Starring the always impressive Sophie Turner as the titular Joan, it follows the true story of the prolific jewel thief, who goes to extreme length to try and get her beloved daughter out of foster care. Come for the brilliant acting and compelling story, stay for the costumes – Turner looks sensational in every scene. Life is seemingly perfect for Monterey, California moms Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Celeste (Nicole Kidman), and Jane (Shailene Woodley)—until a murder at a school fundraiser throws their entire lives into disarray. Adapted from Liane Moriarty’s 2014 novel of the same name, the show reveals the dark underbelly of upper-class social circles, in which secrets and deceit so often run amok. Between the compelling performances, stellar writing and shocking twists, it deserved every one of them.
The 30 best drama series to enjoy
Its stories cover major real events including World War I, the sinking of the Titanic, and the Spanish flu pandemic. With two films released since the series end and third on the way, Downton Abbey is definitely a household name in the genre. If the presiding mode in modern television is cynicism, Star Trek was boldly upbeat.
Must-Watch Drama Shows on Netflix Right Now (May
Based on the books by Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone marries Alina’s storyline with characters Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, and Jesper Fahey, who make up the Crows gang in Kerch. What follows is a riveting fantasy drama that inspires escapism and suspense in equal measure. During the show's three-season arc, viewers get a crash course in the creation and growth of the cocaine cartels that dominated the '80s. Representing one of Netflix's premium series and serving a surprising amount of humor among the history and violence, Narcos offers a front-row look at Pascal's acting talents. Midnight Mass comes from a master of the horror genre, Mike Flanagan, and it’s one of his best. What starts as the ominous return of Riley — who went to prison for killing a woman while drunk driving — turns into a supernatural nightmare that even the biggest horror buff couldn’t have seen coming.
Stranded in Scotland, she must navigate an older time and vastly different politics and social rules. Claire and her Highland warrior love interest Jamie electrify the screen, keeping viewers invested in their relationship. By bending its genres together without breaking either, its a compelling watch for anyone who hasnt come across it yet.
#14. The West Wing
Afternoon tea became a regular appointment for millions of viewers because of this period phenomenon. This most-watched show on PBS and ITV depicted the trials and tribulations of the residents of a fictional estate in Yorkshire, England between 1912 and 1926. Audiences followed complex plotlines about both the aristocratic Crawley family and the lives of their domestic servants. Downton Abbey commits fully to the lavish visual aesthetic of the post-Edwardian era.
A spinoff of the Marvel Netflix series "Daredevil," "The Punisher" follows the titular anti-hero, otherwise known as Frank Castle, who fights crime as a ruthless vigilante in New York City. Though canceled after only two seasons, the show was described by Cinema Blend's Nick Venable as "Marvel's best TV show yet." Comedian Louis C.K.'s dark comedy series follows a fictionalized version of himself as he navigates being a single father and stand-up comedian in New York City. The show has been nominated for several Emmys and has taken home Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series twice. And Steve Buscemi, this web series follows two brothers running a bar in Brooklyn and the people and patrons who frequent it.
The Crown changed the game for period dramas because it might not ever be replicated. This historical drama series follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II, from her life as a young woman in the 1940s into modern times, with each season focusing on an important period during her reign. The series has received over 25 Emmy nominations, with particular praise for actor Claire Foy's performance as the queen. A mix of historical fiction, time travel, romance, and fantasy make this show a fan-favorite trendsetter. Outlander is based on a novel series about a former World War II military nurse who gets transported to 1743.
Together they navigate teenage life's ups and downs at William McKinley High School in the early 1980s. The show was notoriously canceled after only one season and has since become a cult classic, one that launched the early careers of actors such as James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel. On the Yellowstone Ranch in Montana, the powerful Dutton family is led by patriarch John Dutton III (Kevin Costner). The series revolves around the conflicts between the Dutton's ranch and those along their borders, like the Yellowstone National Park and Broken Rock Indian reservation. With two other spinoff series already in the can, "1883" and "1923," "Yellowstone" creator Taylor Sheridan has more spinoffs incoming, and one potentially set to star Matthew McConaughey.
We still haven’t forgiven Netflix for canceling this dramedy too soon, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the three seasons of excellence left in its wake. Based loosely on the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling TV series from the ‘80s, GLOW centers on a group of young women assembled for the wrestling promotion as they form their colorful personas and find a sense of purpose. Both deal with tumultuous love lives, aspire to bigger and better things in their professional lives, and make plenty of mistakes along the way. It’s all set within an idyllic small town in Connecticut we desperately wish we could visit, if only to experience some of its quirky traditions and even quirkier residents. For those who thrive on the adrenaline rush of intricate storylines and profound character development, the world of television offers a treasure trove of gripping narratives.
Featuring an all-star cast including Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and Reese Witherspoon, the HBO miniseries was based on the sole novel of the same name, but its success bought it a second season. Stacker compiled IMDb natura quiz data to determine the 100 best drama series of all time as of March 2023. To be considered, the series had to be listed as "drama" in IMDb's database and have over 10,000 IMDb user votes. The best dramas of all time are the ones that make you feel connected to characters you will never meet in real life to the point where you obsess about their exploits as much as your own. Thanks to their gripping storylines the best TV dramas rank high among the best TV shows of recent memory with many touting characters on the list of best TV characters ever.
Eventually, they settle in Montana and build what will become known as the Yellowstone Ranch. To achieve a level of authenticity for the time period, series creator Taylor Sheridan had a strict no-makeup and no-shaving rule for all the actors. At Lumon Industries, employees must undergo a surgical procedure in order to separate their work life from their personal life.
A pop culture touchstone that begat a revival in 2018, the show has spurred a comic series and a spinoff show. Starring Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins, this Western crime drama follows Olyphant as Raylan Givens, a deputy U.S. marshal transferred to his hometown of Harlan, Kentucky, after an incident prompts his reassignment. His tough, old-fashioned crime-fighting style puts him at odds with those he works for.