Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92 per cent

IMDb rating: 7.4

Created by: Erica Lipez

Cast: Joey King, Logan Lerman, Henry Lloyd-Hughes

No. of episodes: 8

Approx. duration of each episode: 50 minutes

Synopsis: The Kurcs — comprising Halina Kurc (King), Addy Kurc (Lerman) and Genek Kurc (Lloyd-Hughes) as the youngest, middle and oldest siblings, respectively — live a prosperous life in Poland in the late 1930s. Though the Jewish family’s high status in society protects them from the rising anti-Semitism, the ensuing World War II separates them, scattering the Kurcs across Europe. Despite the horrors of the Holocaust, they hold firm, with the surviving members searching for each other after the war ends and the Nazis are defeated.

Why you should watch it: Like many such stories, We Were the Lucky Ones explores themes of love, loss and the indomitable human spirit in most adverse circumstances. Powerful and emotionally resonant, this series tells a remarkable story very well indeed. If you lost faith in King after The Kissing Booth movies (I know I did), this series will reinforce it. She is splendid here.

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 92 per cent

IMDb rating: 7.3

Created by: Ben Vanstone

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Johnny Harris, Leah Harvey

No. of episodes: 11

Approx. duration of each episode: 55 minutes

Synopsis: It’s 1922. In the new political entity called the Soviet Union, aristocrat Count Alexander Rostov (McGregor) is deemed a threat by the Bolsheviks. He faces an unusual punishment. He will spend the rest of his days in the lavish Metropol Hotel in Moscow. If it sounds not too bad, he will not live in a hotel room, but in a cramped attic room and most of his possessions are now public property. Despite all that, the Count bears it all with ease and grace. He also refuses to let the circumstances break him.

Why you should watch it: The novel tells a beautiful story about resilience and finding beauty in limitations. The show does a swell job of depicting it on the screen. McGregor is superb in the role.

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 93 per cent

IMDb rating: 8.4

Created by: Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner

Cast: Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, Walton Goggins

No. of episodes: 9

Approx. duration of each episode: 1 hour

Synopsis: Set in an alternate-history post-apocalyptic Earth turned into a wasteland after a nuclear war in 2077, the story chiefly follows three characters, whose storylines eventually intersect: Lucy MacLean (Purnell), Maximus (Moten), and Cooper Howard (Goggins), also known as The Ghoul. While Lucy is a naïve young woman who ventures for the first time into the surface world to rescue her kidnapped father, Maximus is a squire of the Brotherhood of Steel who dreams of becoming a knight. The Ghoul, who has somehow lived for more than two centuries, searches for his family.

Why you should watch it: In the series, based on the video game franchise of the same name, the makers have crafted an original storyline in the franchise sandbox that captures the essence of the games in spirit if not in body. Fallout is one of the best video game adaptations ever made. This is a fresh and engaging story that will impress both fans and newcomers. Purnell, Moten and Goggins are all outstanding. Goggins, in particular, gives a performance here that in an ideal world would be star-making.

Read more: Fallout shocking ending explained

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 94 per cent

IMDb rating: 8.3

Created by: Conan O’Brien

Cast: Conan O’Brien, Jarle Wallevik, Sebastian

No. of episodes: 10

Approx. duration of each episode: 55 minutes

Synopsis: By far the most entertaining of all comedians, Conan O’Brien goes beyond the confines of traditional late-night television in this show, which includes the same-old jokes, banter, wit and spontaneous humour that he is known for. But there are also daring escapades into remote corners of the globe and other uncharted territories. He also meets his fans around the world, traces his roots in Ireland, and much more.

Why you should watch it: In Conan O’Brien Must Go, it is refreshing to see him breaking free from the typical studio format and go out in the wild world. The show just lets Conan be Conan, and it’s glorious.

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 94 per cent

IMDb rating: 7.7

Created by: Michelle King, Robert King

Cast: Carrie Preston, Carra Patterson, Wendell Pierce

No. of episodes: 11

Approx. duration of each episode: 55 minutes

Synopsis: A spinoff of The Good Wife (2009–2016), Elsbeth follows the adventures and misadventures of Chicago attorney Elsbeth Tascioni (Preston). She is sent to New York ostensibly to observe the police department. But her real mission is to investigate corruption and catch criminals within the force. Each episode goes into a different case and details Elsbeth’s unorthodox methods.

Why you should watch it: If you like gripping legal dramas with mystery and intrigue, this series is perfect for you. A nice blend of courtroom drama and detective work, Preston and Patterson give stellar performances.

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 96 per cent

IMDb rating: 7.5

Created by: Bernadette Higgins, Felicity Morris

Cast: Denise Huskins, Aaron Quinn, Henry Lee

No. of episodes: 3

Approx. duration of each episode: 45 minutes

Synopsis: A true crime docuseries, American Nightmare explores the shocking and shockingly true case of Denise Huskins’ kidnapping. In 2015, she was kidnapped in Vallejo, California, from her home while her boyfriend was left tied up. However, that was just the beginning of her troubles. After her return two days later, Denise said she had freed herself and run away, the police suspected that the couple had staged the whole thing. The case was even called real-life Gone Girl. Denise was labelled a liar. The three-part series follows the couple’s struggle to be believed and clear their names.

Why you should watch it: This series is a gripping and frightening look at a real case that both captivated and bemused the public. If you like true crime, you will not find a better series this year.

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 98 per cent

IMDb rating: 7.8

Created by: Richard Gadd

Cast: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Tom Goodman-Hill

No. of episodes: 7

Approx. duration of each episode: 35 minutes

Synopsis: This dark comedy thriller series follows Donny Dunn (Gadd), a bartender who dreams of becoming a comedian. One night, he offers tea to a sad-looking customer called Martha. But the gesture sparks an unhealthy obsession in her, and she begins to stalk him both in the real world and on social media. We also learn that Gadd was sexually assaulted by his mentor, Darrie O’Connor (Goodman-Hill).

Why you should watch it: The show explores themes of stalking, sexual assault and the challenges men face when coming forward about these issues. Based on Gadd’s own experiences, the script is an autobiographical one-man show. Not only are Donny’s troubles and trauma morbidly entertaining and thrilling, but the series is also horror in the way it gets under your skin. It also has an uncanny knack for blending dark humour with intense psychological drama.

Read more: The true story behind Baby Reindeer

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 99 per cent

IMDb rating: 8.7

Created by: Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks

Cast: Hiroyuki Sanada, Cosmo Jarvis, Anna Sawai

No. of episodes: 10

Approx. duration of each episode: 1 hour

Synopsis: In 1600, an English navigator John Blackthorne (Jarvis) finds himself stranded in Japan after a shipwreck. Against his wishes, he becomes involved in the political intrigues of the country and must survive using his wits and by proving his usefulness to Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Sanada), a powerful warlord. Since Blackthorne knows the outer world and more advanced weaponry, he may turn the tide in Toranaga’s upcoming war for the control of Japan. Also in the mix is Lady Toda Mariko (Sawai), a noblewoman in the employ of Toranaga with a dark past.

Why you should watch it: This series has been adapted from James Clavell’s novel of the same name, but it is based on actual events and characters. Shōgun is simply the pinnacle of scripted television this year, and I am not exaggerating. Despite its immersive world-building, cinematography and action, its focus is on the basics: storytelling and characters.

Read more: Chek out the Lifestyle Asia review of Shōgun

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100 per cent

IMDb rating: 8.2

Created by: Park Ji-eun (writer), Kim Hee-won (director), Jang Young-woo (director)

Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon

No. of episodes: 16

Approx. duration of each episode: 1 hour

Synopsis: Baek Hyun-Woo (Soo-hyun) and Hong Hae-In (Ji-won) look like a seemingly perfect married couple. Cracks begin to show in the seemingly perfect façade of their relationship which enters a period of uncertainty. As the show continues, the couple goes on a journey of self-discovery. They are forced to grapple with the reasons that are behind their marital discord. Will they be able to rekindle the love that brought them together? This is the question the show is all about, exploring themes of love, loss and the importance of communication in relationships.

Why you should watch it: This show has been one of the most talked-about K-dramas of the year, and rightly so. It throws viewers right into the messy realities of a marriage on the brink. More than the spark that brings people together, it tackles the disillusionment couples face after the honeymoon phase.

Read more: The highest-rated tvN dramas of all time

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 100 per cent

IMDb rating: 7.9

Created by: Nanami Higuchi, Yu Sato, Kimiko Ueno

Cast: Kentarô Kumagai, Sayaka Senbongi, Asuna Tomari, Hiroshi Naka

No. of episodes: 24

Approx. duration of each episode: 26 minutes

Synopsis: Broke adventurer Laios (Kumagai) must go back to a dungeon overrun by monsters to save his sister who was swallowed by a dragon. He discovers that the dungeon’s creatures are not just his enemies but also delicious. He, along with his friends, Chilchuck Tims (Tomari) and Marcille Donato (Senbongi), meet Senshi (Naka), a dwarf who says he has many years of experience subsisting on gorging on monsters.

Why you should watch it: This series takes the classic fantasy adventure setup and gives it a delightful twist with a generous helping of humour. The animation and visuals are gorgeous, and the world-building goes deeper than what you would expect from an animated series with such a flippant tone.