Unmissable Australian TV Shows of 2022: The Top 10 You Can't Afford to Miss

Introduction:

Australian TV is under immense pressure to attract audiences in the face of stiff competition from mega-budget US franchises on various streaming platforms and reopening cinemas. However, in 2022, there were groundbreaking and locally made TV shows that were widely loved by Australian audiences and acclaimed worldwide. Here are the top 10 Australian TV shows of 2022.

1. 'Mystery Road: Origin'

The prequel to the outback Western noir movie 'Mystery Road' from Aboriginal filmmaker Ivan Sen is arguably Australia's most accomplished drama of recent times. Starring Mark Coles Smith, the series follows his early days as a cop and represents Aussie drama at its finest.

2. 'The Twelve'

Foxtel's courtroom drama is a star-infested potboiler with a cast that includes Sam Neill, Brooke Satchwell, Kate Mulvany and Brendon Cowell,with all of them being nominated for AACTA Awards. As the jurors' deep seated prejudices and traumas worm their way into deliberations, the case builds up to a powerful payoff.

3. 'After the Verdict'

The series postulates the outcome when jurors who acquitted an accused murderer, get besieged by guilt and take matters into their own hands. Magda Szubanski and Lincoln Younes flex their comedy muscles brilliantly throughout six episodes of the show.

4. 'Four Corners: Ghosts of Timor'

Investigative journalist Mark Willacy's narrative is a masterful piece investigating horrifying allegations of war crimes, black torture sites, and revenge killings by the Australian defence forces. The series showcases an unsettling shadow on Australian history that has affected the Timorese people and beyond.

5. 'The Secrets She Keeps'

In the follow-up series, the plotline moves past the Foetal Attraction scenario, as the lives of two pregnant women collide with a new twist of daddy issues. Jessica de Gouw and Laura Carmichael's performances elevate this tense thriller.

6. 'Barons'

This eight-part series based on the early days of Quiksilver and Rip Curl is a coming-of-age tale that follows Trotter and Snapper's friendship-turned-hostility as they build up billion-dollar fortunes and encounter corporate greed.

7. 'Byron Baes'

Characterized by a glitzy docusoap of the privileged petals and warring influencers, the show offers audiences the perceived best of Byron Bay in a warm and appealing soft-focus. It is shallow but manages to save itself time and again with the odd moments of humanity not overshadowed by the characters' materialism.

8. 'Hunted Australia'

Produced from the UK format, this show tracks pairs of contestants released in Victoria with $500, with a task to evade capture for 21 days while forensic psychologists, intelligence operatives, and cyber hackers ruthlessly track them down. It is silly sometimes, but incredibly interesting and only nine episodes long for the audience.

9. 'Heartbreak High'

This late '90s school soaps show saw a reboot this year with the original seven seasons being above average, filmed in a tough Sydney school and portrayed one of the non-clichéd high school dramas ever. The new crop of actors portrays the modern storyline that features many searched social issues in 2022 imaginatively. It offers value for money with sky-high production values.

10. 'Upright'

The second season of Tim Minchin's road trip dramedy lacks the emotional punch of the first. Still, it's entertaining to spend time with Lucky (Minchin) and Meg (Milly Alcock) tracking Meg's mum down at a dodgy, cult-like commune. The show offers some comedic moments, but there are too many plots to follow, which do not gel as well as they could despite the superb star turn by Tim Minchin.

Conclusion:

This article highlights the top 10 outstanding TV shows of 2022 in Australia, offering something for everyone, from dramas to reality TV and investigative journalism. These shows represent the potential of quality home-grown productions in Australian TV, even amid the healthy competition of big-budget Hollywood productions.