20 Best TV Dramas of All Time, Ranked

Selecting the best TV dramas of all time is ultimately subjective, but several shows stand out for their overall quality and impact on the medium of television. Marked by compelling storytelling and memorable characters, these shows typically explore complex themes such as morality, identity, and power dynamics. Whether set in contemporary times or eras in the past, they offer insights into the human condition and society at large. While crime series have practically dominated television today, the greatest dramas of all time hail from all genres of TV.

From the best TV shows of the past 20 years to the ones that laid the groundwork for contemporary television in the 20th century, these dramas have resonated deeply with different generations of audiences. Sparking thought-provoking discussions and leaving lasting impressions, many of these shows push the boundaries of the medium, experimenting with narrative structure, visual style, and character development. Their impact extends beyond the television screen, influencing popular culture and inspiring generations of storytellers across all media. From gripping crime stories to epic sagas, the best TV dramas of all time transcend genre conventions, offering immersive and unforgettable viewing experiences.

20 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Created By: David Benioff and DB Weiss

Game of Thrones has a complex legacy in 21st century series history. Even with the House of the Dragon season 2 release date on the horizon – and the prequel being received warmly by critics and viewers alike – audiences refuse to forget how the showrunners dropped the ball in the last seasons of GoT. However, though it is mostly remembered for its disappointing final arc, it can’t be denied how the medieval fantasy genre practically dominated mainstream entertainment during GoT‘s 9-year run. Moreover, for all its faults, the earlier seasons of GoT laid the groundwork for high-stakes political and crime dramas that subvert family themes, like Succession or Ozark.

19 Firefly (2002)

Created By: Joss Whedon

The space Western genre may not be where it is today if it wasn’t for Firefly. Set in the near future, Firefly was driven by the superb chemistry between its ragtag group of social outcasts, brought together by the titular Firefly class ship. Over 2 decades later, the Firefly cast remains one of the greatest ensembles of unexpected heroes in all fiction, seamlessly intertwining personal relationships with the social turmoils of frontier planets across the fringes of space. Even after just 1 season, Firefly continues to be popular among audiences over 2 decades since it was canceled. To this day, rumors of Firefly reboots continue to float in the ether.

Related

Everything We Know About Disney’s Firefly Revival

A revival of Firefly is rumored to be in the works from Disney; here’s everything we know about the reboot of Joss Whedon’s sci-fi western.

18 GLOW (2017-2019)

Created By: Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch

A heavily fictionalized retelling of the true stories behind David McLane’s Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling circuit, GLOW follows the promoters and female actresses and athletes of the first all-women televised pro-wrestling show. Capitalizing on the wave of ’80s nostalgia that took over TV in the 2010s, GLOW was a genuinely funny, compelling, and tragic period drama that shone a light on the untold stories of pioneering women in entertainment. Like many other great dramas, GLOW was canceled due to the pandemic, and it hasn’t been picked up since. Nonetheless, the satirical comedic drama remains a cultural touchstone for sparking still ongoing debates about feminism in television.

17 The Curse (2023-present)

Created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie

A newly married couple star in their own HGTV show, Fliplanthropy, in which they evict low-income tenants to flip homes for a profit, and then make a show out of financially supporting whomever they displace. Though the couple stand to make huge profits, they are beset by a curse that threatens to take over the show-within-a-show. Today, there are many satirical black comedy shows like The Curse, but the execution of its singular premise and its stark examination of influencer culture make it arguably the most relevant. For curious first-time viewers, be warned that The Curse is a masterclass in creating uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing moments.

16 Lost (2004-2010)

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

A group of plane crash survivors find out that the island on which they’re stranded may have a mind of its own. Lost might be the greatest and most misunderstood mystery sci-fi series of all time. The show is known for cleverly balancing suspenseful twists with poignant moments of reflection. At the same time, its layers of intrigue, non-linear narrative, and rich symbolism have kept viewers both engaged and confused – accounting for its divisive reputation. However, if there’s anything that the show’s most loyal viewers and harshest critics can agree on, it is that Lost was pivotal to the mainstream popularization of heavily experimental serialized sci-fi TV.

Related

15 Lost Moments That Made Fans Cry

Lost had many intense and exciting moments throughout its six-year run. Whether joyously or remorsefully, these moments stood out the most.

15 Fleabag (2016-2019)

Created By: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

The comedy-drama Fleabag is largely known as the greatest work of actor and screenwriter, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also stars as the series’ unnamed, deeply troubled, and hilarious protagonist. Though the show is a deep dive into the psychological effects of trauma and guilt, it’s also a wildly inventive, profane, and insightful comedy. From the unnamed heroine’s fourth wall-breaking commentary and narration of the show’s events, to the startling flashbacks of her dark past, Fleabag’s cutting wit and relatable characters make it arguably the best tragicomedy of the 2010s. Despite audiences clamoring for more, Waller-Bridge has notably refused to make new episodes of Fleabag, stating that her character’s journey is over.

14 I May Destroy You (2020)

Created by: Michaela Coel

After Michaela Coel was raped while working on her hit sitcom Chewing Gum, she created the black comedy series I May Destroy You. The gravity of the true story that inspired I May Destroy You is never lost in the show. Yet, it is a legit comedy filled with delightfully irreverent humor and social commentary. Moreover, through its main characters, the show both critiques and celebrates the most formative aspects of Millennial culture in the 21st century. Most importantly, in the era of feminist television, I May Destroy You presents a truly singular examination of the long-term traumatic effects of rape and sexual assault.

13 The Twilight Zone (1959-1964)

Created By: Rod Serling

The creative roots of modern shows like Black Mirror, The Outer Limits, and even The X-Files and Wandavision can all be traced back to The Twilight Zone. Drama and mystery are just some of the genres employed by this pivotal horror anthology show from the ’60s. The Twilight Zone has garnered immense popularity and acclaim through its suspenseful stories, ingenious twists, social commentary, and philosophical musings on the nature of modern society. Over the decades, many contemporary series have since copied this formula and achieved great success – yet The Twilight Zone remains the greatest horror and mystery anthology series in TV history.

12 The Expanse (2015-2022)

Created By: Daniel Abraham, Mark Fergus, Ty Franck, and Hawk Ostby

Hundreds of years into the future, humanity has colonized the solar system, yet the political and socioeconomic turmoil birthed by modern society still persist. Through the lens of its ensemble cast, The Expanse deftly explores themes of power, identity, and survival against the backdrop of a vast and unforgiving universe. From its detailed world-building and ambitious plot to its depiction of space travel, The Expanse immerses viewers in a frighteningly real and relatable universe that is more science than fiction. Notably, the series ended before fully adapting the books it is based on, leaving its dedicated audiences yearning for more seasons of the best unfinished sci-fi drama ever.

Related

Why The Expanse Ended With Season 6 And Whether There Will Be More

The Expanse season 6 brought the live-action Amazon series to a dramatic close. But why did the story end here, with 3 books still to adapt?

11 Six Feet Under (2001-2005)

Created By: Alan Ball

Six Feet Under stands out as one of the best dramas ever due to its profound exploration of life, death, and everything in between. The show follows the lives of the Fishers, a family of undertakers in Los Angeles, providing a unique lens into mortality and human relationships. Subverting the typical family drama, Six Feet Under is known for its innovative narrative structure, often involving surreal fantasies and flashbacks. From the way each episode begins with a death that the undertakers must process, to how these deaths allegorize their personal struggles and the show’s philosophical themes, Six Feet Under paints an unusual picture of a city obsessed with eternal youth.

10 Band of Brothers (2001)

Created By: Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg

Through its raw and authentic portrayal of wartime experiences, Band of Brothers has earned a reputation for being the greatest war drama series of all time. The show follows Easy Company, a unit of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from their training to the end of World War II. Band of Brothers has garnered universal critical acclaim for its dedication to historical accuracy and attention to detail, immersing viewers in the harrowing realities of combat and the camaraderie between soldiers during wartime. Apart from honoring the real individuals whose stories inspired the series, Band of Brothers provides a poignant reflection on the human cost of armed conflicts in history.

9 Succession (2018-2023)

Created By: Jesse Armstrong

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the best quotes in Succession are mostly petty and hilarious insults. Underneath Succession‘s thick fog of irreverent jokes lies arguably the most important corporate family drama in TV history. The series follows the billionaire Roy family, centering on the power struggles that arise between siblings and executives when the health of the patriarch declines. Balanced with razor-sharp writing and humor, Succession is an unflinching and scathing critique of corporate culture and the elite class. Representing the evolution of high-stakes political drama shows in the 2020s, Succession is famous for its shocking twists, sheer irreverence, and nuanced character arcs.

8 The Americans (2013-2018)

Created By: Joe Weisberg

Set during the Cold War, espionage drama The Americans follows two Russian KGB spies posing as a suburban American couple, centered on the complexities of their double lives. Known for its meticulous attention to historical details, The Americans immerses audiences in the paranoid atmosphere of the ’80s. Skillfully balancing deadly spy missions with intimate family dynamics, the period drama tackles themes of identity, duty, and morality. By showing the real cost of being a spy, The Americans subverts a number of drama conventions to arrive at a truly unique story – made uncomfortably familiar by being rooted in the not-so-distant and real history of the American/Russian Cold War.

Related

Was FX’s The Americans Based On A True Story?

The Americans TV show was steeped in Cold War-era history, leading audiences to wonder if it was based on a true historical story about real people.

7 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Created By: Vince Gilligan

Universally acclaimed as the greatest crime series ever, Breaking Bad centers around the infamous Walter White – also known as Heisenberg – a chemistry teacher who turns to meth production to afford cancer treatments. Rooted in the social reality faced by billions without healthcare, Breaking Bad was one of the first shows to break free from crime genre conventions in order to create something new and shockingly relatable. The series has been hailed as a cornerstone of drama, while simultaneously condemned for humanizing arguably TV’s vilest antihero. Wherever one sits regarding this debate, Walt’s transformation into a full-blown drug lord has since defined the direction of antihero-driven crime fiction.

6 Ozark (2017-2022)

Created By: Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams

After dipping their toes in corporate embezzling, the Byrde family find themselves hopelessly trapped in the blood-soaked world of South American drug cartels. What differentiates Ozark from other family-driven crime dramas is that it’s all about the pursuit of the American Dream, examining the hopes and aspirations of lower and middle-class America – but from the lens of international money laundering. As the Byrdes’ problems get bigger and more dangerous, so do their opportunities grow in the high-stakes underworld. Though it’s certainly not the first crime series to subvert family sitcom tropes, the unique circumstances and character arcs of the Byrdes solidy the legacy of Ozark in TV drama history.

5 The Sopranos (1999-2007)

Created By: David Chase

The Sopranos isn’t just the definitive series about the Italian-American mafia. This is the show that launched the modern TV trend of focusing on elite criminals struggling to find the balance between their home and professional lives. Indeed, despite the harsh realities of watching The Sopranos today, there is no greater example of a hardened mobster who is equally concerned about his business and his family affairs than Tony Soprano. From Tony’s violent day-to-day activities to his revealing conversations with his therapist, wife, kids, and coworkers, The Sopranos paints a bleak and surreal picture of what it means to provide for one’s mafia family.

4 Twin Peaks (1990-2017)

Created By: Mark Frost and David Lynch

Nearly every contemporary detective mystery owe a debt of gratitude to Twin Peaks. Filled with supernatural mysteries, quirky characters, offbeat humor, and truly unnerving twists, the series delves into the eerie secrets of the small titular mountain town after the murder of high school student Laura Palmer. Known for his strange films, David Lynch’s visionary direction infuses the show with a dreamlike quality, exploring the dark underbelly of small-town America in ways that resonate with viewers on a visceral level. The show’s impact on popular culture is undeniable, inspiring countless imitators and influencing a generation of filmmakers and television creators alike.

Related

12 TV Shows That Would Not Exist Without Twin Peaks

David Lynch and Mark Frost’s mystery drama Twin Peaks revolutionized television and countless shows would not exist without its influence.

3 The Wire (2002-2008)

Created By: David Simon

Renowned for its uncompromising depiction of urban life and the systemic issues arising from poverty, The Wire is known for its pivotal and intimate portrayal of the underground drug industry in Baltimore, Maryland. Each season focuses on a different aspect of Baltimore’s legal and criminal institutions, providing a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of social challenges through the lens of The Wire‘s ensemble cast. Transcending the boundaries of crime drama, The Wire deeply examines gang and police violence in order to critique the failure of America’s supposedly stalwart institutions. Despite ending its 7-year run over a decade ago, The Wire‘s depiction of social inequality in urban centers remains timeless.

2 True Detective (2014-present)

Created By: Nic Pizzolatto and Issa Lopez

Years after the true story-inspired plot of True Detective season 1 wowed audiences with a fresh new take on the mystery crime drama, the show’s atmospheric storytelling and compelling character studies continue in True Detective: Night Country, the fourth season. The crime anthology True Detective explores distinct narratives, settings, and themes for each season of the show – united only by psychological thriller elements and the varying perspectives of the different detectives that star in each installment. Apart from how it focuses on unraveling complex mysteries, the show’s intricate plots, evocative imagery, and philosophical musings have allowed True Detective to stand out as a modern classic.

1 Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

Created By: Vince Gilligan

Although Better Call Saul is a prequel of Breaking Bad, the spinoff has arguably surpassed the original crime drama in all respects. The series follows the transformation of Jimmy McGill into the morally ambiguous lawyer Saul Goodman. Like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul explores morality, ambition, and justice. However, while Walt was forced into criminal activities, Jimmy was born to play the game. Combined with the show’s attention to detail and subtle callbacks to its predecessor, its exploration of the legal world and the complexities of human relationships resonate with audiences on a profound level. It’s also notable how the Better Call Saul ending finally got the antihero genre right.