In fairness, 2020 could have been a lot worse. Thankfully, we had our TV and on-demand streaming services to keep us entertained when all we wanted was to lie on the sofa for a healthy five or six hours binging on the latest TV series. 

But now that the year is drawing to a close, and with TV and film productions already back in action, it's time to do our very own recap of the best TV shows of 2020. Others that just missed the cut this year include 'Cheer', 'Raised By Wolves', 'Sex Education', 'The Haunting of Bly Manor', 'The Last Dance', and of course 'Tiger King'.

If you missed any of these 10, be sure to add them to your "must-watch" list.

 

10 'The Crown' season four

Kicking off our top 10 is one of the most eagerly-anticipated drama series that Netflix has ever seen. When 'The Crown' launched in 2016 with the "first generation" of actors in the hot seats, who was to know that four years later we would be impatiently waiting to see Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth go tête-à-tête in 2020? It's been a weird year. The fourth season shifts focus slightly, as Diana and Charles take on central roles. The drama is still as sharp and stylised as ever, but we can't help but look forward to the upcoming fifth and sixth seasons with Imelda Staunton as herself.

 

9 'The Mandalorian' 

Disney+ has a powerhouse of a show on their hands. 'The Mandalorian' series one stole our hearts earlier this year when it landed on the newest streaming service in Ireland. But after just eight episodes, fans were desperately crying out for more. Luckily for us, creator Jon Favreau wrapped up filming season two in time for us to get two series of 'The Mandalorian' in the same year. Will this be likely to ever happen again? Definitely not. Are we waiting on tenterhooks for the series finale on December 18? You bet your Baby Yoda we are.

 

8 'The Umbrella Academy' season two

The first of our superhero-based series in this years top 10 is the return of the most dysfunctional family on Netflix. Adding in that extra element of time travel whereby ALL of the gifted youngsters travel to the past, it was up to Number Five to yet again save the world from the impending Apocalypse. Allowing the characters to breathe a bit more this time around, as well as adding in that hook of a '60s vibe and the Civil Rights Movement, meant that the series was a thoroughly enjoyable adventure to watch. And now we wait for season three.

 

7 'I May Destroy You'

Michaela Coel has time and time again proven to be one to watch out for in the comedy/drama realm. Having already created Channel 4's 'Chewing Gum', and starred in 'Black Mirror' and 'Black Earth Rising', the actress-turned-writer dropped one of the best drama series of the year in 'I May Destroy You'. While being hilarious yet also frankly honest, Coel once again forges a unique way of telling a harrowing story to the audience. Equal parts dark comedy and awkward drama, the series is one that rightfully deserves its spot on our best TV shows of 2020 list.

 

6 'The Boys' season two

Cool, comical, and devastatingly crude, 'The Boys' season two on Amazon Prime was a roaring success this year. Following in the footsteps of season one, one couldn't imagine how a show based on rogue superheroes could reach even bigger highs - but oh boy, did it. As The Boys become wanted fugitives, The Supes recruited a new team member named Stormfront who shakes up the team and adds a whole new dimension to the plot. The fun isn't over just yet either, with executive producers Erik Kripke, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg all returning for season three, which will add in a new Supe named Soldier Boy, played by 'Supernatural' star Jensen Ackles.

 

5 'Unorthodox'

Inspired by Deborah Feldman's 2012 autobiography, 'Unorthodox' is another stellar Netflix addition from earlier this year. The four-part series allowed us to learn more about the secular life of being within a Jewish community in New York City as a 19-year-old Yiddish woman, Etsy, desperately dreams of breaking free of her Orthodox Jew background. But it wasn't just us who loved the miniseries - it also received eight nominations and a Best Directing win at The Emmys.

 

4 'The Den'

In a year where we desperately needed a pick me up from the past, RTÉ pulled out all of the stops to gift us with one glorious TV show that was certain to put a smile on our faces. The return of 'The Den' was wholeheartedly welcomed by all as we realised just how much we missed Zig, Zag, Dustin, and Ray D'Arcy's off-the-cuff humour, as well as the return of the Birthday Roller, The Toy Grand Prix and much more. The comeback series even has a Christmas special in the pipeline on December 20 - we hope this isn't the last time we see them all together on screen either.

 

3 'The Queen’s Gambit'

A late entry in our list, but a thoroughly enjoyable one, all the same, is Netflix's 'The Queen's Gambit' starring Anya Taylor-Joy. The 10-part Netflix series was a sleeper-hit, arriving on Netflix with not much buzz surrounding it - until it exploded and was all that people were talking about. Who knew that a series about a game of chess could be so light-hearted, gripping and with a bad-ass '60s flair?

 

2 'Normal People'

Nope, it hasn't claimed the top spot on our best TV shows of 2020, but it came very close. If there was an award for the most talked-about TV series of 2020, 'Normal People' would leave every other title in the dust. Adapted from Sally Rooney's novel of the same name and directed by Lenny Abrahamson, the coming-of-age series became an international sensation. An Irish TV show dealing with heavy topics such as suicide, bullying, and intricate relationships was just so relatable; a breath of fresh air in a sea of clichéd young adult series.

 

1 'Schitt’s Creek' season 6

All we have to say is - god bless 'Schitt's Creek'. Or, should we say "Best Wishes, Warmest Regards". The enigma that is 'Schitt's Creek' became a worldwide phenomenon earlier this year after sweeping the board at this year's virtual Emmys, and was quickly binged by a new audience yet to discover Moira Rose and her fabulous collection of bébés. However, those of us who were in the know before this, knew what everyone was already missing out on. Season six gave us the near-perfect ending any comedy series could have hoped for, bowing out before the formula became stale. It was bittersweet, to say the least, but damn, there goes one of the best sitcoms we'll ever watch, and a truly deserving number one spot on the best TV shows of 2020 list.