Summary

• Best TV dramas are subjective, but standouts explore complex themes, offer insights into society & human condition.
• Great dramas resonate with different generations, spark discussions, push boundaries, influence culture, and offer unforgettable viewing experiences.
• From gripping crime stories to epic sagas, the best TV dramas transcend genre conventions to provide immersive and engaging narratives.

Selecting the best TV dramas of all time is ultimately subjective, but several shows stand out for their overall quality and impact on the medium of television. Marked by compelling storytelling and memorable characters, these shows typically explore complex themes such as morality, identity, and power dynamics. Whether set in contemporary times or eras in the past, they offer insights into the human condition and society at large. While crime series have practically dominated television today, the greatest dramas of all time hail from all genres of TV.

From the best TV shows of the past 20 years to the ones that laid the groundwork for contemporary television in the 20th century, these dramas have resonated deeply with different generations of audiences. Sparking thought-provoking discussions and leaving lasting impressions, many of these shows push the boundaries of the medium, experimenting with narrative structure, visual style, and character development. Their impact extends beyond the television screen, influencing popular culture and inspiring generations of storytellers across all media. From gripping crime stories to epic sagas, the best TV dramas of all time transcend genre conventions, offering immersive and unforgettable viewing experiences.

25 Law & Order (1990-Present)

Created By: Dick Wolf

There are many crime procedurals that could make a strong case for being counted among the best TV dramas of all time, and many of them are created by genre master Dick Wolf. However, one stands out above the others when it comes to creating the blueprints for almost everything that followed in the subgenre — Law & Order. Debuting in 1990, Dick Wolf's Law & Order initially ran from 1990 to 2010, being revived after a brief hiatus and producing multiple spinoffs such as Law & Order: SVU.

While many fans of the franchise may argue that spinoffs like SVU or Criminal Intent are superior to the original show, the fact that none of them could exist without it cements it as the most deserving of a spot on any list of the best TV dramas of all time. Law & Order has received dozens of awards and nominations, and was a cultural talking point in the early 1990s when it first aired. The show's decision to blend both the apprehension of criminals and the legal procedings that followed was a true novelty, and few shows since have been able to match just how gripping Law & Order was at its peak.

24 The Crown (2016-2023)

Created By: Peter Morgan

TV dramas seem to get better as the decades , with many modern entries to the format and genre standing out above the classics of yesteryear. One prime example of this is The Crown, which, across its 6 seasons between 2013 and 2023, cemented itself as one of the best dramas ever to grace the small screen. Created by Peter Morgan, The Crown follows the life of the UK's Queen Elizabeth the Second, from her ascension to the throne right up until the death of Princess Diana and, eventually, the ing away of the Queen herself.

The Crown is split into three stages, with different cast for each (including different actors playing Queen Elizabeth herself, such as Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton). The Crown was nominated for multiple awards and accolades, winning many, including 8 Golden Globes. It was a critical hit and became something of a cultural phenomenon due to how beloved it was by audiences, and few modern dramas can claim to be as near-impossible to not binge as the plot of each season plays out.

23 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Created By: Joss Whedon

Horror drama on the small screen is incredibly popular in the 2020s, with everything from Supernatural to American Horror Story to Yellowjackets to Stranger Things standing out as examples of spooky stories being incredibly successful on streaming and network broadcast. Almost all of them owe something to Buffy the Vampire Slayer which, during its highly successful 1997-2003 run, proved to networks and studios that horror-flavored drama on the small screen could be an audience hit (and one that didn't break the budget).

It was a huge pop-culture phenomenon, paving the way not only for the many procedural supernatural dramas that followed, but also for women in action roles.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer helped launch the careers of the likes of Sarah Michelle-Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, David Boreanaz, and many more. It was a huge pop-culture phenomenon, paving the way not only for the many procedural supernatural dramas that followed, but also for women in action roles. While it wasn't as much of an awards success as some of the other best TV dramas of all time, this doesn't diminish its cultural impact or relevancy, or the fact that it's still incredibly watchable despite the decades that have ed since it concluded.

22 Fargo (2014-Present)

Created By: Noah Hawley

The comedy-drama Fargo may be one of the bleakest shows on TV at points, but it's proved itself over the course of its five seasons to easily be one of the best dramatic series on the small screen. Fargo has an anthology format between seasons, with each telling a different story, many in different eras and locations with only minor nods and overlaps between each. This is where the genius of Fargo truly shines, as none feels spiritually detached from the others. Fargo has been nominated for dozens of awards, winning several, including 3 Golden Globes and 6 Primetime Emmys.

While it's the cinematography and narratives of each Fargo series that truly stand out, the show has managed to attract a phenomenal cast over the years too. The likes of Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Ewan McGregor, and Chris Rock have all made appearances, among others, meaning that Fargo easily has some of the biggest star-power of any TV drama when compared to familiar faces on the big screen.

21 Grey's Anatomy (2005-Present)

Created By Shonda Rhimes

Grey's Anatomy shares many similarities to Law & Order when considering it among the best TV dramas of all time. Much like crime procedurals, there are many medical dramas that could make an arguable case for consideration, such as ER or House. What's more, like Dick Wolf, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes is also the creative mind behind many hit TV shows. However, on both counts, Grey's Anatomy stands out above all others, and the fact that it's still going even after the semi-departure of titular character Mereditch Grey (Ellen Pompeo) is testament to this.

Across its 20 seasons so far, Grey's Anatomy has delivered some of the best dramatic moments ever seen on the small screen. It's not only when the show focuses on the medical aspects of its characters lives either, as Grey's Anatomy also features many impeccable romantic storylines, as well as some incredibly emotional character deaths beyond the patients the staff of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital aren't able to save. With several spinoffs such as Station 19 and Private Practice stemming from it too, it's easy to see why Grey's Anatomy has continued to be considered an A-Tier TV drama.

20 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Created By: David Benioff and DB Weiss

When it comes to modern TV dramas, especially those with elements of fantasy, few can claim to have captured the cultural zeitgeist quite like Game of Thrones, the adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Game of Thrones has a complex legacy in 21st century series history. Even with the release of prequel spin-off House of the Dragon — and the prequel being received warmly by critics and viewers alike — audiences refuse to forget how the showrunners dropped the ball in the last seasons of GoT.

The earlier seasons of GoT laid the groundwork for high-stakes political and crime dramas that subvert family themes, like Succession or Ozark.

However, though it is mostly ed for its disappointing final arc, it can't be denied how the medieval fantasy genre practically dominated mainstream entertainment during GoT's 9-year run. Moreover, for all its faults, the earlier seasons of GoT laid the groundwork for high-stakes political and crime dramas that subvert family themes, like Succession or Ozark.

19 Firefly (2002)

Created By: Joss Whedon

If there was ever a testament to the quality of a TV drama, it's when it's still being discussed over 2 decades after its cancelation, despite only lasting for a single season, and this is the case with Joss Whedon's Firefly. The space Western genre may not be where it is today if it wasn't for Firefly, with it paving the way for shows like The Expanse and Outer Range. Set in the near future, Firefly was driven by the superb chemistry between its ragtag group of social outcasts, brought together by the titular Firefly class ship.

Over 2 decades later, the Firefly cast remains one of the greatest ensembles of unexpected heroes in all fiction, seamlessly intertwining personal relationships with the social turmoils of frontier planets across the fringes of space. Even after just 1 season, Firefly continues to be popular among audiences over 2 decades since it was canceled. To this day, rumors of Firefly reboots continue to float in the ether.

18 GLOW (2017-2019)

Created By: Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch

Much like Firefly, there are many who feel that GLOW was canceled far too soon, though the three seasons that exist still stand and ensure it's considered as one of the best TV dramas of all time. A heavily fictionalized retelling of the true stories behind David McLane's Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling circuit, GLOW follows the promoters and female actresses and athletes of the first all-women televised pro-wrestling show.

Capitalizing on the wave of '80s nostalgia that took over TV in the 2010s, GLOW was a genuinely funny, compelling, and tragic period drama that shone a light on the untold stories of pioneering women in entertainment. Like many other great dramas, GLOW was canceled due to the pandemic, and it hasn't been picked up since. Nonetheless, the satirical comedic drama remains a cultural touchstone for sparking still ongoing debates about feminism in television.

17 The Curse (2023-present)

Created by Nathan Fielder and Benny Safdie

The Curse is one of the more modern TV dramas that are being considered as a peak for the genre and format, though that makes it no less deserving of its place among more established shows like Grey's Anatomy and Law & Order. The Curse focuses on a newly married couple who star in their own HGTV show, Fliplanthropy, in which they evict low-income tenants to flip homes for a profit, and then make a show out of financially ing whomever they displace.

There are many satirical black comedy shows like The Curse, but the execution of its singular premise and its stark examination of influencer culture make it arguably the most relevant.

Though the couple stand to make huge profits, they are beset by a curse that threatens to take over the show-within-a-show. Today, there are many satirical black comedy The Curse, but the execution of its singular premise and its stark examination of influencer culture make it arguably the most relevant. For curious first-time viewers, be warned that The Curse is a masterclass in creating uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing moments.

16 Lost (2004-2010)

Created by: Jeffrey Lieber, J. J. Abrams, and Damon Lindelof

Long before Game of Thrones captured the "what do you think will happen in the next episode" conversations that dominated social-media week-in, week-out, Lost was doing the very same around water-coolers and elsewhere throughout the 00s. Much like GoT, it's difficult to overstate just how tight a grip Lost had on the cultureal zeitgeist. The plot focuses on a group of plane crash survivors find out that the island on which they're stranded may have a mind of its own. Lost might be the greatest and most misunderstood mystery sci-fi series of all time.

The show is known for cleverly balancing suspenseful twists with poignant moments of reflection. At the same time, its layers of intrigue, non-linear narrative, and rich symbolism have kept viewers both engaged and confused - ing for its divisive reputation. However, if there's anything that the show's most loyal viewers and harshest critics can agree on, it is that Lost was pivotal to the mainstream popularization of heavily experimental serialized sci-fi TV.