Entertainment
10 Best TV Dramas of the Last Decade
# 10 Best TV Dramas of the Last Decade: The Definitive Ranking The last decade has been a monumental era for television, a period often hailed as the...
10 Best TV Dramas of the Last Decade: The Definitive Ranking
The last decade has been a monumental era for television, a period often hailed as the new Golden Age of the small screen. With the rise of streaming services and a surge in high-quality productions, audiences have been treated to an unprecedented wealth of serialized storytelling. This explosion of content has pushed creative boundaries, delivering narratives that are as complex and cinematic as any feature film. From sprawling family sagas to mind-bending sci-fi and poignant character studies, the best TV dramas of the last ten years have not only entertained but have also profoundly shaped our cultural conversation. They have offered us windows into different worlds, held up mirrors to our own society, and provided characters so richly drawn that they feel like a part of our lives.
Selecting the "best" from such a crowded and brilliant field is a formidable task. The shows on this list represent the pinnacle of television artistry from the past decade, chosen for their exceptional writing, masterful performances, innovative direction, and lasting cultural impact. These are the series that have sparked endless online debates, inspired Halloween costumes, and left an indelible mark on the landscape of modern entertainment. They are the stories that have stayed with us long after the credits rolled, prompting us to think, to feel, and to see the world in new ways. This definitive ranking celebrates the television dramas that have defined a generation and set a new standard for what the medium can achieve.
10. Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
A Gripping Narrative of Hacking and Anarchy
Mr. Robot burst onto the scene with a timely and prescient narrative that captured the anxieties of the digital age. The series follows Elliot Alderson, a brilliant but deeply troubled cybersecurity engineer and vigilante hacker, who becomes entangled with a mysterious anarchist group known as fsociety. The show's central plot revolves around their ambitious plan to take down the corrupt multinational corporation, E Corp, by erasing all consumer debt. This act of "hacktivism" serves as the catalyst for a thrilling and often disorienting exploration of technology, capitalism, and societal control. The series was lauded for its realistic portrayal of hacking culture and its unflinching look at the pervasive influence of technology on modern life.
The Unreliable Narrator and Psychological Depth
What truly sets Mr. Robot apart is its masterful use of an unreliable narrator. Elliot's struggles with social anxiety, dissociative identity disorder, and paranoia are central to the viewing experience, creating a sense of unease and forcing the audience to question the reality of what they are seeing. Rami Malek's Emmy-winning performance as Elliot is a tour de force, capturing the character's vulnerability, intelligence, and profound sense of alienation. The series delves deep into Elliot's psyche, exploring themes of mental health with a nuance and sensitivity rarely seen on television. This psychological complexity, combined with the show's intricate and often surprising plot twists, makes for a compelling and thought-provoking viewing experience.
9. The Americans (2013-2018)
A High-Stakes Cold War Espionage Thriller
Set in the 1980s at the height of the Cold War, The Americans tells the story of Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, two Soviet KGB officers posing as an ordinary American couple in suburban Washington, D.C. The series is a masterclass in suspense, blending high-stakes espionage with the domestic drama of a marriage and family. Each episode is filled with tense undercover operations, elaborate disguises, and heart-pounding moments of near-discovery. The show's meticulous attention to period detail and its nuanced portrayal of the political and ideological conflicts of the era create a rich and immersive world. The Americans is more than just a spy thriller; it's a gripping exploration of loyalty, patriotism, and the personal cost of a secret life.
The Complexities of Marriage and Identity
At its core, The Americans is a profound exploration of marriage and identity. Philip and Elizabeth's arranged marriage, a construct of the KGB, evolves into a complex and deeply felt relationship over the course of the series. They grapple with the emotional toll of their work, their conflicting feelings about the country they are meant to be subverting, and the challenge of raising two American-born children who are unaware of their parents' true identities. The series brilliantly uses the backdrop of the Cold War as a metaphor for the secrets and deceptions that can exist within a marriage. The stellar performances by Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell bring a raw and captivating emotional depth to their characters, making their struggles both personal and universal.
8. Dark (2017-2020)
A Labyrinthine Plot of Time Travel and Interconnected Fates
Netflix's first German-language original series, Dark, is a stunningly intricate and ambitious sci-fi noir that demands the viewer's full attention. What begins with the disappearance of a child in the small town of Winden quickly spirals into a multi-generational saga of time travel, paradoxes, and interconnected family secrets. The show's narrative is a complex web of timelines and characters, with events in the past, present, and future all intertwined. The series is renowned for its meticulously plotted story, which unfolds with the precision of a Swiss watch. Keeping track of the various family trees and their connections across different time periods is part of the show's unique and rewarding challenge.
Philosophical Themes of Free Will and Determinism
Beyond its mind-bending plot, Dark delves into profound philosophical questions about free will, determinism, and the nature of time. The characters in Winden are trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of events, struggling to break free from a destiny that appears to be preordained. The show's recurring mantra, "The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning," encapsulates its central theme of a closed loop of time. Dark is a somber and atmospheric series that uses its sci-fi premise to explore the emotional and psychological weight of the choices we make and the secrets we keep. It is a testament to the power of television to tell complex, thought-provoking stories that linger long after the final episode.
7. Atlanta (2016-2022)
A Surreal and Genre-Defying Exploration of Modern Life
Donald Glover's Atlanta is a groundbreaking series that defies easy categorization. The show follows Earnest "Earn" Marks, a Princeton dropout who manages his cousin's burgeoning rap career as "Paper Boi." While the premise sounds straightforward, the execution is anything but. Atlanta seamlessly blends comedy, drama, and surrealism to create a unique and often dreamlike viewing experience. The series is known for its experimental and often standalone episodes that veer into horror, satire, and social commentary. From an invisible car to a Black Justin Bieber, Atlanta is a show that constantly surprises and challenges its audience.
Sharp Social Commentary on Race and Culture
At the heart of Atlanta is a sharp and incisive commentary on race, class, and culture in modern America. The show uses its surrealist lens to explore the often absurd and contradictory nature of the Black experience. Glover and his all-Black writing staff tackle complex issues with a subtlety and nuance that is both hilarious and profound. The series is also a love letter to the city of Atlanta, capturing its unique culture, music scene, and social dynamics with an authenticity that feels both specific and universal. Atlanta is a bold and visionary work of art that has pushed the boundaries of what a television show can be.
6. The Handmaid's Tale (2017-present)
A Chilling and Prescient Dystopian Vision
Based on Margaret Atwood's classic novel, The Handmaid's Tale presents a terrifyingly plausible dystopian future where the United States has been overthrown by a totalitarian, theocratic regime known as Gilead. In this new society, fertile women are forced into sexual servitude as "Handmaids" to repopulate a world devastated by environmental disaster. The series is a visceral and unflinching look at the horrors of a society where women's rights have been completely stripped away. The stunning cinematography and Elisabeth Moss's powerhouse performance as the defiant Handmaid, Offred, create a world that is both beautiful and brutal.
A Powerful Symbol of Resistance and Feminist Discourse
The Handmaid's Tale has had a profound cultural impact, becoming a powerful symbol of feminist resistance in the modern era. The iconic red robes and white bonnets of the Handmaids have been adopted by protestors around the world, a testament to the show's resonance in the current political climate. The series explores themes of power, oppression, and resilience with a raw and unflinching honesty. It is a show that is not always easy to watch, but its importance as a piece of social commentary cannot be overstated. The Handmaid's Tale is a vital and necessary work of art that has sparked important conversations about gender, politics, and human rights.
5. Chernobyl (2019)
A Harrowing and Meticulously Researched Historical Drama
HBO's five-part miniseries Chernobyl is a masterful and harrowing account of the 1986 nuclear disaster and the heroic efforts to contain its catastrophic consequences. The series is a triumph of historical storytelling, meticulously researched and brought to life with a chilling sense of realism. From the initial explosion at the power plant to the desperate attempts to clean up the radioactive fallout, Chernobyl is a gripping and often terrifying depiction of one of the worst man-made disasters in history. The show's creators went to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy, from the set design and costumes to the scientific explanations of the disaster.
A Sobering Examination of Truth, Lies, and the Human Cost of Disaster
Beyond its historical accuracy, Chernobyl is a powerful and timely examination of the dangers of institutional lies and the importance of truth. The series exposes the bureaucratic failures and cover-ups that exacerbated the disaster, highlighting the devastating human cost of a system that values ideology over human life. The incredible performances by Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson bring a powerful human element to the story, honoring the scientists, soldiers, and civilians who sacrificed their lives to prevent an even greater catastrophe. Chernobyl is a somber and essential piece of television that serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of hubris and the courage of those who speak truth to power.
4. The Leftovers (2014-2017)
A Profound and Moving Exploration of Grief and Faith
The Leftovers is a daring and ambitious series that tackles some of life's biggest questions with a raw and unflinching honesty. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, the show begins three years after the "Sudden Departure," a global event in which two percent of the world's population inexplicably vanished. The series is not concerned with solving the mystery of the Departure, but rather with exploring its emotional and spiritual aftermath. It is a profound and often heartbreaking meditation on grief, loss, faith, and the human search for meaning in a world that no longer makes sense.
A Bold and Unconventional Narrative Style
What makes The Leftovers one of the best TV dramas of the decade is its bold and unconventional approach to storytelling. The series is not afraid to be strange, to be ambiguous, and to leave questions unanswered. It is a show that trusts its audience to engage with its complex themes and emotionally resonant characters. The stunning performances, particularly from Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon, anchor the series with a powerful sense of emotional truth. The Leftovers is a challenging and deeply rewarding viewing experience, a show that is both a work of art and a form of spiritual inquiry.
3. Fleabag (2016-2019)
A Hilarious and Heartbreaking Portrait of Modern Womanhood
While often categorized as a comedy, the emotional depth and dramatic weight of Fleabag earn it a well-deserved place among the best TV dramas of the last decade. Created by and starring the brilliant Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the series is a raw, witty, and unflinchingly honest portrait of a young woman navigating grief, guilt, and the complexities of modern love and family. Fleabag's signature fourth-wall breaks create an intimate and often hilarious connection with the audience, drawing us into her messy and deeply relatable inner world.
A Masterclass in Writing and Performance
Fleabag is a masterclass in writing and performance. Waller-Bridge's script is a marvel of wit and emotional insight, balancing laugh-out-loud humor with moments of profound heartbreak. The second season, with its now-iconic "hot priest" storyline, elevates the series to a whole new level, exploring themes of faith, forgiveness, and the transformative power of love. The chemistry between Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott is electric, creating one of the most memorable and moving television relationships in recent memory. Fleabag is a perfect, jewel-box of a series that is both a singular artistic vision and a universal story of the human heart.
2. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
A Masterful Character Study and Prequel That Surpassed Expectations
A prequel to the legendary Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul had the monumental task of living up to one of the greatest television shows of all time. Not only did it meet those expectations, but in the eyes of many, it surpassed them. The series charts the tragic transformation of well-meaning but flawed lawyer Jimmy McGill into the morally bankrupt "criminal" lawyer Saul Goodman. It is a deliberate and meticulously crafted character study, a slow-burn tragedy that is as devastating as it is brilliant.
The Nuances of Morality and the Tragedy of Kim Wexler
What makes Better Call Saul a truly exceptional drama is its nuanced exploration of morality and the complexities of human nature. The show is filled with characters who exist in shades of gray, and nowhere is this more evident than in the character of Kim Wexler. Played to perfection by Rhea Seehorn, Kim is the moral heart of the series, and her descent alongside Jimmy is one of the most compelling and heartbreaking character arcs in television history. The show's stunning cinematography, brilliant writing, and powerhouse performances from Bob Odenkirk and Seehorn make Better Call Saul a modern masterpiece and one of the best TV dramas ever made.
1. Succession (2018-2023)
A Scathing Satire of Wealth, Power, and a Dysfunctional Dynasty
Taking the top spot is HBO's Succession, a Shakespearean saga of a Murdoch-esque media dynasty that is as hilarious as it is horrifying. The series follows the Roy family, a group of obscenely wealthy and emotionally stunted individuals vying for control of their aging patriarch's media empire. The show is a scathing satire of the one percent, a darkly comedic look at the corrupting influence of wealth and power. The writing is razor-sharp, with dialogue that is both endlessly quotable and devastatingly cruel.
A Modern Tragedy with Unforgettable Characters
Beneath its satirical surface, Succession is a profound and often tragic exploration of family, trauma, and the desperate search for love and validation. The characters are all deeply flawed and often despicable, yet the brilliant ensemble cast imbues them with a humanity that makes them impossible to look away from. From Jeremy Strong's tortured Kendall to Sarah Snook's calculating Shiv and Kieran Culkin's acerbic Roman, the performances are nothing short of phenomenal. Succession is a show that perfectly captured the zeitgeist of its time, a modern masterpiece that will be talked about and dissected for years to come. It is, without a doubt, the best TV drama of the last decade.
In a decade defined by an abundance of choice, these ten shows stand out as the most exceptional and impactful dramas. They have not only entertained us but have also challenged us, moved us, and left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. As we look ahead to the future of television, these series will undoubtedly be remembered as the gold standard of a truly remarkable era in storytelling.