My Favorite Dramatic TV Shows (Modern Friendly)

1 season / 8 episodes: Ongoing Series

Season 2: renewed on May/2023

This is the second Keri Russell series to make this list. She's picked another winner.

Although I felt the story was stretched out a bit, the performances, the character growth/depth, the actual story-telling drama more than made up for any minor complaints I may have had.

If the second season is as good as the first... The Diplomat definitely deserves to be on this list.

1 season / 6 episodes: Ongoing Series

This series is outside of my area of interest (spy, action). I started watching episode 1 and was surprised at how good it was. I kept watching.

There was outstanding acting along with good mystery / drama.

Occasionally there are convoluted (sometimes contrived) action scenes that cross into the ridiculous. They are so over-engineered that the scenes become laughable.

I dislike this aspect of the series very much. It doesn't need it. Pick an audience! Children or normal adult people.

Overall, season 1 was great. I'm not sure this series will continue to pull me in but I am definitely looking forward to a season 2. After season 2, I'll decide if it truly deserves to be on this list.

5 seasons / 55 episodes, 1 movie: Series Complete

Film link: El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

8 seasons / 73 episodes: Series Complete

5 seasons / 60 episodes: Series Complete

11 seasons / 177 episodes: Series Complete

I'm including TWD on this list because the drama (especially in... hmm, let's say the first half to two-thirds of this long running series) was truly exceptional. Exceptional!

It's what drove this series well past its core concept (apocalypse, zombies).

6 seasons / 86 episodes: Series Complete

7 seasons / 156 episodes: Series Complete

6 seasons / 75 episodes: Series Complete

1 season / 5 episodes: miniseries Complete

8 seasons / 96 episodes: Series Complete

Related Series: passionately disliked Dexter: New Blood (sequel occurring 10 years later). If you're a Dexter fan, be warned : My Spoiler-Rich Review.

4 seasons / 45 episodes: Series Complete

Very real-world techy, anti-establishment in a powerful drama that often looks into the darker side of both individuals and society. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - personal side note: nice to see Linux featured here.

<soapbox>

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This aspect alone has drawn many millions of users from all corners of the globe while essentially running the servers that run the internet.

To keep things simple: Start your search with Linux Mint. There's a lot of help to get it installed on virtually any laptop.

</soapbox>

Single episode: Anthology Series: Black Mirror

You don't need to see the entire Black Mirror TV series to enjoy this episode, since every episode is completely standalone and none are related to each other.

I don't plan to include too many single episodes on this list. But this episode deserves to be singled out as one of the best dramatic (and unnerving) episodes I've ever seen on TV.

One of the few episodes in this series with no sci-fi. It's a modern day drama that will draw you in (elements of Chosen, 2013), pull you in emotionally and highlighted by the superb performance of Alex Lawther (as Kenny).

3 seasons / 18 episodes: Series Complete

This is a pulse-pounding, dramatic, edge of your seat hidden gem originally from Crackle. What would you do in a similar situation? What could you do?

2 seasons / 12 episodes: Series Complete

It's been quite a few years since I saw this. It's on my watchlist to see again. One word I use to describe this series is "brave".

It established itself early on as a series that was willing to break unthinkable norms to set a tone and tell its story.

6 seasons / 73 episodes: Series Complete

I watched the first three seasons of this series. I felt the first two seasons were great TV. I seem to recall that my interest started to wane with season 3 but enough time has passed that I can't remember specifically why.

I have to admit that I put 'House of Cards' on the back burner to concentrate on some other shows. After a time, well-publicized issues with the lead actor forced me to shelve it further. To date, I never got around to the final 3 seasons.

6 seasons / 63 episodes: Series Complete

5 seasons / 59 episodes: Series Complete

First three seasons belong on this list. The last two seasons (picked up by another network) do not and can be (yes... they should be) skipped.

6 seasons / 89 episodes: Series Complete

The Ragnar Lothbrok years is what makes this series a Favorite Drama.

The seasons after Ragnar, are watchable with some good story arcs but, on their own... meh-ish.

2 seasons / 18 episodes: Series Complete

4 seasons / 44 episodes: Series Complete

There are enough elements in this series where one says... "this would have happened differently in some semblance of real life".

As a series representing real-life drama under unusual circumstances (like 'Breaking Bad'), these elements diminish the series slightly.

3 seasons / 30 episodes: Series Complete

This series ended at a good time. It was beginning to feel formulaic with the final season feeling redundant in its storytelling. I'm happy they didn't drag it on. I feel comfortable recommending all three seasons.

5 seasons / 90 episodes: Series Complete

This show is listed here as a favorite on the strength of the first three seasons.

I'd walk away from the series after season 3 with only good memories.

The last two seasons are pretty bad, plot-wise (especially that very odd 5th season). I feel they diminish the series, the characters and to an extent... the fans. I also feel they can be skipped completely.

1 season / 8 episodes: miniseries complete

Engrossing emotional drama led by the performance of Richard Armitage.

1 season / 13 episodes: Series Complete

A shocking cancellation. Yet it makes this list as a favorite for its dramatic and well-done world-spanning storyline, the exceptional mystery (which demanded an explanation and kept us glued) and the great performances.

Maybe it's for the best it ended when it did. The reveal might've been divisive among the fanbase. Still... I really wanted this to conclude in some form.

2 seasons / 21 episodes: Series Complete

Well scripted mystery drama with great performances earn 'Resurrection' a spot on this list. 10/10 would watch again. ------------------ related: For those interested in this premise, there are three others, listed below, that deal with the same theme. 'Resurrection' was the best of the lot.

Les revenants (2004) Les revenants (2012) The Returned (2015)

1 season / 12 episodes: Series Complete

It's been 8 years, as I write this (20sep2022), since I've seen this series. I recall streaming this on Crackle. My recollection of this series today is foggy but I do recall really enjoying it.

I was very surprised to see so many written negative reviews. Also the low rating of 6.7 (20sep2022 by 822) has me questioning if this series was as good as I recall.

I'll keep this listed for the time being until such time as I get to rewatch it.

1 season / 8 episodes: Series Complete

It took a few episodes before I was able to connect with all the characters because this series is as much a journey as it is a look into the character's lives. The character development, the character depth and the struggles to fit into "normal" made this series feel like an experience I too was a part of.

There are touches of comedy and it's also tagged as a comedy/drama but overall... the series is clearly a serious drama. ---------------------------------------- update, 24oct2022: It was announced Oct/2022 that the series was cancelled after one season. Such a shame. This was a great premise, executed in such a great way by a wonderful cast.

7 seasons / 82 episodes + 1 Film: Series Complete

Ray Donovan: The Movie (2022) serves as the series finale (have not seen yet thru present).

5 seasons / 46 episodes: Series Complete

The film (a sequel) - Seven Kings Must Die - follows the 5th and final season.

4 seasons / 39 episodes: Series Complete

24jun2023: watched the entire series. I both loved it and not-loved it. I never hated it or found it annoying or boring. It's hard for me to rate this.

I liked the plot, the family dynamics and even the dramatic aspect of the series. It was also clear that the main family was never meant to be likable - although you did feel sorry for some of them from time to time.

Throughout the series, I kept being reminded of the Twilight Zone episode... The Masks (1964). It speaks volumes about the kinds of personalities we were watching during this series and why it was so hard to connect with the characters.

I'm going to let this swirl in my brain for a while before I decide whether this TV series belongs on this list or not.