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Best (non-comedy) TV shows of all time

121 replies

XelaM · 09/04/2022 21:03

Having just finished Season 3 of "Succession" I feel bereft and looking to find something good to watch.

"Succession" is the best thing I have seen on TV probably ever, but equally great I found
"Breaking Bad" (first 4 seasons); and
"Ozark".

Are there any other shows out there that can rival those three in brilliance of script, acting and twists? Looking for inspiration.

OP posts:
Scautish · 09/04/2022 21:37

Totally agree re The Americans - hugely underrated

The Wire is my favourite - but breaking bad and sopranos also fantastic.

It’s not in same league, but very enjoyable, so The Good Wife.

Labtest7 · 09/04/2022 21:41

Buffy, Six Feet Under, Anne of Green Gables (the Megan Follows version).

jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey · 09/04/2022 21:46

I love all the above plus Homeland especially the early series.

User748956 · 09/04/2022 21:49

Homeland
Lost
Prison Break
Dexter

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 09/04/2022 22:01

The Night Of - limited series, brilliantly done.

A580Hojas · 09/04/2022 22:06

State of play

Our friends in the north

Line of duty

User748956 · 09/04/2022 22:07

Severance is very good, whole series is there now on Apple TV

Hbh17 · 09/04/2022 22:09

Brideshead Revisited, without question.

Original poster
XelaM · 09/04/2022 22:24

Thank you for all the recommendations guys! I have seen some of them like "Sopranos" (also a great show) and will definitely look for some of the others. So many votes for "The Americans" - I'm intrigued as I have never heard of the show.

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User748956 · 09/04/2022 22:29

The Americans used to be on ITV, probably started about 10 years ago, then like a lot of series it got moved round different channels and ended up on some little known Sky channel iirc. It's all on Disney+ now

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XelaM · 09/04/2022 23:22

I also watched "The Bridge" and agree it's brilliant, especially the first season.

"Making a Murderer" was great but sooo depressing and it's not fiction. I couldn't bear to see Steven's poor parents Sad and it's not fiction.

I loved the first season of "House of Cards" but thought it became a bit more convoluted and unrealistic after that. Maybe I should try it again.

I couldn't get into "Lost" but maybe it was just me.

Trying to find the shows recommended on this thread (for free preferably on Netflix/Prime/Sky).

OP posts:
Tezza1 · 10/04/2022 02:04

Justified with Timothy Olyphant was great. I noticed that a lot of people have listed The Americans, and both were created or executive produced by Graham Yost.

I'm actually coming around to think that anything he's involved with is worth while watching simply for his sake: Deadwood, Band of Brothers , Sneaky Pete on Amazon prime, Boomtown, other stuff I can't remember offhand. A great body of work.

kikisparks · 10/04/2022 03:14

Not sure what is my favourite of all time but one that comes to mind as having been fantastically made is Dark (in German but available dubbed on Netflix)

User748956 · 10/04/2022 07:31

American Rust on Sky was good, it wasn't widely advertised and just one series at the moment

User748956 · 10/04/2022 07:37

If you have Tesco Clubcard points, Disney+ is £8 in points for 3 month subscription, The Americans, Dopesick and Big Sky are worth watching on there

Haus1234 · 10/04/2022 07:41

First series of Homeland (maybe second, but none after that)
The West Wing
It’s A Sin
Severance (just finished on Apple TV) is excellent

toughenup · 10/04/2022 07:43

The Wire is amazing

clpsmum · 10/04/2022 07:44

I was a bit late to the party witb all of these but thought sons of anarchy, life on mars and ashes to ashes and line of duty were all brilliant

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 10/04/2022 07:45

Line of duty - first 4 series especially, can’t think of anything as gripping
First killing eve was spectacular too- shame about the change in writer, never the same

clpsmum · 10/04/2022 07:46

@MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet

The Night Of - limited series, brilliantly done.
Brilliant and very underrated
JaninaDuszejko · 10/04/2022 07:48

Our Friends in the North was incredible, possibly the best things I've ever seen on British TV. Surprised no-one has mentioned Mad Men yet, it was brilliant. Trying to think of the best Scandi drama I've seen, 1864 possibly just for its scale and historical importance but I loved Borgen so much.

JaninaDuszejko · 10/04/2022 07:51

But if you’re looking at historically important TV, it’s Cathy Come Home, Up the Junction, Abigail’s Party, Brideshead Revisited and, well, Coronation Street.

The Jewel in the Crown probably belongs in that list as well.

User748956 · 10/04/2022 08:22

Our Friends in the North duly noted and popped on the list for when I next subscribe to BritBox - hopefully they will throw an offer my way.

1990s · 10/04/2022 08:43

Mad Men, It’s A Sin and The Good Wife are all also excellent as others have said.

Haus1234 · 10/04/2022 11:34

Different tone but Firefly and Dollhouse were both great.

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