Top TV of 2019: 20 to 11 - THE SEQUEL ZONE
Yes, numbers 20 to 11 are (almost) all sequel seasons. The shows that didn’t suffer terminal sequelitis.
20) Young Sheldon 3 (E4) - As the show diversified, spending more time on the rest of the family than Sheldon, there was a worry it would lose its appeal, but it’s become stronger as the rest of the characters become just as interesting, and funny, as the eponymous star. Laugh out loud episodes still outnumbering soapy ones.
19) Motherland 2 (BBC) - Losing the divisive Graham Linehan hasn’t hurt this series, which has drilled further into the surrounding cast, making them all the more interesting. Again laughs are winning out, and no one writers’ style seeming to dominate (Sharon Horgan, Holly Walsh, Helen Linehan and Burunka O’Shaughnessy sharing equal credit).
18) Killing Eve 2 (BBC) - At points we were worried that the loss of Phoebe Waller Bridge as writer would cause this to lose its edge, but it retained the magic. Still manages to be more drama than travelogue. Interesting to find that show runner Emerald Fennell is, if anything, even posher than her predecessor. We can expect actual royalty to be writing the next series.
17) Fleabag 2 (BBC) - This has topped an awful lot of peoples TV of the year lists, which is fair, but was it really that much better than everything else? Charming and funny, yes, and better than its first series, which is rare. But still, try not to get carried away with the mob, was it the best TV of the year? Really?
16) Derry Girls 2 (Channel 4) - Another series that grew with confidence and managed to be even better than its first. In danger of becoming either formulaic or soapy, but marvellous while it’s on a roll like this (all written by Lisa McGee).
15) Glow 3 (Netflix) - Three seasons in and it’s still got it. It’s not got the novelty it had, but its squeezed so much juice out of the range of characters and delivered some of the best TV moments on the year. And full marks for getting as much into each 30 minute episode that too many shows stretch to 45.
14) End of the F-ing World 2 (Channel 4) - This show demonstrates how you can take it slowly, keep the dialogue minimal, have extreme longeurs and silences, and make it work. Surprisingly giving the story and characters a new life after what seemed like a terminal end of series one, another brilliant exploiter of the 30 minute slot (in fact they’re less than 25 minutes per episode, meaning you have to blitz two at a time, which is always satisfying). NB: It was only when researching for this listing I discovered Charlie Covell, the writer’s, full name is Charlotte.
13) Catch 22 (Channel 4) - Not a sequel, but it’s got numbers in its name so I figure I sneak it into this section and no-one notices. (Also one sequel was so good it had to make the Top Ten). Another hard book to do justice to, but this did it brilliantly (adapted by two Australians, one of whom was only famous till now as a poet. Who knew?) Having to give the novel, and Mike Nichols’ movie, a run for their money, it succeeded splendidly.
12) Mum 3 (BBC) - A perfect end to a fantastic series, the third set of stories, set across one week in one location, rounded off this piece of minimalist TV comedy in exemplary style. Like Abigail’s Party 40 years on, a masterpiece of comic tension, character writing (Stefan Goleszowski) and acting.
11) The Crown 3 (Netflix) - Some shows know how to use an hour’s screen time, and The Crown’s Peter Morgan does it best. Every episode is a stand-alone film, and the fact they have managed 10 a year for three years is nothing short of miraculous. Season 3 suffers from the gear-change of the recasting, with faces like Helena Bonham Carter and Olivia Colman bringing slightly too much familiarity with them to the roles, but Jason Watkin’s Harold Wilson makes up for any qualms. Any single episode could qualify as TV of the year, especially Aberfan, and if I wasn’t being a stickler for keeping (almost) all sequel seasons in this zone, it’d be higher.
NB: It’s only after totting up this stretch of the chart that I realise the above ten shows are mostly written and show-run by women (Young Sheldon, Mum, Catch 22 and The Crown bucking the trend). This can only be A Good Thing.
Which brings us to my Top Ten TV of 2019…
Top TV of 2019 - Lost It, Also Rans, & Hast Thou Got Crops In Jethro?
Kev F Sutherland, as well as writing and drawing for The Beano, Marvel, Doctor Who et al, runs Comic Art Masterclasses in schools, libraries and art centres - email for details, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. View the promo video here.
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