The 7 best (and 3 worst) TV shows of 2023

Heartstopper

Heartstopper wasn’t just the best comic book show of the year, it was one of the very best TV shows of the whole year. If you’ve watched it, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, because Netflix’s little-show-that-could returned with a vengeance for its second season. A sweet, lovable vengeance, but a vengeance nonetheless.

The first season of Heartstopper is so beloved because it told a coming-of-age story about queer teens in a refreshingly uplifting and positive way, all while producing one of the most joyous shows of last year. It was simple but very, very sweet. And though its second season offered up a slightly more complicated narrative, it never lost that sweetness and innocence that makes Heartstopper what it is.

Season 2 places more of a focus on Nick as he tries to figure out how – and when – to come out on his own terms, while also still focusing on his relationship with Charlie. The latter also has his own struggles, with the introduction of his brother complicating things and his own school grades beginning to suffer. That doesn’t even take into account the Paris trip, during which the pair struggle with keeping their love a secret.

Heartstopper season 2 certainly tackles more than its predecessor and that is helped by the fact that it’s more of an ensemble piece, but it manages to do it all in the same way that it did before; highlighting the beauty of young love and remaining a beacon of hope for queer youths.

It’s so undeniably Heartstopper, and that’s why we love it (even more now!).

Verdict: BEST

Which of the genre TV shows to air in 2023 have been your favorites? What did you think was the worst of the year’s TV shows?