There seems to be a premiering TV series every month these days, and it can be hard to pick out which ones are worth your time. Seeing as I’m always on the lookout for a good show to watch, I’ve found a couple of fresh series worth watching that debuted this year. There are some good ones out there like GLOW and the polarizing The Orville. However, these are the gems that take the top spot for me, and I definitely recommend giving them a try.

THE DEUCE

Just by learning the involvement of The Wire creator David Simon, The Deuce easily became one of my most anticipated new series this year. Set in ’70s New York, the show chronicles the legalization and rapid rise of the porn, from its shady back-alley roots to becoming a whole industry. Several alumni from The Wire are present, who are joined by James Franco (who plays twins) and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Much like Simon’s other works, The Deuce is a slow burn; it takes a few episodes for the show to really get going, and that could be a turn off to some — I know some people that gave up The Wire because of it). Nonetheless, David Simon’s masterful grasp of natural, realistic dialogue, and its rich characters, who are perfectly portrayed by its outstanding cast, make The Deuce an excellent drama.

THE SINNER

I only learned of this show by stumbling upon it while reading a newsletter from one of my favorite writers, and I’m glad I did. Based on the book of the same name, The Sinner is a miniseries starring Jessica Biel, who suddenly kills another person violently while having a quiet picnic with her family, and she has no idea why. Opposite Biel is Bill Pullman as Harry Ambrose, a detective trying to solve the case and figure out what triggered her to do it. Although it’s a typical procedural mystery, The Sinner‘s unpredictability is its biggest strength, and it does an excellent job at utilizing the serialized format of TV to hook you in. The show’s willingness to go to brutal and dark places is unexpected, but oddly captivating. Not to mention the amazing performance by Jessica Biel and the rest of the cast.

BIG LITTLE LIES

When I first heard of HBO’s Big Little Lies, I thought it was just another run-of-the-mill, cliched housewives drama. Still, it’s received great praises and even won several Emmy awards, so I gave it a try. Big Little Lies is a drama miniseries that’s initially about a murder investigation, but quickly segues into an exploration of the genuine (and sometimes deceitful) relationships and secrets among the tight-knit community of Monterey. Brilliantly written and surprisingly personal at times, the show is a gripping study at these complex characters led by a star-studded cast. Nicole Kidman is a stand-out among the leads, and there are instances where I believed she’s really become the character. Big Little Lies is something much more than it’s led on, and that’s an achievement in every way.

MINDHUNTER

Fresh from Netflix, Mindhunter follows two agents from FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit as they interview serial killers to study how criminals think, and also create a profile for future cases. David Fincher served as executive producer for this show, and even directed a few episodes — the ones directed by him stand out from the rest I should say. The best aspects of the show, however, are the interviews themselves; the back and forth between the serial killers and agents are fascinating and chilling at the same time, with the things they say and their rationale unheard of during the ’70s. With compelling cinematography and gripping performances, Mindhunter brings a fresh take on the already crowded serial killer drama. This is most likely what Criminal Minds wanted to be, but just couldn’t pull the right strings.