IN no particular order, here are five shows that broke out in 2025 – and what The Star’s in-house reviewers, Davin Arul and Zai Kamal, had to say.
When it comes to his TV credits, Matthew Goode has a history of being a “late add” to TV shows. He swept in to be Mary’s love interest on Downton Abbey after the death of Cousin Matthew. He joined Season Two of The Crown as Margaret’s husband Antony Armstrong-Jones, known as Earl Snowdon. Goode was also added to The Good Wife during Josh Charles’ shocking final episode in the show’s fifth season. In Dept. Q, Goode leads as a curmudgeonly detective who assembles a team of misfits to solve cold cases. The show is based on a Danish book series and was renewed for a second season.
Davin Arul’s review on June 10: It should be a crime to have this much fun watching something with such a grim premise. But yes, the series offers loads of it, neatly woven into the decidedly dark twists and turns of the story. (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown stars in this drama as a US Secret Service agent who arrives to work one day and finds the president is dead. It gets crazier from there. The show is part sci-fi, part drama, and definitely a mystery. It’s been renewed for a second season with Shailene Woodley added to the cast.
Zai Kamal’s review on March 18: Paradise grips the audience from the start with a shocking twist at the end of the first episode. There’s enough intrigue and conspiracy in this show to spill beyond its eight-episode run. (Disney+)
Noah Wyle revived his leading man status this year by once again portraying a doctor. This time, he’s not an intern but leads a Pittsburgh trauma centre emergency room. The Pitt won a number of Primetime Emmy Awards this year, including best drama series and an acting and producing win for Wyle. Season Two premieres in early January.
Davin Arul’s review on March 4: This is a show that excels in letting the humanity of its characters, whether leading, supporting, recurring, or guests, shine through at every turn, both the good and bad. (HBO Max)
Seth Rogen plays Matt Remick, the newly elevated head of a Hollywood studio. Some critics say the show is too inside baseball about showbiz but if you liked cringey comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Episodes or The Comeback, this one is for you. It also has a great supporting cast including Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn and Chase Sui Wonders. It also has real Hollywood players like Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, and Olivia Wilde playing heightened versions of themselves. Rogen won Emmys for acting, directing, producing and writing on the series. A second season is in the works. (Apple TV)
Zai Kamal’s review on Dec 9: (The cast is) armed with sharp, witty dialogue delivered at a manic pace and often captured in single takes – the kind that demands your full attention and reward you with plenty of laughs.
A teenage boy accused of murder is a disturbing premise, but watching this limited series is like watching great theatre or even live music. Why? Each of the four episodes was filmed in a single continuous shot after extensive rehearsals. The show also introduced us to newcomer Owen Cooper, who had never had a professional acting job before. Owen, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty all won Emmys for their performances. – AP
Zai Kamal weighs in: A superb effort by the cast and crew, flawlessly executing the single continuous shot. A timely show, too, with all the (school) violence and bullying stories around us. (Netflix)
