Every year, Hulu adds more amazing original content to its library, and 2020 might just be the streaming service's most impressive year yet. While this year has provided (or will provide) new seasons of some of our favourite Hulu shows — like season two of PEN15 [1], season two of Shrill [2], and season two of Rami [3] — it's also dropped a ton of incredible new shows that are definitely worth checking out. From a comedy series set in 18th-century Russia to a modern-day love story about two Irish students, Hulu's new original series for 2020 are top-notch, and we've rounded up the 10 best ones so far.
Normal People
This Hulu and BBC adaptation of Sally Rooney's novel follows the tumultuous romance between Connell and Marianne, two Irish students who fight, fail to communicate, and have lots of sex between their final year in secondary school to their final year at Trinity College. It's devastating, it's hot, and it's no wonder why newcomer Paul Mescal was nominated for an Emmy [5].
Watch Normal People on Hulu [6].
Little Fires Everywhere
This drama series (which stars the fiery duo of Kerry Washington [7] and Reese Witherspoon [8]) is based on Celeste Ng's novel, telling the story of the seemingly perfect Robinson family and the mysterious single mother who rents their home across town with her teenage daughter. Little Fires Everywhere is so full of twists that it leaves you guessing until the very end.
Watch Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu [9].
The Great
Set in 18th-century Russia, this satirical, not-so-historically accurate series tells the story of Catherine the Great and her rise from outsider to the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia's history. The humour is wicked, the costumes are superb, and the series has already been renewed [10] for a second season, so we'll be seeing Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult on our screens again soon enough.
Watch The Great on Hulu [11].
Love, Victor
Just like the 2018 movie Love, Simon, this Hulu spinoff series takes place at the fictitious Creekwood High School in Atlanta, and it follows new student Victor (played by newcomer Michael Cimino) as he struggles with his sexual orientation. The first season ended on a total cliffhanger, but don't worry — a second season is definitely happening [12].
Watch Love, Victor on Hulu [13].
Mrs. America
This FX on Hulu drama series tells the true story of the movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment as experienced by famous women of the '70s [14], including the conservative Phyllis Schlafly and second-wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Jill Ruckelshaus. Both fans and critics have applauded this one, so it's not surprising that it was nominated for a whopping five Emmy acting awards [15]. (Oh, and did we mention the cast includes Cate Blanchett [16], Rose Byrne, Sarah Paulson, Uzo Aduba, and Elizabeth Banks, among several other familiar faces?)
Watch Mrs. America on Hulu [17].
Solar Opposites
What happens when a family of aliens from a better world find themselves in middle America? They get a crash course on human behaviour and American culture, and that's exactly what happens in this comedy since, which was created by Rick and Morty co-creator Justin Roiland and comedy writer Mike McMahan. This one has already been renewed for two more seasons [18], so we'll be seeing plenty more of Korvo and Terry.
Watch Solar Opposites on Hulu [19].
High Fidelity
This female-POV remake of the 2000 John Cusack-led movie (and Nick Hornby novel) of the same name stars Zoë Kravitz as Robyn "Rob" Brooks, a pop culture and music super-fan who runs a record store in the rapidly gentrifying Crown Heights neighbourhood of Brooklyn. High Fidelity added some much-needed diversity to Hulu, and it's beyond disappointing that this one was cancelled after only one season [20].
Watch High Fidelity on Hulu [21].
Devs
This FX on Hulu sci-fi series stars Ex Machina and Maniac actress Sonoya Mizuno as Lily, a software engineer at a quantum computing company whose boyfriend mysteriously dies on his first day working for the company's secretive "Devs" division. We guarantee you've never seen Nick Offerman in a role quite like his one in Devs (and we've probably never heard a soundtrack as trippy as this one [22]).
Watch Devs on Hulu [23].
Crossing Swords
This hilarious adult-animated stop-motion sitcom tells the story of Patrick, a peasant who lands a coveted job as a squire at the royal castle, but his dream becomes a nightmare when he discovers how corrupt, cruel, and surprisingly horny the royal elites are. Voice actors in this one include Nicholas Hoult, Luke Evans, Adam Pally, Tara Strong, Tony Hale, and Seth Green, among others, and yes, it's coming back for a second instalment [24].
Watch Crossing Swords on Hulu [25].
Baghdad Central
Set in October 2003 in US-occupied Iraq, this Hulu and Channel 4 adaptation of Elliott Colla's novel revolves around Iraqi ex-policeman Muhsin who — after losing everything — is recruited by a British ex-cop to work as a policeman for Occupation forces. Though it's a familiar scenario, Baghdad Central works to uproot harmful stereotypes, and it's definitely a must-watch.
Watch Baghdad Central on Hulu [26].