Television has evolved into a medium where storytelling, character depth, and artistic vision have reached such soaring heights that some series are able to rival, and even surpass, films. This wasn’t always the case, as television used to be a more constricted medium that took fewer risks, and offered more generic entertainment that was often less creatively expressive than artistic works in other mediums. Today, television series incorporate layered characters, nuanced storytelling, and offer thoughtful commentary.
Experimental series like Atlanta push the boundaries of the medium and take it to new levels, while classics like The Sopranos have redefined the medium altogether while maintaining a consistent level of quality from start to finish. From comedies to dramas, this list includes series that are definitive masterpieces.
‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
Chernobyl is a gripping HBO miniseries that depicts the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster in Soviet Ukraine and tells the story of the valiant individuals who risked their lives to contain it. After the sudden explosion of Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear facility, Soviet chemist Valery Legasov (Jared Harris), Soviet bureaucrat Boris Scherbina (Stellan Skarsgård) and nuclear physicist Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) work together to devise a plan to contain the nuclear fallout before it spreads across the Northern Hemisphere. Their efforts are met with resistance and challenges as they navigate government lies, bureaucracy, and mortal danger.
Chernobyl is a dark and emotionally moving series that depicts the nuclear disaster with searing authenticity. With meticulous cinematography, excellent writing, and heart-wrenching performances, Chernobyl is undoubtedly one of the greatest miniseries of all time. Harris does a phenomenal job of portraying the tortured and frustrated chemist, Valery Legasov, while Skarsgård offers an equally captivating performance as seething bureaucrat Boris Scherbina. But perhaps the greatest performance of the series came from Jessie Buckley, who portrays the tragic Lyudmilla Ignatenko, whose firefighter husband was one of the first victims exposed to the reactors’ radiation. The well-coordinated pacing of the series delivers a constant sense of suspense and tension for viewers, and its commitment to historical accuracy makes it as fascinating a story as it is elucidating.
‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)
Better Call Saul is a character-driven spin-off series that tells the origin story of Saul Goodman, formerly known as “Jimmy McGill,” (Bob Odenkirk), a struggling but charismatic lawyer who is inevitably drawn to a life of crime despite attempts to lead an honest career. Set before, and slightly after, the events of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul features Jonathan Banks in the role of bodyguard and fixer, Mike Ehrmantraut, Rhea Seehorn as accomplished lawyer and partner to Jimmy, and Michael McKean as Jimmy’s older brother, Chuck.
Spin-off series seldom live up to the legacy of their predecessors. But in some cases, they not only live up to the legacy of their predecessors but even outshine them. Better Call Saul saw Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould in top form as seasoned showrunners following their incredible work on Breaking Bad. The tragic tale of Slippin’ Jimmy unfolds through remarkable writing, as well as outstanding character work from Odenkirk, who does an excellent job of making Saul’s tragic character profoundly sympathetic. Better Call Saul, like its predecessor, only got better with time as audiences witnessed the shocking transformation of Jimmy McGill into the morally bankrupt lawyer who would play a significant supporting role in Breaking Bad. With a flawless ensemble cast supported by the memorable performances by Seehorn and McKean as well as a compelling story that builds into a brilliant crescendo, Better Call Saul is a masterpiece.
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
Succession is a satirical black comedy drama series that follows the lives of the Roy family, wealthy owners of RoyCo, a media and entertainment conglomerate. When the future of the ruthless aging patriarch of the family (Brian Cox) suddenly comes into question following the onset of health issues, his self-centered and inept children battle it out for the coveted position of CEO. Succession is a series that takes inspiration from the Murdoch and Royal families and features an ensemble cast that includes Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook.
Succession is a masterpiece for its razor-sharp writing, layered characters, and remarkable performances from a perfectly cast ensemble of actors. This impeccable series does an outstanding job of blending biting satire with profoundly human drama to explore wealth, privilege, and the dynamics of corporate business. It does so in Shakespearean fashion, as many viewers will likely note the similarities between the series and King Lear. The show’s usage of documentary-style camera work that features snap zooms, quick-pans, and off-center framing gives the series a realistic and personal feel that draws viewers with stunning efficacy. As one of HBO’s greatest series, Succession is a stylish masterpiece that was impeccable from start to finish.
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Dark is an atmospheric German sci-fi thriller that begins with the mysterious disappearance of a child in the town of Winden. As families pursue the truth behind the child’s disappearance, they uncover a time-traveling conspiracy that implicates various town folk going back generations. Dark explores themes of fate, free will, and the nature of time itself, through a complex and thought-provoking narrative.
Dark’s intricately woven narrative is meticulously written in a manner that challenges its viewers to critically engage with the series. The show is filled with intentional symbolic imagery and critical, but subtle details that require audiences to pay close attention as they watch, making it a show that rewards multiple viewings. It’s not a superficial series designed to entertain its audiences, but rather a show that engenders them to think and truly to sit with the story. The moody and atmospheric style of the series is expertly crafted to pull audiences into the setting in a way that few series can. Dark‘s engagement with themes of time, fate, and human nature, as well as its unpredictable story and atmospheric style that lingers long after watching, make it a modern masterpiece.
‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
The Sopranos is a crime drama series that follows the life of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) as he struggles to strike a balance between his crime family and his personal family. Tony’s life and psyche are examined through his interactions with his therapist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Braco), as viewers witness Tony commit heinous crimes including theft and murder, while also attempting to be a father, husband, and family man. The Sopranos features an ensemble cast that also includes Edie Falco and Michael Imperioli.
Few series in television history have had an impact remotely close to the one The Sopranos has had on the media as well as popular culture at large. This is due to several factors, including the remarkable writing of the series that’s rife with subtext, and meticulous world building. Viewers who watch The Sopranos are immediately brought into a space that feels authentically lived in, with characters that are profoundly realistic. The depiction of the unique subculture of the Italian mob is portrayed with such careful detail that the FBI allegedly told producers that mob figures would discuss the realism of the series over wiretaps. Performances by Gandolfini, Falco, and Imperioli remain some of the best and most memorable of their careers, spawning a fan base that remains passionately devoted to the series nearly two decades after the final episode aired. The Sopranos also offers a fascinating commentary and critique on American culture that remains relevant today.
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
Originally conceived as the story of a man who transforms from Mr. Chips into Scarface, Breaking Bad depicts the rise and fall of former chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin, Walter White aka Heisenberg (Bryan Cranston). After a lifetime of mediocrity, a brilliant high school chemistry teacher discovers that they’re terminally with lung cancer. Struggling with money, and suddenly animated by the realization that they have little time left in the world, Walter White teams up with former student-turned-meth peddler, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) and the two men proceed to cook up the most premier meth in Albuquerque.
Cranston delivers a career-defining performance as the menacing Walter White, who undergoes a drastic transformation from a mild-mannered and unremarkable high school teacher into a ruthless, morally bankrupt meth kingpin. What makes this performance especially good is the subtle nuance of Cranston’s expressive acting, which initially captures the threatening, fiery ambition of Walter’s character through an economy of gestures and actions. By mid-series, White’s transformation feels natural and fully earned. Cranston conveys to the audience that this performance is less about Walter transforming into a monster, and more about simply embracing the monster he always was. The impeccable writing of the series propels the narrative forward in a constant progression that ultimately ends with one of the greatest climaxes and finales in the history of television.
‘Mad Men’ (2007–2015)
Mad Men follows the personal and professional life of Creative Director Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and his colleagues at Sterling Cooper, a highly successful advertising agency in 1960s New York City. Don is smooth, mysterious, and highly skilled at his job, but he harbors a haunting secret: he’s not really who he says he is. Mad Men includes a phenomenal cast of talent that includes Elisabeth Moss in her breakthrough role as Don’s protégé, Peggy Olson, and John Slattery as the quick-witted Roger Sterling.
Matthew Weiner developed the idea for Mad Men while working for David Chase on The Sopranos, so naturally, audiences will notice similarities between the works, especially in terms of the brilliant use of subtext. The application of subtext in Mad Men is one of the primary qualities that gives it a sense of realism. Characters seldom reveal how they truly feel, giving audiences just enough dialogue and action to compel them to critically engage and interpret the narrative. Through this subtle form of storytelling, Mad Men often presents its characters as subjects of their particular historical setting and the culture, norms, and the influential external factors that come with them. This unique approach forms a fascinating and engrossing commentary on a unique time period without reducing itself to platitudes. Mad Men‘s meticulous attention to historical detail also makes it one of the greatest, and most accurately depicted, period pieces in television history. Viewers who enjoy literature will likely appreciate the masterfully executed “show-don’t-tell” approach of Mad Men.
‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)
Fleabag is a comedy-drama television series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge based on her one-woman play. This unique show follows the life of a sharp-witted, grief-stricken woman known only as “Fleabag”, as she copes with her tragedy while simultaneously trying to date in London. Fleabag also features Andrew Scott in the role of The Priest and Sian Clifford as Fleabag’s sister, Clair.
Fleabag is a one-of-a-kind series that masterfully blends razor-sharp humor with heart-wrenching emotional honesty in a fashion that’s unlike any other series. What makes this series so unique is Waller-Bridge’s constant breaking of the fourth wall to address the audience with exposition, inner monologues and additional running commentary. This subversive stylistic choice creates a deeply intimate relationship between the character and the audience that’s both jarring and profoundly captivating. As the series progresses, each moment viewers share with Fleabag feels raw and personal. Waller-Bridge gives a remarkable performance as sharp-witted, unapologetically candid Fleabag, who uses humor to hide her emotional pain and depression. This performance, along with the exceptional writing and style of the series, make it a unique masterpiece.
‘Atlanta’ (2016–2022)
Atlanta follows the life of Earnest “Earn” Marks (Donald Glover), a Princeton University dropout who returns to his home in Atlanta and becomes manager to his cousin, hip-hop artist Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry). Earn and Alfred are joined by their eccentric friend Darius (LaKeith Stanfield) and Vanessa “Van” Kiefer (Zazie Beetz), Earn’s on-again-off-again girlfriend and mother to their child Lottie, as they navigate the bizarre and surreal landscape of the Atlanta hip-hop scene.
Atlanta is a one-of-a-kind series that masterfully blends surrealism, sharp social satire, and dark humor to explore class, race, and identity in modern America. Glover’s subversive, genre-defying approach makes it one of the most unpredictable series in television history. Atlanta uses expressive cinematography and beautiful production to create a dream-like style that often blurs the lines of reality and presents bizarre scenes in a way that is reminiscent of the works of David Lynch, and its rejection of traditional narrative structure and exploration of existential themes hearkens back to the films of the French New Wave. With a slew of memorable performances, especially from Tyree Henry, and a stunning visual style, few series in history have taken such a radically experimental approach to television in as successful a way as Atlanta.
‘Veep’ (2012–2019)
After losing the presidential election, U.S. Senator Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) lands the job of Vice President, making her the second in command to the most powerful individual in the world. But Selina soon finds out that being Vice President is not all it’s cracked up to be. Veep is a political satire comedy series that follows the life of narcissistic Vice President Selina Meyer and her staff of bumbling employees as they navigate the complex terrain of Washington D.C. politics.
Veep is easily the greatest political satire ever produced for television, and for that alone it’s rightfully a masterpiece. This sharply written series features rapid-fire dialogue and a seemingly endless run of hilarious jokes from start to finish. Veep’s cynical depiction of American politics has been lauded for its striking authenticity. Louis-Dreyfus delivers a career-defining performance (which is already impressive given her legendary run as Elaine Benes) as the self-centered, hot-tempered Selina Meyer. While Louis-Dreyfus dominates every scene she’s in, the supporting cast, which includes Tony Hale as Meyer’s servile personal aid, and Anna Chlumsky as Selina’s neurotic Chief of Staff, Amy Brookeheimer, also offer hysterical performances. Over the impressive course of its seven-season run, Veep never faltered in quality, delivering what’s one of the most masterfully executed comedy series of all time.
