Some TV shows don’t reinvent the wheel, but they’re cozy, fun, and what you want to watch after a long day. Other shows have such different and interesting premises that they’re hard to stop talking about. Some of the most creative series I’ve seen from the past few decades include Joan of Arcadia, You, and Black Mirror. A teenage girl who gets advice from God (who looks different each time she sees them), a thriller that blends the stressful dating world with a serial killer’s motivations, and a sci-fi anthology about technology and celebrity. You don’t see those kinds of stories every day.
These eight creative TV shows from the 2020s have premises that hadn’t been done before, twists that are hard to stop thinking about, or unique characters who don’t usually get the spotlight. Some honorable mentions deserve a shout-out. While The Pitt is beautiful, devastating, and sometimes hilarious, it does have a lot in common with other medical dramas. It’s much better, of course, but it’s still a show about death, sickness, healing, and working at a hospital. (I still love you, The Pitt.) I’m currently enjoying Widow’s Bay on Apple TV, but with only six episodes out so far, it’s hard to know how it will fare. So, let’s get into these shows that are as fresh as they are unforgettable.
8
‘Pluribus’ (2025-)
After creating the original series Breaking Bad, it was exciting to see Vince Gilligan return with his Apple TV sci-fi series Pluribus. Writers often make compelling main characters, and the series adds another layer by telling a story about author Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn), who hasn’t been affected by a virus that creates a hive mind.
Rather than another post-apocalyptic story about finding resources and battling other survivors, which may or may not include zombies, Pluribus has a truly creative premise. Like the popular and equally creative The Good Place, or the underrated Prime series Forever, it explores fascinating subjects, including mental health, rebellion, and how to find joy.
7
‘Only Murders in the Building’ (2021-)
There are more than a few horror-comedy series, but that’s not exactly the tone of Only Murders in the Building. It’s a light-hearted series about true crime, aging, fame, creativity, and found family.
The premise is definitely original: Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) starts a podcast with her neighbors, Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin) and Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), once they realize their neighbor has been killed. Each season switches up the setting slightly. For example, Season 3 has a storyline about Oliver’s play called Death Rattle. It’s rare to find a show that explores the struggles of young adulthood and the experiences of being older with equal compassion. The three main characters may be different, but they share the desire to be loved and know that they belong.
6
‘Industry’ (2020-)
When a writer who never liked math class raves about a TV show about money, you know it’s good. The HBO series Industry covers every aspect of the financial industry, from working at a short-only hedge fund to getting hired at an investment bank. It’s also an example of truly creative storytelling.
Season 4 features storylines as varied as a disturbing 40th birthday party celebration, a character who sees their dad’s ghost, and a political bill about protecting youth online. When Industry returns for its fifth and final season, I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen to the characters. Everyone is ambitious, anxious, and convinced that the people around them are out to get them. It’s not always a joy to watch, but it’s always interesting.
5
‘Stumble’ (2025)
If a sitcom isn’t about a friend group in New York City or a family that bickers but loves each other, I always take note. Stumble, the mockumentary about cheerleading coach Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon), is a show filled with charm and quirks. Unfortunately, Stumble was canceled after only 13 episodes aired.
The humor on this show is among the most offbeat I’ve ever seen. Courteney begins working at a college in the small town of Heådltston and discovers that everyone there is obsessed with the candy button factory. Jeff Hiller plays Augustus, the strange man who runs the place. While it would have been fun to see what happens to Courteney and the team she cares so much about in a potential second season, at least the first one is great.
4
‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’ (2026-)
Yes, one TV show can be about parenthood, writing dreams, wrestling, OnlyFans, cosplay, and unrequited love. Margo’s Got Money Troubles isn’t just a great adaptation of the novel by Rufi Thorpe, it’s an impressive Apple TV series about the highs and lows of Margo’s (Elle Fanning) journey to make money, take care of her newborn, and find herself. Oh, and it’s about aliens, too (kind of).
Whether filming content where she pretends to be an alien or connecting with her dad, whom she never knew, Margo is a special character. I loved the unique writing style of Thorpe’s novel and appreciated how the show captures the tone. It’s sad and realistic without making you feel totally miserable.
3
‘The Bear’ (2022-2026)
If The Bear were only about the restaurant industry, it might not be one of the most original shows of the 2020s. However, the way that the story is told makes it stand out. Most seasons have one special episode that focuses on one character, from Season 2, Episode 4, “Honeydew,” about pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) spending time in Denmark, to Season 3, Episode 6, which is about Tina’s (Liza Colón-Zayas) journey to The Beef. There’s also The Bear prequel episode that was released in early May 2026, about a month before the fifth and final season will be released.
Whether it’s the famous Season 2 episode “Fishes” about a tragic and traumatic Berzatto family Christmas dinner, or the beautiful episode when Natalie/Sugar (Abby Elliot) goes into labor, The Bear always impresses me. It’s also just a beautifully crafted show, from the shots of the Chicago subway to its classic rock soundtrack.
2
‘DTF St. Louis (2025)
DTF St. Louis is an interesting binge-watch, and I’ve never seen anything like it. Does the HBO series tell a serious and beautiful story about marriage and friendship that also happens to have thriller elements, or is it a thriller that’s also about those topics? I’m not sure, but it works.
As Floyd Smernitch (David Harbour), his wife Carol (Linda Cardellini), and local weatherman Clark Forrest (Jason Bateman) become involved in each other’s lives, DTF St. Louis makes it clear that this is a weird series. The characters sometimes speak in monotones and repeat themselves a lot, which is intentional. Storylines range from the characters’ orders at Jamba Juice (yes, really) to Carol wanting to save money to buy her son a new set of bedroom furniture.
1
‘Paradise’ (2025-)
As a TV fan and entertainment journalist, I always have a handful of TV recommendations. At the beginning of 2025, I couldn’t stop talking about Paradise. The twist in the first episode is so creative that it’s hard to imagine another show matching it.
Like The Bear, Paradise tells its story in compelling ways. After sharing in the pilot that Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) is living in a bunker under Colorado in a post-apocalyptic world, the series also features an anxiety-inducing episode about the day that the world ended. Season 2 includes some important and well-placed flashbacks that explain more about Xavier’s marriage, along with a memorable episode showing where his wife Teri (Enuka Okuma) has been for the past three years. Paradise Season 3 will likely be just as impressive.
What do you think is the most original TV show of the 2020s? Let us know in the comments!
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
