Favourite TV Drama Series of All Time
by seanwilson-36931 | created - 15 Jun 2020 | updated - 29 Apr 2022 | PublicBased on the series I enjoyed the most.
Currently watching True Detective
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1. Lost (2004–2010)
TV-14 | 5,445 min | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
The survivors of a plane crash are forced to work together in order to survive on a seemingly deserted tropical island.
Stars: Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Yunjin Kim, Evangeline Lilly
Votes: 594,759
9.9/10 - Without doubt, my favourite show of all time. Has everything - superb characters, great writing, tension, drama, romance, mystery, unpredictability, comedy, amazing dialogue, cliffhangers, and more. An unforgettable show that will get you hooked from the very first minute.
Favourite Episode: Through The Looking Glass
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: John Locke
2. Breaking Bad (2008–2013)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family's future.
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Betsy Brandt
Votes: 2,134,101
9.7/10 - After starting reasonably slow, this legendary show quickly becomes outstanding and just gets better and better. Superb plot, awesome characters, amazing scenes, and several all-time great episodes.
Favourite Episode: Ozymandias
Favourite Season: 5
Favourite Character: Walter White
3. Mr. Robot (2015–2019)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Elliot, a brilliant but unstable cyber-security engineer and vigilante hacker, becomes a key figure in a complex game of global chaos when he and his shadowy allies try to take down the corrupt corporation his company is paid to protect.
Stars: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, Martin Wallström
Votes: 418,063
9.6/10 - This show is absolutely outstanding. It has tons of tension, emotion, mystery, drama, great character development, amazing cinematography, and more. Loved it from start to finish. A modern-day masterpiece.
Favourite Episode: eps3.4_runtime-error.r00
Favourite Season: 4
Favourite Character: Elliot Alderson
4. Prison Break (2005–2017)
TV-14 | 44 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A structural engineer installs himself in a prison he helped design, in order to save his falsely accused brother from a death sentence by breaking themselves out from the inside.
Stars: Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller, Amaury Nolasco, Robert Knepper
Votes: 579,000
9.3/10 - An absolute thrill ride. Starts with an epic first season and keeps you hooked throughout with tense moments. Awesome show.
Favourite Episode: Go
Favourite Season: 1
Favourite Character: Lincoln Burrows
5. Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
Stars: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington, Lena Headey
Votes: 2,282,489
9.3/10 - First six seasons are incredible, featuring brilliant characters, intense moments, and riveting plots. Poor final season but still an amazing show.
Favourite Episode: Hardhome
Favourite Season: 4
Favourite Character: Jon Snow
6. Person of Interest (2011–2016)
TV-14 | 43 min | Action, Crime, Drama
An ex-CIA agent and a wealthy programmer save lives via a surveillance AI that sends them the identities of civilians involved in impending crimes. However, the details of the crimes, including the civilians' roles, are left a mystery.
Stars: Jim Caviezel, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Chapman, Michael Emerson
Votes: 188,895
9/10 - Fantastic show with intensity, fast paced action, intriguing plot lines and a solid set of characters. Gets better with each season.
Favourite Episode: The Crossing
Favourite Season: 5
Favourite Character: John Reece
7. House of Cards (2013–2018)
TV-MA | 50 min | Drama
A Congressman works with his equally conniving wife to exact revenge on the people who betrayed him.
Stars: Kevin Spacey, Michel Gill, Robin Wright, Kate Mara
Votes: 530,727
9/10 - Shocking, tense and unpredictable. A brilliant show featuring one of the best TV characters of all time in Frank Underwood. Final season (without Frank) was not the same.
Favourite Episode: Chapter 14
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Frank Underwood
8. Line of Duty (2012–2021)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Drama series following the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anti-corruption unit.
Stars: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar, Craig Parkinson
Votes: 70,106
9/10 - Fast paced, dramatic and tense. One of BBC's best ever shows. Will get you on the edge of your seat and is another one that gets better as it goes along. Thrilling drama.
Favourite Episode: Breach
Favourite Season: 4
Favourite Character: Steve Arnott
9. Succession (2018–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company.
Stars: Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Peter Friedman
Votes: 272,369
8.8/10
10. Better Call Saul (2015–2022)
TV-MA | 45 min | Crime, Drama
The trials and tribulations of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill in the years leading up to his fateful run-in with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Patrick Fabian
Votes: 646,586
8.8/10
11. Narcos (2015–2017)
TV-MA | 50 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
A chronicled look at the criminal exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as the many other drug kingpins who plagued the country through the years.
Stars: Pedro Pascal, Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook, Alberto Ammann
Votes: 469,969
8.7/10 - Really good show. The chase to arrest Pablo Escobar is thrilling and gripping TV, featuring some great characters.
Favourite Episode: Al Fin Cayo
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Steve Murphy
12. Luther (2010–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
John Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.
Stars: Idris Elba, Dermot Crowley, Michael Smiley, Warren Brown
Votes: 154,221
8.7/10 - Another great BBC show featuring a truly great character in maverick detective John Luther. Great tension and drama that will keep you hooked.
Favourite Episode: 2.2
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: John Luther
13. The Boys (2019– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A group of vigilantes set out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers.
Stars: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty
Votes: 649,347
8.7/10
14. The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Drama, History
As Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders, Uhtred--born a Saxon but raised by Vikings--seeks to claim his ancestral birthright.
Stars: Alexander Dreymon, Eliza Butterworth, Arnas Fedaravicius, Mark Rowley
Votes: 165,532
8.7/10
15. The Wire (2002–2008)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
The Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.
Stars: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn, Wendell Pierce
Votes: 377,092
8.6/10 - A show with many great qualities, including a fascinating set of characters, amazing detail, superb acting, great dialogue and some of the best writing you will see. But it is slow and you have to be patient, very patient, with it. It is not an edge-of-your-seat thriller, more of an extremely in-depth look into the lives of people in Baltimore.
Favourite Episode: Middle Ground
Favourite Season: 5
Favourite Character: Jimmy McNulty
16. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
Stars: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli
Votes: 470,542
8.5/10 - A fascinating look into the mob life. Has awesome writing, unpredictable moments and an amazing main character in Tony Soprano. Also features some of the best acting you'll see. On the negative side, bit of a slow burner with some filler episodes and not a very broad range of great characters.
Favourite Episode: Whoever Did This
Favourite Season: 6
Favourite Character: Tony Soprano
17. Chernobyl (2019)
TV-MA | 41 min | Drama, History, Thriller
In April 1986, the city of Chernobyl in the Soviet Union suffers one of the worst nuclear disasters in the history of mankind. Consequently, many heroes put their lives on the line in the following days, weeks and months.
Stars: Jessie Buckley, Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Adam Nagaitis
Votes: 864,055
8.5/10 - An outstanding mini-series perfectly articulating the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. Features superb dialogue, cinematography, and razor sharp detail.
Favourite Episode: Vichnaya Pamyat
Favourite Character: Vasily Ignatenko
18. Homeland (2011–2020)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A bipolar CIA operative becomes convinced a prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil.
Stars: Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin, Damian Lewis, Rupert Friend
Votes: 360,829
8.4/10 - Some of the most thrilling TV you will watch in the first few seasons. Sadly dragged out too long but still a great watch.
Favourite Episode: There's Something Else Going On
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Saul Berenson
19. Money Heist (2017–2021)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
An unusual group of robbers attempt to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history - stealing 2.4 billion euros from the Royal Mint of Spain.
Stars: Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño, Pedro Alonso
Votes: 531,691
8.3/10 - A very entertaining, enjoyable show with thrilling action, great character development and plenty of emotional moments. Season 4, in general, was a disappointment and perhaps the show went on too long.
Favourite Episode: Bella ciao
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: El Profesor
20. The Leftovers (2014–2017)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Three years after the disappearance of 2% of the global human population, a group of people in a small New York community try to continue their lives while coping with the tragedy of the unexplained nature of the event.
Stars: Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman, Christopher Eccleston, Liv Tyler
Votes: 112,236
8.3/10 - Emotional show with interesting characters and lots of great moments. Season 2, in particular, is excellent.
Favourite Episode: International Assassin
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Kevin Garvey
21. The O.C. (2003–2007)
TV-PG | 44 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
A troubled youth becomes embroiled in the lives of a close-knit group of people in the wealthy, upper-class neighborhood of Newport Beach, Orange County, California.
Stars: Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Peter Gallagher, Kelly Rowan
Votes: 96,134
8.1/10 - This show is very underrated. The characters are fantastic and you really get invested in them. Also has plenty of emotional, funny, and shocking moments.
Favourite Episode: Pilot
Favourite Season: 1
Favourite Character: Sandy Cohen
22. Billions (2016–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama
New money means no mercy as Mike Prince takes the Axe Capital throne. Chuck Rhoades is convinced no one should have that much wealth - or power. As all the players seek out new alliances, only one thing's for certain - wealth means war.
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, David Costabile
Votes: 109,442
8.1/10 - Fascinating show surrounding two brilliant characters in Chuck Rhodes and Bobby Axelrod. First two seasons are awesome.
Favourite Episode: Golden Frog Time
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Chuck Rhodes
23. Sherlock (2010–2017)
TV-14 | 90 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs, Rupert Graves
Votes: 997,378
8.1/10 - Another excellent BBC show which features great plot points and tense moments.
Favourite Episode: The Reichenbach Fall
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Sherlock
24. Ozark (2017–2022)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A financial advisor drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder money to appease a drug boss.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz, Skylar Gaertner
Votes: 346,436
8/10 - Dark, intense and unpredictable. A great show that gets better as it goes along.
Favourite Episode: Fire Pink
Favourite Season: 3
Favourite Character: Marty Byrd
25. Suits (2011–2019)
TV-14 | 44 min | Comedy, Drama
On the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.
Stars: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Meghan Markle, Sarah Rafferty
Votes: 478,423
8/10 - Great show with an interesting look into the life of a big law firm and some solid characters involved. Unfortunately dragged out far too long.
Favourite Episode: Faith
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Harvey Spector
26. The Queen's Gambit (2020)
TV-MA | 57 min | Drama
Orphaned at the tender age of nine, prodigious introvert Beth Harmon discovers and masters the game of chess in 1960s USA. But child stardom comes at a price.
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Chloe Pirrie, Bill Camp, Marcin Dorocinski
Votes: 552,349
8/10
Favourite Episode:
Favourite Character:
27. Power (2014–2020)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
James "Ghost" St. Patrick, a wealthy New York nightclub owner who has it all; dreaming big, catering to the city's elite, and living a double life as a drug kingpin.
Stars: Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora
Votes: 52,357
8/10
Favourite Episode: Don't Thank Me
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: James 'Ghost' St. Patrick
28. Dark (2017–2020)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A family saga with a supernatural twist, set in a German town where the disappearance of two young children exposes the relationships among four families.
Stars: Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari, Maja Schöne
Votes: 443,613
7.8/10 - An interesting show featuring strong characters, visuals and soundtracks. Enjoyed the first two seasons but the last season became extremely complicated and difficult to follow.
Favourite Episode: Life and Death
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Ulrich Nielsen
29. The Fall (I) (2013–2016)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
A seemingly cold but very passionate policewoman goes head to head with a seemingly passionate father who is in fact a cold serial killer in this procedural out of Belfast. The only thing they share is their common complexity.
Stars: Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan, John Lynch, Aisling Franciosi
Votes: 119,577
7.7/10
Favourite Episode: What Is in Me Dark Illumine
Favourite Season: 2
Favourite Character: Stella Gibson
30. Desperate Housewives (2004–2012)
TV-14 | 45 min | Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Secrets and truths unfold through the lives of female friends in one suburban neighborhood after the mysterious suicide of a neighbor.
Stars: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria
Votes: 139,678
7.7/10
Favourite Episode: Bang
Favourite Season: 3
Favourite Character: Tom Scavo
31. Bosch (2014–2021)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama
An L.A.P.D. homicide detective works to solve the murder of a 13-year-old boy while standing trial in federal court for the murder of a serial killer.
Stars: Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick
Votes: 83,379
7.7/10
32. The Crown (2016–2023)
TV-MA | 60 min | Biography, Drama, History
Follows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II's reign and the events that shaped Britain for the second half of the 20th century.
Stars: Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, Imelda Staunton, Matt Smith
Votes: 256,545
7.7/10
33. Spiral (2005–2020)
TV-PG | 52 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Follows criminal investigations in Paris from all the different points of view of those involved.
Stars: Caroline Proust, Audrey Fleurot, Thierry Godard, Philippe Duclos
Votes: 6,744
7.7/10
34. The Affair (2014–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama
A struggling novelist and a young waitress strike up an extramarital relationship that promises to forever change the course of their lives.
Stars: Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, Julia Goldani Telles
Votes: 49,134
7.5/10
35. The Punisher (2017–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After his revenge on those who murdered his family, aimless Marine veteran Frank Castle finds a new meaning in life as a vigilante known as "The Punisher".
Stars: Jon Bernthal, Amber Rose Revah, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore
Votes: 264,819
7.5/10
36. The Split (2018–2022)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama
The Defoes, a family of female divorce lawyers, are forced to face their past following the return of their estranged father after a 30-year absence.
Stars: Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan, Annabel Scholey, Fiona Button
Votes: 10,358
7.5/10
37. Lilyhammer (2012–2014)
TV-MA | 45 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
A New York mobster goes into hiding in rural Lillehammer in Norway after testifying against his former associates.
Stars: Steven Van Zandt, Trond Fausa, Steinar Sagen, Marian Saastad Ottesen
Votes: 32,309
38. The Musketeers (2014–2016)
TV-14 | 55 min | Adventure, Drama
Set on the streets of 17th-century Paris, "The Musketeers" gives a contemporary take on the classic story about a group of highly trained soldiers and bodyguards assigned to protect King and country.
Stars: Luke Pasqualino, Tom Burke, Santiago Cabrera, Howard Charles
Votes: 23,841
7.5/10
39. Big Little Lies (2017–2019)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The apparently-perfect lives of upper-class mothers of students at a prestigious elementary school unravel to the point of murder when a single mother moves to their quaint California beach town.
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Adam Scott
Votes: 224,072
7.5/10
40. Bodyguard (2018)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Troubled war veteran turned Police Officer David Budd is assigned to the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Protection Branch.
Stars: Richard Madden, Sophie Rundle, Vincent Franklin, Ash Tandon
Votes: 147,680
7.5/10
41. Fortitude (2015–2018)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Horror, Mystery
Perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Fortitude is one of the safest towns on earth. There has never been a violent crime here. Until now.
Stars: Richard Dormer, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Sienna Guillory, Mia Jexen
Votes: 23,587
7/10
42. Shooter (2016–2018)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Drama
A conspiracy thriller that follows the journey of Bob Lee Swagger, a highly-decorated veteran who is coerced back into action to prevent a plot to kill the President.
Stars: Ryan Phillippe, Shantel VanSanten, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Omar Epps
Votes: 42,103
7/10
43. Unorthodox (2020)
TV-MA | 53 min | Drama
Story of a young ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman who flees her arranged marriage and religious community to start a new life abroad.
Stars: Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbusch, Alex Reid
Votes: 92,359
6.5/10
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