 — comedies, dramas, spy thrillers, even an animated show — that landed on our shortlist of top returning TV all have a history of excellence: every single season of each series has been Certified Fresh. And this year, Donald Glover and his Atlanta crew have taken the No. 1 spot. (The series was awarded Golden Tomatoes for both best new TV show and best TV comedy for season 1 in 2016.)

The order of the rank below reflects the Adjusted Score as of December 31, 2018. Scores might change over time.

Atlanta: Robbin' Season

#1

Adjusted Score: 102523%

Critics Consensus: Donald Glover continues to subvert expectations with a sophomore season of Atlanta that proves as excellent as it is eccentric.

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Starring: R. J. Walker, Adriyan Rae, Khris Davis, Danielle Deadwyler

Directed By: Dianne McGunigle, Donald Glover, Paul Simms, Stephen Glover

GLOW: Season 2

#2

Adjusted Score: 104086%

Critics Consensus: Fearlessly led by its excellent ensemble, GLOW's second season adds a new layer of drama without sacrificing its self-effacing, delightfully silly humor.

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

Directed By: Jenji Kohan, Tara Herrmann, Liz Flahive, Carly Mensch

The Good Place: Season 3

#3

Adjusted Score: 100874%

Critics Consensus: Charming and curious as ever, The Good Place remains a delightfully insightful bright spot on the television landscape.

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Starring: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil

Directed By: David Miner, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Jude Weng, Ken Olin

Better Call Saul: Season 4

#4

Adjusted Score: 100967%

Critics Consensus: Well-crafted and compelling as ever, Better Call Saul's fourth season deftly balances the show it was and the one it will inevitably become.

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Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Michael McKean, Rhea Seehorn

Directed By: Vince Gilligan, Peter Gould, Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein

The Americans: Season 6

#5

Adjusted Score: 101132%

Critics Consensus: The Americans' powerful final season pumps up the volume on an already intense show, concluding the complex series arc with epic familial conflict... and a high body count.

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Starring: Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, Holly Taylor

Directed By: Joe Weisberg, Joel Fields, Graham Yost, Justin Falvey

The Deuce: Season 2

#6

Adjusted Score: 101133%

Critics Consensus: The Deuce's excellent character-driven drama returns with even more immersive world-building and a welcome focus on its leading ladies, carried by a tour de force performance from Maggie Gyllenhaal.

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Starring: James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Carr, Margarita Levieva

Directed By: George Pelecanos, David Simon, James Franco, Nina Kostroff-Noble

Dear White People: Season 2

#7

Adjusted Score: 101638%

Critics Consensus: Dear White People's endearing excellence returns, but with an added layer of emotional maturity that enhances the show's powerful, relevant meditations on race relations in America.

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

Directed By: Justin Simien, Yvette Lee Bowser, Stephanie Allain, Julia Lebedev

Big Mouth: Season 2

#8

Adjusted Score: 101720%

Critics Consensus: Poignantly repulsive, Big Mouth continues to confront the awkwardness of adolescence with foul-mouthed glee and an added layer of maturity.

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Starring: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Jason Mantzoukas

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

One Day at a Time: Season 2

#9

Adjusted Score: 101391%

Critics Consensus: One Day at a Time continues its ascent into classic sitcom territory without losing sight of its modern identity.

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Starring: Rita Moreno, Justina Machado, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell

Directed By: Norman Lear, Mike Royce, Gloria Calderon Kellett, Michael Garcia

The Bold Type: Season 2

#10

Adjusted Score: 101803%

Critics Consensus: The Bold Type presents an aspirational yet refreshingly realistic portrait of young women's careers, friendships and love lives in a big city.

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Starring: Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, Meghann Fahy, Sam Page

Directed By: Sarah Watson, David Bernad, Ruben Fleischer, Victor Nelli Jr.