Recommended TV Series
Genres included: Drama, Comedy, Satire, Documentary and Animation
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- CreatorDavid SimonStarsDominic WestLance ReddickSonja SohnThe Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.Criminally underrated, which is saying something considering the 9.3 it currently has on IMDb.
It is a tale of a city, but it could be any city, and through the sprawling story which covers so many different perspectives you get an incredibly broad look at how, in a sense, everyone is trapped by the same problems and pressures of the society around them. The Wire's dedication to realism while maintaining an entertaining and interesting story is truly remarkable. - CreatorHiromu ArakawaStarsKent WilliamsIemasa KayumiMatthew LeonhartTwo brothers search for a Philosopher's Stone after an attempt to revive their deceased mother goes awry and leaves them in damaged physical forms.Low-key one of the deepest shows you've never seen. Unless you've already seen it.
Would advise against watching the "original" Full Metal Alchemist anime series of 2003, as Brotherhood is the original manga story, and unlike the 2003 series, it actually goes somewhere - StarsDavid AttenboroughDavid Attenborough's groundbreaking study of the evolution of life on our planet.When documentaries were designed with education, not entertainment primarily in mind. Life on Earth is also refreshingly free of this modern desire to show off how impressive our cameras are.
- CreatorMichael Dante DiMartinoBryan KonietzkoStarsDee Bradley BakerZach Tyler EisenMae WhitmanIn a war-torn world of elemental powers, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.Wonderful story and surprising depth for a show aimed at children. The first series starts out quite goofy and light-hearted, but as the characters grow through experiencing a war-torn world, the tone and themes become more mature.
- CreatorRob McElhenneyGlenn HowertonStarsCharlie DayGlenn HowertonRob McElhenneyFive friends with big egos and small brains are the proprietors of an Irish pub in Philadelphia.This comedy is well-written, but its real genius is in crafting plots which create ludicrously funny situations.
- StarsJacob BronowskiJoss AcklandRoy DotriceAn account of man's development through his scientific and technological achievements.Astounding documentary presented and written by Jacob Bronowski, who gives us a comprehensive view of human history, delivered with great enthusiasm and clarity.
- CreatorDavid ChaseStarsJames GandolfiniLorraine BraccoEdie FalcoNew Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.Revolutionary for its time, sparked a resurgence in big-budget blockbuster series, especially produced by HBO.
A wonderful series in itself, and I don't think I've ever seen a show with such depth to their characters. - CreatorJoss WhedonStarsNathan FillionGina TorresAlan TudykFive hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them.
- StarsRichard AyoadeMatt BerryMatthew HolnessThis parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.
- StarsChristopher MorrisSteve CooganPatrick MarberA spoof of the British style of news broadcasting - including ridiculous stories, patronising vox pops, offensively hard-hitting research and a sports presenter clearly struggling for metaphors.
- StarsAdam CurtisRobert ReichAnn BernaysA documentary about the rise of psychoanalysis as a powerful means of persuasion for both governments and corporations.Interesting viewing, highly insightful.
- CreatorTrey ParkerMatt StoneBrian GradenStarsTrey ParkerMatt StoneIsaac HayesFollows the misadventures of four irreverent grade-schoolers in the quiet, dysfunctional town of South Park, Colorado.First 2 seasons are outrageously funny, up to and including season 5 is excellent. After that depends on the individual, but I usually stop watching around season 9.
- CreatorShin'ichirô WatanabeStarsKazuya NakaiGinpei SatoAyako KawasumiFuu, a waitress who works in a teahouse, rescues two master swordsmen, Mugen and Jin, from their execution to help her find the "samurai who smells of sunflowers."
- CreatorShin'ichirô WatanabeHajime YatateStarsKôichi YamaderaUnshô IshizukaMegumi HayashibaraThe futuristic misadventures and tragedies of an easygoing bounty hunter and his partners.Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo were both directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, and along with the works of Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli), arguably represent the pinnacle of Japanese animation.
- StarsChristopher MorrisMark HeapKevin EldonControversial spoof of current affairs television, and the role of celebrity in the UK.
- CreatorJames L. BrooksMatt GroeningSam SimonStarsDan CastellanetaNancy CartwrightHarry ShearerThe satiric half-hour adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.Seasons 1-7 recommended; they resonate in their satire of suburban life and its struggles.
- StarsSigourney WeaverDavid AttenboroughNikolay DrozdovA documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenborough.Largely responsible for the direction documentaries have taken since, not always with the best result, but the original camera-fetish nature documentary was still very impressive and Attenborough clearly had enough of a say to prevent it from becoming too removed from an actual documentary.
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.Often unfairly remembered, Buffy is a wildly creative, witty, endearing, goofy, fun, thrilling character-driven series. Also game changing for its genre-blending: a supernatural horror, romantic comedy, drama, and mystery thriller all in one.
- CreatorDavid GreenwaltJoss WhedonStarsDavid BoreanazCharisma CarpenterAlexis DenisofThe vampire Angel, cursed with a soul, moves to Los Angeles and aids people with supernatural-related problems while questing for his own redemption.A spin-off series that is worth watching in itself, but also because it feeds into and affects the Buffy universe. Not necessary to watch if you simply want to enjoy Buffy, it just enhances the experience.
- StarsChristopher EcclestonMark StrongGina McKeeDrama examining the politics and change across Britain from the Sixties to the Nineties seen through the varying fortunes of four friends.
- StarsSimon PeggJessica HynesJulia DeakinFriends Tim and Daisy, 20-something North Londoners with uncertain futures, must pretend to be a couple to live in the only apartment they can afford.
- 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.The worst thing about how series are commissioned in the U.S - and this is true of the whole entertainment industry - is the focus on short-term profitability, while telling an intriguing story comes second, if at all. This greed-induced approach allows a lot of easy-watching drivel several seasons, at the expense of a few gems left sadly incomplete.
Like Firefly (#6 on this list) Deadwood is one of these gems, and the 3 seasons that exist were clearly never meant to be the complete article. You can excuse the somewhat unsatisfying ending though, if the journey grips you from start to finish.
Incidentally both series mentioned have movies that act as a sequel and ending to the series. - StarsShirô SaitôAtsuko TanakaOsamu SakaThe futuristic adventures of a female cyborg counter intelligence agent and her support team.
- 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.
- CreatorKazuya TsurumakiStarsJun MizukiMayumi ShintaniIzumi KasagiMysterious things start happening when 12-year-old Naota meets a strange woman on a Vespa wielding a big guitar.Bizarre, frantic and mesmerising.
- CreatorVince GilliganStarsBryan CranstonAaron PaulAnna GunnA chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family's future.Overrated, largely due to the sea of dross that mainstream entertainment became around the late noughties (Game of Thrones is a more extreme illustration of this), but still good, even if the story feels like it would've been much tighter and more interesting over 3 seasons. Soundtrack is terrific.
- CreatorMark FrostDavid LynchStarsKyle MacLachlanMichael OntkeanMädchen AmickAn idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
- StarsNeil Patrick HarrisNathan FillionFelicia DayAn aspiring supervillain must balance his career and his pursuit of a beautiful do-gooder.This weird but wonderful little series is only 42 minutes in full and was created during the writer's strike.
- CreatorPendleton WardStarsJohn DiMaggioJeremy ShadaTom KennyA 12-year-old boy and his best friend, a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers, go on a series of surreal adventures in a remote future.
- CreatorHideaki AnnoStarsMegumi OgataMegumi HayashibaraKotono MitsuishiA teenage boy finds himself recruited as a member of an elite team of pilots by his father.The 1997 'film': The End of Evangelion, is an alternative version of the final 2 episodes, and a far superior ending.
- CreatorDan HarmonJustin RoilandStarsChris ParnellSpencer GrammerSarah ChalkeThe fractured domestic lives of a nihilistic mad scientist and his anxious grandson are further complicated by their inter-dimensional misadventures.
- StarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonTim McInnernyIn the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.As each season is effectively stand-alone, I would say start here, then continue with seasons 3 and 4. Despite the odd brilliant moment, the 1st season is quite dull.
- 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.Increasingly disappointing, but the first season's great and the second is still pretty good.
- CreatorRichard LevinsonWilliam LinkStarsPeter FalkMike LallyJohn FinneganLos Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.Out of several detective shows I've seen, Columbo has the most interesting format. The dynamic between Lieutenant Columbo and the murderer is always engrossing, and Peter Falk is perfect for the titular role.
Advise to stop watching after season 7. - StarsSimon SchamaMichael KitchenSamuel WestA comprehensive historical survey of the British Isles.
- StarsMakoto FurukawaKaito IshikawaMax MittelmanThe story of Saitama, a hero that does it just for fun & can defeat his enemies with a single punch.
- CreatorBruno HellerWilliam J. MacDonaldJohn MiliusStarsKevin McKiddRay StevensonPolly WalkerA down-to-earth account of the lives of both illustrious and ordinary Romans set in the last days of the Roman Republic.
- StarsDermot MorganArdal O'HanlonFrank KellyThree misfit priests and their housekeeper live on Craggy Island, not the peaceful and quiet part of Ireland that it seems to be.
- CreatorGlen A. LarsonRonald D. MooreStarsEdward James OlmosMary McDonnellJamie BamberWhen an old enemy, the Cylons, resurface and obliterate the 12 colonies, the crew of the aged Galactica protect a small civilian fleet - the last of humanity - as they journey toward the fabled 13th colony, Earth.Not strictly necessary, but try to watch the 2003 mini-series first.
- CreatorTim HeideckerEric WareheimStarsTim HeideckerEric WareheimBob OdenkirkTwo comedians, average nobodies, and celebrity guest stars perform bizarre low-budget comedy sketches.Surreal and chaotic. I find it hilarious, but some may be unsettled by the humour.
- StarsMarita BreuerRüdiger WeigangKurt WagnerThe village of Schabbach experiences the shifting fortunes of Germany from 1919 to 1982.
- StarsArmando IannucciHugh CecilKaren AscoeObservations of society and life by Armando Iannucci in comedy sketches and narration.
- StarsJohn HurtRoger MunnsA cinematic experience bringing you the most amazing human stories in the world. Humans and wildlife surviving in the most extreme environments on EarthIt seems more important than ever nowadays to look for an alternate way to live, and Human Planet gives an (admittedly somewhat fabricated) idea. It gives us a sense of the roots of human community, roots that are entwined in a philosophy that is rarely considered in the "advanced" or "civilised" cultures of today: respecting the natural world and living in harmony with it.
This series also studies some of the incredibly dangerous things countless people must do just to survive in modern 3rd world countries. Of course these people should simply work harder and that will solve all their problems (ostrich-logic). - CreatorTim KringStarsJack ColemanHayden PanettiereMilo VentimigliaCommon people discover that they have super powers. Their lives intertwine as a devastating event must be prevented.If you love dramas with endless cheap cliffhangers and zero concern for a tangible story, watch Lost. Or Heroes after the 1st series.
The 1st series is excellent though, and worth viewing in itself. - CreatorBill LawrencePhil LordChristopher MillerStarsWill FortePhil LordMichael McDonaldThe greatest minds of the world have been cloned, and are now attending high school together.
- CreatorDavid 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.Fun pseudo-intellectual fantasy romp with swords and shields, and if you're into a bit of full-frontal nudity, bloody violence, torture and rape scenes, you'll probably think this is the best show ever.
Except for the ending, almost everyone hated it.