Series results of 2025. The best of the best and not only.

This year we cried over a teen drama shot in one take and admired how Vince Gilligan outsmarted everyone again. We said goodbye to 'Squid Game' and welcomed the long-awaited return of 'Andor'. In short, there's plenty to remember, so let's sum up the series results of 2025 and hand out nominations to the best of the best (and not only).​

Everyone Watched of the Year — 'Adolescence'

For the four-episode drama shot in one take about a 13-year-old teenager accused of killing a classmate, which became the most talked-about hit on Netflix.​

Best Mini-Series — 'Outsource'

For its uncompromising story, truthful atmosphere, and philosophical questions under the guise of a crime thriller.​

Surprise of the Year — 'The Studio'

For 23 Emmy nominations and a caustic, relevant, and at times unexpectedly touching look at how hard it is to love cinema when it becomes your job.​

Best Male Role — Stephen Graham ('Adolescence')

Alternatives: Michael C. Hall ('Dexter: Resurrection'), Diego Luna ('Andor'), Seth Rogen ('The Studio'), Noah Wyle ('The Pitt')

For a powerful performance as a father desperately trying to protect his son.​

Apple TV of the Year — 'One of Many'

For the return of Vince Gilligan, who once again set the bar for quality drama and reminded us why he is the king of the television genre.​

Best Female Role — Michelle Williams ('Dying for Sex')

Alternatives: Megan Fahy ('Sirens'), Rhea Seehorn ('One of Many'), Marina Alexandrova ('Breathe'), Jenna Ortega ('Wednesday')

For creating a memorable character that showcased new facets of her talent.​

Dialogue of the Year — 'Severance'

For 27 Emmy nominations and the ability to ask more questions than it answers, keeping viewers on edge.​

Sensation of the Year — 'The White Lotus' (Season 3)

For Mike White once again using a winning formula and proving that satire of rich Americans never gets old.​

Didn't Work, No Luck of the Year — 'Alien: Earth'

For the high expectations from the franchise's first series, which remained just expectations.​

Finale of the Year — 'Squid Game'

For a controversial but worthy conclusion to the saga that conquered the world.​

WTF of the Year — 'The Residence'

For a detective story in the White House that looked cooler on paper than on screen.​

Wow, So Atmospheric of the Year — 'Andor' (Season 2)

For a mature and politically thoughtful military-spy drama that became the best project in the 'Star Wars' franchise.​

Comeback of the Year — 'Wednesday' (Season 2)

For the long-awaited return of Tim Burton's gothic heroine.​

Socially Significant Series of the Year — 'The Pitt'

For winning an Emmy nomination for Best Drama Series and a realistic look at the medical system.​

Best Russian Series — 'Comeback'

For a high rating of 8.1 on Kinopoisk and making it into the top of the best domestic projects of the year.​

Animated Series of the Year — 'The Mighty Nine'

For its adapted D&D atmosphere and visual extravaganza.​

Comedy of the Year — 'The Studio'

For a confident balance between drama and comedy and a triumph at the Emmys.​

Detective of the Year — 'Department Q'

For an engaging plot that you want to watch in one sitting, from the first to the last episode.​

K-Drama of the Year — 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'

For its simplicity and depth.

Farewell of the Year — 'Stranger Things' (Final Season)

For concluding a cult story that the whole world followed.​

Classic That Returned — 'Dexter: Resurrection'

For the return of the beloved serial killer with a 9.0 rating on IMDb.​

Technical Triumph of the Year — 'Severance'

For 27 Emmy nominations, including technical categories, setting a record for the year.​

Sci-Fi of the Year — 'One of Many'

For the most atypical alien invaders of the year.​

Thriller of the Year — 'Slow Horses'

For another Emmy nomination and proof that spy games are still in fashion.​

Comfort of the Year — 'The King of Golf'

For practical advice, positivity, and continuity with series like 'Ted Lasso' and 'Therapy'.​

Anthology of the Year — 'Black Mirror'

For the episode about the unending Mandela effect, which once again blew viewers' minds.​

Monster of the Year — 'Monster: The Story of Ed Gein'

For an unexpected Charlie Hunnam and further proof that Ryan Murphy knows how to make buzzworthy projects.​

Most Anticipated Continuation — 'The Last of Us'

For following the source material's plot and uncompromising decisions.​

Most Stylish Series of the Year — 'Severance'

For its luxurious direction and attention to detail.​

Most Emotional Farewell — 'Cobra Kai'

For the finale that reconciled characters with the past and resolved all conflicts, even those not developed in 'The Karate Kid'.​

Opening of the Year — 'It: Welcome to Derry'

Alternative: Peacemaker — for another awesome dance.

For the melody that got stuck in your head.

Anime Opening of the Year — 'Devil May Cry'

For a triumph of nostalgia. Instead of classic J-pop or an original anime track, the creators used the legendary hit Limp Bizkit — 'Rollin''.

TikTok Trend of the Year — Scene with Jon Hamm from 'Friends and Neighbors'

For a viral trend online set to the song 'Turn the Lights Off'.

Couple of the Year — Chelsea and Rick ('The White Lotus')

Alternative: Max and Lucas ('Stranger Things') — for the most mature and honest conclusion to a teenage love story. Noah and Joanne from 'Nobody Wants This' — continue to inspire with a healthy relationship.

For an example of love without filters and a true display of sincerity.

Bromance of the Year — Steve and Dustin ('Stranger Things')

Alternative: Carmy and Richie ('The Bear', Season 4) — toxic 'bromance-survival'. 

For one of the warmest and most enduring bromances on modern TV. A friendship that over ten years became the emotional anchor of the entire series.

Series Crush of the Year — Charlie Cox from 'Daredevil: Born Again'

Alternative: Matthew Goode — 'Department Q' — for those who love an intellectual and cold type. Owen Cooper (Jamie) — 'Adolescence' — 'The new Timothée Chalamet' for zoomers and alphas.

For Matt Murdock being the only man who can be forgiven for everything. The suit, impeccable stubble, and the image of a blind lawyer fighting for justice — it's a classic that worked with renewed force in 2025.

Female Crush of the Year — Isabela Merced from 'The Last of Us'

Alternative: Sydney Chandler ('Alien: Earth') — a new sci-fi genre icon. Britt Lower ('Severance') — once again captivated viewers' minds. Sadie Sink ('Stranger Things') — for becoming a strong female character and a role model for many girls. Stubborn and bright Ae-ju (IU) from 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'.

Isabela did a good job (considering fan feedback) embodying the character of Dina — a brave, charming, and emotionally mature young woman.

Anime Crush of the Year — Sung Jinwoo ('Solo Leveling')

For his transformation from the 'weakest hunter' into a cold and powerful leader that captivated viewers. 

Best Supporting Character of the Year — Rich Santos ('It: Welcome to Derry')

Alternative: Derek ('Stranger Things') — the one who starred in the mayonnaise commercial.

For becoming the 'heart' of the prequel. His tragic backstory and charisma so captivated viewers that the internet is demanding a separate spin-off.

Tim Burton of the Year — Isaac Knight ('Wednesday')

For gothic naivety and the feeling that Tim Burton is still invisibly present in the frame. And the visual resemblance to Victor Van Dort from 'Corpse Bride'. His presence brought back the dark aesthetic that fans missed in the first season.

Villain of the Year — Pennywise ('It: Welcome to Derry')

Bill Skarsgård returned to prove: Pennywise is not just a clown, but the embodiment of ancient evil. 

Musician of the Year — Mr. Milchick ('Severance')

For the scene with the marching band in the Lumon office, which instantly went viral. The absurd dance and music spawned thousands of remixes on TikTok. 

Acting Scene of the Year — Rhea Seehorn in 'One of Many'

For the finest play of contrasts, pain, and irony. Critics are already predicting all possible awards for this five-minute fragment.

Breakthrough of the Year (Character) — Will Byers

The resolution of Will's arc became one of the most emotionally satisfying moments for fans. For perhaps the most positively memorable moment of the final season.

Traumatic Experience of the Year — Joel's Death ('The Last of Us')

Despite gamers knowing the outcome of this character's story, for TV viewers the scene was an emotional catastrophe. 

Most Unexpected Twist of the Year — 'We Were Liars'

The finale was a shock for those unfamiliar with the source material. For masterfully built suspense that made viewers believe in a summer romance, only to break their hearts with harsh reality at the end.

Series of the Year by Level of Collective Burnout — 'The Bear'

For the eternal question: why is watching it so painful — and so good.

Phrase of the Year: 'We are not horses, we are people!' ('Squid Game')

Gi-hun utters these words in the finale of the first part, realizing that he and the other participants have become mere 'toys' or 'horses' for the entertainment of VIPs, betting on their lives like a horse race.

Love Confession of the Year — 'The Summer I Turned Pretty'

For finally making up her mind.

Best Premiere Episode of the Year — 'It: Welcome to Derry'

For the unexpected. Even if children are on the series poster, it doesn't mean they are safe.

Best Speech of the Year — Mon Mothma ('Andor')

Her speech in the Senate — a note for all speechwriters. For a powerful statement about the price of freedom.

Breakthrough of the Year — 'Fierce Rivalry'

For the incredible chemistry between characters and the love for a Russian hockey player (unexpectedly). A series that became the television event of the year and went beyond the sports drama genre.

Social Manifesto of the Year — 'It's All Her Fault'

For the scene describing the 'mental load' of all mothers. 

Girl of the Year — Cherry ('My Son's Girlfriend')

For an incredibly twisted confrontation with the mother-in-law and a shocking level of manipulation. And the title of 'most dangerous bride of the year'. 

Most Meme-Worthy Character of the Year — Parker Posey in 'The White Lotus'

For a new standard of 'lyrical shock'. Scenes with Victoria — her frozen face in response to guests' crazy requests and a ridiculous joke about an impending tsunami — became a universal response to any bad news on social media.

Crime Drama of the Year — 'The Assignment'

For its poignant realism and for turning a standard detective story into a deep exploration of fatherhood, faith, and male crisis. Phenomenal performance by Mark Ruffalo.

Character Return of the Year — Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag Jr. ('Peacemaker')

For the most talked-about cameo, bringing back the spirit of the classic 'Suicide Squad' to DC.

Creepiest Debut of the Year — Eye Sheep ('Alien: Earth')

Alternative: Insectoid Baby — 'It: Welcome to Derry'

It's a sheep taken over by a parasitic life form that disguises itself as a giant eyeball. The 'Eye' can kill people in the most disgusting ways. The creature turned out to be frighteningly intelligent: it can plan its actions and even communicate with xenomorphs.

Best Billboard — 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians'

Disney+ marketing reached a new level of immersion. 3D billboards with monsters bursting out of the water appeared in New York and London.

Acquisition of the Year — Netflix Buys Warner Bros. Discovery

The major tectonic shift of the industry. It's being discussed not as a business deal, but as 'the end of the television era'. The merger raises concerns about a monopoly on content.

What are your series results of 2025? Share in the comments in our telegram channel.

Compiled by:

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on_looker Larisa Polishikova

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Roman Kovalev Roman Kovalev