5 unique TV shows from 2022 you HAVE to watch before 2023

2022 has been a huge year for TV shows, as far as releases go. Not only did the long-discussed Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon drop, but at the same time, the year saw the release of a controversial Lord of the Rings prequel as well, in The Rings of Power.

This was also the year for some unexpected hits, such as the Jeffrey Dahmer biography that completely took over for a while. Mike Flanagan launched yet another successful Netflix series in time for October, in the same year that he parted ways with the company.

Overall, with the movement in the entertainment world, this was an unforgettable year. With 2022 drawing to a close, let’s take a look at some of the most unique TV shows from the year that everyone should absolutely watch – at least once.

These shows stood out from the crowd the most, and some of them even went under the radar.

1. Most unique TV shows of the year: The Patient – Hulu

Steve Carell is best known for his comedic roles in TV shows like The Office, and his role as himself on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. While he has had success on films too, for him, it’s mostly been in comedy.

Thus, when the psychological thriller came out in the form of The Patient, fans didn’t know quite what to expect. However, once it was done, it has been seen as one of the best critical successes of his career, with an approval rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Carell pulled off a masterful performance as a therapist who is held captive by one of his patients, a serial killer. The patient, played by Domhnall Gleeson, appears to want to no longer need to kill.

The tension and subtle humor in some of the scenes, combined with the short episodes of around 20 minutes, make this a must-watch show.

2. Most unique TV shows of the year: Severance – Apple TV+

Severance might be one of the most surrealistic shows of 2023. With Ben Stiller and Dan Erickson as the minds behind the show, it sees office employees undergo a procedure where they cannot access their personal memories when they are at work.

They only get back their personal memories and feelings when they get back home. However, when the workers try to seek some answers as to what exactly they are doing, things start to take a turn into a thriller.

The finale of this show makes it one of the most unique and crazy TV shows of the year.

3. Most unique TV shows of the year: Heartstopper – Netflix

This was the year that everyone fell in love with Netflix’s Heartstopper.  Following the content of the comic, the show seems to combine sweet stories with optimism not often seen in coming-of-age shows in the era of Euphoria. 

The show sees two teens, Charlie and Nick who find that their friendship might be a bit more as they navigate the always explosive waters of young love. This series is just the right amount of quirky, meaning that when you start watching, you will fall in love with the characters. ‘

One of the few shows to be made where queer joy is the main topic, Heartstopper is a show that everyone has been waiting for, whether they know it or not.

4. Most unique TV shows of the year: Black Bird – Apple TV+

Ray Liotta, after a sparkling career, passed away in 2022. Black Bird, the last TV show that he was a part of, was released posthumously to critical acclaim.

The story follows James Keene, a fallen hero, and the path he follows to redemption. The six-episode limited series was dramatized but also based on a real-life story.

Keene has to move to a maximum-security prison as a part of his deal, where his sole purpose is to get a confession out of an inmate suspected of killing 14 women. The show is tense, and the slow build might put some people off, but it remains one of the most startlingly well-made shows of the year.

5. Most unique TV shows of the year: The Bear – Hulu

The Bear sees a young chef return to his family sandwich shop in Chicago from the world of fine dining. After his elder brother committed suicide, he had to take over the shop.

The show saw some amazing reviews, but one of the things that was focused on was how stressful the atmosphere was. Very few shows, including Hell’s Kitchen, have done a better job of creating an atmosphere for a kitchen, where everything goes wrong, can look like.

The show makes the audience feel. In an era where feeling has been pushed aside for catchy one-liners, The Bear caters to an inner self most TV viewers forgot they even had.

With that being said, this remains one of the most unique shows of the year.

Do you feel there are any shows we have missed on this list? Let us know in the comments below!