Entertainment

12.2k voters

The Best Drama TV Shows Airing Now

Originally by Ranker Community

Updated February 24, 2021 22.5k votes 12.2k voters 235.6k views56 items

List RulesVote up your favorite TV drama series that are currently airing new episodes.

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 Better Call Saul and Killing Eve.

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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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
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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
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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
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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
More
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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
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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 (AMC, 2010) is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series... more
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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
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The Handmaid's Tale
Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Drama, Dystopian fiction
The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu, 2017) is an American web television series created by Bruce Miller,... more
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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
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The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt Smith
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Historical drama
The Crown (Netflix, 2016) is an American-British biographical drama series created by Peter... more
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American Horror Story
Connie Britton, Dylan McDermott
Premiered: 2011
Genres (Tv): Anthology, Horror, Supernatural
American Horror Story (FX, 2011) is an American anthology horror television series created by... more
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Manifest
Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Drama
Manifest (NBC, 2018) is an American drama television series created by Jeff Rake and Matthew... more
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The Flash
Grant Gustin, Candice Patton
Premiered: 2014
Genres (Tv): Superhero, Action, Sci-fi, Drama
The Flash (The CW, 2014) is an American superhero television series developed by Greg... more
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Outlander
Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan
Premiered: 2014
Genres (Tv): Historical drama, Adventure, Romance, Fantasy
Outlander (Starz, 2014) is a historical drama television series developed by Ronald D. Moore,... more
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SEAL Team
David Boreanaz, Max Thieriot
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Drama
SEAL Team (CBS, 2017) is an American drama series created by Ben Cavell. The drama follows the... more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Fear the Walking Dead
Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis
Premiered: 2015
Genres (Tv): Drama, Horror
Fear of the Walking Dead (AMC, 2015) is an American post-apocalyptic horror drama television... more
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9-1-1
Angela Bassett, Connie Britton
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Drama
9-1-1 (Fox, 2018) is an American procedural drama television series created by Ryan Murphy and... more
More
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The Sinner
Jessica Biel, Bill Pullman
Premiered: 2017
Genres (Tv): Drama, Anthology
The Sinner (USA, 2017) is an American anthology drama TV series developed by Derek Simonds,... more
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#19 of 49 The Best USA Network Original Series#3 of 64 The Best New Mystery Shows of the Last Few Years
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Roswell, New Mexico
Jeanine Mason, Nathan Parsons
Premiered: 2019
Genres (Tv): Drama, Romance, Sci-fi
Roswell, New Mexico (The CW, 2019) is an American television drama series developed by Carina... more
More
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Billions
Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti
Premiered: 2016
Genres (Tv): Drama
Billions (Showtime, 2016) is an American television drama series created by Brian Koppelman,... more
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FBI
Missy Peregrym, Jeremy Sisto
Premiered: 2018
Genres (Tv): Procedural drama
F.B.I. (CBS, 2018) is an American drama television series created by Dick Wolf. The inner... more
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The Good Doctor

9-1-1

Roswell, New Mexico