Over 125 of the Most Intelligent TV Dramas
If you're tired of being treated like an idiot audience by network execs, then you'll like this list. I want tour de force, well-scripted, intelligent shows with unpredictable plots, complex characters & renegade direction. Shows that take risks to create exceptional television. Many are British, Canadian or Aussie. It's all drama, suspense, mystery but no zombies, vampires or super heroes. 1998 to 2016 in no particular order after the first 15. Feel free to comment but please be polite.
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- CreatorsDavid BenioffD.B. WeissStarsEmilia ClarkePeter DinklageKit HaringtonNine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.Has taken television to a new level. My favorite characters are Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke)... can't wait til the dragons arrive at the Seven Kingdoms...
- StarsScott GrimesDamian LewisRon LivingstonThe story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.Breathtaking. This was the first television mini-series that made me take television as seriously as feature films. In fact, by virtue of having so much time, character & story development is taken to a whole new level.
- CreatorDavid MilchStarsTimothy OlyphantIan McShaneMolly ParkerA show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime."...intellectually daunting, digressive, arcane, wittily profane—" (New Yorker, February 14, 2005) I couldn't put it better myself.
A character-driven drama, set during the historic Black Hills gold rush days in Deadwood, SD, it's a study in redeeming the irredeemable, where each character becomes fully human through the crucible of their own depravity and moral failure. There isn't a saint who doesn't fall or a sinner who doesn't win over your heart. IMHO, this is the best dialogue ever written in the history of television. Superb acting, direction & production. A tour de force for creator/writer David Milch. - CreatorMoira Walley-BeckettStarsSarah HayBen DanielsEmily TyraA talented but emotionally troubled dancer runs away to New York City and quickly finds herself immersed in the cutthroat world of professional ballet.Created by Moira Walley-Beckett, one of the top writers on Breaking Bad, F&B is the most audacious, original show ever aired on TV. It excavates taboo territory with fearlessness.Think Greek tragedy. But also -- think allegory. It is about a woman in a cosmic battle for her soul. The writing is sterling as are the acting & direction. After being exposed to such masterful artistry, it was hard to stomach regular TV.
- CreatorNeil JordanStarsJeremy IronsFrançois ArnaudHolliday GraingerIn the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.Up there with Game of Thrones, but more cohesive -- no holds barred on content & production. Irons' tour de force. Created & written by Neil Jordan, known for The Crying Game (1992), The End of the Affair (1999) and Michael Collins (1996).
- CreatorAaron SorkinStarsJeff DanielsEmily MortimerJohn Gallagher Jr.A newsroom undergoes some changes in its workings and morals as a new team is brought in, bringing unexpected results for its existing news anchor.Probably the some of the best dialogue ever in the history of TV. Aaron Sorkin's genius is played out by a stunning heavyweight cast, but the lesser characters played by Dev Patel, Alison Pill & Olivia Munn are unforgettable. Gutsy in every way.
- CreatorSteven KnightStarsCillian MurphyPaul AndersonSophie RundleA gangster family epic set in 1900s England, centering on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby.Cillian Murphy is electric in this period drama set in industrial Birmingham in the 20's about an Irish gang-family taking control of horse-racing betting. Helen McCrory plays Aunt Polly, the crone matriarch and gets some of the most sardonic lines ever written in television. Sam Neill does his best work yet.
The music is contemporary but blends perfectly with the house band being Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. - CreatorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAaron PaulAnna GunnA chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student to secure his family's future.I kept wondering how much farther Walt would go... One of the best TV shows ever made. And brilliantly, they ended the show leaving us all wanting more...
- CreatorJulian FellowesStarsHugh BonnevillePhyllis LoganElizabeth McGovernA chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century.Wonderful... needs no description except to say that you will come to love these characters like old friends.
- CreatorDavid SimonStarsDominic WestLance ReddickSonja SohnThe Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.Broke the mold. Gritty, real, tour de force. One of the top 10 best shows ever made. Created by David Simon, known for his writing on Show Me a Hero (2015), Treme (2010–2013), Generation Kill (2008), The Corner (2000), Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999).
- CreatorMichael HirstStarsKatheryn WinnickGustaf SkarsgårdAlexander LudwigVikings transports us to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore--and raid--the distant shores across the ocean.Travis Fimmel, who otherwise is a mediocre actor, is electrifying as the main character. Don't quibble with historical accuracy (it tries to stay close) because there is little but most of the characters were real and the exploits part of legend.
- CreatorAbi MorganStarsRomola GaraiBen WhishawDominic WestA behind-the-scenes drama and espionage thriller in Cold War-era England that centers on a journalist, a producer, and an anchorman for an investigative news programme.British period drama set in the 50s when news programs were battling for journalistic freedom. Romola Garai is compelling as a female reporter butting up against the old-boy network. Dominic West is good too as the confused pretty boy anchor, but it's Ben Whishaw, the wiry, ballsy, arrogant reporter/producer who really drives this show. Written by brilliant Abi Morgan, known for Shame (2011), The Iron Lady (2011), and most currently, River (2015).
Sadly, it only lasted 2 seasons. - CreatorFrank SpotnitzStarsAlexa DavalosLuke KleintankRufus SewellIn a dystopian America dominated by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, a young woman discovers a mysterious film that may hold the key to toppling the totalitarian regimes.This is being billed as 'alternate history' but it isn't really, at least, not in the strictest definition of the genre -- and yes, Alternate History (AH) is a genre of its own. PK Dick's books usually challenge what we accept as real, and here, he uses the the 'what if the German's had won WWII? question as a structure to pose this challenge. Sterling cast, scripting & direction, it is also stunning in art direction and cinematography. This is a contender to Flesh & Bone for my pick of the best shows of 2015.
- CreatorsAlexandra ClertGuy-Patrick SainderichinStarsCaroline ProustAudrey FleurotThierry GodardFollows criminal investigations in Paris from all the different points of view of those involved.(aka Engrenages) Addicting. Gritty French detective series. this is my number one favorite on this list. Flawless, powerful acting. Recently renewed for a 5th & 6th season.
- CreatorKurt SutterStarsCharlie HunnamKatey SagalMark Boone JuniorA biker struggles to balance being a father and being involved in an outlaw motorcycle club.Love the bad boys, the bad boy toys, the bad boy women, the bad boy justice. SOA challenges the real boundaries between 'legitimate' and 'illegal' with characters who are normally considered society's scum but who are often the real heroes.
Their last season floundered, in my opinion. The characters I loved became evil and irredeemable. Seems like a case of the show's producers not knowing when it's time to end a good thing. - CreatorRonald D. MooreStarsCaitríona BalfeSam HeughanSophie SkeltonClaire Beauchamp Randall, a nurse in World War II, mysteriously goes back in time to Scotland in 1743. There, she meets a dashing Highland warrior and gets drawn into an epic rebellion.Loved the Outlander book series and this television adaption has not disappointed. Set in the late 1700s in Scotland during the conflict which led to Culloden & the Highland Clearances, with characters so real I could put them on my Christmas card list. Sets & costumes are exquisite, acting & directing unsurpassed, this series is even better than Game of Thrones. Ronald D. Moore, creator.
- CreatorTerence WinterStarsSteve BuscemiKelly MacdonaldMichael ShannonAn Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.Visually gorgeous, great story and even the oily, creepy Steve Buscemi endures, although it seems to lose its edge in the last season.
- CreatorsMichelle KingRobert KingStarsJulianna MarguliesChris NothJosh CharlesAlicia Florrick has been a good wife to her husband, a former state's attorney. After a very humiliating sex and corruption scandal, he is behind bars. She must now provide for her family and returns to work as a litigator in a law firm.Julianna Margulies is great in this but after 4 seasons, I wondered how this show could hang on to it's edge. Well, season 5 is full of surprises.
- CreatorGraham YostStarsTimothy OlyphantNick SearcyJoelle CarterEnforcing his own brand of justice, U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a strong-willed, quiet law-man haunted by his past, returns to his native town to see that justice is served to those in need.Cops & robbers with manners ... Blows away stereotypes of Kentucky folk. Created by a brilliant Graham Yost, known for Raines (2007), Broken Arrow (1996), Speed (1994).
- CreatorVeena SudStarsMireille EnosJoel KinnamanBilly CampbellA police investigation, the saga of a grieving family, and a Seattle mayoral campaign all interlock after the body of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen is found in the trunk of a submerged car.Dark, gritty crime series based on a Danish one. Mireille Enos & Joel Kinnaman play the detective team brilliantly. The writing, directing and production is so stellar that the first 26 episodes are about a single case! Veena Sud is the creator.
- CreatorsMåns MårlindHans RosenfeldtBjörn SteinStarsSofia HelinRafael PetterssonSarah BobergWhen a body is found on the bridge between Denmark and Sweden, right on the border, Danish inspector Martin Rohde and Swedish Saga Norén have to share jurisdiction and work together to find the killer.Brilliant Danish series (not to be confused with the 2013 US remake, which is only second rate at best.).
- CreatorsAlex GansaHoward GordonStarsClaire DanesMandy PatinkinDamian LewisA 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.Love the ambiguity in the characters, motives, political agendas... Will keep you guessing. However, once Damian Lewis leaves in the 4th season, the show loses it's pull. Claire Danes doesn't have the greatness to sustain the show, IMHO.
- CreatorNeil CrossStarsIdris ElbaDermot CrowleyMichael SmileyJohn 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.Top notch in every way. Idris Elba is superb and Ruth Wilson is terrifying.
- StarsRobson GreenMark LetherenEmma HandyDr Tony Hill, a clinical psychologist, helps Detective Inspectors Jordan and Fielding get to the bottom of inexplicable criminal cases and uses his 'dark side' to fathom serial killers and their victims.Intriguing British crime series starring Robson Green, a mentally disturbed psychologist/consultant with an uncanny instinct for the dark side of the human psyche. This is an overdone premise now, but in 2002, it was fresh and Robson Green is still the best of these characters.
- CreatorShawn RyanStarsMichael ChiklisMichael JaceJay KarnesA gang of corrupt Los Angeles Police Department cops uses illegal methods to maintain law and order, whilst engaging in a series of undercover dealings secretly in order to get rich.Brilliant, gritty cop show about corrupt cops in LA. Michael Chiklis is... well, Michael Chiklis...
