It’s been a stellar year for television — and it’s still only June.

From the quietly chilling The Handmaid’s Tale spin-off to the nailbiting a-little-too-realness of The Pitt and the abject silliness of the second series of Aussie comedy Deadloch, we’ve had no shortage of brilliant shows to sink our teeth into — and there’s more on the way!

Here are our favourites so far, with honourable mentions thrown in for good measure.

The Pitt S2 (HBO Max)

This fantastic medical drama from ex-ER star Noah Wyle was up there on my list of last year’s best shows — and it’s there again in 2026.

Each of the 15 episodes — which once more tracked a gruelling 12-hour shift inside the Pittsburgh Trauma Centre — had viewers gripped, proving this Emmy-winning series was no one-trick pony.

It is currently sitting on a 99 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and good news for fans: another season is on the way.

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (Apple TV Plus)

This fabulously watchable series starring Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany only launched this month but already it’s sitting pretty on an impressive 93 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Maslany plays single mum Paula, who unwittingly gets embroiled in a high-stakes murder investigation after she befriends a man online.

This takes viewers on a wild ride but it’s the terrific performances from the central cast, which also includes New Girl’s Jake Johnson and Australia’s Murray Bartlett, that put this top of our list.

Deadloch S2 (Prime Video)

The hilarious six-part second series of this local whodunnit not only tops our list of favourite comedies of the year, it also claims the crown of Most Sweary Show on TV.

This time around Deadloch — which is created by The Kates (aka Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan) — headed to Darwin, where our favourite dysfunctional detective double-act, Dulcie (Kate Box) and Eddie (Madeleine Sami), investigated a series of croc-related crimes.

Extra points for the show’s unhinged, chaotic and ridiculous final episode — more, please!

Heated Rivalry (HBO Max)

This one technically came out last November, but it’s on the list because you people only discovered it earlier this year.

And BOY, did you discover it!

This show, about two male ice hockey players who fall in love, had audiences hooked, dominating cultural conversation for months earlier this year.

It went on to become a bona fide sensation, launching the careers of its two romantic leads, Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, sky-high.

Production commences for season two in August this year — be still, our beating hearts!

The Testaments (Disney Plus)

Spinning The Handmaid’s Tale off into a new story was always going to be a big ask. But producers had Margaret Atwood’s Booker Prize-winning novel The Testaments to work with, and they did the impossible, translating it in a way that made it even more chillingly evocative.

In this series, June Osborne’s daughter Hannah (Chase Infiniti) is at the centre of the story, along with Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) and new character Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a “Pearl Girl” recently arrived in Gilead.

This first season was faultless, delivering one of the best finale episodes of television we’ve seen.

Half Man (Stan)

This gritty drama, the follow-up from Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd, was a tricky watch, and it wasn’t for everyone. But those who followed the six-part story of ‘brothers’ Ruben (Gadd) and Niall (Jamie Bell) to its tragic conclusion, were treated to two truly incredible — and deeply unsettling — performances.

Gadd proved that when it comes to storytelling, he’ll never shy away from tackling difficult topics head-on. Gripping from start to finish.

Rivals S2 (Disney Plus)

Rumpy-pumpy in the British countryside never looked so good!

The second season of this raunchy favourite, based on the novels by Dame Jilly Cooper (RIP, sob!), not only hit all the right notes, it also moved the story along in such a way that we’re counting down the days until the second instalment drops later this year.

We didn’t think it possible, but we’re even more obsessed with David Tennant’s flawless performance as dastardly Tony Baddingham — bring on part two!

Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Apple TV Plus)

The casting, the unusual story, those fabulous opening credits — we adored everything about this delightfully offbeat comedy, which stars Elle Fanning as a young single mum who joins OnlyFans as a way to support her family.

The premise sounds ick, but the story is heartfelt and beautiful, and the performances of the central cast, which include Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman and Nicole Kidman, elevate this to something special.

If you’ve not caught this yet, do yourself a favour.

Off Campus (Prime Video)

Oh, to be young again! This exceptionally great young adult drama makes it all just look so. Much. Fun.

Based on Elle Kennedy’s TikTok-approved Off-Campus novels, this first series focuses on the friends-to-lovers story of ice hockey player Garrett (Belmont Cameli) and his love interest Hannah (Ella Bright), who meet and fall for one another while studying at uni.

This could easily have been another paint-by-numbers hit, but it genuinely moves the dial around issues of consent, male friendship and toxic masculinity.

Oh, and it’s also horny as heck — love that for us!

Hacks S5 (Stan)

Fans of this comedy, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, were treated to a flawless final season, which managed to do the impossible and wrap everyone’s character arcs up perfectly.

Don’t even get us started on that emotional finale — faultless!

It’s rare a comedy that runs for five seasons actually get better as it goes, but this show not only managed that, but it finished on a high note, rewarding fans with a satisfying conclusion to rival the best of the best finales.

Bravo!

Widow’s Bay (Apple TV Plus)

Haven’t heard of this under-the-radar comedy-horror? Oh don’t worry — you will.

More and more people are talking about this strange show, which sees The Americans’ Matthew Rhys playing the mayor of a small island town that may or may not be cursed.

This is genuinely the most original piece of television we’ve seen this year.

Scary as all get-out and oddly hilarious, it’s a hard one to describe: just take our word for it and check it out immediately.

You won’t be sorry.

The Four Seasons S2 (Netflix)

We were wondering how the writers were going to move along this story after the events of season one. Would the group of middle aged friends continue to meet up for their quarterly vacations?

But here they are, going hiking. Then they’re off to the beach, then a lake house, and finally meeting up in Italy — and what a ride they’re taking us on.

This is the ultimate comfort watch and it’s a genuine pleasure to spend time with this motley crew — we don’t ever want to stop vacationing with them.

Extra points for Kerri Kenney-Silver, whose character Anne has become our firm favourite.

Honourable mentions

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette (Disney Plus): Ryan Murphy’s retelling of Carolyn Bessette and John Kennedy’s romance had us all yearning for a bygone time . . . and wishing we’d kept our 90s clothes!

Bridgerton S4 (Netflix): Aussie actress Yerin Ha shone in the fourth season of this viewer favourite. Give her all the awards.

Stranger Things S5 (Netflix): Conformity Gate may not have eventuated, but one thing this final season DID do, was get people talking. For the record: I still loved it.

The Night Manager S2 (Prime Video): There was a 10-year gap between seasons, but this high-stakes espionage thriller starring Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie was worth the wait.

How To Get To Heaven Via Belfast (Netflix): The pressure was on for Lisa McGee to deliver post-Derry Girls — and she nailed it with this under-the-radar gem.

DTF St Louis (HBO Max): David Harbour’s tragically poignant life-imitating-art-imitating-life performance makes this one to add to your watchlist — seek it out.

Paradise S2 (Disney Plus): People who love this post-apocalyptic thriller REALLY love it, and season two pushed the fandom to new heights. Worth a look.

Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen (Netflix): This wholly original series takes the concept of existential dread to whole new levels — that finale! We’re still shook.

Amandaland S2 (Stan): All hail, Amanda, TV’s most irritatingly loveable anti-hero. The second series fleshed out all the characters to the extent that they all now feel like family. Adored this.

Rooster (HBO Max): This heartfelt Bill Lawrence comedy starring Steve Carell was a big hit with fans. Good news: there’s another season on the way.

Legends (Netflix): Based on a true story, this British drama starring Steve Coogan came out of nowhere and had audiences transfixed. Cross your fingers for a second season.

Beef S2 (Netflix): The second season of this Emmy-winning series saw Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan take top billing. Though it didn’t fire on the same level as the first, fans still connected with it.