Best American TV Series: Top 35

35. I love Lucy

I love lucy

• USA, 1951-1957.
• Comedy, sitcom.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.4.

Actor and singer Ricky lives in New York with his wife Lucy. He does not let his wife try her hand at show business, considering her not talented enough. But for the heroine, this is not an obstacle at all, and she is persistently looking for a path to fame.

One of the most iconic sitcoms in the history of television is not outdated in the least, despite its considerable age. To be sure, just watch this scene.Lucy and Ethel wrap chocolates! / Glenn Miller / YouTube packaging of sweets.

34. Space

The expanse

• Canada, USA, 2015-present.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama, detective.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

In the distant future, people have mastered many planets of the solar system. War is about to break out between Mars and Earth, and the inhabitants of the asteroid belt are caught between two fires.

In these difficult times, Detective Joseph Miller is tasked with finding the missing rich heiress. In search of he goes along with Captain Jim Holden. After a while, it turns out that the girl they are looking for is involved in a large-scale conspiracy.

The epic series Space, based on the books by James Corey, was written by Daniel Abraham and Ty Frank, personal secretary and assistant to George R. R. Martin. Therefore, there are many parallels with Game of Thrones in the show. Unless the struggle for power is taking on a truly planetary scale here.

33. Shameless

Shameless

• USA, 2011–2021.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

The series tells the story of a dysfunctional Gallagher family, where the father is a drug addict and alcoholic, the mother fled, and the children have to sort out their problems on their own.

Shameless is the American version of the British show of the same name. And this is the case when the remake turned out to be much more popular than the original. Probably, the reason is that the history of the Gallagers perfectly fit the modern realities of the United States, highlighting the current society problems.

32. Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk empire

• USA, 2010–2014.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

The events unfold in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era. City treasurer Enoch Thompson, nicknamed Naki, decides to make money on the illegal sale of alcohol. However, he is not the only one eager to get rich.

One of the best gangster dramas on television was invented by Terence Winter, the screenwriter for the legendary Sopranos. The main characters were played by Steve Buscemi and Michael Pitt, the supporting roles were played by Michael Shannon, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Wright and many other stars. And the first episode of "Underground Empire" was shot personally by Martin Scorsese.

31. Community

Community

• USA, 2009-2015.
• Comedy, sitcom.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

Students at Greendale Community College, which are mostly adults, form a group to learn Spanish together. The characters are very different, but they gradually grow closer and become a real family.

The idea of ​​"Community" belongs to Dan Harmon, creator of the cartoon "Rick and Morty». For a long time he was the showrunner of the series, but after the third season, Harmon was fired for allegedly poorly managing the project. As a result, the fourth season turned out to be a failure, and the studio had to take the producer and writer back.

Harmon's creative handwriting in the series is immediately guessed: it is a trademark humor and references to popular culture. So, in the very first episode, the author pays tribute to the legendary Breakfast Club directed by John Hughes.

30. Big little lies

Big little lies

• USA, 2017–2019.
• Detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.5.

At a school charity ball, a murder takes place. But neither the identity of the killer nor the name of the victim is revealed to viewers. What follows is a story about the lives of several families and the events that led to the tragedy.

This twisted story was directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (Dallas Buyers Club, Sharp Objects). It turned out so emotionally and deeply that echoes of "Big Little Lies" are easy to find in many other shows that, with varying degrees of success, try repeat her triumph.

The story of the first season was quite complete. But in the wake of the series' success, HBO gave the go-ahead for a second season with the same screenwriter David E. Kelly, but a different director. Needless to say, the sequel could not even come close to the high bar that Valle asked.

29. Dexter

Dexter

• USA, 2006-2013.
• Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

Dexter Morgan works as a forensic scientist for the Miami police, but he is also a serial killer. The hero chooses only criminals as victims. And thanks to the fact that his father was also a law enforcement officer, Dexter is excellent at hiding evidence. As a result, murders become an integral part of his life.

Showtime's greatest hit has presented viewers with arguably the most charming anti-hero in television history. But after the first four seasons, Dexter began to deteriorate. The final completely disappointed some of the fans.

Perhaps that is why the creators decided on rehabilitation and announced the return of the series. Moreover, this will not be a direct continuation, but rather an alternative version of the story, which has nothing to do with the original ending.

28. Mind hunter

Mindhunter

• USA, 2017–2019.
• Thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

The action takes place in the late 70s. The FBI decides to create a special behavioral department that will compile psychological profiles of serial killers in order to understand how their minds work. The project is headed by a young employee Holden Ford, and a more experienced agent Bill Tench becomes his partner.

The series, to which David Fincher himself had a hand, caused a real delight among the audience. Instead of the usual story of FBI agents catching maniacs, viewers received a deep reflection on the mindset of killers and psychopaths.

In this case, the characters are written off from real personalities. John Douglas, who became the prototype of Holden Ford, spoke about them in his documentary book. He and his partner did indeed interview the killers and, in fact, founded the modern method of criminal profiling.

27. World of the wild west

Westworld

• USA, 2016 - present.
• Science fiction, drama, detective.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

The action takes place in the Westworld amusement park, inhabited by robots, which are indistinguishable from humans. Wealthy tourists come there for all kinds of adventures in the atmosphere of the past. Some simply explore the world, others indulge in permissiveness, because you can do anything with androids: maim, rape, and even kill.

Robots are programmed so that they cannot respond to people in kind. They are repaired, over and over again erasing memory, and machines live in an endless cycle of the same events. But one day it crashes, and the androids begin to hunt down their tormentors.

The series became one of the main hits of the HBO channel - along with "Game of Thrones" and "A real detective». Audiences and critics alike were delighted with the stunning visual style and acting. In addition, the intricate plot made people build various theories and wonder what will happen next.

Unfortunately, the second season did not develop as interestingly as the first. And in the third, the authors generally decided to radically rethink the concept: they abandoned the aesthetics of Westerns and leaps in time. All these innovations upset the fans, in whose opinion the series has lost all its trademark mystery.

26. Secret materials

The X Files

• USA, Canada, 1993–2018.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama, crime, detective.
• Duration: 11 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

FBI agents Dana Scully and Fox Mulder are investigating paranormal cases. At the same time, Dana acts as a skeptic, while Fox, on the contrary, believes in the wildest hypotheses. Gradually, the heroes begin to feel for each other feelings that go beyond the service relationship.

There was a cult following around the show, although the show's ratings began to plummet after Mulder disappeared in the season seven finale. Fans were never able to accept Agent Doggett, a new character who replaced Scully's partner.

Well, in 2016, Fox made an unsuccessful attempt to return to the screens of the classic tandem of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. However, the six-episode mini-season came out so unsuccessful that fans of the series did not experience any joy from the reunion of their favorite characters on the screen.

25. Madmen

Mad men

• USA, 2007-2015.
• Drama.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.6.

Events take place in New York in the early 60s. The main character, Don Draper, is the creative director at Sterling-Cooper advertising agency. At first glance, his life is perfect. But behind a beautiful facade hides a dark past, because Draper is not who he claims to be.

One of the main TV projects of the decade captured millions of viewers around the world for a long time. Mad Men got a fewGolden globes”, Spawned a wave of retro-series in a similar style and became a cultural phenomenon that influenced the fashion and advertising industry. Here is such an amusing cycle.

24. House of cards

House of Cards

• USA, 2013–2018.
• Drama.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Cynical Congressman Frank Underwood helps Garrett Walker become President of the United States in exchange for a promise to make him Secretary of State. But in the end, the hero finds out that he will not get the position. Then, together with his wife Claire, he decides to take revenge on Walker and remove him from his post.

The release of House of Cards on Netflix forever turned the world of film distribution upside down: it turned out that TV shows are capable of gathering a huge audience without even going out in stages at prime time. The company made it a rule to lay out the entire season in its entirety, and now the audience no longer had to languish in anticipation of the finale.

The character of Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, evokes polar emotions - from sympathy to hate. But at the same time, watching his story is always fascinating, because he shot a number of episodes of the first season David fincherwho knows how to keep the attention of the audience.

However, the sixth and final season of the show left a blurry impression on the audience. The main reason was the dismissal of Spacey, who was accused of sexual harassment. His character in the midst of work on the script had to be urgently removed from the plot, and this made the already awkward denouement heavier.

23. Boys

The boys

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Science fiction, action, drama, crime.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Events take place in a world where superheroes exist. But at the same time, they are usually selfish, arrogant and corrupted by power. The most famous superhumans are part of the elite team "Seven", behind the image of which is the powerful corporation Vought.

The "Seven" is opposed by the "Boys" squad, which is led by Billy Butcher, who, not without reason, hates people with superpowers. At some point, an ordinary guy named Hughie Campbell joins the gang, hungry for revenge after his girlfriend was accidentally killed by one of the superheroes - Train A. The conflict between the two teams is further aggravated when Huey begins to have feelings for the new member of the "Seven" - Starlight.

The adaptation of a little-known comic strip by Garth Ennis was released on Amazon Prime and quickly won the sympathy of the audience. The authors acted very wisely: they softened the cynical original a little, removing the most disgusting moments. Thanks to this, in "Boys" there is a good balance between extreme cruelty and emotional depth.

22. The amazing Mrs. Maisel

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

• USA, 2017 - present.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Girl Miriam from a wealthy Jewish family marries Joel Meisel, who is fond of stand-up as a hobby. But a few years after the wedding, Joel has a nervous breakdown, and he leaves his wife for his secretary. Against the background of what happened, Mrs. Maisel suddenly discovers a talent for humorous performances.

The showrunner of the picture was Amy Sherman-Palladino. Back in Gilmore Girls, she proved her strong point is witty dialogue. Therefore, The Amazing Mrs. Maisel has not only excellent drama, but also a lot of excellent humor. Another undeniable advantage of the series is the acting talent and charisma of Rachel Brosnahan.

21. Very strange things

Stranger things

• USA, 2016 - present.
• Horror, sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, drama, detective.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

In the small provincial town of Hawkins, a boy named Will Byers disappears. While the police are idle, his resourceful friends - Lucas, Mike and Dustin - go in search of. In the forest, they meet a strange girl named Eleven, who is somehow involved in what is happening.

The Duffer brothers primarily addressed their series to those who grew up on classic films of the 80s. However, thanks to the charm of the characters and the unpredictable plot, watching "Stranger Things" will be interesting to absolutely everyone.

But after watching it, we still recommend that you look on the Web for analyzes of cultural references scattered throughout the series. Then the show will be even more fun.

20. Dr. House

House, M.D.

• USA, 2004-2012.
• Drama, detective.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Gregory House - genius, but very difficult to communicate medic. As a rule, the hero copes well with the diagnosis and saves another life. But House's risky methods are often questioned by superiors.

House, starring British star Hugh Laurie, has proven that serials can be intellectual entertainment, too. Many viewers fell in love with the show because of the flighty and cynical protagonist. Indeed, it is difficult to resist this charming genius and his trademark phrases, which have already become winged.

19. Ted Lasso

Ted lasso

• USA, UK, 2020 - present.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

The owner of the English football club "Richmond" is getting divorced from his wife. By a court decision, she gets a team that her husband values ​​very much. For revenge, the ex-wife decides to destroy the team and hires a new coach - American Ted Lasso. The plan seems to her a win-win, because American football is very different from usual. But Ted's kind heart and inexhaustible optimism captivate not only the press and players, but also the owner of the club.

One of the few truly successful Apple TV + projects is already called the cutest TV series of our time. It was created by the author of "The Clinic" Bill Lawrence and the excellent screenwriter Jason Sudeikis, who played the main role.

Even those who do not like sports and do not understand it can safely watch the show. After all, first of all "Ted Lasso"Is an emotional and touching story about human characters.

18. Hooligans and nerds

Freaks and Geeks

• USA, 1999-2000.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8.7.

A diligent student Lindsay falls in love with a charming bully and communicates a lot with his friends. Her younger brother Sam, on the other hand, prefers to be friends with nerds. But, as it turns out, representatives of these two school get-togethers are able to understand each other.

The innovation of the series lies in the fact that the creators moved away from clichés as much as possible and did not depict a stereotypical school hierarchy. There are no cocky athletes or losers humiliated by everyone. Even if a character seems negative at first, it turns out later that he is not so simple. In this approach, the series is a bit reminiscent of the recent British hit "Sex Education", where there are no one-dimensional characters.

After the first season, the show was canceled due to low ratings. However, later the authoritative Time magazine included him in the list of the best television series of all time.

17. West wing

The west wing

• USA, 1999-2006.
• Drama.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

The plot revolves around the work of the US presidential administration. Employees talk to the press, come up with new laws and just try to make this world a little better.

While the description sounds as boring as possible, the show definitely needs to be given a shot. Yes, there are no intrigues or large-scale political conspiracies here. But the audience fell in love with the "West Wing" precisely for its extreme realism. And also for the brilliant dialogues written by Aaron Sorkin, enchanting humor and a chic cast led by Martin Sheen.

16. Mandalorian

The mandalorian

• USA, 2019 - present.
• Science fiction, action, adventure.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

The Mandalorians were once noble soldiers, but over time they have evolved into bounty hunters. One of these mercenary warriors lives on the outskirts of the New Republic. Performing the next task, he finds a green-eared kid who owns the Force.

Critics and audiences alike agree that Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian is the best thing that has happened to the universe. "Star Wars" in recent years. And baby Yoda instantly became a favorite of the audience.

15. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

• USA, 2005 - present.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 18 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Four friends run an Irish bar in a not-so-prestigious area of ​​Philadelphia and always find themselves in various ridiculous and ridiculous situations. Heroes are ready to do anything for their own benefit, but usually remain at a broken trough.

"Philadelphia" has made it to a respectable age, but has not lost its sharpness and relevance. The secret is simple: the creators are so talented and inventive that they just don't run out of good ideas.

14. Firefly

Firefly

• USA, 2002-2003.
• Science fiction, adventure, action, drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8.7.

Distant future, XXVII century. The nine smugglers who find themselves aboard the Firefly-class Serenity roam the universe and occasionally get into trouble. They are led by Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a Civil War veteran who has been marginalized and is now trying to feed the crew and save his starship.

Firefly was invented by Joss Whedon, godfather of the MCU Marvel and a cult figure in the geek community. During the existence of the project, only 14 episodes were released, but this did not prevent the show from becoming a cult show and acquiring a giant fan base.

"Firefly" could have become a true television legend, but everything was spoiled by the leadership of the FOX channel. For some reason, the producers disliked the series from the very beginning and endlessly put sticks in the wheels of the writers. And then the show was completely closed due to low ratings - no wonder, because "Firefly" was shown at an inconvenient time.

However, fans were so eager to see a sequel that the filmmakers were able to knock out the budget for the feature film Serenity Mission. He closed all the original story arcs, but this is still not enough for such a rich universe.

13. Office

The office

• USA, 2005-2013.
• Comedy, sitcom.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

The Film Brigade is filming a documentary about the life of an ordinary office worker. The workers are commanded by manager Michael Scott, who imagines himself to be a genius humorist and constantly doing something ridiculous.

"Office" was invented in Britain. But now the American version of the series is much better known in the world. It was she who became truly cult, surpassing the original.

Characters constantly “break the fourth wall”, addressing directly to the viewer, and frankly black humor helps the series to look relevant today. So, in a pandemic, he survivedJ. Kring-Schreifels. Here's why we're bingeing "The Office" during the pandemic / The Washington Post another surge in popularity.

12. Seinfeld

Seinfeld

• USA, 1989-1998.
• Comedy, sitcom.
• Duration: 9 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

Jerry Seinfeld is a successful stand-up comedian. He lives in New York and constantly finds himself in absurd situations. He usually does this with his friends: the ladies' man George, his ex Elaine and the very strange Kramer.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, along with co-writer Larry David, came up with sitcom, taking their own life as a basis. Most episodes are literally about nothing, and the degree of absurdity in them sometimes goes off scale. But the show still turned into a cult object and inspired the creators of Friends and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

11. Friends

Friends

• USA, 1994-2004.
• Comedy, sitcom, melodrama.
• Duration: 10 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

Six buddies live next door in Manhattan. They are very different, but this does not prevent them from getting closer and eventually becoming a real family.

Friends went on air for 10 years and during this time the audience really fell in love with Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Ross. Therefore, the show has become, perhaps, the most popular sitcom in the world.

10. Twin Peaks

Twin peaks

• USA, 1990–2017.
• Thriller, detective, crime, drama, fantasy.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.8.

In the small town of Twin Peaks, a girl named Laura Palmer is killed. FBI agent Dale Cooper arrives to investigate the crime. But soon he will have to face the supernatural nature of this place.

The David Lynch and Mark Frost series literally changed television. He was imitated and confessed in love, he was constantly quoted. And disputes about how it works world show, do not subside to this day.

In addition to the series, there is also a full-length film that expands the boundaries of history - "Twin Peaks: Fire Through". And in 2017, David Lynch unexpectedly returned with the third season of the show, giving fans even more food for thought.

9. True detective

True detective

• USA, 2014-2019.
• Detective, drama, crime.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.9.

Each season of the anthology tells a new story with new characters. First, two detectives investigate a mysterious occult murder. Then a group of police officers sort out the death of the official. And in the third season, two fellow cops are looking for the missing in rural terrain girl.

At the same time, the seasons also have common features. Usually the action develops in several timelines at once, and the characters, who are always played by actors of the first magnitude, hide some dark secret in their past.

8. Fargo

Fargo

• United States, 2014 - present.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8.9.

Professional hitman Lorne Malvo finds himself in the town of Bemidge, Minnesota, and meets the unfortunate insurance agent Lester Nygard. Their meeting leads to several murders, which are investigated by two police officers - Molly Solverson and her partner Gus Grimley.

Showrunner Noah Hawley (Legion, Bones) was once inspired by the atmosphere of the Coen brothers' film of the same name. He decided to shoot a completely independent story in the format of an anthology series. Each season, new stories and characters appear, while every year the style of the show is more and more drifting away from the original source. Although in the first episodes there were many references to the original picture.

7. Twilight Zone

The twilight zone

• USA, 1959-1964.
• Science fiction, horror, thriller.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.0.

Each episode of the great anthology that inspired the authors of Black Mirror tells a new story about monsters, aliens and the paranormal. That being said, episodes often end with unexpected plot twists.

But this show wouldn't be legendary if it were that simple. The second bottom is hidden under the fantastic plots. The show reflects the real problems of society: social inequality, wars, human indifference.

6. Game of Thrones

Game of thrones

• USA, UK, 2011.
• Fantasy, drama, action, melodrama, adventure.
• Duration: 8 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.2.

Civil war rages in Westeros, clashing many figures and factions in the struggle for the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms. Other story arcs are devoted to the life of the exiled princess Daenerys Targaryen and the everyday life of the ancient brotherhood that protects the state from the mysterious white walkers. And with each series, fewer and fewer heroes remain alive.

Screen adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martina has become an important part of popular culture. Now "Game of Thrones" is rightfully considered the main fantasy saga of the last decade.

However, not everyone liked the final season of the series. His two penultimate episodes were generally recognized as the worst in the history of the saga. But despite the controversial ending, Game of Thrones has many fans, so HBO decided not to say goodbye to the world of Westeros, but to expand the universe. Now several projects are under development at once, the closest of which is the prequel "Dragon house».

5. The Sopranos

The sopranos

• USA, 1999-2007.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 6 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.2.

Mafioso Tony Soprano visits a therapist trying to cope with depression. But the hero cannot tell the doctor a lot, because all his problems are related to crimes.

Showrunner David Chase based the plot on the activities of the real mafia family Decavalcante from his native New Jersey, added a lot of fiction and black humor to the story, and copied many characters from his acquaintances and relatives.

The result exceeded all expectations: according to many critics and viewers, "The Sopranos" is the best series about the mafia. Even the legendary directors Sidney Pollack and Peter Bogdanovich, who, by the way, periodically filmed some episodes, expressed their admiration for Chase.

4. Wiretapping

The wire

• USA, 2002-2008.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.3.

Police from Baltimore try to jail local drug dealers. Detective James McNulty organizes surveillance of the members of the group in order to use listening devices and video cameras to obtain evidence and collect evidence for a full-fledged criminal case.

The series was created by a former journalist and investigator. They tried to convey police everyday life as realistic as possible and invited public figures and even real criminals to appear. In general, this is not a simple police procedure, but a visual encyclopedia of the life of Baltimore and the United States in general.

Legendary police drama from the canal HBO changed television and influenced the development of series. Without The Wire, there would be no Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones. And it was with this series that Idris Elba's career began.

3. Chernobyl

Chernobyl

• USA, UK, 2019.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9.4.

The HBO series tells about one of the worst man-made disasters in history - the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The tragedy is shown through the eyes of a variety of people - from the highest ranks to the wife of a firefighter.

Chernobyl writer and showrunner Craig Mazin is primarily known for his work on Hollywood comedies. But the project unexpectedly turned out to be outstanding from an artistic point of view, and most importantly - lively and emotional. One of the plot lines was even borrowed from the book "Chernobyl Prayer" - part of the documentary and fictional chronicle, for which Svetlana Aleksievich received the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Despite the fact that the series was filmed by Americans and Europeans, it came out as truthful as possible. And those viewers who have caught the 80s will immediately recognize the typical features of Soviet life, recreated with meticulous precision.

2. Brothers in Arms

Band of brothers

• War drama, thriller.
• USA, UK.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 9.4.

At the center of the action is a group of young volunteers who are trained in 1942 under the command of the cruel Captain Herbert Sobel. Two years later, the guys who became paratroopers, paratroopers, are waiting for the first hostilities.

The Brothers in Arms miniseries hit HBO following the success of Saving Private Ryan. The project was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks - the latter even appeared in a cameo and directed the fifth episode.

The very young faces of James McAvoy occasionally flash on the screen, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy and Andrew Scott. All of them then were aspiring actors. The series also includes David Schwimmer, the star of the sitcom Friends. It is very interesting to watch him here, because Schwimmer plays a completely unusual role for the audience - a scoundrel and a sadist.

1. Breaking bad

Breaking Bad

• USA, 2008-2013.
• Thriller, crime, drama.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 9.4.

Chemistry teacher Walter White discovers he has cancer. To provide money for his wife and children in case of his death, he begins to cook methamphetamine, hiring Jesse Pinkman as a dealer. Gradually, from a respectable family man, Walter turns into a major drug dealer, a murderer and a real monster.

For all its ambiguous morality, Breaking Bad is primarily about the fundamental value of the family. The entire show is literally built on Walt's desire to keep his family safe.

The show kept viewers on their toes for all five seasons. His popularity led to the spin-off Better Call Saul with another protagonist, lawyer Saul Goodman, as well as the full-length continuation.