My Top 5 of 2022

After another big year in TV -a lot of which was outstanding- it’s time for me to share my favourite shows of 2022.

When there is a tsunami of content coming at you, it’s a challenge to make it to the end of any series. I see a lot of “Episode Ones” and frequently feel guilty that there are big shows I just haven’t gotten around to…. best laid plans to catch up over summer are often just that.

My list leans to my personal tastes, a recognition of creative excellence and risks taken. It is again derived from brand new titles only (sorry to all those in S2, S3 etc) and is listed in no particular order.

I only dished out one 5 star review this year for Nathan Fielder’s The Rehearsal. Yet opinions can shift once a whole season is completed (I grew to love The Offer more with every episode), and when you look back in hindsight, others may linger longer.

Here is my shortlist, which includes two Australian dramas (4 including Runners Up), with review excerpts.

Heartbreak High Netflix.

This ensemble is on fire and they make this series sing.

Ayesha Madon is bolshy, funny, and a loveable geek in Amerie, who handles the scenes of vulnerability and resistance with ease. James Majoos is an absolute find as Darren who, like Glee‘s Kurt Hummel manages to rise above the pedestrian beige of the world around them, with a biting quip or an insight beyond their years.

“We are beautiful exquisite jellyfish. Of course they saw us…,” they purr.

Thomas Weatherall is also solid as the quiet, handsome Malakai who you know Amerie needs to connect with.

The beauty of this set-up is there’s a tapestry of storylines yet to emerge from the talented ensemble, including autistic teen Quinni (Chloe Hayden) chasing Sasha, or Ca$h fitting in with alpha-male mates as they break the law.

Creator Hannah Carroll Chapman and writers Megan Palinkas,Matthew Whittet, Marieke Hardy, Meyne Wyatt, Thomas Wilson White and Natesha Somasundaram have packed a punch into this reboot. They tackle sexuality, consent, peer group pressure, self esteem, inclusion, rejection, family and more.

It bounces along with energy from directors Gracie Otto, Neil Sharma, Jessie Oldfield and Adam Murfet, crackling with a cool soundtrack, and dripping in colour from its production design and costume.

As it nails the language of Gen Z kids, it never loses the blunt Australian flavour for which the original became so famous.

Heartstopper Netflix.

At the centre of the story is Charlie (Joe Locke) an openly gay, but shy, high school student who finds himself drawn to the school’s ‘rugby king’ Nick (Kit Connor) a gentle and understanding classmate.

Joe’s friends, ally Tao (William Gao) and Tobie (Isaac Henderson) are protective of their young friend while trans friend Elle (Yasmin Finney) is starting her new life at the local girl’s school. There she befriends Tara (Corinna Brown) and Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) who share news that they are also going out together.

But Charlie is on the rebound from the closeted Ben (Sebastian Croft) when he begins to fall for Nick, a relationship which blossoms across the boy meets boy / boys become friends / boys fall in love arc of the series. There are furtive glances, stolen kisses, secret touches and discovery as Nick, in particular, finds himself drawn to his new friend.

While Charlie is at desperate risk of having his heart broken, he’s also mature for his years in a hotbed of potential bullying. Thankfully there’s a sympathetic gay art teacher (Fisayo Akinade) and a big sister Tori (Jenny Walser) on hand with varying degrees of support -contrasting with the almost absent parents in this series (save for a minor role by the wonderful Olivia Coleman).

The Offer Paramount+

For producer Albert S. Ruddy, making The Godfather was as dramatic as the story penned by writer Mario Puzo.

There were standover tactics, a spray of bullets and dead animals in beds -all before a frame of the legendary film had ever been shot.

Paramount+ drama The Offer is based on Ruddy’s own experiences from novel to box office glory. Miles Teller plays the Jewish-American programmer at Rand who has ambitions of movie-making and gets his big shot at Paramount Pictures under studio boss Bob Evans (Matthew Goode).

Along the way he will chug through lesser-known projects and co-create Hogan’s Heroes (who knew?) before his chance with Mario Puzo’s (Patrick Gallo) book. The novel proved to be a best-seller and Puzo’s salvation from his debts, but New York’s Italian community considered him a ‘traitor’ for the revelations in his fiction. Frank Sinatra (Frank John Hughes) was also convinced he was the basis of a character and remained furious.

Rising mobster, Joe Colombo (Giovanni Ribisi) acting though the Italian American Civil Rights League, was one of several working to stop Hollywood from making the movie, including plans to shoot in New York.

But assistant Bettye McCartt (Juno Temple) helped Ruddy to secure Francis Ford Coppola (Dan Fogler) to direct and co-write the epic, who in turn wanted the likes of Marlon Brando (Justin Chambers) and Al Pacino (Anthony Ippolito) for his story.

Interview with the Vampire AMC+

The chemistry between Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson is electric, imploding in passion and violence in ways the film never dared to tread.

As Louis recalls, an encounter with Lestat ignited, “feelings of intimacy it awoke within me” and the flaws that would follow…

But in a new move by writer Rolin Jones, were also the dangers of being recognised as an “openly gay negro man in New Orleans.” Is it worse than being the undead…?

It’s no wonder Reid was cast in this role, debonair, sexy, frightening, yet you can’t help but empathise with Louis who is hypnotised by his allure.

They make it difficult for others to bask in the same daylight, but Eric Bogosian, tied by necessity to his laptop as Louis recounts his tale, is every bit as dynamic… grounded, inquisitive, cynical and without fear. It’s the best thing he’s done in a long time.

The production design is indulgently handsome, full of French Colonial buildings, lush and pristine wardrobe and props. Themes of lust, guilt, terror abound.

As a premium drama it ticks all the adult boxes… sex, gore, alluring sets, vivid performances, spirited humour and just the right amount of shocks, spills and victims.

Love Me Foxtel / Binge *

Hugo Weaving rarely does TV series and we are poorer for it. Here he shows how Glen struggles to move on from his marriage, yet desperately deserves to. Bojana Novakovic, who last appeared for Foxtel in their early drama Satisfaction, looks gorgeous on screen as the very grounded Clara facing modern, real dating questions.

Newcomer, the dashing William Lodder (yes the eye candy is high in this show), is a terrific find as the needy son struggling with his mother’s death.

Heather Mitchell and Celia Pacquola (again holding her own beside drama actors) are glorious ensemble additions.

Melbourne is also a backdrop character to this series, evocatively captured as a romantic metropolis – quite a feat given this was shot during lockdowns.

In the hands of director Emma Freeman, this is smart, sexy, brimming in subtext and unspoken sentiments. The soundtrack, frequently with lilting piano tinkling, helps lure you under its spell. It’s easy to warm to these characters and their present storylines.

Runners up:

The Rehearsal Foxtel / Binge

The Bridge, Paramount+

Here Out West, ABC

The Responder, SBS

Gaslit, Stan

House of the Dragon, Foxtel / Binge

The Staircase, Foxtel / Binge

The Rescue, Disney+

6 Festivals. Paramount+

Videos include language, adult themes.

* released Dec 26 2021.