A Year in Review: The 10 Best TV Shows of 2018

Peak TV may be over and the bubble may be about to burst. Unlike the past few years, 2018 yielded fewer outstanding shows. There were plenty of good-to-great series that aired this year but there were less exceptional programs when compared to the last five years. With the field being so competitive, talent is spread thin – not just those in front of the camera but folks who create and craft shows.

Below are the best 10 TV shows of the year, all of which I did love. We may be reaching a breaking point of quality vs. quantity but 2018 did offer some stellar series.

10. "Forever" Season 1 (Amazon)

Starring "Saturday Night Live" alums Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen the tiny comedy "Forever," created and written by Emmy Award winners Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard, packs a powerful and emotional punch. It's hard to talk about "Forever" without giving away its unexpected and hilarious premise (make sure to watch past the second episode) but the show takes on what it means to be in a long-term relationship in a fascinating and refreshing way. "Forever" also serves as a showcase for Rudolph, allowing her to act and to do something interesting, nuanced and lovely.

09. "Sharp Objects" Season 1 (HBO)

"Big Little Lies" this was not. The fever dream summer show "Sharp Objects" boasted a similar pedigree to the 2017 hit (both series are directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, are based on hit novels, aired on HBO and starred movie stars), but was totally different in almost every way. This mood piece, starring a wonderful Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson, is a haunting exploration of memory and trauma, wrapped in a Southern Gothic mystery.

08. "The Marvelous Mrs. Masiel" Season 2 (Amazon)

Bright, bubbly and delightful, "The Marvelous Mr. Masiel" returned at the end of 2018 to remind us the best TV doesn't always need to be dark and twisted. In its second season, the Amy Sherman-Palladino comedy took risks, traveling in Paris, the Catskills and around the East Coast. And of course, like last year, the cast (Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle, Tony Shalhoub) remains absolutely fabulous.

07. "Homecoming" Season 1 (Amazon)

Based on a podcast and created for TV by Sam Esmail ("Mr. Robot"), "Homecoming" fires on all cylinders. Starring Julia Roberts in her best role in recent memory, this psychological and conspiracy thriller is one of the best-looking shows of the year. Riffing on Hitchcock, De Palma and more, "Homecoming" is a hypnotic mystery that's gripping as it slowly unfolds, featuring additional brilliant performances from Bobby Cannavale, Stephan James, Shea Whigham, Alex Karpovsky and Sissy Spacek.

06. "Pose" Season 1 (FX)

"Pose" is not only a beautiful show but a groundbreaking one. Featuring the largest cast of trans actors in TV history, this period piece centers on the ballroom scene in 80s New York City and shines the spotlight on a number of unknown actors who proved themselves to be some of the finest performers on TV this year. At the center of "Pose" is MJ Rodriguez's Blanca, a warm and heartbreaking character that is the through line of this stunning drama.

05. "Succession" Season 1 (HBO)

No show was funnier and more demented this year than "Succession." Centered on an incredibly wealthy family, which runs one of the largest media conglomerates in the world, "Succession" outdid itself week after week. Each episode was sicker and more hilarious than the last, building up to an over-the-top season finale that was as meanspirited as "Veep" and as ridiculous as "Billions."

04. "Killing Eve" Season 1 (BBC America)

"Killing Eve" is a glamorous cat-and-mouse game that pops off the TV screen, thanks to stellar performances from leads Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer. Developed for the small screen by Phoebe Waller-Bridge ("Flea Bag"), "Killing Eve" did an incredible job at turning an espionage thriller inside out, making the show humanistic, hilarious and addictive.

03. "Atlanta: Robbin' Season" Season 2 (FX)

The second season of Donald Glover's "Atlanta" knocked it out of the park. A number of episodes blended the absurd with reality and humor. The hilarious horror story "Teddy Perkins" is the finest example of what "Atlanta" can do. Episodes were narratively disconnected, allowing the show to fling its top-notch cast (Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz) to enter truly bizarre situations – from partaking in a Fastnacht celebration to a party at Drake's mansion. Episodes were also incredibly touching, like "Woods," in which Henry's character Alfred goes on a spiritual journey to reconnect with his late mother, and the flashback episode "FUBU."

02. "Maniac" Season 1 (Netflix)

The dazzling sci-fi drama "Maniac" was like nothing else on TV. It's world-building, courtesy of writer/creator Patrick Somerville and director/writer Cary Joji Fukunaga is incredible. A considered and specific show, the 10-episode miniseries took on mental health in trauma in a fresh way, resulting in one of the most creative shows in recent memory. It also featured a number of stellar performances from its two leads Emma Stone and Jonah Hill as well as its supporting cast, including a totally off-the-wall Justin Theroux, a diabolical Sally Field, and a compelling Sonoya Mizuno.

01 ."The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" Season 2 (FX)

Told like a collection of short stories the second season of "American Crime Story," "The Assassination of Gianni Versace," examined homophobia in the 90s via one deranged and broken man. Though the show features a number of big names, it's Darren Criss's portrayal of gay serial killer Andrew Cunanan that stole the show. Expertly written by Tom Rob Smith, "Versace" explored a headline-grabbing story that somehow slipped away from America's consciousness. Unlike other true crime series, "Versace" made sure to highlight its victims, digging into their past and how their fate brought them to Cunanan, a victim of sorts too but a storm of evil who ended the lives of at least five men.