The Best TV Shows Returning In 2023

If 2022 was the year of “What even is prestige TV anymore?”, then 2023 was the year of,
“Wait, how am I supposed to watch all of this before the next episode drops?” After a few chaotic
years of delays, schedule shuffles, and way too many “limited series that might not actually be
limited,” 2023 finally delivered a wave of beloved TV shows returning with new seasons. From
corporate Shakespeare in Succession to space-western chaos in
The Mandalorian, the best returning TV shows in 2023 reminded us why we fell in
love with these characters in the first place.

Whether you’re into cutthroat family drama, cozy soccer comedies, or witches, timelines, and
multiverses, there was a returning series ready to reclaim your evenings. Let’s break down the
standout TV shows that came back in 2023, why their new seasons mattered, and which ones deserve
a spot at the top of your watchlist.

Why 2023 Was Huge for Returning TV Shows

Streaming platforms and cable networks had one big shared goal in 2023: get you to keep your
subscription. The easiest way to do that isn’t always launching brand-new seriesit’s bringing
back the heavy hitters. HBO wrapped up the Roy family saga with the final season of
Succession, Apple TV+ returned to the pitch with Ted Lasso
season 3, Disney+ leaned on The Mandalorian and Loki to keep
the franchise engines humming, while Hulu and FX delivered critical darlings like
The Bear and Reservation Dogs.

Many critics’ “best of 2023” lists leaned heavily on seasons of already-established series rather
than brand-new debuts, showing how strongly returning TV anchored the year. For viewers, that
meant 2023 wasn’t just about discovering fresh showsit was about payoff: answers to long-running
mysteries, character arcs finally landing, and finales that will be debated for years.

The Best TV Shows Returning In 2023

1. Succession, Season 4 (HBO)

The most obvious pick, but also the easiest to justify. The fourth and final season of
Succession premiered in March 2023 and instantly became appointment viewing
again. The Roys entered full meltdown mode as the sale of Waystar Royco loomed, Logan’s shadow
grew even larger, and the siblings spun between betrayal and a last-ditch attempt at unity.

Season 4 was widely praised not just as a strong year of television, but as one of the all-time
great TV endings. Razor-sharp writing, devastating performances, and a finale that felt both
inevitable and brutal made Succession the gold standard for how to end a prestige drama
without fizzling out. If you only watch one returning TV show from 2023, this is the one that
will have you texting your group chat in all caps.

2. Ted Lasso, Season 3 (Apple TV+)

On the complete opposite emotional spectrum from the Roys, Ted Lasso came back
in spring 2023 with a third season that functioned as a big, messy, heartfelt goodbyeat least
for this chapter of AFC Richmond. The show leaned harder into ensemble storytelling, giving more
space to characters like Nate, Keeley, Rebecca, and Roy as everyone tried to figure out what
happiness actually looks like.

Season 3 wasn’t flawless (no show that juggles that many characters ever is), but it delivered
emotional payoffs fans had been waiting for since the pilot. The recurring theme of mental health,
vulnerability, and chosen family made it feel less like “just” a sports comedy and more like a
comfort blanket for your nervous system. As returning TV goes, Ted Lasso proved that
optimism can still be compellingespecially in a TV landscape packed with antiheroes.

3. The Mandalorian, Season 3 (Disney+)

Din Djarin and Grogu’s return in March 2023 anchored Disney’s Star Wars slate with a season
that shifted from “lone bounty hunter plus baby” to “let’s rebuild a culture.” Season 3 of
The Mandalorian focused heavily on Mandalorian lore, the retaking of Mandalore,
and Bo-Katan stepping into a central leadership role.

While some viewers debated the season’s pacing, it still delivered what made the show a hit:
gorgeous visuals, playful cameos, big action sequences, and at least one moment per episode where
you say, “I would die for this tiny green puppet.” As far as returning genre shows go,
The Mandalorian stayed a key piece of the Star Wars puzzle in 2023 and a reliable
comfort watch for fans.

4. Yellowjackets, Season 2 (Showtime)

If season 1 of Yellowjackets was about surviving the crash, season 2 leaned into
the question everyone was secretly asking: okay, but when does it get really dark? The 2023
season doubled down on the horror elements in the 1990s timeline while deepening the emotional
fallout for the adult survivors in the present day.

Season 2 pushed the show further into cult territory, literal and metaphorical, while still
leaving just enough unanswered to keep fan theories thriving. The performancesfrom Melanie
Lynskey to Christina Riccistayed top-tier, and the soundtrack continued to be an alt-’90s dream.
Among returning shows, Yellowjackets proved it wasn’t a one-season curiosity; it’s a
fully formed, slow-burn horror epic.

5. The Bear, Season 2 (FX on Hulu)

The first season of The Bear turned a tiny Chicago sandwich shop into one of the
most stress-inducing workplaces on TV. Season 2, which arrived in June 2023, shifted gears in
the best way possible. Instead of just surviving the chaos, Carmy and crew tried to build
something new: a serious restaurant that reflects their ambitions.

Critics and viewers embraced season 2 as not just a worthy follow-up, but in some ways an
improvement. The show gave more time to characters like Sydney, Richie, and Tina, and standout
episodes explored grief, family, and what it means to chase excellence without burning out
everyone around you. It’s one of the most human returning shows of 2023part kitchen nightmare,
part found-family love letter.

6. Loki, Season 2 (Disney+)

Marvel’s multiverse may be confusing, but Loki somehow made it feel poetic.
Season 2 returned in October 2023 and picked up right where the first season’s cliffhanger left
off: Loki stranded in a very broken Time Variance Authority. This time around, the show leaned
harder into time-jumping sci-fi, emotional stakes, and the question of what “glorious purpose”
actually means.

Viewers and critics praised the way season 2 wrapped up Loki’s arc, giving one of the MCU’s
longest-running characters an ending that felt mythic and surprisingly tender. Among all the
superhero series returning in 2023, Loki stood out as the rare one that felt like it
truly needed those extra episodes to complete the story.

7. Only Murders in the Building, Season 3 (Hulu)

In 2023, Only Murders in the Building pulled off a tricky move: shifting its
core mystery from the Arconia to the theater without losing its cozy, oddball charm. Season 3
revolved around the death of actor Ben Glenroy and let Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena
Gomez share the spotlight with scene-stealers like Meryl Streep and Paul Rudd.

The show’s third season proved it’s not just coasting on stars or vibes. The mystery was
twisty, the jokes landed, and the emotional beats felt earnedas if the trio’s podcast
adventures are also their therapy sessions. As returning comfort shows go, this is one of the
easiest to recommend: light enough to binge, clever enough to rewatch.

8. The Witcher, Season 3 (Netflix)

The Witcher returned in 2023 with a third season that not only advanced the
story but also served as Henry Cavill’s farewell tour as Geralt of Rivia. Split into two
volumes, the season dove deeper into the politics of the Continent, Ciri’s destiny, and the
growing chaos threatening to tear everything apart.

While opinions on the season were mixed, it still delivered the big fantasy ingredients fans
wanted: monsters, morally gray magic, and Geralt grunting his way through complicated feelings.
As a returning show, The Witcher in 2023 was as much about closing a chapter as it was
about setting up the future of the franchise.

9. Reservation Dogs, Season 3 (FX on Hulu)

The third and final season of Reservation Dogs premiered in August 2023 and
quietly became one of the most acclaimed goodbyes of the year. The show continued to follow its
core group of Native teens in rural Oklahoma while expanding its focus to the wider community
around them.

Season 3 balanced surreal humor with deeply emotional storytelling, giving side characters
and elders episodes that felt like short stories. As a returning series, it didn’t just aim to
tie up plot threadsit wanted to honor the world it built. The result was a finale run that many
critics consider among the best of the streaming era.

10. American Horror Story: Delicate & Other Notable Returns

2023 also saw returning seasons that fueled plenty of conversation, even if they weren’t
universally loved. American Horror Story: Delicate came back with a new
novel-based storyline, shifting the long-running anthology into a pregnancy horror narrative
and bringing in Kim Kardashian for a high-profile acting turn.

Meanwhile, shows like Fargo (season 5) and Sex Education
(season 4) resurfaced later in the year, proving that anthology and coming-of-age series still
have room to surprise viewers. Together, these returning shows rounded out a year where TV fans
had almost too many optionswhich, let’s be honest, is a pretty good problem to have.

How to Choose Which Returning Shows to Watch First

With so many TV shows returning in 2023, even the most dedicated binge-watcher had to be
strategic. One way to prioritize is by vibe:

• Want intense, prestige drama? Start with Succession and Yellowjackets.
• Need something hopeful? Go for Ted Lasso or rewatch the best moments of The Bear.
• Craving genre escapism? Dive into The Mandalorian, Loki, or The Witcher.
• Prefer cozy mystery and comedy? Make Only Murders in the Building your top pick.

Another smart strategy is to mix tones: pair a heavy episode of Succession with a
lighter half-hour from Ted Lasso or an episode of Only Murders so you’re not
ending your night with existential dread and corporate backstabbing.

What It Felt Like to Watch 2023’s Returning TV Shows in Real Time

On paper, “the best TV shows returning in 2023” is a neat little list. In real life, it felt
like juggling three remote controls, five streaming apps, and a calendar reminder that said,
“New episode tonight, don’t open Twitter until you’ve watched it.” The experience of keeping up
with all these returns was almost as interesting as the shows themselves.

For a lot of viewers, 2023 meant going back to weekly appointment TV after years of binge
culture. Succession Sundays became mini-events, with people planning snacks, muting
spoiler-heavy group chats, and dissecting every line the moment the credits rolled. Shows like
The Mandalorian and Loki brought back that familiar Marvel-and-Star-Wars
rhythm: watch the episode, then spend the rest of the week arguing about theories and easter
eggs.

At the same time, returning shows like The Bear asked you to adjust your viewing
habits. Because all the episodes dropped at once, you had to decide: do you binge it in a
weekend and emotionally wreck yourself, or pace it out and let each episode breathe? Many fans
reported watching The Bear in bursts, especially around emotionally intense episodes,
then coming back to rewatch favorite scenes about food, family, and second chances.

There was also a strong sense of “goodbye tour” energy in 2023. Knowing that Succession
and Reservation Dogs were ending made every episode feel a little more precious.
Viewers watched character arcs not just for plot, but for closurechecking in on whether their
favorites got an ending that felt honest, even if it wasn’t happy. It changed how people talked
about the shows: less “What happens next?” and more “Was this the right way to end it?”

Socially, the best TV shows returning in 2023 became shared language again. People swapped
recommendations based not just on genre, but on emotional bandwidth: “If you’re tired, do
Ted Lasso. If you want to feel things and yell at your screen, go for
Succession. If you want to spiral into fan theories at 2 a.m., hit play on
Yellowjackets or Loki.”

Ultimately, watching these returning shows in 2023 felt like reconnecting with old friends at
very different points in their lives. Some were thriving, some were falling apart, and some were
saying their final goodbyes. But together, they turned 2023 into one of the richest years in
recent memory for ongoing seriesand gave viewers plenty of reasons to re-up those streaming
subscriptions “just one more month.”

Conclusion: A Landmark Year for Returning TV

The best TV shows returning in 2023 weren’t just background noisethey defined the year in TV.
From the brutally elegant finale of Succession to the emotionally generous last stands
of Ted Lasso and Reservation Dogs, each returning season carried years of
character development and viewer investment on its shoulders.

If you’re catching up now, the good news is that you can experience these arcs back-to-back
without waiting a week between episodes. Start with the shows whose tone matches your mood, mix
dramas with comedies, and don’t be afraid to pause and sit with the big emotional punches. 2023
reminded us that when a TV show returns at the top of its game, it isn’t just “more content”
it’s a chance to revisit worlds and characters that feel strangely, wonderfully familiar.