Paste Magazine's latest power rankings spotlight the five best TV shows currently airing, featuring a mix of espionage dramas, fantasy epics, and unconventional sci-fi. The list includes new entries and rising favorites across platforms like Apple TV, Netflix, and AMC. Honorable mentions go to Death By Lightning, All Her Fault, and The Great British Baking Show.
Paste Magazine has released its power rankings for the week of November 11, 2025, selecting standout TV series based on episodes released within the past week or full seasons within the previous four weeks. The rankings cover a diverse range of genres, from spy thrillers to supernatural tales, emphasizing fresh content across streaming services and networks.
At number five, Apple TV's Down Cemetery Road moves up from last week's fourth place. The series, adapted from Mick Herron's debut novel, follows investigator Sarah and partner Zoë as they uncover deeper layers to a case. It draws comparisons to the streamer's Slow Horses, sharing acerbic dialogue and dark humor but centering female perspectives.
Dropping to fourth is MGM+'s Robin Hood, previously at fifth. This week's episode escalates tensions between Normans and Saxons following an unintended death, with protagonist Rob gaining new allies.
Entering at third, Netflix's The Witcher debuts on the list with its fourth and penultimate season. Liam Hemsworth steps in as Geralt of Rivia, succeeding Henry Cavill, and performs adequately. However, the season's strength lies in its female characters, including sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) forging a new sisterhood and Princess Cirilla (Freya Allan) confronting her destiny. The narrative builds to higher stakes, devastating losses, and convoluted politics, ending on a dire note for key figures.
Rising to second from honorable mention, AMC's Talamasca: The Secret Order blends spy thriller elements with supernatural drama in the Anne Rice universe. Created by Mark Johnson and John Lee Hancock, it spotlights the Talamasca group. The standout episode features Guy and Jasper's alliance and a guest appearance by Interview with the Vampire's Raglan James (Justin Kirk). William Fichtner delivers a magnetic performance as the gritty vampire Jasper, with cameos from Eric Bogosian's Daniel Molloy.
Topping the list as a new entry, Apple TV's Pluribus, from Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad fame, explores an apocalypse of universal happiness amid one woman's discontent. Rhea Seehorn stars as romantasy author Carol Sturka, who resists the new contented world and embarks on a global quest for reversal. The series mixes philosophical depth, sci-fi oddity, humor, and dread, defying genre conventions without easy resolutions.
These rankings reflect the editors' picks amid Peak TV's abundance, prioritizing quality and buzz.
