And the 3 best series of the year are ...

1. HOMECOMING

Julia Roberts made her TV debut in Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail's expansion of a popular podcast about a rehab facility for returning veterans.

Using its few well-selected tools to slowly tease out its puzzle - it's a show that earns its increasing head scratches and delivers clever plot twists that make you want to rewatch each episode before continuing down the path to its dark revelatory ending.

Roberts and Bobby Cannavale give standout performances that keep you guessing every step of the way. 

WATCH | The trailer for Homecoming

2. ATLANTA SEASON 2

It's been yet another good year for Donald Glover - he broke the internet with his music video for Childish Gambino's This is America and proved that it seems when it comes to television, there's very little he can't do right.

Atlanta's second season took it to new heights of surrealism, deadpan on-point social observation to continue its reign as the most relevant and quirky piece of social satire on television.

Katt Williams and an alligator, black folks at the German beerfest and a party at Drake's house provided just some of the many memorable moments for well-rewarded fans this year.

WATCH | The trailer for Atlanta S2

3. THE DEUCE SEASON 2

David Simon and George Pelecanos's examination of the pitfalls and fortunes of New York's porn industry in the '70s may still have a James Franco problem - not helped by recent accusations of sexual misconduct against the actor - but this season really belonged to Maggie Gyllenhaal and the women of The Deuce.

Filled with characteristic razor-sharp dialogue and memorably drawn characters, it's a show that's found its way to a place where it's not about titillation so much as it is about real people trying to make their way in a world that's changing faster than they may be able to comprehend, thanks to forces beyond their control.

WATCH | The trailer for The Deuce S2