Top 10 Best TV Drama Series

Television drama series have an unparalleled ability to captivate our hearts and minds, taking us on emotional roller coasters that stick with us long after the credits roll. The best of these series possess a unique blend of storytelling, character development, and the power to evoke a wide range of emotions. These shows make you angry, laugh, and even cry.

Sometimes these shows leave you under a blanket to the very end, unable to tear yourself away from the breathtaking world unfolding before you. In recognition of these outstanding series, with your help we've compiled a top ten list of the best TV drama series that have made a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

The Top Ten

  1. Breaking Bad

    Breaking Bad is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. The show originally aired on AMC for five seasons, from January 20, 2008, to September 29, 2013. It stars Bryan Cranston as a chemistry teacher who turns to methamphetamine production after a cancer diagnosis... read more

    Arguably the best television ever made, with The Wire as a close second. Bryan Cranston's performance is the best I've seen on any television program.

    Great story, characters, and suspense. Simply magnificent.

    Really? This, The Wire, or The Sopranos is not first? That's a joke of a list. Six Feet Under should be higher as well.

    The most brilliant, creative, and original story ever produced for television. A masterpiece.

  2. The Sopranos

    The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story centers on Tony Soprano, a fictional New Jersey Mafia boss portrayed by James Gandolfini. The series explores the difficulties Tony faces as he tries to balance his family life with managing a criminal organization... read more

    The only show even close to The Sopranos is Breaking Bad! Nothing else compares!

  3. Lost

    Lost is an American television drama series that originally aired on the American Broadcasting Company from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010, over six seasons, comprising a total of 121 episodes. Created by J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber, the series follows the survivors of a commercial... read more

    This show is insanely addictive. Each character has their own interesting background. The island contains so many unexpected mysteries yet to be discovered.

    I would definitely recommend this show. It should be #1.

    Most epic show of all time! Amazing cast, insane twists you would never expect, and lovable characters who all have an amazing story. This show is a must-watch! It should be on top.

  4. Dexter

    Dexter is an American crime drama television series that originally aired from 2006 to 2013. Its first season is based on Jeff Lindsay's novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, and the series follows Dexter Morgan, a forensic bloodstain pattern analyst who is also a vigilante serial killer.... read more

  5. House

    House is an American medical drama television series that originally aired on Fox for eight seasons, from November 16, 2004, to May 21, 2012. The series stars Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant but misanthropic diagnostician. The show was widely acclaimed for its writing, character development... read more

    Witty and smart, using a Brit to play an American in a reworking of the Sherlock Holmes character. The fact they can keep an obnoxious and unlikeable character fresh season after season says so much about the writers, directors, and Hugh Laurie. In real life, this "doctor" would have been fired.

    This show is my all-time favorite. House is awesome!

  6. Game of Thrones

    Game of Thrones is an American fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. The show is based on George R. R. Martin's book series A Song of Ice and Fire. The first book in the series is titled A Game of Thrones.

  7. The Wire

    The Wire is an American crime drama television series set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by HBO in the United States. It originally aired from June 2, 2002, to March 9, 2008.

  8. The Walking Dead

    The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror drama television series developed by Frank Darabont. It's based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. Andrew Lincoln plays Rick Grimes, a sheriff's deputy who awakens from a coma to discover... read more

  9. Grey's Anatomy

    Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series that premiered on ABC on March 27, 2005, as a mid-season replacement. The show focuses on the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attending physicians at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. As they advance professionally, the... read more

    This show should be #1. It has a lot of drama, and we get to see each character develop and overcome their problems. The most amazing and unexpected events occur.

    We also get to see the relationships formed and the doctor-patient interactions. Best medical drama yet.

  10. Mad Men

    Mad Men is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate Television. The series premiered on AMC on July 19, 2007, and concluded on May 17, 2015. Set primarily in the 1960s, it follows the lives of employees at an advertising agency in New York City.

    11. The Newcomers
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    Taboo

    Taboo is a British drama television series that debuted in 2017. It was created by Steven Knight, Tom Hardy, and Chips Hardy. The show is set in 1814 and follows James Keziah Delaney, played by Tom Hardy, as he returns to England after 12 years in Africa to claim his inheritance following his father's... read more

    13. The Contenders

  13. Prison Break

    Prison Break is an American crime drama television series created by Paul Scheuring for Fox. Its original four-season run aired from August 29, 2005, to May 15, 2009, followed by a fifth season in 2017. The series follows brothers Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield as they attempt to escape prison... read more

    This has to be higher on the list! Great plot and the perfect cast. I wish it was still going.

    Definitely the best show I have ever seen, and I've seen most of these!

    Good show. I really only watch Star Trek, but I like this show.

  14. Castle

    Castle is an American crime comedy-drama television series that aired on ABC for eight seasons from March 9, 2009, to May 16, 2016. The series was produced jointly by Beacon Pictures and ABC Studios. It stars Nathan Fillion as mystery novelist Richard Castle and Stana Katic as NYPD detective Kate Beckett... read more

  15. 24

    24 is an American action drama television series that aired on the Fox network. It was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran and stars Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a counterterrorism agent. The show is known for its real-time storytelling format and high-stakes plots involving national security... read more

  16. Sons of Anarchy

    Sons of Anarchy is an American crime drama television series created by Kurt Sutter. It aired from 2008 to 2014 and centers on an outlaw motorcycle club operating in the fictional town of Charming, California. The show explores themes of family, loyalty, and power, and it developed a large and devoted... read more

    The Sopranos on motorbikes has everything: family, loyalty, deception, the whole shooting match.

  17. Sherlock (UK)

  18. House of Cards

    House of Cards is an American political drama streaming television series created by Beau Willimon. It is an adaptation of the BBC miniseries of the same name and is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs. The series premiered on Netflix on February 1, 2013, and ran for six seasons.

  19. Homeland

    Homeland is an American spy thriller television series developed by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa, based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War, created by Gideon Raff. It premiered on Showtime on October 2, 2011, and concluded on April 26, 2020. The show stars Claire Danes as CIA officer Carrie Mathison... read more

  20. EastEnders

    EastEnders is a British soap opera that premiered on BBC One on February 19, 1985. It follows the lives of residents in Walford, a fictional borough in the East End of London. Known for its dramatic storylines and large ensemble cast, the show remains one of the longest-running programs on British television... read more

  21. The West Wing

    The West Wing is an American political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin. It aired on NBC from September 22, 1999, to May 14, 2006.

    Set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, the show follows the fictional Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet and his senior... read more

  22. Better Call Saul

    Better Call Saul is an American legal crime drama created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. It is both a prequel and a sequel to Breaking Bad, focusing on the backstory of Saul Goodman, whose real name is Jimmy McGill. The show is set primarily in the early to mid-2000s and stars Bob Odenkirk as McGill.... read more

    Better Call Saul has been sensational.

  23. The Shield

  24. One Tree Hill

    One Tree Hill is an American television drama series created by Mark Schwahn. It premiered on September 23, 2003, on The WB and later moved to The CW. The show follows the lives of a group of young people in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina.

    Absolute favorite show of all time. It's not like all the others, and that's what makes it so good!

  25. Firefly

    Firefly is an American space Western drama television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon under his Mutant Enemy Productions label. The show originally aired on Fox in 2002, is set in the year 2517, and follows the crew of the spaceship Serenity. Despite its short run, it gained a strong... read more

  26. Hollyoaks

  27. Heroes

    Heroes is an American superhero drama television series that aired on NBC from 2006 to 2010. Created by Tim Kring, the show centers on ordinary people who discover that they have superhuman abilities and explores how these powers affect their lives. Its first season was a critical and commercial success... read more

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