This year I watched a total of 12 series. For those who follow closely, you might’ve noticed I stopped doing reviews on series after Squid Game because it was becoming a little time consuming for me; BUT I did still watch a few other series afterwards, and made some mental notes about them. 

So, without further ado, I give to you MY top 10 series of 2021. DISCLAIMER: My top 10 only includes first time series, so Insecure season 5 wasn’t part of this list because I’ve already been a fan of the series. Additionally, I don’t count the second season of series IF 2 seasons happened to be released in the same year–I base it off of the first season that hooked me.

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My 10 were narrowed down based on the overall score I gave each series, then rearranged based on creativity of plot/prioritizing those series that felt fresh, and the final rearranging touch being those series that definitely pulled at my joy and interest the most. 

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10. Netflix’s #SexLife with Sara Shahi, Adam Demos, Mike Vogel, Margaret Odette, Jonathan Sadowski,and Amber Goldfarb

A slightly unique take on a familiar type of story. Many tuned in for that 19:50 minute mark in episode 3, but that turned me off a bit due to it being toxically glorifying and it taking away from the appeal for me. I will say, though, it’s the perfect series that exemplifies toxic men and the women (and men) who can’t seem to leave them due to the “sex.”   You can read my full review HERE.

9. Amazon Prime’s #Them with Deborah Ayorinde, Ashley Thomas, Shahidi Wright Joseph, Melody Hurd, Alison Pill, and Jeremiah Birkett

The first 5 episodes were the most engaging for me, and I found the premise to be extremely clever. The acting was amazing across the board, and I really appreciated how the film portrayed the trauma of Black people due to racism—especially in the first 5 episodes. You can read my full review HERE.

8. Disney+ #Hawkeye with Hailee Steinfield, Jeremy Renner, Vera Farmiga, Alaqua Cox, Florence Pugh, and Tony Dalton

This was actually really cute. Honestly, I wasn’t going to watch the series. I don’t know why, but after Loki, I figured they were done with these stories, and I just wasn’t as excited about another one. BUT since I am also big on trying to make sure I keep up with whatever pattern or background plots being set in motion for this new era of Marvel (by Disney), I watched and was impressed.  

7. Disney+ #TheFalconAndWinterSoldier with Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Erin Kellyman, Wyatt Russell, Adepero Oduye, Cle Bennet, Carl Lumbly, Emily VanCamp, and Daniel Bruhl

After seeing 2 really bad Anthony Mackie films in 2021 (Synchronic and Outside the Wire), I was happy to see him in something familiar and executed well. I did find his final speech a little forced and long winded, but outside of that the series was super strong and such a necessary film for our current social climate. You can read my full review HERE.

6. Disney+ #WandaVision with Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Kathryn Hahn, Teyonah Parris, Randall Park, and Kat Dennings

The one that kicked the Marvel series all off, and what a smart move it was. WandaVision was so clever and nostalgic for multiple reasons; and like many who watched the series, it also made us fall in love with Kathryn Hahn! You can read my full review HERE.

5. Netflix’s #JupitersLegacy with Josh Duhamel, Ben Daniels, Leslie Bibb, Andrew Horton, Elena Kampouris, Mike Wade, Matt Lanter, and Richard Blackburn

The same love I have for Amazon Prime’s The Boys is what I have for this series. I just really appreciate superhero stories being turned on their head with a more human aspect to them outside of “love,” and to have this young vs old generation perspective on what it means to be a “hero” and the appropriate treatment for villains (to kill or not to kill)… #NiceWork! 

I am so sad that Netflix announced there won’t be a season 2 because Jupiter’s Legacy is such a clever and entertaining series. 

4. Netflix’s #TheSerpent with Tahar Rahim, Jenna Coleman, Billy Howle, Ellie Bamber, Mathilde Warnier, and Amesh Edireweera

My goodness! This was SO interesting and wild. The acting is solid, and I think the series does a great job with providing the humanizing aspect to Charles’ character. 

Now the series could use a racial representation makeover because some of the lines by Charles aren’t quite believable due to his skin tone, but other than that, I enjoyed this docu-series. You can read my full review HERE.

3. Netflix’s #Lupin with Omar Sy, Shirine Boutella, Soufiane Guerrab, Antoine Gouy, Herve Pierre, Adama Niane, Fargass Assande, and Anne Benoit

OOOOO I mean, if Now You See Me is my #2 favorite movie of all time (as posted on my IG), then of course a series like Lupin would be right up my alley! LOL And the series was about more than just a “heist”. It was about race in different ways, and I truly appreciated that. 

And similar to the praise of seeing Miles Morales rocking Retros in Into the Spiderverse, we see the same thing with Omar Sy… and them peacoats! LOL. You can read my full review HERE.

2. Netflix’s #SquidGame with Lee Jung-Jae, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Kim Joo-ryoung, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-Joon, Yeong-su Oh, and Anupam Tripathi

I mean… what a mini-phenomenon this series was. When I first saw the poster for Squid Game, prior to its release, I actually thought it was going to be a Korean game show. Because of that, I wasn’t planning on checking it out immediately…just in passing. 

However, a friend of mine ended up asking if I was watching it, and boasting about moments that had him shook, so I had to check it out. And I just loved the entire premise of this series. Now the themes are a little messy, and the ending isn’t as satisfying, BUT it was still a great watch! You can read my full review HERE.

1. Netflix’s #TheOne with Hannah Ware, Zoe Tapper, Lois Chimimba, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, and Amir El-Masry

OOOOOOO I loved this series SO much (clearly LOL)! I am all about a clever premise, and the idea of genetics and “twin flames” being the new “dating app” criteria to help everyone find “the one” even when it happens to be completely left field from what you expected—like believing your actually hetero only to realize the love of your life is of the same sex… LOL Yeeessss! 

It was just so entertaining, and Hannah Ware was a great villain! #AmITheDramaIDontThinkImTheDrama LOL. You can read my full review HERE.