New shows to watch in 2025: TIME’s pick of Deadly Severance twists and Michelle Williams’ raw ‘Dying for Sex’ moment go viral

As 2025 winds down, TIME Magazine has released its definitive list of the best new shows to watch this year, and two standouts are demanding your immediate attention. Severance and Dying for Sex both made the prestigious rankings, proving groundbreaking television transcends traditional genre boundaries. Whether you crave mind-bending corporate thrillers or daring anthems about self-discovery, December offers the perfect moment to dive in.

Severance Returns for Season 2 on Apple TV Plus

Apple TV+’s Emmy Award-winning thriller Severance returned with its highly anticipated second season, continuing the mind-bending narrative that captivated audiences worldwide. The show ranks among the platform’s most-watched series ever, with season two drawing record-breaking viewership in its opening period.

Starring Adam Scott as Mark Scout, the series explores workers at Lumon Industries who have undergone a radical surgical procedure called severance—dividing their memories and consciousness between work and personal lives. Season 2 unravels deeper mysteries surrounding the sinister corporation and its grip on employees’ identities. The 10-episode second season maintains the show’s signature tension, philosophical depth, and stunning cinematography that earned it multiple Emmy nominations.

New cast members join the returning ensemble for season two, adding fresh dynamics to the psychological landscape. Episodes arrive weekly, with the finale touching down on March 21, 2025, allowing viewers to savor each installment’s twists.

Dying for Sex Presents Raw Comedy with Depth

Dying for Sex made waves as an unexpectedly tender yet provocative miniseries about life, mortality, and self-discovery. Michelle Williams anchors this 8-episode limited series with a performance that manages to be simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious. Based loosely on true events, the show tackles mature themes with intelligence and humor rarely seen in mainstream television.

The story follows Molly Kochan, a woman diagnosed with terminal breast cancer who makes the radical decision to leave her husband of 15 years and explore her sexuality on her own terms. Supported by a stellar ensemble including Genevieve Angelson, Jay Duplass, and Rob Delaney, Williams delivers career-best work that balances comedy with genuine emotional resonance. Created by Liz Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock, the series respects its audience’s intelligence while refusing to shy away from adult conversations and scenarios.

Property	Severance Season 2	Dying for Sex
Platform	Apple TV+	Hulu / Disney+
Episodes	10	8
Premiere Date	January 17, 2025	April 4, 2025
Genre	Sci-Fi Thriller Drama	Comedy Drama Limited Series
Lead Cast	Adam Scott	Michelle Williams

TIME Magazine Recognizes Both Series as 2025’s Best

TIME Magazine’s official list of the 10 best TV shows of 2025 elevated both Severance and Dying for Sex, acknowledging their cultural impact and artistic merit. The publication specifically highlighted how these series represent the best of what contemporary television achieves—pushing boundaries while maintaining emotional authenticity.

The recognition places these shows alongside other acclaimed series released throughout 2025. TIME’s editorial team noted that both programs exemplify storytelling that refuses to compromise artistic vision for commercial appeal. Whether through Severance’s philosophical interrogation of work and identity or Dying for Sex’s unflinching examination of mortality and sexuality, these series demonstrate television’s power to provoke meaningful conversations while entertaining viewers.

“Television in 2025 proved that audiences hunger for intelligent, bold storytelling that respects their intelligence.”

— TIME Magazine Entertainment Critics, Best TV Shows of 2025

What Should You Watch First?

The choice between starting either series depends on your mood and preferences. Choose Severance Season 2 if you want to dive into a complex narrative universe that demands your full intellectual engagement. The show rewards close viewing with layered mythology, stunning production design by William Creutz, and cinematography that transforms corporate offices into unsettling landscapes of philosophical dread.

Pick Dying for Sex if you’re seeking something emotionally resonant that balances humor with genuine heart. The limited series format means you can experience a complete story arc without long-term commitment. Michelle Williams’ commanding performance carries viewers through moments that are simultaneously funny and devastating. The series never feels exploitative despite its provocative premise—instead delivering genuine wisdom about living fully in the face of mortality.

Both options represent some of the finest television produced in recent memory. Either direction promises compelling storytelling that will spark conversations long after the credits roll.

Streaming Availability December 2025

Severance Season 2 remains active on Apple TV+, with new episodes having aired weekly through the season finale in March. All episodes are currently available for binge-watching. Dying for Sex premiered in April 2025 and completed its run with all eight episodes available on both Hulu and Disney+ for on-demand viewing. Both series have achieved permanent status in their respective platforms’ catalogs, ensuring ongoing availability for new viewers discovering these acclaimed programs during the final weeks of 2025.

Sources

• TIME Magazine – The 10 Best TV Shows of 2025 (December 2, 2025)
• Apple TV+ – Severance Season 2 official press release and premiere information
• Rotten Tomatoes – Critic and audience scores for both series