This post is all about the series I watched this year, 2025. Iāll be listing down the shows Iāve seenāthough in random orderāand sharing what I think about each one.
Spoiler alert: most of the shows in this post are about law enforcement. Iām not sure why, but it seems like Iāve been drawn to that genre lately.
The first series I want to talk about is The Good Cop on Netflix. Itās an older show, and surprisingly, it stars Josh Groban as the lead actor. I was honestly shocked to see him playing a detective because Iāve always known him as a classical singer. I really enjoyed it because it shows a different side of Josh, and the story itself is engaging. Thereās one storyline focused on him, and another centered on his father, who is trying to find out who killed his wifeāJoshās mother. Itās sad that the show was canceled and wonāt be getting another season.
Next is 9 Puzzles, which airs on Disney Channel. I like this one because it leans into true crime. There are a lot of scenes and episodes with gory imagery, but Iām used to it, so it doesnāt bother me. I love the mystery and how the lead detective constantly questions himself and his āpartner,ā wondering if she might actually be the killer. The story revolves around a killing spree connected to the lead actressās psychologist, which makes it even more intriguing.
The next show is another Korean dramaāTrauma Code: Heroes on Call. I honestly didnāt expect to enjoy Kādramas in their original language, but Iāve been watching this one in Korean with subtitles, and Iām really liking it. The series follows a medical team handling highāpressure surgeries and emergency cases, with the lead surgeon even performing a preāop procedure inside a chopper in the mountains at one point. Itās chaotic in a good way, and I love how it gives you a glimpse into the medical fieldāhow they deal with trauma, tough decisions, and intense situations. Surprisingly, this has become one of the shows Iām enjoying the most.
Back to American seriesāthis time on Disney+āI watched Will Trent, and one of my favorite things about it is his Chihuahua, Betty, who is adorable and sassy in the best way. Will is part of the GBI, a brilliant detectiveāinvestigator who also happens to be dyslexic, so reading is a challenge heās actively working through. The show focuses on his sharp problemāsolving skills as he tackles different cases, but it also weaves in bits of his personal lifeāhis relationships, his family issues, and the things heās still healing fromāwhich makes the character even more compelling.
Another Disney+ series I enjoyed is High Potential, which has a similar caseāofātheāweek vibe to Will Trent, but with a twist: the lead isnāt a detective at all. She starts out as a housekeeper at the precinct, and one day, while cleaning, she notices an inconsistency on the evidence boardāsomething she technically shouldnāt even be touching. Her insight ends up helping the team, slowly earning her a place among them. Sheās also a single mom of three, which adds another layer to her character. Thereās a new season out, and Iām planning to watch it soon.
I also watched Abbott Elementary, the only full comedy on my 2025 list. It follows a group of teachers and their principal in a public school, filmed in a documentaryāstyle format that includes behindātheāscenes moments and fourthāwall breaks. Thereās plenty of banter, friendly competition, and chaotic school energy, but at the end of the day, they always come together as a team. One of my favorite arcs was when they fought to prevent budget cuts to protect the school and the kids. Itās a feelāgood show, and Iām excited for the next season.
On Prime Video, I watched Reacher, which is based on a novel series Iām not familiar with, but a friend recommended it, so I gave it a try. Thereās a lot of actionāpunching, blood, violenceābut Iām used to that. The biggest surprise for me was Alan Ritchson; I didnāt realize he came from a completely different genre before this. Seeing clips of his earlier roles compared to his serious, focused, caseāsolving character in Reacher is wild. And yes, heās very attractive, which definitely doesnāt hurt. The storytelling is solid, maybe because itās adapted from books, but either way, I enjoyed it.
Another medical series I watchedāthis time on Maxāis The Pitt, which reminds me a bit of Trauma Code because it also focuses on an emergency unit. But unlike other medical dramas, this one stays inside the ER and follows the teamāmedical students, residents, and their lead surgeonāthrough a single day, hour by hour. It shows how they handle each emergency, how they cope with grief, and how deeply a patientās death affects them even when theyāve done everything they can. Itās a heavy, emotional show, but a really good one, and Iām looking forward to the next season whenever it comes out.
The next Korean drama I watched on Netflix is Mercy for None, a oneāseason miniāseries that follows an exāgangster seeking justice for his brotherās death. Itās an emotional story filled with intense fight scenes and some gory moments, but what really stands out is how his journey uncovers hidden truths about his brother and the gang he was once part ofāpossibly even the mafia, if I remember correctly. There are several moments where heās badly hurt or nearly killed, yet he keeps pushing forward to uncover why his brother was murdered, who did it, and to finally get the justice he deserves
The next series I watched is Kaos, which is basically a modern take on mythology. Zeus is played by Jeff Goldblumābecause honestly, who else could it beāand I love how the show reimagines the gods in modern clothes, speaking like regular people instead of the traditional, historical style we usually see. Their depiction of the gods is fun and refreshing, and I especially enjoyed the scenes involving the River Styx. Hades is played by an actor from Harry Potter (I canāt remember which one), and their version of the underworld looks like a corporate office, which is such a clever twist. Sadly, the series was discontinued, so in Filipino terms, bitin siyaāthey stopped right at a climactic moment that clearly needed a next episode or even a whole new chapter. Itās such a bummer. My favorite character is Medusa; instead of looking terrifying like most portrayals, she wears a head wrap to hide her snakes and has this cool, badass pināup vibe that I really loved.
The next one is House of the Dragon, which I watched after bingeāwatching Game of Thrones in just a week or two back then. Since Iām fully up to date with the GoT universe, I was excited when this new series came out, and it definitely delivered. As expected, there are plenty of dragons, power struggles for the throne, and yesālots of sex, just like the original series. What I really love, though, is the emotional depth each character goes through depending on the situation. The casting is perfect, and every actor fits their role so well, especially Rhaenyra, who I absolutely adore; her performance is incredible. Iām definitely looking forward to the next season
The last show on my list is Ballard, which I stumbled upon while browsing for something new to watch after finishing the latest season of Reacher. The lead actress looked so familiarāI think she might have played Nikita before, though I could be wrong. This series is another cop drama, and she plays a detective who deeply values her team. I love how she supports each member, treats them like family, and genuinely cares about their wellābeing. Thereās a heartbreaking moment when one of the team members dies because of a case they were working on, but seeing them close cases and help victims still feels rewarding. Iām not sure if itās getting another season, but I really hope so. It has the same vibe as the other cop shows Iāve watched, and honestly, Iām enjoying it a lot.
Looking back at everything I watched this year, I realized how much stories can shape our moods, comfort us, or even surprise us. Each series had something that pulled me ināwhether it was the characters, the worldābuilding, or the emotions behind every scene. Iām grateful for all the shows that kept me company throughout 2025, and Iām excited to discover even more as the year goes on. Hereās to more stories, more characters to love, and more moments that stay with us long after the credits roll.