Limited TV series seem to be all the rage recently, from hits like Marvel’s Loki and WandaVision to Netflix’s Inventing Anna and The Queen’s Gambit. The recent Emmy nominations saw several new names being nominated in the Limited Series category, implying it’s the way forward for both actors and viewers.
Whether it be action-packed dramas like Band Of Brothers or heart-wrenching romances like Normal People, there are a wide variety of shows that fall under the Limited Series genre. Users on IMDb have ranked and rated these shows, resulting in a list of the top Limited Series of all time.
The Pacific (2010) – 8.3
Made by the same creators of Band Of Brothers (which will make an appearance later on in this list), The Pacific follows the lives of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Pacific campaign of WWII. It features a star-studded cast, many of whom have gone on to grow in their careers, including the likes of Jon Seda, Joseph Mazzello, and Rami Malek.
The Pacific was released to widespread critical acclaim, with many praising it for its unrelenting view of the war, exploration of characters, and breathtaking acting. It was one of three (soon to be four) miniseries made by HBO about the war, the other being Generation Kill, and the eagerly anticipated new Tom Hanks miniseries, Masters Of The Air.
Unbelievable (2019) – 8.4
Based on a true crime, Unbelievable follows a series of rapes that take place across Washington State and Colorado. A teenager at the center of the rapes is charged with lying about the rapes, but a small handful of law officials believe she is telling the truth. It stars Toni Collette as Detective Grace Rasmussen, the lead detective on the case.
The series was commended for its handling of a difficult subject, with several noting how powerful a series like this is for victims who are often spoken over. It was nominated for several awards, including several Emmys for both the cast, supporting actress, and writing.
Normal People (2020) – 8.4
Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Sally Rooney, Normal People follows the lives of Marianne and Connell, from a small town in Ireland. The two are in an on again off again complex relationship through their late teenage years and early adult years. Marianne struggles with her home life and popularity, whereas Connell is the exact opposite.
The series debuted to instant critical acclaim, with praise for the writing, acting, directing, aesthetics and cinematography. It also saw skyrocketing sales of the book, with many desperate to get their hands on the original story. Paul Mescal won several awards for his portrayal of Connell, and Daisy Edgar-Jones was nominated for a handful for her performance as Marianne.
The Night Of (2016) – 8.5
Following Naz, a rule-following and straight-laced Pakistani-American student, viewers watch as he wakes up next to a dead body and is subsequently wrapped up in a murder investigation, where he is the main suspect. He can’t remember anything about the night before, thanks to the drugs and alcohol, and is doubting his own innocence as the investigation progresses.
Viewers instantly praised this limited series for its mystery and intrigue and ability to keep the watchers entertained the whole time. The writing was also praised for the same reason. Riz Ahmed’s performance as Naz was also commended. It won several awards at the Emmy’s that year, including Best Cinematography and Best Sound Mixing.
Mare Of Easttown (2021) – 8.5
Mare Of Easttown stars the formidable Kate Winslet as Detective Mare Sheehan, a highly skilled local detective in charge of investigating the murder of a local young woman. She knows everyone in the town and everyone’s secrets, however, she’s plagued by the recent death of her son.
Winslet, in particular, received widespread critical acclaim for her performance, with many calling it her best career performance to date. The limited series was also praised for its casting, writing and mystery element that kept the story alive, right up until the final episode.
The Queen’s Gambit (2020) – 8.6
Based on the best-selling book of the same name, The Queen’s Gambit follows Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy growing up in the late 1950s in rural America. Viewers follow as she grows up, honing her chess skills but struggling with her addiction and the relationships around her.
Anya Taylor-Joy plays Beth and her performance was immediately commended by critics and fans alike, with many saying the success of the limited series was thanks to her magnetic portrayal. The series also received several awards for its costuming and makeup and historical accuracy of the time.
When They See Us (2019) – 8.9
Following the true events of the Central Park jogger case, this crime drama explores the lives of the suspects and their families. As one of the shortest limited series on this list, there are only four episodes. It features an ensemble cast which was the basis for its critical acclaim.
The limited series was released to immediate praise, for its handling of the difficult subject, and portrayal of the suspects at the time. It won Critics Choice for Best Limited Series, as well as most of the cast being nominated for their portrayals.
Şahsiyet (2018) – 9.1
Şahsiyet is the only International Limited Series on this list, originally broadcast in Turkey but deemed a global success. It follows Agâh Beyoğlu, a retired count clerk who has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. A serial killer starts leaving bodies in the streets, and somehow Agâh is related to it all.
Haluk Bilginer, who plays Agâh Beyoğlu, won the International Emmy Award for his role as Agâh, which sent the series into international recognition. Critics have praised the series for its exploration of the human mind, as well as the writing and plot development.
Chernobyl (2019) – 9.4
As its name suggests, Chernobyl follows the lives of those affected by the nuclear disaster. It takes a close look at the men and women who tried to contain the disaster, those who were first on the scene, and those who tried to spread the word about what really happened that night in April 1986.
It was nominated for 19 Emmys and won for Best Limited Series, Directing and Writing, with the main cast also receiving acting nominations. It also won several Golden Globes, with critics praising the research that went into this series, and the writing. Many commended the raw complexities of the horrors of the incident and exploring not only the disaster itself but the months and years that followed.
Band Of Brothers (2001) – 9.4
Band Of Brothers tells the story of Easy Company of the U.S. 101st Army Airborne Division and their fight across occupied Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.
At the time of release, Band Of Brothers was the most expensive TV show ever made. It featured an ensemble cast, many of whom have gone on to have very successful careers, including Damian Lewis, Tom Hardy, Donnie Wahlberg, and Dexter Fletcher. It was a series praised for its action sequences, strong characterization, and emotional moments against the backdrop of war. Some critics have even claimed that Band Of Brothers was the benchmark for war media going forward.
