From Netflix's buzzy hits to one of the brightest medical dramas in recent times — our editorial team has selected the best new series of the first half of 2025.
While streaming platforms continue to battle for your attention and screenwriters compete in ingenuity, the first half of 2025 has yielded a real harvest of series that you want to recommend to friends and rewatch yourself. There are returns of cult franchises, unexpected debuts, and plenty of surprises. In this article, we have gathered the brightest, most talked-about, and, most importantly, worthy new releases according to the 'After the Credits' editorial team. Get ready: your watchlist is about to get longer.
«Étoile»
I would like to talk about the series 'Étoile', and accepting the sad fact that we won't see a continuation, I want to talk about the project more and more.
'Étoile' is not a pretentious drama about 'high art', but a subtle, lively, and sometimes ironic comedy about people who live ballet but face the same problems as everyone else: ambitions, fears, conflicts, self-discovery, and the desire to be needed. Each character in the series is a personality with their own weaknesses and dreams, and watching their development is truly interesting. The series masterfully conveys the contrast between French and American approaches to art, work, and life. This is not just a backdrop but a full-fledged part of the plot, making the series especially atmospheric and recognizable. The project was created by Dan and Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creators of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel', and it shows: lots of humor, irony, fast dialogue with pop culture references. Even if you are not a ballet fan, you will find plenty of relatable and recognizable things here.
Top 10 new series of the first half of 2025 according to Evgenia Smykova:
- The Pitt
- Gross Pointe Garden Society
- Étoile
- Dexter: Original Sin
- Adolescence
- The Studio
- The Outsource
- The Lesson
- Hypnosis
- Ghost Hunters
«Paradise»
In 'Paradise', everything starts like a classic political thriller: the head of the US President's security service, Xavier Collins, finds his boss dead. Questions multiply faster than suspects: who killed the president, why are the cameras off, and what is going on? However, by the end of the first episode, it becomes clear that the detective intrigue is just a cover for much larger secrets. Flashbacks, ominous hints, and skeletons in the closet for each character turn the investigation into a real quest through the labyrinth of human memory and collective sins.
'Paradise' deftly juggles genres: here you have a tense thriller, a family drama, a philosophical parable about power, survival, and the price of illusions, and ultimately a dystopia (but we'll avoid spoilers). Each episode throws up new mysteries, and the script doesn't let you relax for a minute: what seemed obvious turns upside down. Visually, the show looks expensive and atmospheric, and the cast is a separate treat for the eyes: Marsden as the president is charismatic even in flashbacks, and Brown masterfully maintains the dramatic bar. Yes, there are occasional dips in pace, but when 'Paradise' picks up speed, it hits so hard that you want to rewatch not only individual scenes but also your own ideas about good and evil.
Top 10 new series of the first half of 2025 according to Roman Kovalev:
- Adolescence
- Seasons
- The Outsource
- Friends and Neighbors
- The Studio
- Cold Case
- Paradise
- Narcotics
- The Best Sister
- Duster
«When Life Gives You Tangerines»
An atypical melodrama and not just a historical family drama, but a real immersion into the memory of an entire generation. The K-drama unfolds on Jeju Island and spans half a century — from the 1960s to the present day — showing how society, the era, and the fates of ordinary people change, conveyed through the prism of one family.
Its uniqueness, perhaps, lies in its themes and visual poetry: all those wide shots of night scenes where stars reflect in the helmets of haenyeo (you'll watch and find out what that is), the warm color palette of the camera. Everything is shot very meticulously. The story itself is more about the internal transformations of people, like a flow that leaves behind memories and impressions. And that most often means tears. South Korean authors know how to create a strong plot with social subtext. Heartfelt, visually enveloping, meaningful, and simply life itself, with its peaceful flow.
Top 10 new series of the first half of 2025 according to Larisa Polshikova:
- Adolescence
- The Pitt
- Cold Case
- When Life Gives You Tangerines
- Karma
- Eternaut
- Daredevil: Born Again
- The Outsource
- Devil May Cry
- Killerbot
«Win or Lose»
The special feature of this series is that each episode tells the story of one character's life, their experiences, and views on what happens in the week leading up to the game. The series presents all the key members of a softball team (similar to baseball) preparing for the state championship: players, their parents, the coach, and even the umpire. Each story is unique and contains deep emotions that are originally expressed visually, like a metaphor. For example, the head umpire, confident in his impartiality, faces aggression from the fans. So he mentally dons knight's armor that protects him from verbal attacks. However, this cocoon he creates begins to limit his life and communication with others, as he believes everyone is trying to pull him to their side.
Although the main characters of the animated series are children, it touches on themes that are not always childlike. For example, first love and first breakups. Also, parental divorce or the need to raise children alone while trying not to lose one's individuality and self-fulfillment. 'Win or Lose' is a therapeutic series in the tradition of Pixar, suitable for both family and individual viewing.
Top 10 new series of the first half of 2025 according to Evgeny Aniskovich:
- The Studio
- The Pitt
- Win or Lose
- American Primeval
- Gangsterland
- Adolescence
- Overheard in Rybinsk
- I'm Dying for Sex
- The Outsource
- Chemistry Between Us
«The Pitt»
It would seem that it's hard to come up with something new in medical dramas; everything has been shown long ago. The only way to surprise is with the protagonist's profession or their unique skills and traits. But the creators of 'The Pitt' came up with a new format for medical dramas, delighting fans of the genre. But most importantly, using the format '1 episode = 1 hour of a shift', they managed to delve into the soul of each team member, resulting in far fewer 'cardboard' characters than usual in medical procedurals.
At the same time, the series does not lag in terms of events: the number of incidents per square meter is off the charts. And through the stories of patients — the most diverse, since the emergency room accepts absolutely everyone — the authors discuss various topics: from the death of a child due to stupidity and saying goodbye to loved ones to human trafficking and a shooting at a festival. Thus, the story of one workday in the ER at a hospital in Pittsburgh turned into one of the best medical dramas of recent years.
Top 10 new series of the first half of 2025 according to Nadezhda Vasilyeva:
- The Pitt
- I'm Dying for Sex
- The Studio
- Eternaut
- Friends and Neighbors
- Adolescence
- Cold Case
- Murder with a Smile
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Most Valuable Player
«Adolescence»
, which captivated viewers with its single-shot filming, revealed itself through stunning acting and a great story.
'Adolescence' is that rare gem from Netflix capable of not only riveting you to the screen but also deeply affecting you. Ultimately, the series becomes a cruel and bitter refle
Open materialA 13-year-old boy is accused of murdering a classmate, and each of the four episodes shows the perspective of different characters on this crime. Not only the parents and acquaintances of the protagonist but also the psychologist who closely interacts with the boy as part of the investigation. Owen Cooper, who plays the arrested boy, is a great find by the casting directors. Stephen Graham as the father is incredibly convincing. And the stunning sound design elegantly complements the story.
Top 10 new series of the first half of 2025 according to Valeria Fomina:
- Adolescence
- Eternaut
- Paradise
- Killerbot
- Étoile
- Sherlock and Daughter
- Narcotics
- Gangsterland
- Dangerous Numbers
- Friends and Neighbors
Bonus
«The Studio»
'The Studio' is an impeccable, very funny, and relevant satire, a perfect balance of humor, soul, and style, which rightfully makes it one of the best series of 2025. At the center of the plot is the head of the fictional Hollywood studio Continental, Matt Remick, who tries to put art above business and profit (or at least balance them) in a world where it's becoming increasingly difficult to do so.
A very talented cast led by Seth Rogen and a huge number of 'star' cameos (from Martin Scorsese and Steve Buscemi to Zoe Kravitz and Dave Franco), and each episode is built like a mini-movie that keeps you on edge and is filled with witty lines and references that fly by so fast you can't look away. The series mocks the obsession with franchises and brands but doesn't lose faith in art. A wonderful ode to Hollywood, and at the same time its ruthless X-ray. And of course, don't forget to say 'thank you' to Matt Remick!
What best new series of the first half of 2025 have you watched? Write in the comments!
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