20 must-see series: The selection that will change your view of the small screen!
Discover the 20 must-see series that have made television history. Get ready for powerful emotions and unforgettable stories that will change the way you look at the small screen.
The small screen now rivals the big cinema, and choosing a new series has become a real challenge. Today’s productions are constantly redefining the art of storytelling, offering total immersion in fascinating universes.
We’ve meticulously scrutinized the ratings, analyzed their profound cultural impact and unearthed the TV nuggets that have made a lasting mark on history. Hold on tight, because our exclusive selection of 20 must-see series is about to radically transform your perception of entertainment. The journey begins now.
Unforgettable dramas: delving into the human heart
This essential section explores the iconic drama series that have profoundly redefined the conventions of the existing genre. They offer complex narratives and unforgettable characters, while standing out for their striking thematic depth. Their enduring impact on unanimous critics and audiences alike testifies to their exceptional quality.
The Wire – Rating: 9.3/10
HBO’s acclaimed crime dramaThe Wire offered a raw and intensely realistic depiction of drug trafficking in urban America. The series explored its impact on various major social institutions, including law enforcement and the entire educational system.
The series is recognized worldwide for its uncompromising examination of systemic corruption and troubling moral ambiguity. Despite modest initial ratings, many consider it one of the greatest TV series of all time.
Breaking Bad – Rating: 9.4/10
Breaking Bad is a neo-western crime drama with elements of intense thriller, cynical black comedy and Greek tragedy. It follows Walter White, a frustrated chemistry teacher who turns to meth production to secure his family’s financial future.
The series explores the moral transformation and relentless decay of the main character. It was a major universal critical success, winning 16 Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. It also holds the title of most acclaimed TV series of all time by the renowned Guinness World Records.
The Sopranos – Rating: 9.2/10
The Sopranosis a daring crime drama that brilliantly blends intense psychological drama with relevant black comedy. The series follows Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mob boss, as he tries to reconcile his family life with his complex role as an organized crime boss.
It explores controversial subjects such as mob life with unusual realism and profound mental illness. Hailed as one of the most influential TV series of all time, it is credited with initiating the true “Second Golden Age of Modern Television”.
Game of Thrones – Rating: 9.1/10
Game of Thrones, an epic dramatic fantasy series, deftly incorporates thrilling action, unexpected adventure and inescapable tragedy. The main plot concerns the merciless political conflicts between noble families vying for Westeros’ famous Iron Throne.
The series is praised worldwide for its raw medieval realism, with a deep emphasis on battles, complex political intrigue and nuanced characters. It has won an impressive 59 Primetime Emmy Awards, an all-time record for an existing drama series.
Mad Men – Rating: 8.7/10
Mad Men is a period drama series set in New York in the effervescent 1960s. It follows Don Draper, a talented but deeply troubled creative director at a prestigious Madison Avenue advertising agency.
The series subtly explores deep identity and selective memory, pervasive sexism, constant adultery, insidious alcoholism and latent racism. Her writing is subtle and literary, with meticulous attention to the historical authenticity of the facts.
The Leftovers – Rating: 8.3/10
The Leftovers is a supernatural and mysterious drama series, tinged with magical realism and intense psychological thriller. The plot begins three years after an inexplicable worldwide event in which two percent of the population suddenly disappeared.
The series intensely explores lingering grief, unexplained loss, unshakable faith and the emergence of puzzling cults. Despite average ratings, many consider it one of the greatest modern TV series.
Twin Peaks – Rating: 8.8/10
Twin Peaks is a surreal, mysterious and horrific drama series, a milestone in modern television. The plot follows FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the murder of a teenage girl in an eccentric fictional town.
The series explores the hidden double lives, enduring mystery and buried secrets of a small town. It was considered technically and artistically revolutionary for television in its broadcast era.
Chernobyl – Rating: 9.4/10
Chernobyl is a dramatic and historical mini-series focusing on the terrible 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the subsequent clean-up efforts. The series explores the cost of devaluing the truth, the consequences of insidious lies and the blatant abuse of authority.
It has received widespread critical acclaim for its acting performances, remarkable historical accuracy and hard-hitting script. The resounding success of this series demonstrates the crucial importance of balancing historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling.
Lost – Rating: 8.3/10
Lost is an American cult series that brilliantly combines speculative science fiction, thrilling adventure, unfathomable mystery and emotional drama. It follows the survivors of a flight after it crashes on a mysterious island in the vast South Pacific.
The series explores themes such as dualism, chance versus fate and science versus unshakeable faith. Its pioneering use of non-linear narrative structures has revolutionized serialized storytelling on modern television.
24H Chrono – Rating: 8.1/10
24H Chrono is an intense serial action-drama series, a fast-paced police, political and espionage thriller. Each episode covers a full hour, depicting events in real time without interruption.
Real-time storytelling, ethical dilemmas and government corruption are powerful central themes. This innovative concept has created a sense of urgency and tension unprecedented in contemporary television.
Dexter – Rating: 8.3/10
Dexter is a crime drama that incorporates elements of psychological thriller, constant mystery and cynical black comedy. The series follows Dexter Morgan, a bloodstain analysis technician leading a double life as a ruthless vigilante serial killer.
Themes include vigilantism, justice and the nature of absolute good and evil. The central concept pushed the boundaries of protagonist representation on existing television.
Prison Break – Rating: 8.1/10
Prison Break is a gripping crime drama and action thriller series. It follows a brilliant engineer who deliberately gets himself incarcerated to help his brother, wrongly sentenced to death, escape.
The powerful central theme is brotherly love and absolute loyalty. It has enjoyed an “unprecedented” resurgence in popularity on recent streaming platforms.
Cult comedies: guaranteed laughs and deep reflection
This essential section highlights comedy series that, through their narrative originality, offbeat humor or subtle exploration of complex human relationships, have left an indelible, lasting imprint.
The Office (US) – Rating: 8.9/10
The Office (US) is a mockumentary sitcom depicting the absurd day-to-day lives of the employees of a fictional paper company. The series deftly explores modern workplace culture, tense interpersonal relationships and often inappropriate management styles.
The mockumentary format creates a strong sense of relevant realism without any artificial recorded laughs. It was the world’s most streamed series in 2020.
Fleabag – Rating: 8.7/10
Fleabag is a series of bold comedy-drama, dark comedy and constant comedy of embarrassment. It deals unfiltered with legitimate female anger, raw emotional honesty and complex family relationships.
The bold use of the main character breaking the fourth wall has created an unprecedented emotional connection. It is often considered one of the greatest modern TV series in existence.
Friends – Rating: 8.5/10
Friends is a celebrated American sitcom revolving around six friends in their twenties and thirties living in Manhattan, New York’s iconic city. The series explores passionate love, friendships and professional careers, but above all the idea of friendship as a powerful “surrogate family”.
Its finale was watched by an estimated 52.5 million captivated American viewers. Its phenomenal success lies in its ability to normalize this concept for an entire generation of young adults.
Malcolm in the middle – Rating: 8.0/10
Malcolm in the Middle is an American sitcom that incorporates elements of black comedy and physical slapstick. The series follows a chaotic, dysfunctional middle-class family, centered on Malcolm, a child prodigy.
The early adoption of a single-camera shooting style and the abandonment of recorded laughter redefined the very aesthetic of the contemporary sitcom.
The must-sees: global hits and cultural phenomena
This section presents series which, thanks to their massive popularity and ability to captivate an immediate worldwide audience, have become essential cultural references.
Suits – Rating: 8.4/10
Suits is a captivating American legal drama and comedy-drama series. It follows a college dropout with a photographic memory working as an associate for a formidable lawyer.
It experienced an “unprecedented leap in popularity” after its addition to Netflix and Peacock in mid-2023. It became the most streamed series of the full year 2023.
Stranger things – Rating: 8.7/10
Stranger Things is an American series that deftly blends science fiction, horror, mystery, drama and nostalgic initiation storytelling. Set in the iconic 1980s, the series revolves around a portal to a hostile dimension known as the Upside Down. The series successfully exploits the powerful effect of nostalgia for that decade and the power of the recurring villain.
Black Mirror – Rating: 8.8/10
Black Mirror is a British anthology series exploring the dark and disturbing side of modern society and ubiquitous technology. Each episode features a different cast, setting and reality.
The series explores themes of social satire, alienating technology and deep moral ambiguity. Its anthology-like nature keeps it constantly relevant and always hard-hitting.
The Crown – Rating: 8.6/10
The Crown is a historical drama series that follows the major reigns of Queen Elizabeth II. It has been hailed for its meticulous historical accuracy, luxurious production values and first-rate acting performances. It has won an impressive 21 major Emmy Awards, including Best Drama Series in 2021 overall.
The revolutionary legacy of the small screen
Our exploration of twenty major series highlights the spectacular evolution of modern television. These productions are no longer mere entertainment; they are complex, demanding works of art.
These series have definitively pushed back the narrative boundaries of established genres. The small screen has become the new arena for the most audacious and profound narratives.
From the thematic depth of The Wire to the surprising resurgence of Suits, the cultural impact is undeniable everywhere. These series continue to shape everyday conversations and viewing habits. They offer yet another dazzling demonstration of the unrivalled power of the serial format.
Their legacy will undoubtedly endure for future generations of passionate viewers. Now is the time to dive back into these timeless masterpieces.
