Top 10 TV Shows of 2018

Before I get to my top 20 films of 2018, I'd like to take a look at some of the best TV shows of the year. As always, it's been an eventful year for television to say the least, from new shows, to returning shows, and plenty of Netflix originals on top of all that. The following are my personal top 10 shows of the year, so if you think something's missing then let me know (because I probably haven't watched it)! So here we go, my top 10 TV shows of 2018.

10. Legion- Season 2

Season one of Noah Hawley's X-Men spinoff show was unique to say the least, borrowing elements from the likes of David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick to put his own spin on the comic book formula. If season one was akin to Twin Peaks however, than its sophomore season was much more in line with Twin Peaks: The Return. This time the pace was slowed down considerably, and there was a lot more ambiguity and reality-bending madness going on than in the first season, which is saying something. Still, Noah Hawley's distinct brand of storytelling and the strong ensemble cast including Dan Stevens and Aubrey Plaza elevate Legion above your usual Lynch-inspired fanfare. One episode that particularly stood out gave a glimpse into alternate realities where different versions of David Haller (Stevens) went about their lives. It was a powerful episode, yet had very little to do with the overall narrative, showing that Hawley has more concern for compelling stories than a linear narrative. Pitting our unhinged mutant protagonist against the sinister Shadow King (a brilliant Navid Negahban), Legion season 2 was a comic book tale of epic proportions, told in a way that kept out minds boggled in the most wonderful way.

9. Derry Girls- Season 1

The troubles was most definitely the most harrowing period in the history of Northern Ireland, yet where there is horror, writer Lisa McGee finds hope, in this hilarious coming of age comedy. Focusing on a group of misfit girls, the series follows their struggle through the trials and tribulations of adolescence, set against the backdrop of a much more serious conflict. McGee has plenty of humour and sharp dialogue to spare, making room for some golden political and religious satire, but it's the talented cast of newcomers that really hold the show together. They handle McGee's material superbly and bring to life this group of hilarious young women, each with their own hopes and struggles. Amid all the humour however, McGee never shies away from the real troubles at hand, and in a compelling final scene, we see just how much people were emotionally effected by these dark times. A wonderful blend of humorous satire and historical drama, Derry Girls marks a new high point for Irish comedy, and I look forward to seeing what McGee and the titular girls get up to in the future.

8.  Barry- Season 1

Balancing tones is a tricky business on television, and there's always a risk that your show can come off as messy if not handled correctly. However, Barry makes such drastic tonal shifts seem like a walk in the park, dealing with the horrors of trauma one minute, and the hilarity of the LA theatre scene the next. Bill Hader stars in the titular role as a mild-mannered hitman suffering from PTSD following his time in the military, who discovers a passion for acting while undertaking a job in LA. Hader is the perfect actor to bring such a complex character to the screen, balancing a plethora of emotions in a way that's subtle and nuanced, it's no wonder he earned himself an Emmy for this. Along for the ride are the likes of Stephen Root as Barry's boss Fuchs, and a seal-stealing Henry Winkler as Barry's intense acting coach. It's a masterful cocktail of modern sitcom and gripping drama in the vein of Breaking Bad, that packs as much emotional punches as it does laughs. After such a promising first season, things are looking more than hopeful for Barry in the future.

7. Inside No. 9- Season 4

Fresh off the success of their League of Gentlemen reunion, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith returned with a fourth season of their acclaimed anthology series Inside No. 9, and it may just have been their most ambitious yet. Each episode gave us another self-contained story set at a location addressed number 9, from an eccentric hotel, to an unsuspecting suburban home, but as always there are dark twists lurking around every corner. Shearsmith and Pemberton went all out this season, from a reverse-chronological episode, to an episode written entirely in iambic pentameter, and of course, the live Halloween special that truly left viewers gobsmacked. The duo prove that they still have ideas a plenty, and that theirs is by far one of the cleverest television anthologies in recent years. On top of all that, season 4 also gave us their first properly heart-warming episode yet, entitled 'Bernie Clifton's Dressing Room', it was a sheer rollercoaster of emotion full of tears and laughter. It's reassuring to see that Inside No. 9 can still feel so fresh four seasons in, and if the recent live episode is anything to go by, Shearsmith and Pemberton are far from finished.

6. Kidding- Season 1

Jim Carrey reunites with Eternal Sunshine director Michael Gondry (serving as executive producer and part-time director) for this gripping offbeat dramedy in which he plays fictional children's television host Jeff 'Mr. Pickles' Piccarillo. This is no kids show however, as Kidding delves into complex themes such as loss and grief, mapping out Jeff's unfortunate downward spiral following the death of his son. Carrey gives one of his most powerful performances to date as Jeff, a man riddled with emotions that are constantly repressed by both himself and those around him, including his controlling father Seb (Frank Langella) and his ex-wife Jill (Judy Greer). It's a darkly comical romp with elements of the surreal (such as plenty of bizarre puppet gags), and as each episode progresses, things become increasingly dark in the life of Jeff Pickles. It's a tricky concept that could easily have been done without taste, but showrunner Dave Holstein and his team of writers manage to push plenty of boundaries without ever overstepping them. An all-round emotional affair that's topped off with just the right amount of black humour, Kidding marks a new high for Jim Carrey's career, and another welcome collaboration between himself and Gondry.

5. Channel Zero- Season's 3 & 4

This year we were lucky enough to be treated to two seasons of Nick Antosca's chilling horror anthology from SYFY. Loosely inspired by internet 'creepypastas', each season of Channel Zero continues to get progressively better thanks to Antosca's wonderful imagination, and this year was no exception. Season three, subtitled 'Butcher's Block', follows two troubled sisters who get involved in a strange urban myth involving mysterious stairs and a cannibal family, while season four 'The Dream Door' follows a couple whose lives take a dark turn upon discovering a door in their basement. Channel Zero is home to some of the scariest monsters to grace horror television in recent years, such as a grotesque looking meat-man, and the now iconic Pretzel Jack (played by the contortionist known as Twisty Troy). However, what both of these seasons prove is that sometimes our own inner monsters can be just as terrifying as the literal ones, season three in particular, as it deals with topics such as schizophrenia. It's not often that we see horror take such a sensitive approach to topics such as mental illness, but Channel Zero seeks to give a more accurate representation instead of adding to the stigma. With six episodes per season, Channel Zero makes for some tight and concise storytelling, packed full of terrifying monsters and captivating characters, which results in one of the greatest horror shows of the decade.

4. Atlanta- Robbin' Season

With the second season of Atlanta, Donald Glover continues to prove that he is one of the most talented creative minds of our generation. This season picks up with the characters of Earn (Glover), Al (Brian Tyree Henry), Darius (Lakeith Stanfield), and Van (Zazie Beetz), as they go about their lives in a world that feels both firmly grounded yet incredibly surreal. This season broadened its focus, looking more closely at each individual character as opposed to mainly just Earn, and it was a great way to deepen our main ensemble. The characters might have felt more scattered, but at the end of it all each one felt like they were much more developed. Over the course of its eleven episodes, Glover and co. continue to subvert expectations and transcend genres, with certain episodes ('Haircut' and 'Champagne Papi') feeling absolutely hilarious, and others (the unnerving 'Teddy Perkins') feeling as though they could be standalone horror films. Teddy Perkins was a particularly unsettling entry into the show, with an unforgettable performance from Glover in white-face. Every episode feels like it could go anywhere, making for one of the most interesting and exciting television series in a long time. 'Robbin' Season' proved that there really are no limits to where Atlanta can go, and that Glover's world is one of endless possibilities.

3. Westworld- Season 2

There was a large, Westworld-shaped hole left in our hearts last year as we waited for HBO's sci-fi epic to return, but showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy proved that season two was more than worth the wait. Following the host uprising at the end of last season, season two continues to expand the world and characters of Westworld, jumping back and forth through the narrative to make for some extremely gripping storytelling. It's a story of epic proportions, but season two proved that even more personal episodes such as the astounding 'Kiksuya' could be just as engaging. Every week felt like a brand new adventure, and with each question that was answered, another was raised, constantly keeping us on the edge of our seats from episode to episode. Season two had some truly remarkable storytelling from Nolan, Joy, and their team, while continuing to develop their sprawling character ensemble in interesting ways. Maeve (Thandie Newton) set out to find her daughter, Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) threw away her morals, and Bernard (Jeffery Wright) continued to keep us guessing each week. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. With its complex storytelling, engaging characters, and masterful score by Ramin Djawadi (that cover of C.R.E.A.M. though), Westworld season two opened a new world of possibilities for future seasons. We could be another while waiting though.

2. Sharp Objects

Based on the novel by Gillian Flynn and directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, this miniseries followed troubled reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) return to her hometown of Windgap, where a series of murders awaken some past traumas of her own. Sharp Objects and its central mystery was an engrossing experience from start to finish, seamlessly slipping back and forth through time to provide a detailed character study of our central protagonist. While certain moments were extremely tough to watch, it was hard to not tune in every week to continue following Camille's story. Amy Adams gives a career-defining performance as a woman who has fought her whole life against past traumas, only to confront them again in the present. Going toe to toe with our heroine was her overbearing mother Adora, in an equally fantastic performance from Patricia Clarkson. It's safe to say she brought to life one of the most despicable characters on television this year. While some viewers might have had trouble with its pacing, there was plenty of atmosphere and layers of mystery to keep one engaged right up until the end. For those who did stick around for the shocking final scene, well, it's safe to say we're all still thinking about it. A slow-burning Southern gothic, packed with so much emotion, subtle details, and stellar performances, Sharp Objects is a true triumph for all involved.

1. The Haunting of Hill House

Long-form horror storytelling doesn't always work (just as Ryan Murphy), but as Mike Flanagan proved with this loose adaptation of Shirley Jackson's novel, when it does work, nothing else compares. The seasoned horror filmmaker assembles a hefty ensemble cast of talents to bring to life this chilling tale of the unfortunate Crane family and their relationship with the titular haunted house. Flanagan crafts some goosebump-enducing sequences in each episode, from the ghoulish appearance of the bowler-hat man, to the terrifying depiction of sleep paralysis, each episode offered up plenty of scares. However, what really held Hill House together so well was its emotion, derived from the ensemble of well-developed characters and their family dynamic. Each character feels so well-realised and their relationships feel so real, as each episode progresses we can't help but become increasingly involved with them and their story. This is mainly down to the performance of the actors and their younger counterparts, with the likes of Hush's Kate Siegel and E.T.'s Henry Thomas rounding off the ensemble. Flanagan himself also continues to flex his talents with some of his best direction to date, episode six particularly comes to mind, with its numerous long takes. Taking elements of old-school horror and packing it with such powerful emotion, Flanagan managed to craft one of the most compelling and skin-crawling horror series in recent years, and a stand-out series of 2018.