40 Best TV Dramas of All Time, Ranked

It is no secret that there is an amazing variety of nice TV dramas on the market. Individuals typically converse of a “golden age” of TV, although it is generally up for debate when that interval was. For some, it began as early because the Nineteen Nineties and will have ended some 10 to twenty years later. Others would possibly really feel that TV remains to be in a golden age, with it being one which streaming companies helped usher in in the course of the 2010s. Nevertheless, one factor that is simple is that the previous few a long time have been wealthy with a number of the best TV dramas of all time. The next reveals display this properly, with all being broadly definable as dramas – whereas typically crossing into different genres, too – and offering glorious leisure over a number of years.

Whereas the next nice TV reveals do not all match into the class of “drama” and nothing else, they’re all definable as dramas, and might be counted among the many greatest reveals of all time. These in search of compelling, emotional, and relatable works of tv must make it a precedence to hunt these out, contemplating they’re largely the most effective TV collection of all time. Some could also be imperfect, and a few had their high quality range from season to season, but all are undeniably spectacular accomplishments and are ranked from nice to best.

40 ‘The Knick’ (2014-2015)

Created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler

The medical drama style is not one usually related to accuracy, as a result of it’s attainable to create compelling character drama with out getting too slowed down in medical accuracy. However then there’s one thing like The Knick, which aimed to be a starkly practical depiction of how the world of drugs functioned far again up to now, with the present being set proper in the beginning of the twentieth century.

On high of showcasing how issues had been up to now, it additionally offers with some intense themes surrounding drug habit and racial conflicts in New York Metropolis on the flip of the century. Although The Knick only ran for two seasons, each had been acclaimed, and notably, Steven Soderbergh was credited with directing all 20 episodes (and that’s on high of all of the feature-length films he churns out on a just about yearly foundation).

39 ‘Mr. Robotic’ (2015-2019)

Created by Sam Esmail

It’s important to give credit score to Mr. Robot for one factor past anything: it certain is exclusive. It’s paranoid, mind-bending, and twist-filled in ways in which might generally really feel paying homage to different works of fiction, however your complete present is aggressively its personal factor visually and stylistically, with deliberately odd camerawork, framing, narrative selections, and persistently disorientating enhancing.

It’s a present that goals to seize societal unease whereas depicting a revolution of types within the trendy world, with the principle character being a hacker concerned with all these unusual occasions which might be additional warped by his uncommon notion of the world. Mr. Robotic might or might not partake in some shark-jumping from time to time, nevertheless it’s additionally weirdly admirable for simply how on the market it’s, and people daring selections actually paid off sufficient to make sure it ran for a good 4 seasons earlier than ending by itself phrases.

38 ‘Bates Motel’ (2013-2017)

Developed by Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin, and Anthony Cipriano

What started as an Alfred Hitchcock movie back in 1960 has had a shocking legacy within the a long time which have adopted, with Psycho receiving fascinating sequels, an notorious remake, and a prequel collection within the type of Bates Motel. The collection is usually set earlier than the occasions of the unique Psycho (now set within the modern-day, nonetheless), although the ultimate season does meet up with the occasions of the primary Psycho novel/film.

The dynamic between Norman Bates and his mom, Norma, is the main focus of a lot of the present, with a sure ominous environment all through, owing to the (hopefully frequent at this stage) information that Norma is deceased by the occasions of Psycho. It really works as a mixture of the horror and drama genres, being pulpy at instances, certain, however well-made and well-acted pulp nonetheless.

37 ‘The Newsroom’ (2012-2014)

Created by Aaron Sorkin

The Newsroom options an ensemble forged, is created by Aaron Sorkin, and, unsurprisingly, is centered round a cable information channel. It type of does for that world what Sorkin’s different acclaimed TV present, The West Wing, did for American politics, with a comparable tone present in each reveals and the 2 having the identical fast-paced dialogue Sorkin has grow to be well-known for writing.

Maybe The Newsroom additionally lays issues on a bit thick at instances, and also you’d be hard-pressed to argue that it’s a refined present essentially, however the large concepts explored make it bold and at the least fascinating, even when it’s not at its greatest. The manufacturing worth is persistently excessive (due to it being from HBO, naturally), and the performances in The Newsroom are all strong throughout the board, too.

36 ‘Useless Like Me’ (2003-2004)

Created by Bryan Fuller

Bryan Fuller has had a hand in creating some offbeat, uncommon, and compelling reveals through the years, Useless Like Me included, although he left the present pretty early on in its run. Stated run wasn’t significantly lengthy, both, with Useless Like Me airing for 2 seasons after which getting a feature-length finale of types in 2009, Dead Like Me: Life After Death.

That was sufficient for it to construct up a cult following, although, and was largely about demise, the afterlife, and the experiences of a bunch of grim reapers, all of whom lived and died at totally different factors in historical past. Useless Like Me was quirky and offbeat sufficient to perform like a comedy at instances, with it successfully mixing darkish humor and drama – plus some clearly fantastical components for good measure – into a singular cocktail of a TV present.

35 ‘Dexter’ (2006-2013)

Developed by James Manos Jr.

Look, Dexter begins robust and undoubtedly doesn’t end robust, however for what works, it’s value celebrating. The present a few serial killer who kills different serial killers (and criminals) whereas hiding in plain sight as a forensic knowledgeable, working amongst different detectives, was enjoyable for some time. The primary 4 (of eight) seasons had been fairly nice, and the fourth season specifically was phenomenal.

Quick-forward to seasons 5 and 6… there was some drop-off. Season 7 was enjoyable, and a return to type of types. Season 8… it’s higher to faux Season 8 of Dexter by no means occurred. Dexter nonetheless has sufficient high-quality episodes and seasons to be thought of a minor basic. It has the form of in-your-face thrills, plot twists, and varied surprising moments to make for good pulp TV… simply bow out on the proper time, and also you’re all good.

34 ‘The Bear’ (2022-)

Created by Christopher Storer

There’s been slightly stumbling in the case of The Bear and its three seasons to date, however actually nothing as drastic as Dexter, and nothing that may’t be recovered from. It hit the bottom working as a incessantly tense and expertly written present a few chef (battling private demons) attempting to handle issues on the sandwich store that his deceased brother used to run.

Additionally, The Bear is typically thought of a comedy/drama collection, however its dramatic components are typically its most compelling, and it will get heavy and aggravating sufficient at instances that it’s attainable to overlook about the entire “comedy” half. Even with some humor, it’s obtained one foot – in all probability two – within the “dram” a part of “dramedy,” and to date (it’s nonetheless working, as of 2024), it’s typically been high-quality sufficient to really feel like one of many largest must-watch reveals of the 2020s to date.

33 ’24’ (2001-2010)

Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran

24 ran for eight seasons all through virtually your complete 2000s (and slightly into the 2010s), after which acquired two follow-ups, the continuation of Jack Bauer’s story in 2014’s 24: Live Another Day, and a type of mishandled reboot of types within the type of 24: Legacy. Stay One other Day was first rate, however the core eight seasons of 24 deliver the most, and customarily signify the long-running collection at its greatest.

Every of these first eight seasons takes place over 24 hours, with occasions enjoying out in real-time, every coping with a collection of dramatic occasions that are likely to put Bauer’s family members in peril, or threaten the protection of your complete U.S., or generally even each. It’s high-stakes and at all times constructing in depth, and for as bombastic because it might generally get, it nonetheless virtually at all times managed to stay thrilling and addictive tv.

32 ‘Physician Who’ (1963-1989, 2005-)

Created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber, and Donald Wilson

However for as long-running as 24 was, it has nothing on the likes of Doctor Who. Sure, this British collection is technically science fiction, before everything, however “drama” has a broader definition in the case of tv, in comparison with films. If one thing’s fictionalized, and it’s not broadly comedic or identifiable as a sitcom, it may be known as a drama; that’s simply the best way it appears to be.

Anyway, Physician Who is a collection that’s maintained its longevity as a result of the titular character is frequently reborn in a special physique, and performed by a special actor, with every happening varied adventures by time and area, normally accompanied by a companion (they modify over time, too). It’s not at all times constant, however the dimension and legacy of Physician Who impresses, with the one actual hiatus for the present being between 1989 and 2005 (and, even then, there was a TV movie in 1996).

31 ‘Oz’ (1997-2003)

Created by Tom Fontana

With out Oz, HBO may not be the powerhouse that it at the moment is within the TV world. This drama collection was an early indication of what may very well be proven on HBO, and it’s truthfully nonetheless fairly gnarly and harrowing by at the moment’s requirements, following the inmates and workers members at a brutal most safety jail. The world the present takes place in is hellish, stuffed with racism, rampant illicit drug use, and near-constant violence/demise.

That’s all to say that Oz is not essentially the most historically fulfilling present, however it’s spectacular and brilliantly acted. It wanes slightly in its final couple of seasons, devolving into cleaning soap opera territory, to some extent, however when it was at its greatest, it was in contrast to anything on the market… even when some later HBO dramas did, admittedly, steal a few of Oz’s thunder.

30 ‘Friday Night time Lights’ (2006-2011)

Developed by Peter Berg

Whereas it was a success amongst critics, Friday Night Lights was by no means big when it got here to rankings, making it lucky that it nonetheless managed to run for 5 seasons. It is centered on a highschool soccer group in West Texas however is not solely involved with sports activities, given Friday Night Lights has a large cast of characters who’re explored whereas being depicted as coping with ups and downs of their lives.

It was primarily based on a e-book that was additionally tailored as a film in 2004, shortly earlier than the TV collection started airing. With the added size that comes from long-form, years-spanning tv, the present was in a position to discover extra characters than an extraordinary film ever might, and turned arguably extra partaking and emotionally resonant consequently.

29 ‘The Leftovers’ (2014-2017)

Created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

A number of years after he concluded being a lead author on one other acclaimed drama collection, Damon Lindelof co-created The Leftovers, which many would take into account his greatest TV present to date. It is a very grounded take a look at what occurs to the world after a Rapture-like occasion which sees roughly 2% of humanity disappearing with out a hint.

It is not a lot of a dramatic change to the world that issues grow to be post-apocalyptic, however the occasion causes sufficient of a disturbance to radically alter the lives of these left behind, which is the place a lot of the drama within the present comes from. Watching it might make for an odd and generally exasperating expertise, however there is not a lot else prefer it on the market, making it a visit value taking for anybody who finds the premise intriguing.

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28 ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004-2009)

Developed by Ronald D. Moore

Sure, Battlestar Galactica would technically qualify as a science-fiction present, however it might broadly be thought of a drama collection, too, and was thought of a drama collection for the needs of the Emmys, for instance. It ran for 76 episodes over 4 seasons between 2004 and 2009 and had a substantial cult following that regularly turned large enough to name the present a mainstream success.

It was a reimagining of a Seventies collection of the identical identify and had a narrative that takes place in a distant galaxy, following a crew on a army ship that is looking for Planet Earth, given they’re prone to being killed by an android race. It is surprisingly epic and persistently partaking for a present of its variety, and although the show’s finale was controversial, it is nonetheless an intergalactic journey value taking for sci-fi followers.

27 ‘Ozark’ (2017-2022)

Created by Invoice Dubuque and Mark Williams

Netflix is an organization that is actually solely been making TV reveals for a few decade now, however has already risen as much as grow to be remarkably influential, and behind quite a few common reveals. One of many firm’s most critically acclaimed was Ozark, which is a bleak crime/drama collection that had a complete of 4 seasons launched on the Netflix platform between 2017 and 2022.

Broadly talking, it is a few household that decides to grow to be affiliated with a Mexican drug cartel by being cash launderers, solely to search out that there are many drastic penalties for partaking in such a harmful line of labor. It is a always tense and riveting present, and likewise an amazing showcase for the range of its star Jason Bateman, who’s in any other case greatest identified for his extra comedic roles.

Watch on Netflix

26 ‘The Crown’ (2016-2023)

Created by Peter Morgan

Although not everyone seems to be a fan of the Royal Household, it appears that a large variety of Netflix customers are a fan of watching a considerably traditionally correct account of the British Monarchy’s behind-the-scenes drama from all through the twentieth century. The collection about this drama, The Crown, focuses on Queen Elizabeth II, who admittedly has a remarkably long term as the UK’s Queen between 1952 and 2022.

Those that aren’t precisely into the lives of this household needn’t apply, however anybody who finds an curiosity within the UK’s Monarchy will probably discover the performances and manufacturing design on supply right here to be very spectacular. Every season of The Crown takes place over a special time frame, that means quite a few actors have portrayed varied characters at totally different levels of their lives, which is among the extra fascinating features of the present.

Watch on Netflix

25 ‘The Protect’ (2002-2008)

Created by Shawn Ryan

The Shield started and ended the identical 12 months as one other groundbreaking collection revolving round police work and crime (extra on that one a lot additional down). It due to this fact helped usher in a brand new type of cop drama; one which was grittier, extra ferocious, and extra morally advanced than most that had come earlier than, centering on a protagonist who was arguably too villainous to be thought of an anti-hero.

That protagonist was Vic Mackey, a corrupt cop who’d brutally combat crime together with his squad, technically serving to their division whereas additionally doing issues like taking advantage of unlawful items they confiscated, primarily medicine. Inside its seven seasons, The Protect begins robust, sags slightly within the center, however then excels in its final couple of seasons, and delivers a collection finale for the ages.

24 ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997-2003)

Created by Joss Whedon

Whereas Buffy the Vampire Slayer was technically a drama collection, it additionally excelled at being an action-packed fantasy/romance present and may very well be very humorous at instances, too, largely due to Buffy‘s lovable and often hilarious main cast. It adopted the titular character as she fulfilled her demon-fighting future whereas making associates, falling out and in of affection, and attempting to make it in highschool (throughout Seasons 1 to three) after which the grownup world (in Seasons 4 to 7).

With near 150 episodes over seven seasons, it is pure that just a few hours misfired right here and there; this generally uneven high quality technically makes it a flawed present. Nevertheless, by and huge, it was nice TV, and when Buffy the Vampire Slayer was at its highest, few different reveals might contact it when it got here to high quality.

23 ‘Misplaced’ (2004-2010)

Created by Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof

Effectively over a decade because it ended, and virtually twenty years after it began, Lost stays a considerably divisive present. It started with a bunch of airplane crash survivors attempting to get by on a mysterious island, with issues feeling grounded and solely often fantastical for a very good chunk of its first season.

Because it went on, the mysteries elevated. Misplaced pivoted right into a present that was about extra than simply survival, with the island having a posh backstory, and later seasons involving time journey and differing timelines and/or dimensions. The trip was a wild one, however if you happen to let Misplaced do its personal factor and simply sustain as greatest you possibly can – whereas accepting you may not obtain a concrete reply for actually each thriller – it is a incredible, enjoyable, and undeniably distinctive present.

22 ‘True Detective’ (2014-)

Created by Nic Pizzolatto and Issa López

True Detective was a shock hit again when its first season aired in 2014, and a present that seemingly everybody was speaking about. It starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, following their characters – a pair of detectives – reopening a mysterious homicide case a few years after it befell, and making a collection of disturbing revelations alongside the best way.

The performing, writing, and general storytelling felt unparalleled, with the present quickly turning into an anthology collection that adopted totally different characters and totally different instances every season. These have confirmed to be extra divisive than Season 1, although the present stays compelling and fascinating TV, with an intriguing Season 4 – starring Jodie Foster – shocking everybody with its prime quality and intelligent use of supernatural components.

21 ‘Fargo’ (2014-)

Created by Noah Hawley

Fargo started airing the identical 12 months as True Detective, equally stands as an acclaimed anthology collection. It is primarily based on the acclaimed 1996 crime film of the identical identify, directed by the Coen Brothers, and goals to seize the tone and really feel of that movie with totally different tales every season.

Like True Detective, sure seasons appear to have just a few extra followers than others, although at the least most will agree Seasons 1 and a couple of of Fargo made for nice TV. With a darkish humorousness, unpredictable storylines, and a willingness to experiment increasingly because the seasons go on, Fargo is undoubtedly one of many best TV anthology series of all time.