The year 2025 proved to be a monumental one for television, with series generating viral memes, fuelling national debates, and captivating audiences across the United Kingdom and beyond. From dystopian thrillers to sun-soaked satires and nostalgic finales, the small screen offered an unparalleled range of stories. Here is a look at the shows that defined the viewing year.
Dystopian Drama and Tropical Satire Lead Critical Acclaim
The year began with the highly anticipated return of Apple TV's Severance for its second series. The dystopian thriller, directed by Ben Stiller, continued the story of Mark (Adam Scott) and his colleagues at Lumon, whose memories are surgically split between work and home. Picking up from the explosive first series finale, the new episodes delved deeper as Mark's attempted rebellion uncovered more secrets, including the shocking revelation that his wife Gemma was alive. The series was a critical juggernaut, securing 27 Emmy nominations and winning eight awards.
Audiences then traded clinical office lighting for the Thai sunshine with the third series of Mike White's The White Lotus. This instalment transported a new group of affluent guests and staff to a luxurious wellness resort, exploring themes of spirituality and materialism. The peace swiftly unravelled into dysfunction and death. Featuring a star-studded cast including Aimee Lou Wood, Jason Isaacs, Walton Goggins, and Parker Posey, the series earned six Golden Globe and 23 Emmy nominations.
British Productions Spark National Conversation
Netflix's powerful British drama Adolescence became one of the year's most talked-about and nominated shows. Co-created by Stephen Graham, the four-part series followed 13-year-old Jamie (Owen Cooper) after his arrest on suspicion of murdering a classmate. Graham played Jamie's father, Eddie, who discovers the horrifying extent of the accusations during a police interview.
The programme examined the dangerous world of incel (involuntary celibate) culture, online misogyny, and social media bullying, prompting a vital national conversation about online safety. Its impact was so significant that creators Graham and Jack Thorne were invited to a parliamentary meeting on the subject by Labour MP Josh MacAlister. Technically, the show also made headlines as each hour-long episode was filmed in one continuous shot. Owen Cooper made history as the youngest-ever male Emmy winner for his performance.
Meanwhile, the BBC scored a major ratings hit with The Celebrity Traitors. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the celebrity edition set in the Scottish Highlands featured stars like Stephen Fry, Tom Daley, Celia Imrie, and Alan Carr competing in the game of deception for charity. The dramatic finale saw traitor Alan Carr deceive the faithfuls to claim victory. The launch attracted over six million viewers, with the final episode peaking at an impressive 12 million.
Streaming Giants Deliver Nostalgia and Record Viewership
The summer belonged to the heartfelt coming-of-age story The Summer I Turned Pretty, which concluded its three-series run in September. Based on Jenny Han's YA novels, the show followed Lola Tung as Belly Conklin navigating first love, grief, and a love triangle with the Fisher brothers (Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno). Backed by a Taylor Swift-heavy soundtrack, the show divided the internet into 'Team Conrad' and 'Team Jeremiah'. Its final series was a global phenomenon, becoming the number one show on Netflix in over 120 countries and drawing 25 million views in its first week. A feature film follow-up, written and directed by Han, was subsequently announced.
The year closed with the beginning of the end for a global phenomenon. Stranger Things returned for its fifth and final series, split into three volumes. The sci-fi drama, set in the 1980s, saw the town of Hawkins under military quarantine as the government intensified its hunt for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), while the villain Vecna remained at large. The final chapter, starring Winona Ryder and David Harbour, began in November, with Volume Two released on Boxing Day and the series finale scheduled for New Year's Day, bringing an era to a close.
In summary, 2025's television landscape was marked by high-stakes drama, societal impact, and record-breaking audiences. These shows not only provided top-tier entertainment but also reflected and influenced the cultural conversations of the year, proving the enduring power of the small screen.
