Top 10 TV Dramas of All Time

not enough drama in your life you

not enough drama in your life you haven’t been watching enough TV welcome

haven’t been watching enough TV welcome

haven’t been watching enough TV welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re

to watchmojo.com and today we’re

to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten

counting down our picks for the top ten

counting down our picks for the top ten TV dramas of all time

TV dramas of all time

TV dramas of all time you’re strong I’m stronger for this list

you’re strong I’m stronger for this list

you’re strong I’m stronger for this list we’re looking at shows that had

we’re looking at shows that had

we’re looking at shows that had longevity critical acclaim and/or were

longevity critical acclaim and/or were

longevity critical acclaim and/or were rating successes so if your favorite

rating successes so if your favorite

rating successes so if your favorite drama only ran for one or two seasons

drama only ran for one or two seasons

drama only ran for one or two seasons we’re very sorry so well Laurel comes

we’re very sorry so well Laurel comes

we’re very sorry so well Laurel comes early number 10

early number 10

early number 10 er there’s two kinds of doctors there’s

er there’s two kinds of doctors there’s

er there’s two kinds of doctors there’s the kind that gets rid of their feelings

the kind that gets rid of their feelings

the kind that gets rid of their feelings and the kind of keeps them if you’re

and the kind of keeps them if you’re

and the kind of keeps them if you’re gonna keep your feelings you’re gonna

gonna keep your feelings you’re gonna

gonna keep your feelings you’re gonna get sick from time to time that’s just

get sick from time to time that’s just

get sick from time to time that’s just how it works

how it works

how it works this hospital drama was a sensation when

this hospital drama was a sensation when

this hospital drama was a sensation when it premiered because unlike most 90s TV

it premiered because unlike most 90s TV

it premiered because unlike most 90s TV dramas it felt like a movie with long

dramas it felt like a movie with long

dramas it felt like a movie with long Steadicam shots amazing cuts and a sense

Steadicam shots amazing cuts and a sense

Steadicam shots amazing cuts and a sense that the look was as important as the

that the look was as important as the

that the look was as important as the content Jimmy wasn’t matter there’s a

content Jimmy wasn’t matter there’s a

content Jimmy wasn’t matter there’s a trunk

trunk

trunk I can’t imagine wall well me neither

I can’t imagine wall well me neither

I can’t imagine wall well me neither everything’s cool all we have to do is

everything’s cool all we have to do is

everything’s cool all we have to do is sitting late but ultimately content was

sitting late but ultimately content was

sitting late but ultimately content was king it’s astonishing cast scripts that

king it’s astonishing cast scripts that

king it’s astonishing cast scripts that bordered on but never crossed into soap

bordered on but never crossed into soap

bordered on but never crossed into soap opera you’re married no I’m a doctor and

opera you’re married no I’m a doctor and

opera you’re married no I’m a doctor and constant propulsive tension gave viewers

constant propulsive tension gave viewers

constant propulsive tension gave viewers the thrill of being part of an ER team

the thrill of being part of an ER team

the thrill of being part of an ER team I’ve got a right to my opinion don’t mr.

I’ve got a right to my opinion don’t mr.

I’ve got a right to my opinion don’t mr. luck you’re an end-stage renal failure

luck you’re an end-stage renal failure

luck you’re an end-stage renal failure but don’t worry we’re going to save your

but don’t worry we’re going to save your

but don’t worry we’re going to save your life such as it is number 9 Law & Order

life such as it is number 9 Law & Order

life such as it is number 9 Law & Order in the criminal justice system the

in the criminal justice system the

in the criminal justice system the people are represented by two separate

people are represented by two separate

people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups the police

yet equally important groups the police

yet equally important groups the police who investigate crime and the district

who investigate crime and the district

who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders

attorneys who prosecute the offenders

attorneys who prosecute the offenders these are their stories this drama ran

these are their stories this drama ran

these are their stories this drama ran for so long it’s easy to forget how good

for so long it’s easy to forget how good

for so long it’s easy to forget how good it was at its best sure

it was at its best sure

it was at its best sure each episode followed a formula 1 part

each episode followed a formula 1 part

each episode followed a formula 1 part police procedural one part legal drama

police procedural one part legal drama

police procedural one part legal drama isn’t it possible that pneumonia killed

isn’t it possible that pneumonia killed

isn’t it possible that pneumonia killed Suzanne Martin it’s possible that death

Suzanne Martin it’s possible that death

Suzanne Martin it’s possible that death rays from Mars

rays from Mars

rays from Mars killed her I don’t think so but that

killed her I don’t think so but that

killed her I don’t think so but that formula actually gave its creators

formula actually gave its creators

formula actually gave its creators freedom to delve deeper into the psyches

freedom to delve deeper into the psyches

freedom to delve deeper into the psyches and souls of participants law says I

and souls of participants law says I

and souls of participants law says I don’t have to give it to them Claire and

don’t have to give it to them Claire and

don’t have to give it to them Claire and besides I don’t want it the changing

besides I don’t want it the changing

besides I don’t want it the changing cast over the years kept the show fresh

cast over the years kept the show fresh

cast over the years kept the show fresh with fascinating faces who could also

with fascinating faces who could also

with fascinating faces who could also act up a storm it’s a crime of passion

act up a storm it’s a crime of passion

act up a storm it’s a crime of passion stone pure and simple a crime of passion

stone pure and simple a crime of passion

stone pure and simple a crime of passion is never pure and it’s certainly not

is never pure and it’s certainly not

is never pure and it’s certainly not simple number eight Game of Thrones

simple number eight Game of Thrones

simple number eight Game of Thrones winter is coming

winter is coming

winter is coming fantasy dramas usually get short shrift

fantasy dramas usually get short shrift

fantasy dramas usually get short shrift when it comes to respect but Game of

when it comes to respect but Game of

when it comes to respect but Game of Thrones is so awesome and done with such

Thrones is so awesome and done with such

Thrones is so awesome and done with such skill it demands critical attention come

skill it demands critical attention come

skill it demands critical attention come out behind them and come in there often

out behind them and come in there often

out behind them and come in there often dark in tone and filled with enough

dark in tone and filled with enough

dark in tone and filled with enough intrigue for 10 series it’s also

intrigue for 10 series it’s also

intrigue for 10 series it’s also flat-out epic but even with all that

flat-out epic but even with all that

flat-out epic but even with all that going on it’s the focus on relationships

going on it’s the focus on relationships

going on it’s the focus on relationships and personalities that keeps viewers

and personalities that keeps viewers

and personalities that keeps viewers hungry for more make him happy well that

hungry for more make him happy well that

hungry for more make him happy well that and the sex and violence I sent 2,000

and the sex and violence I sent 2,000

and the sex and violence I sent 2,000 men to their graves today the bards will

men to their graves today the bards will

men to their graves today the bards will sing songs of their sacrifice I for the

sing songs of their sacrifice I for the

sing songs of their sacrifice I for the dead won’t hear number seven the x-files

dead won’t hear number seven the x-files

dead won’t hear number seven the x-files are you familiar with the so-called

are you familiar with the so-called

are you familiar with the so-called x-files

x-files

x-files you got a conspiracy theory chances are

you got a conspiracy theory chances are

you got a conspiracy theory chances are the x-files beat you to it and that’s

the x-files beat you to it and that’s

the x-files beat you to it and that’s part of what made this sci-fi show so

part of what made this sci-fi show so

part of what made this sci-fi show so astounding with the incredible David

astounding with the incredible David

astounding with the incredible David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in the

Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in the

Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in the lead paranoia and paranormal activity

lead paranoia and paranormal activity

lead paranoia and paranormal activity were immensely appealing you know this

were immensely appealing you know this

were immensely appealing you know this could mean the intelligent scripts that

could mean the intelligent scripts that

could mean the intelligent scripts that treated the sci-fi subject matter

treated the sci-fi subject matter

treated the sci-fi subject matter seriously also shouldn’t be neglected

seriously also shouldn’t be neglected

seriously also shouldn’t be neglected this is an official procedure

this is an official procedure

this is an official procedure x-files secret is that it made you

x-files secret is that it made you

x-files secret is that it made you believe its tagline the truth is out

believe its tagline the truth is out

believe its tagline the truth is out there

there

there when Convention and science offer us no

when Convention and science offer us no

when Convention and science offer us no answers might we not finally turn to the

answers might we not finally turn to the

answers might we not finally turn to the fantastic as a plausibility number six

fantastic as a plausibility number six

fantastic as a plausibility number six Mad Men this is the greatest advertising

Mad Men this is the greatest advertising

Mad Men this is the greatest advertising opportunity since the invention of

opportunity since the invention of

opportunity since the invention of serial great shows keep surprising

serial great shows keep surprising

serial great shows keep surprising viewers Mad Men has plenty of plot hooks

viewers Mad Men has plenty of plot hooks

viewers Mad Men has plenty of plot hooks and twists that do that plus it’s got

and twists that do that plus it’s got

and twists that do that plus it’s got the whole snappy dialogue thing down I

the whole snappy dialogue thing down I

the whole snappy dialogue thing down I thought we were doing this at 9:00 it’s

thought we were doing this at 9:00 it’s

thought we were doing this at 9:00 it’s 11:15 I’m late but you’re not good work

11:15 I’m late but you’re not good work

11:15 I’m late but you’re not good work so far but it’s the unpredictability of

so far but it’s the unpredictability of

so far but it’s the unpredictability of its characters from Don Draper on down

its characters from Don Draper on down

its characters from Don Draper on down that makes it stand out these people do

that makes it stand out these people do

that makes it stand out these people do the same random things for unknowable

the same random things for unknowable

the same random things for unknowable reasons we all do it’s called human

reasons we all do it’s called human

reasons we all do it’s called human behavior and in the hands of these

behavior and in the hands of these

behavior and in the hands of these creators its enthralling

creators its enthralling

creators its enthralling I give you money you give me ideas you

I give you money you give me ideas you

I give you money you give me ideas you never say thank you that’s what the

never say thank you that’s what the

never say thank you that’s what the money is for number five the West Wing

money is for number five the West Wing

money is for number five the West Wing all right let’s do it drill no one

all right let’s do it drill no one

all right let’s do it drill no one writes speeches like West Wing creator

writes speeches like West Wing creator

writes speeches like West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin big speeches little

Aaron Sorkin big speeches little

Aaron Sorkin big speeches little speeches sometimes just a paragraph your

speeches sometimes just a paragraph your

speeches sometimes just a paragraph your state of Florida got 12 point six

state of Florida got 12 point six

state of Florida got 12 point six billion dollars in federal money last

billion dollars in federal money last

billion dollars in federal money last year twelve point six out of a state

year twelve point six out of a state

year twelve point six out of a state budget of 50 billion I’m supposed to be

budget of 50 billion I’m supposed to be

budget of 50 billion I’m supposed to be using this time for a question so here

using this time for a question so here

using this time for a question so here it is can we have it back please that’s

it is can we have it back please that’s

it is can we have it back please that’s this shows secret weapon it loves

this shows secret weapon it loves

this shows secret weapon it loves language it loves ideas and it puts all

language it loves ideas and it puts all

language it loves ideas and it puts all that in the mouths of funny

that in the mouths of funny

that in the mouths of funny heartbreaking driven characters who are

heartbreaking driven characters who are

heartbreaking driven characters who are enmeshed in awesomely inventive plot

enmeshed in awesomely inventive plot

enmeshed in awesomely inventive plot twists intrigue and relationships kind

twists intrigue and relationships kind

twists intrigue and relationships kind of makes politics look fun this is

of makes politics look fun this is

of makes politics look fun this is lining

lining

lining what’s next number four mash they’re

what’s next number four mash they’re

what’s next number four mash they’re ruining this war for all of us yes

ruining this war for all of us yes

ruining this war for all of us yes technically mash is a sitcom not a drama

technically mash is a sitcom not a drama

technically mash is a sitcom not a drama but few dramas of any era tackled as

but few dramas of any era tackled as

but few dramas of any era tackled as many serious issues and presented them

many serious issues and presented them

many serious issues and presented them as compellingly as this groundbreaking

as compellingly as this groundbreaking

as compellingly as this groundbreaking series the deathly seriousness of war

series the deathly seriousness of war

series the deathly seriousness of war and the need for humor in the face of it

and the need for humor in the face of it

and the need for humor in the face of it permeates this show sir I’m getting a

permeates this show sir I’m getting a

permeates this show sir I’m getting a cold sore well Captain Ahab only had one

cold sore well Captain Ahab only had one

cold sore well Captain Ahab only had one leg well he wasn’t in the army sir he

leg well he wasn’t in the army sir he

leg well he wasn’t in the army sir he was a whale guy why yes sir in the

was a whale guy why yes sir in the

was a whale guy why yes sir in the background of the hilarious antics of

background of the hilarious antics of

background of the hilarious antics of Hawkeye Hot Lips and their cronies is

Hawkeye Hot Lips and their cronies is

Hawkeye Hot Lips and their cronies is the knowledge that death is right around

the knowledge that death is right around

the knowledge that death is right around the corner Henry Blake’s plane was shot

the corner Henry Blake’s plane was shot

the corner Henry Blake’s plane was shot down there were no survivors number

down there were no survivors number

down there were no survivors number three the wire teach you to give up

three the wire teach you to give up

three the wire teach you to give up going ain’t your turn to give up on the

going ain’t your turn to give up on the

going ain’t your turn to give up on the surface the wire is an exciting police

surface the wire is an exciting police

surface the wire is an exciting police procedural underneath it’s an incisive

procedural underneath it’s an incisive

procedural underneath it’s an incisive frightening Lee personal look at the

frightening Lee personal look at the

frightening Lee personal look at the troubles of urban America I need you to

troubles of urban America I need you to

troubles of urban America I need you to hit somebody

hit somebody

hit somebody hoo-wee it clay Davis

hoo-wee it clay Davis

hoo-wee it clay Davis the clay Davis perhaps what makes it

the clay Davis perhaps what makes it

the clay Davis perhaps what makes it most noteworthy is that despite the

most noteworthy is that despite the

most noteworthy is that despite the seriousness of the problems many of its

seriousness of the problems many of its

seriousness of the problems many of its characters face there is always a

characters face there is always a

characters face there is always a feeling of hope and optimism these

feeling of hope and optimism these

feeling of hope and optimism these people may be let down by society but

people may be let down by society but

people may be let down by society but their humanity still shines through

involved in the ball the game number two

involved in the ball the game number two Breaking Bad I’m thinking maybe you and

Breaking Bad I’m thinking maybe you and

Breaking Bad I’m thinking maybe you and I could partner up this AMC series

I could partner up this AMC series

I could partner up this AMC series follows a good man down a destructive

follows a good man down a destructive

follows a good man down a destructive path into crime yet Walter White is

path into crime yet Walter White is

path into crime yet Walter White is complex enough to retain audience

complex enough to retain audience

complex enough to retain audience sympathy we root for him even as he’s

sympathy we root for him even as he’s

sympathy we root for him even as he’s murdering people and building a criminal

murdering people and building a criminal

murdering people and building a criminal empire

white is dark morally ambiguous and

white is dark morally ambiguous and often downright cruel yet Bryan

often downright cruel yet Bryan

often downright cruel yet Bryan Cranston’s portrayal is so layered and

Cranston’s portrayal is so layered and

Cranston’s portrayal is so layered and nuanced were drawn back to him time and

nuanced were drawn back to him time and

nuanced were drawn back to him time and again and rewarded with spectacular

again and rewarded with spectacular

again and rewarded with spectacular drama no you clearly don’t know who

drama no you clearly don’t know who

drama no you clearly don’t know who you’re talking to so let me clue you in

you’re talking to so let me clue you in

you’re talking to so let me clue you in I am NOT in danger Skyler I am the

I am NOT in danger Skyler I am the

I am NOT in danger Skyler I am the danger

danger

danger number one The Sopranos what line of

number one The Sopranos what line of

number one The Sopranos what line of work are you in waste management

work are you in waste management

work are you in waste management consultant when we listed the top ten

consultant when we listed the top ten

consultant when we listed the top ten HBO shows we gave the nod to Game of

HBO shows we gave the nod to Game of

HBO shows we gave the nod to Game of Thrones because that more original

Thrones because that more original

Thrones because that more original series best exemplified the network’s

series best exemplified the network’s

series best exemplified the network’s epic production values and limitless

epic production values and limitless

epic production values and limitless imagination

imagination

imagination tis on to woman’s only weapon but if

tis on to woman’s only weapon but if

tis on to woman’s only weapon but if we’re choosing the Godfather of today’s

we’re choosing the Godfather of today’s

we’re choosing the Godfather of today’s must watch shows in the broader sense

must watch shows in the broader sense

must watch shows in the broader sense that honor goes to the more relatable

that honor goes to the more relatable

that honor goes to the more relatable Sopranos any thoughts at all on why you

Sopranos any thoughts at all on why you

Sopranos any thoughts at all on why you blacked out I don’t know stress may be

blacked out I don’t know stress may be

blacked out I don’t know stress may be proving cable TV could produce both

proving cable TV could produce both

proving cable TV could produce both quality drama and a ratings smash this

quality drama and a ratings smash this

quality drama and a ratings smash this series excelled thanks to a cast of

series excelled thanks to a cast of

series excelled thanks to a cast of sterling performers however it many by

sterling performers however it many by

sterling performers however it many by depicting gangsters as family men but

depicting gangsters as family men but

depicting gangsters as family men but that dual emphasis made it memorable

that dual emphasis made it memorable

that dual emphasis made it memorable well pastry need to watch my weight need

well pastry need to watch my weight need

well pastry need to watch my weight need to snag another husband you’re the only

to snag another husband you’re the only

to snag another husband you’re the only one who realized that’s a joke did well

one who realized that’s a joke did well

one who realized that’s a joke did well burn off family do you agree with our

burn off family do you agree with our

burn off family do you agree with our list which TV dramas keep you glued to

list which TV dramas keep you glued to

list which TV dramas keep you glued to your seat for more entertaining top 10s

your seat for more entertaining top 10s

your seat for more entertaining top 10s like this one published every day be

like this one published every day be

like this one published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com do

sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com do

sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com do you really believe that you mean

you really believe that you mean

you really believe that you mean anything to these people and I’m not

anything to these people and I’m not

anything to these people and I’m not trying to be insulting I’m just trying

trying to be insulting I’m just trying

trying to be insulting I’m just trying to make you see things clearly