In the world oftelevision, a select fewseriesremain so iconic and influential that they continue to shape both the medium and pop culture today. Some have episodes, characters or opening themes that have become ingrained in the cultural lexicon––referenced in day-to-day conversation and artistic works alike. There are also those series that have changed the way we see society and each other, due to the stunning realism and storytelling that they feature. Others have challenged perceptions of society through bold experimentation and genre-bending innovation.
Even today, the opening themes toThe Twilight ZoneandSeinfeldremain instantly recognizable, while the surreal satire ofAtlantahas expanded the boundaries of what television can achieve. Whether shaping modern culture or redefining the art of television storytelling, they all share one thing in common––they are essential.
10’The Twilight Zone' (1959-1964)
Created by Rod Serling
Rod Serling’sfantasy science fiction horror anthology series featured various tales that captured audiences' attention while offering provocative social commentary. Each standalone episode features different characters who navigate strange and disturbing events when they suddenly find themselves in an alternate time and space, separate from their own.The Twilight Zonewas hosted by the enigmatic Serling, who also served as the head writer of the series.
The Twilight Zoneis a cultural touchstonethat remains one of thegreatest anthology series of all time. Audiences will recognize references to the series in several other highly popular works, includingThe X-Files,The Simpsonsand the works ofJordan Peele. Some of the most popular episodes of all time––as well as memorable phrases like “you’ve just crossed into… The Twilight Zone”––have become part of the television lexicon. “Time Enough at Last”, which tells the story of a bookworm in a post-apocalyptic world, and “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” which features a youngWilliam Shatnerat odds with an elusive monster threatening the plane he’s on, are just a few of the episodes which have stood the test of time.
The Twilight Zone (1959)
9’Seinfeld' (1989-1999)
Created by Larry David & Jerry Seinfeld
This landmark sitcom was created by comicsLarry DavidandJerry Seinfeldand features Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself––a 30-something-year-old self-centered comic living in New York City. Jerry spends his time palling around with his friends George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and bizarre neighbor Cosmo Kramer (Michael Richards). Each episode featured the characters involved in a different scheme or bizarre set of circumstances that often highlighted the absurdity of social conventions and the minutiae of daily life.
Seinfeldis ashow about “nothing,” that was really about everything. It revolutionized sitcom television by making fun of the most mundane happenings of day-to-day life to portray situations that everyone and anyone can relate to. From double-dipping to sneezing etiquette,Seinfeldcaptured the absurdity of everyday life in a fashion that was unique to its time and remains funny today. By abandoning sentimentality and featuring a group of charismatic narcissists, the series also paved the way for modern-day morally gray––even anti-heroic––popular characters. As one of the fewperfect series from start to finish,Seinfeldcontinues to boast an impressive fanbase and its influence can be seen in other series includingCurb Your Enthusiasm(David) andIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia––often described as “Seinfeldon crack.”
8’Arcane' (2021-2024)
Created by Christian Linke & Alex Yee
Arcanetells the powerful story of two sisters whose lives are irreversibly changed after a botched robbery sets into play a series of tragic events that culminate in a war between their city, Zaun, and its wealthy counterpart, Piltover. Created byChristian LinkeandAlex Yee, this critically acclaimed animated steam-punk series is set inRiot Games’League of Legendsuniverse––making it one of the most successful video game adaptations in television history.Arcanefeatures top-tier visuals, writing and commendable worldbuilding. The voice cast includesHailee SteinfeldandElla Purnellin the lead roles of Violet “Vi” and Powder / Jinx.
Arcaneis one of the most masterfully executed series of all time and a top contender for the greatest series ever produced by Netflix.With its brilliantly tragic storytelling and impressive action sequences coupled with unrelenting drama, it’s no wonderArcanehas enjoyed such critical success. Audiences will be captivated by its stunning animation and pacing, which unfolds with heart-wrenching intensity. The scope of its subject matter––which deals with class conflict, the consequences of scientific progress and the cruel inevitability of fate––is handled in a way that’s consistently thought-provoking and engaging and never ham-fisted. Within a week of its release,Arcaneswiftly became Netflix’s highest-rated series.
7’Atlanta' (2016-2022)
Created by Donald Glover
When Earnest “Earn” (Donald Glover) drops out of Princeton, he’s forced to move back home toAtlantato figure his life out. With no money to his name, Earn convinces his cousin Alfred “PaperBoi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry)––an up-and-coming rapper––to let him be his manager. Earn and Alfred are accompanied by Earn’s ex-girlfriend Vanessa “Van” Kiefer (Zazie Beetz) and their eccentric friend Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), as they navigate the surreal landscape ofAtlantawhile trying to make it in the hip-hop game.
Blending surrealism with stark reality,Atlantapresents layered social commentary on American culture. Its experimental genre-defying style makes it an impossible series to pin down. Episodes can range from being horrifying (“Teddy Perkins” features cinematography inspired byThe Shiningand Glover plays a creepy recluse in whiteface) to hilarious (In “Barbershop”, Alfred’s haircut is delayed when his barber drags him on a series of increasingly ludicrous errands).Atlantawasn’t afraid to take chances bysatirizing controversial subject matter and challenging its audiences–-something that can be seen in episodes like “B.A.N. The Fake News Network Episode” and “The Three Slaps”, which satirizes BET, and criticizes the child welfare system. It remains one ofDonald Glover’s highest rated projects.
6’Game of Thrones' (2011-2019)
Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss
Game of Thronesis a fantasy drama series based on the booksSongs of Ice and Fire byGeorge R.R. Martin,and follows the conflicts of different noble families who battle each other for the coveted Iron Throne––the most powerful seat in all of Westeros. The series was known for including shocking plot twists, multi-faceted characters with unpredictable arcs and a plenitude of court intrigue. The series featured memorable performances fromPeter Dinklage,Lena HeadeyandEmilia Clarke.
Before its release, there was no other series ontelevision as visually arresting asGame of Thrones. It’s high production value was like nothing audiences had ever seen before; jaw-dropping cinematography and visually arresting shooting locations brought the fantastic world of Westeros to life with stunning realism. The series also included some of the most memorable characters in television history. Headey’s role as the icy Cersei Lannister remains one of the greatest performances of a villain in recent history, and Dinklage’s breakout role as Tyrion remains one of his best performances to date. Despite a divisive final season,Game of Thronesremains one of themost defining series of the 2010sand solidifies its position as an essential series with remarkable episodes and set pieces like the “Battle of the Bastards” and “The Rains of Castamere.”
Game Of Thrones
5’Chernobyl' (2019)
Created by Craig Mazin
This harrowing five-part miniseries dramatizes the catastrophic 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster. After an explosion at a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl claims the lives of workers and firefighters, Soviet Scientist Valery Legosov (Jared Harris), government official Boris Scherbina (Stellan Skarsgård) and physicist Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) are tasked with investigating and containing the fallout. The three discover a government cover-up and run into bureaucratic hurdles as they struggle to contain the explosion before radiation contaminates the Northern Hemisphere.
Chernobyldepicts one of the mosttragic moments in human history with searing realism. The entire cast delivers top-tier performances as their characters struggle to contain the fallout from the disaster––often at the cost of more lives. Sacrifice is a significant theme, as Legosov and Scherbina are often forced to send people to their deaths in varying efforts to contain the radiation spreading from the power plant. Harris and Scherbina effortlessly capture the anguish and emotional turmoil the real individuals must’ve felt.Jessie BuckleyandAdam Nagaitislikewise deliver heart-wrenching performances as a couple directly affected by the radiation.Chernobyldoes an immaculate job of respectfully telling this tragic story from multiple perspectives. For its haunting depiction of this nuclear disaster,Chernobylis consideredone of the greatest miniseries of all time.
4’The Wire' (2002-2008)
Created by David Simon
The Wireis a groundbreaking crime drama that examines the drug scene of Baltimore through the lens of narcotics dealers and law enforcement. The series also explores other facets of Baltimore––including the failed education system, the media and corruption in politics––to illustrate how they interact with each other and perpetuate the brutal conditions of the city. While the series begins by focusing on the law enforcement pursuit of the Barksdale drug organization, it later focuses on other aspects of the city.
The Wireportraysmorally complex characters navigating systemic issues. Police and politicians are morally flawed or corrupt––despite their attempts at justice––and drug dealers commit heinous crimes, but are also victims of external circumstances. Part of the Golden Era of television,The Wirewas one of the earliest series to subvert common tropes and offer realistic depictions of its subjects. It’s not a series that preaches or offers easy solutions but instead shines an honest light on the problems––as all great art storytelling does. Its excellent pacing and nuanced storytelling make itone of the greatest TV thrillers.Standout performances byIdris Elbaas the ambitious yet conflicted Stringer Bell, andAndre Royoas the tragic substance abuser Bubbles, are just a few of the reasons why this show remains an essential pick.
Created by Vince Gilligan
Breaking Badis a crime drama that follows the life of a chemistry teacher who becomes a drug lord after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. In his most memorable performance to date,Bryan Cranstonplays Walter White, who teams up with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to cook up premium heroin in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The series depicts a rise and fall story of Scarface-like proportions as Walter’s implacable ambition leads to the dissolution of his life and the lives of those around him.
Breaking Badis one of the earliest series to depict complex characters and anti-heroes. Cranston’s legendary transformation from a mild-mannered push-over into aruthless druglord is unlike any in television history. Due to its exceptional writing and performances, the tension-filled narrative builds and stretches for five incredible seasons before it crescendos into one of the greatest climaxes ever. Episodes like “Ozymandias” and the series finale “Felina” remain among the mostshocking and critically acclaimed episodes of all time. The series has often been hailed as thegreatest television series of all timeand has also spawned a successful franchise that includes the filmEl Caminoand the prequel/spin-offBetter Call Saul.
Breaking Bad
Creator Matthew Weiner
In 1960s Manhattan, Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is a talented Creative Director for the highly successful advertising agency,Sterling Cooper. He remains an enigma to his co-workers, who are impressed by his work and baffled by his mysterious persona. However, Draper has a dark secret––his entire identity is stolen.Mad Menfollows the lives of Don and the people in his personal and professional life, including extremely talented copywriter Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) who forges a path for herself as a female copywriter in a male-dominated world.Mad Menremains a highly influential series and one of thegreatest period dramas of all time.
CreatorMatthew Weinerwas invited to write forThe SopranosbyDavid Chaseafter reading Weiner’s pilot forMad Men.Audiences will note several similarities between the shows. Both series feature layered subtext and a story that is driven more by character than it is by plot.Mad Menis a series whereits subjects seldom say what they think or feel, leaving much of the motivation behind their actions up to interpretation. Sexism and racism are presented as behaviors that are normal for the time. Throughout the series we see how different characters––depending on their gender, race, or position––navigate or benefit from these conditions. Audiences will find themselves detesting characters like nepo-baby Pete Cambell (Vincent Kartheiser) only to empathize with them an episode later.
1’The Sopranos' (1999-2007)
Created by David Chase
The Sopranosis a series that follows the professional and personal life of a New Jersey Mobster who struggles to reconcile his role as a gangster with his role as a family man. When Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) suffers a panic attack, he decides to start seeing a psychiatrist (Lorraine Bracco) to try and work out his issues. Audiences are exposed to the brutal world of the mafia as they witness Tony Sopranos commit heinous crimes, including the murder of his enemies and even his closest friends. The brutality of a criminal career is juxtaposed with wholesome scenes of family life in this one-of-a-kind drama.
The Sopranosredefined television storytelling by introducing us to Tony Soprano. Gandolfini’s ability to shift from a charismatic family man to a cold sociopathic criminal made his performance asTony one of the most iconic and memorable. The remarkable world-building inThe Sopranosalso makes for a highly immersive experience, as the audience witnesses both the ins and outs of the mafia enterprise as well as the day-to-day life of an Italian-American family. This contributes to a sense of realism in the series that has yet to be replicated in any show since. By exploring the juxtaposition between mafia and family life, the series challenges audiences toreexamine how they view good and evil. Its depiction of people who participate with or interact with the mafia––including corrupt politicians and bourgeoisie business people––also offers a unique commentary on the contradictions and hypocrisy of modern society.The Sopranosis a perfect seriesthat brought television to new heights and remains essential viewing for all audiences.
The Sopranos
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