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The Best Current Dramatic TV Shows

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated January 15, 2021 37.7k votes 12.2k voters 234.7k views85 items

While some of the best drama TV shows are long gone (we'll never forget you, Breaking Bad), others like Outlander and even American Horror Story keep us interested, toy with our emotions, and certainly keep our DVRs busy as we follow along with the dramatic story lines.

Many of the best, most acclaimed series come from networks like CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX while others were only available from basic cable stations like AMC and FX. Even others were limited to those with the pay channels like HBO and Showtime or streaming providers like Netflix and Hulu - which make it easy to decide which shows to marathon. Regardless of network, these series get us interested and keep us hooked to all the action throughout the year.

The best drama shows of all time provided a bit of something for everyone. Sci-fi and horror lovers had plenty of options like Stranger Things and American Horror Story while those looking for courtroom dramas could choose from the likes of Killing Eve and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Old favorites like NCIS continue to hold strong on network TV, but the best dramatic television shows also include Netflix series such as Ozark, along with cable favorites including Better Call Saul.

So whether you're a fan of the warm and fuzzy dramas or the hard-hitting crime shows or any in between, one or another of the best current dramatic series is sure to keep you crying, cheering, or simply entertained.

Check out more lists like the most loved tv shows of all time, the top premium cable series, and the best sci-fi shows. Or, check out the best new and returning drama TV shows in 2020.

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Stranger Things
Winona Ryder, David Harbour
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Horror, Supernatural, Period drama
Stranger Things (Netflix, 2016) is an American science fiction-horror web television series... more on Wikipedia
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Jack Ryan
John Krasinski, Abbie Cornish
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Action, Thriller, Drama
Jack Ryan (Amazon Video, 2018) is an American television series created by Carlton Cuse and... more on Wikipedia
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The Blacklist
James Spader, Megan Boone
Premiered: 2013
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Action, Thriller, Mystery
The Blacklist (NBC, 2013) is an American crime thriller television series created by Jon... more on Wikipedia
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The Walking Dead
Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal
Premiered: 2010
Genres (Tv): Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, Suspense, Drama
The Walking Dead (A&E, 2010) is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series... more on Wikipedia
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The Good Doctor
Freddie Highmore, Antonia Thomas
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Medical, Drama
The Good Doctor (ABC, 2017) is an American medical-drama television series based on the 2013... more on Wikipedia
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Ozark
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Thriller
Ozark (Netflix, 2017) is an American crime drama series created by Bill Dubuque. Financial... more on Wikipedia
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Peaky Blinders
Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory
Premiered: 2013
Genres (Tv): Action, Drama, Period Drama
Peaky Blinders (BBC Two, 2013) is a British television action drama created by Steven Knight,... more on Wikipedia
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The Handmaid's Tale
Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Drama, Dystopian fiction
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Better Call Saul
Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Drama, Comedy
Better Call Saul (AMC, 2015) is an American television drama series created by Vince Gilligan... more on Wikipedia
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Mindhunter
Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Crime drama, Psychological thriller
Mindhunter (Netflix, 2017) is an American crime thriller television series created by Joe... more on Wikipedia
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Black Mirror
Daniel Kaluuya, Toby Kebbell
Premiered: 2011
Genres (Tv): Drama, Thriller, Science Fiction, Fantasy
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The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt Smith
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Historical drama
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NCIS
Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly
Premiered: 2003
Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Action/Adventure, Police procedural, Drama, Thriller
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American Horror Story
Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott
Premiered: 2011
Genres (Tv): Anthology, Horror, Supernatural
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The Flash
Grant Gustin, Candice Patton
Premiered: 2014
Genres (Tv): Superhero, Action, Sci-fi, Drama
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Manifest
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True Detective
Mahershala Ali, Matthew McConaughey
Premiered: 2013
Genres (Tv): Crime Fiction, Drama
True Detective (HBO, 2014) is an American anthology drama television series created by Nic... more on Wikipedia
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SEAL Team
David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Drama
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Outlander
Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan
Premiered: 2014
Genres (Tv): Historical drama, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy
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1,039
Doctor Who
Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant
Premiered: 1963
Genres (Tv): Sci-fi, Adventure, Drama
Doctor Who (BBC, 2005) is a British science-fiction television show created by Sydney Newman,... more on Wikipedia
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The Resident
Matt Czuchry, Manish Dayal
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Medical drama
The Resident (Fox, 2017) is an American medical drama television series created by Amy Holden... more on Wikipedia
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Killing Eve
Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Drama, Spy thriller
Killing Eve (BBC America, 2018) is a British drama television series developed by Phoebe... more on Wikipedia
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New Amsterdam
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Zuleikha Robinson
Premiered: 2008
Genres (Tv): Police procedural, Drama, Fantasy
New Amsterdam (Fox, 2008) is an American television drama. The series stars Nikolaj... more on Wikipedia
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This Is Us
Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Comedy, Family drama
This Is Us (NBC, 2016) is an American television series created by Dan Fogelman. Follows a... more on Wikipedia
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Fear the Walking Dead
Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): drama, horror
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The Good Doctor

Manifest

New Amsterdam