The Hypable staff picks the best TV shows that premiered in 2015. Between Daredevil, Empire and Supergirl, this was a huge year for television.
When you think back on 2015, a lot of things might come to mind. Some were amazing (The Force Awakens, Mad Max: Fury Road), some much less amazing.
But before you judge 2015 too harshly, remember that this was also the year that brought us Agent Carter, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Jessica Jones, and so many more fantastic TV series.
Here, the Hypable staff members have each selected their top show of the year — in no particular order. Tell us if we left your favorite off the list!
‘UnREAL’ – Brittany Lovely
Television viewers in 2015 witnessed a surge of must-see original scripted dramas. From Mad Men‘s final season to Fargo‘s sophomore debut, there simply was not enough time to sit down and watch everything live. Unless, of course, that series found a place in the summer lineup and happened to be on, wait for it, Lifetime.
UnReal, a scripted drama about the gritty behind-the-scenes operations of a “non-scripted” reality Bachelor style dating show, follows producer Rachel (Shiri Appleby) as she sells her soul week in and week out for ratings. With every passing week, the episodes got better and better as their series, Everlasting, moved closer to its conclusion.
Related: Why we need UnREAL’s complicated feminism (opinion)
Behind the woman who spends her days exploiting an abusive relationship, pushing someone out of the closet, or highlighting an eating disorder is a fractured person whose morality is forced aside by outside forces rather than her own free will. Who is that outside force? Her executive producer and showrunner, Quinn, played by the brilliant Constance Zimmer.
UnReal strays from the hero versus network villain approach pitting every character against each other as if a Survivor tribal council could be called at any moment. The characters are messy, their motivations are flawed, and they come off the exact opposite of what the show’s title suggests. Still not convinced? There is a very attractive British bachelor in season one named Adam Cromwell (Freddie Stroma), whose involvement with the show proves to be more than just providing a pretty face.
‘Empire’ – Brandi Delhagen
I admit I didn’t initially watch Empire when it premiered in January of this year. I’ve been disappointed one too many times in the past with shows getting cancelled too soon (Secret Circle, The Tomorrow People, Almost Human), so I’ve started a trend of waiting until a show gets a renewal to start it. Empire’s third episode was seen by over 10.9 million people and once the word of mouth got to me I had to start watching.
Empire tells the story of the Lyon family. Lucious and Cookie have three sons, Andre, Jamal and Hakeem, and own a hip-hop music and entertainment company, named Empire. Cookie was in prison for 17 years for dealing drugs — Lucious never got caught — and during that time her and Lucious’ Empire became one of the biggest names in the industry. The Lyon siblings are always trying to get to the throne — but dethroning Lucious is a hard feat to overcome, especially when they also have to fight outsiders for it.
Related: Empire season 2: What to expect in 2016
Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson have amazing on screen chemistry, which is probably due to their Hustle & Flow days. Cookie’s outspoken and off the wall personality gets more enjoyable with every episode. Empire does not disappoint.
Illene Chaiken and Lee Daniels knew exactly what they were doing with this new hit show, especially in hiring Ne-Yo to help with its song writing. The music alone makes the show a must see, and you’ll probably end up making multiple trips to iTunes to hear “Snitch Bitch” over and over again.
‘iZombie’ – Danielle Zimmerman
If there was any doubt that Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas is a genius, it’s gone now. iZombie is one of the best shows that has premiered in a while. While it hasn’t blown up in ways other shows have, it has gotten quite a lot of critical acclaim and is a huge hit with fans. And for good reason.
Related: iZombie season 1 finale recap: The apocalypse begins
While the concept of a crime-fighting zombie sounds kind of odd (and the zombie thing is becoming a bit overdone), iZombie is a breath of fresh air. The writing is top notch and the acting is amazing. Rose McIver, who plays the main character Liv, is especially impressive because she not only has to know her character inside and out but basically has to take on a new personality every week.
Even if you’re not a fan of zombies, serial dramas, or comic book adaptations, you’re sure to love this show. iZombie is a well-crafted show that has a lot of heart (and brains). It’s not only one of the best shows to premiere in 2015, but it’s one of the best shows on television right now.
‘Daredevil’ – Karen Rought
Daredevil’s premiere may seem eons ago now, but we can never forget how this show kicked off Netflix’s brilliant Marvel Original Series run. Though the MCU has never lacked violence, Daredevil brought about a darker, grittier, more grounded story than we had seen before. Cast in reds and blacks, instead of the colorful array we are so used to, this show gave us a superhero we’ve only rarely seen in this universe — one who doesn’t rely on special abilities or enhanced technology.
Sure, Matt Murdock’s talents far exceed those of a regular person, but it doesn’t stop him from getting beat up time and time again. His enemies may be human, but make no mistake — he takes a hell of a lot of punches.
From the three-minute, single shot fight sequence to Daredevil’s seamless incorporation into the fallout from The Avengers, this show has not only broken ground in terms of what a superhero show can be made of, but it has paved the way for Netflix’s other Marvel series. It has set the bar high, and considering Jessica Jones’ hard-hitting premiere run, both companies seem up to taking on the challenge of topping themselves each and every time.
Daredevil season 2 has already added fan-favorite characters to its roster, so the only thing to do now is wait until Matt, Foggy, and Karen are back in our lives.
‘Jessica Jones’ – Donya Abramo
Following hot on the heels of Marvel and Netflix’s critically acclaimed Daredevil, our second outing in Hell’s Kitchen during 2015 had a lot to live up to.
Jessica Jones took a more psychological approach to being a “hero,” as opposed to the brutal physicality of Matt Murdock’s vigilantism. The show tackled some difficult content — from rape and manipulation, to abuse (both of the physical, emotional and substance kind). Much like the titular character herself, Jessica Jones certainly didn’t pull any punches. It was wholly unconcerned with how it made the viewing experience uncomfortable at times, and the show was certainly better for it. That sinking feeling in the pit of our stomachs became familiar by the time the end-credits rolled on the finale.
Related: Supergirl or Jessica Jones? How about Supergirl AND Jessica Jones? (opinion)
While Jessica Jones may not be for everyone, and it’s not a particularly easy watch, it is undeniably important in a world where what happened to Jessica is commonplace — minus the mind control powers, of course. It was far and above the best show I watched during 2015, if only for the way it provided an outlet for the conversation around trauma and rape recovery.
Most women know — or know of — a Kilgrave. Jessica Jones served as a devastating commentary on our own society, set against the backdrop of an unbelievably powerful and varied cast of women, a compelling introduction to one of the most beloved and healthy relationships from Marvel comics, and continued to challenge the status quo of just what a superhero show can be.
‘Sense8’ – Tariq Kyle
When Sense8 premiered it kind of flew under the radar, and actually still is for most people. While it took longer than a lot of other Netflix series to get renewed, it finally did once the world started realizing just how important and amazing it was for the television industry in terms of diversity.
We believe it to be one of the most diverse shows on TV and not only that, but it’s actually really good!
With characters that hail from all over the world (and the show actually filming in those real global locations), that range from transgender, to bisexual, to sexually ambiguous, we believe Sense8 season 2 is going to be an even bigger hit with the internet, and we can’t wait to see what happens next!
‘Quantico’ – Kristina Lintz
It was, once again, a rather drab Fall TV premiere season. Of course we continue to love our dramatic returning shows, but of the new shows, one in particular stood out (to this writer) among the mundane: Quantico.
A rather simple-concept plot with a high-concept execution, we quickly meet Alex Parish, an FBI agent who is framed with blowing up Grand Central. Similar to shows like Lost, the show deals mainly in two timelines: the future (the post-bomb New York City-based timeline) and the present (where Alex and her friends are still FBI recruits at Quantico/in Quantico, VA.)
Related: Why Quantico should be on your must-watch TV list
It’s not Mad Men, or Breaking Bad, or even Scandal, but it is rather unique in the deep, and accurate, look into how the FBI recruits and trains people who want to protect the country. Creator Josh Safran (yes, he’s also responsible for Gossip Girl and Smash) has taken great lengths to ensure the exercises conducted at Quantico are accurate, and when they’re not, that they are altered for a reason. Josh and his team have also developed a penchant for both answering questions quickly and throwing numerous curveballs at viewers.
Plus, since it’s an ABC drama, there are plenty of love triangles, misunderstandings, and amazing costumes to around. Come for the crash course in the FBI, stay for Ryan Booth running around shirtless.
On page 2: ‘Supergirl,’ ‘Agent Carter,’ ‘Mr Robot’ and more!
‘Mr Robot’ – Brook Wentz
Hopefully you’ve heard about Mr Robot by now. It’s definitely gained the attention of many TV connoisseurs out there. But even if it’s already on your radar, I want to make one final push to bump it up your to-watch list.
Mr Robot focuses on the life of Elliot Alderson. He’s a computer hacker with seriously compromised social skills, stuck in a self fulfilling prophesy of constant isolation — a trope we’re all pretty used to hearing by now. But what Mr Robot does to combat this cliché is that it elevates the trope to such a high quality, in such a unique way, that you’re never too certain about anything. No spoilers, but Elliot has some serious mental health issues. And his status as an unreliable narrator keeps audiences on their toes and in constant suspense.
Related: How to talk your friends into watching Mr. Robot, summer’s best new show
While telling this fantastically intriguing story, Mr Robot is doing a thousand other compelling things as well. It’s holding a millennial lens over race, sexuality, sexual identity, friendship, entrepreneurial navigation, duty, self identity… but it never does these things in an overt or tasteless way. It simply holds moments up as examples, defining this generation’s natural view of the world without pointing at it and declaring some sort of stance.
Two tips for watching this show: Don’t binge watch it. It’s a show for savoring and thinking on. It’s too rich to be consumed and appreciated all at once. However, if you do insist on binge watching it, promise that you’ll give it a rewatch as well. You’ll pick up so much more the second time around. Plus, with a second viewing you’ll have a much different perspective on everything as well. So honestly it’s worth a rewatch whether you binge or not.
‘Narcos’ – Katie Awad
Despite hearing only positive things about Narcos, I was a little apprehensive. The constant comparisons to Breaking Bad were somewhat off-putting. I loved Breaking Bad, so how could something that’s so much like it be that good? The truth is, although there are similar elements between the two, like a drug cartel plot line and an ambiguously moral leader, the comparisons stop there.
Narcos is based on the true story of drug lord Pablo Escobar, and the growing distribution of cocaine across the world. If you’re already familiar with Escobar’s escapades, you’ll notice that many of the events in the show are indeed directly pulled from what actually happened.
In a clever creative touch, the show even uses actual footage of Escobar and various events that transpired over the years. It’s a wonderfully subtle way to constantly remind you that what you’re watching is in fact true, even when it seems like it’s just television dramatization.
The characters are generally unlikeable and unsympathetic, but that’s part of the appeal. Episode upon episode is exciting, with so many surprises you’ll give up trying to predict what’s next. It’s definitely a show you’ll want to binge-watch, so try and start when you have a couple of hours free.
‘Blindspot’ – Jennifer Lamoureux
In a Fall TV landscape filled with action shows and the next big thing, Blindspot stood out from the rest. One part Memento, one part Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and a dash of Jason Bourne, Blindspot takes the crime drama to a whole new level.
Jane Doe is discovered, naked in a bag, in Times Square with an FBI agent’s named tattooed on her body. As the story unfolds, each episodes relies on a tattoo as the key to solve the case.
Related: Why we need more shows like Blindspot
The bigger mystery is: Who is Jane Doe really? There are hints that she is an ex-SEAL, although there is no record of her. Or could she be Agent Weller’s long-ago kidnapped friend?
Blindspot makes you think, and just when one question is answered, several more take its place, and you find yourself trying to solve the puzzle of the tattoos along with the characters. The story is well written and intriguing, the secondary characters have depth. Jane Doe is skilfully played by Jamie Alexander, who is at times both a badass, and a woman completely lost.
‘Supergirl’ – Caitlin Kelly
Supergirl is the superhero show we needed, and for more than one reason. Most obvious is its feminism. The show is populated with women who are strong in different ways. We also have women dealing with problems that everyday women face both personally and professionally.
And the show isn’t shy about its feminism. While some complaints have said the show is too over the top with its feminism, I wonder why that’s a bad thing. Why is celebrating women something to complain about? How often do we get to see that in pop culture?
Related: Supergirl winter finale recap: Astra attacks
Another thing that makes Supergirl stand out from its fellow superhero series is its tone. While dark and gritty may rule the day for most superhero stories, Supergirl is bright and shiny. Its titular heroine wears primary colors and flies around the city in broad daylight. She is on the cover of magazines. The show seeks to fill its audience with hope and optimism, and that’s something we could all do with a little more of.
Supergirl may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the fact that Kara is starring in her own television series on the highest rated television network is a huge deal.
‘The Whispers’ – Kristen Kranz
The best new show of 2015 is one that will not see a season 2. That’s right. It’s already been cancelled, and most people probably didn’t even know it was airing. The Whispers was an awesome show that ran this summer on ABC, and was loosely based on a short story written by Ray Bradbury titled, “Zero Hour.”
The show was a thrilling tale of an invisible enemy that used the children of the world as his puppets. He would enter their lives as a friend, then manipulate them to do things they wouldn’t normally do. Their parents, some of which worked for the FBI, spent most of the show trying to keep this alien presence from whatever its goal seemed to be. It wasn’t until the finale that we learned exactly what Drill had planned.
Related: The Whispers officially cancelled by ABC: Our solemn goodbye
The show was equal parts thrilling and moving, and had one of the most original concepts I’ve seen on television in years. The invisible enemy allowed them to save the budget most sci-fi shows spend on special effects and use it to shoot with a talented cast on incredible locations and use practical, realistic effects. The impact of flickering lights to announce the villain’s presence was staggeringly effective, and I still get chills today when my lights flicker for no apparent reason.
I’m still bitter that The Whispers won’t be seeing a season 2, mostly because the show ended on such a shocking high note. They didn’t wimp out with their finale, despite not knowing whether or not there would be more episodes ordered. They went for it, didn’t pull any punches, and the emotional impact of the show hit you square in the gut every time. The Whispers is the best new show of the year, and it shouldn’t be forgotten.
‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ – Selina Wilken
Once upon a time, I watched a lot of TV. Then life happened, and now I keep up with exactly one show (The 100) a week. So I love these limited series that I can binge whenever I happen to have a couple of days off. Luckily (?), earlier this year I found myself bedridden for a week, and what better show to watch when you’re sick than Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt? I absolutely devoured it — and then moved on to Agent Carter, my unofficial fave (since Natalie grabbed that one already).
I have to say, I didn’t unconditionally love Kimmy Schmidt like others seemed to. I didn’t find it hysterically funny, nor did I think it was unproblematic in its various portrayals of women, etc. But I honestly don’t care, because I was so into it.
I loved Kimmy (played by the ever-lovely Ellie Kemper), her optimism was infectious, and I just fell straight into her bubbly, over-enthusiastic world. Maybe it was the sickness talking, but the show was just magical. Uncomplicated and silly in a way that few sitcoms these days manage to be. (Without incurring scorn and instant cancellation, that is. RIP Selfie, I’ll never forget you.)
But to be completely, 100% honest? Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is my favorite show of the year because of the theme song. I effing love that theme song.
‘Agent Carter’ – Natalie Fisher
ABC and Marvel answered the prayers of anyone with good taste by giving Hayley Atwell her own platform in which to showcase the inimitable Peggy Carter, one of Marvel’s finest female characters.
Inspired by the fervent response to the 15 minute Marvel One-Shot, Agent Carter follows Peggy’s work at the SSR in the years immediately following the “death” of Captain America. After serving as a highly respected agent in WWII, Peggy finds herself facing the same struggle that many women did after the war — that their power was only temporary, and that most men would like them to step down and get back in their place.
Related: New Agent Carter season 2 preview takes Peggy on a new adventure
This show combines two of my greatest loves — Captain America and period dramas — but even without the emotional ties to Steve Rogers’ life, Peggy’s story stands on its own that of an ultra-competent yet deeply relatable woman dealing with grief but not letting it define her, fighting for independence and equality, and cleaning up the messes of men.
The addition of Dominic Cooper’s caddish Howard Stark and his long-suffering butler Edwin Jarvis supply Peggy with a couple of allies who know her value, and through the Agent Carter lens, Steve was basically fridged to further Peggy’s journey, which is a nice subversive little twist on the superhero genre.
Agent Carter is the only show of 2015 where I found myself re-watching the previous episode every single week before starting the brand new one — partly so that I’m 100% sure I haven’t missed anything, but mostly because every second I get to spend with Peggy is precious. I’m counting down the days until season 2.