The Best 1970s TV Dramas

The best '70s TV dramas weren't just popular then, they're still nostalgic streaming favorites and fodder for reboots. The 1970s was not just about Farrah Fawcett haircuts and skinny jean fashion. The culture was also defined by the groundbreaking dramas that were popping up on television in both the United States and United Kingdom. Trends that were once popular in the '60s were beginning to die off, such as the televised western. Bonanza and Gunsmoke were the only two westerns that survived into the 70s. This list of the best 1970s drama TV shows is ranked by your votes, to determine the best '70s TV dramas of the decade.

Two genres steadily rose in the 70s: crime shows and science fiction dramas. The stars of crime dramas quickly became icons, with their feathered hair and serious dispositions. Many of the detectives from these shows became legends of the genre, from Kojak’s lollipop sucking detective skills to Columbo and his cunning ways of tricking a criminal into slipping up. Science fiction shows like Wonder Woman and Battlestar Galactica worked as a foundation for a drama genre that would continue to grow over the years. The shows on this list range from family-friendly period pieces like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie to medical dramas like Quincy, M.E. These dramas truly capture the feel of the 70s.

What are the best 1970s drama TV shows? Did the drama series you think were the best make this list? Vote up the '70s drama shows you think are the best of the decade.