Originally by Ranker TVList RulesThe greatest drama TV series that aired during the 1990s
The best ‘90s drama shows weighed heavily toward sci-fi premises, but gave equal time to angsty teen dramas and crime procedurals. In fact, we have the 1990s to thank for the exponential growth of the Law and Order franchise. Though some of the greatest TV dramas of the ‘90s might be comedy-drama hybrids rather than straight-up drama, the hour-long format allowed those shows to tackle more serious subjects than a sitcom.
Some of the ‘90s greatest dramas dominated what came to be known as water-cooler viewing, like The X-files, Twin Peaks, and The West Wing. Other shows didn’t quite dominate in the ratings, like Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and The Sopranos, yet they secured a spot in TV history as some of the best ever in the genre.
As the Internet grew in access and popularity, we saw some of the greatest ‘90s dramas draw from the new phenomenon. (Recall Ally McBeal’s use of the dancing baby meme.) Though DVR wasn’t introduced until 1999, VHS recording allowed for delayed viewing, necessitating the rise of the SPOILER ALERT.
Finally, we have to thank a few of the best ‘90s drama shows for launching the careers of Jessica Biel (7th Heaven), Claire Danes (My So-Called Life), and James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek), reviving the careers of James Spader (The Practice), Rob Lowe (The West Wing), and Robert Downey, Jr. (Ally McBeal). And, really, we have to thank Dick Wolf for filling the airwaves end to end with witty banter and weeping victims.1
378194Actors: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, James Marsters
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (The WB, 1997) is an American supernatural drama television series... more2
305192The X-Files
1993Actors: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi
The X-Files is an American science fiction horror drama television series created by Chris... more3
349188Charmed
1998Actors: Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano
Charmed (The WB, 1998) is an American fantasy drama television series created by Constance M.... more4
241166Actors: Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Ice-T
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC, 1999) is an American police procedural, legal, crime... more5
215163ER
1994Actors: Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies
ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that... more6
9235Boy Meets World
1993Actors: Ben Savage, Rider Strong, William Daniels
Boy Meets World (ABC, 1993) is an American television sitcom created by Michael Jacobs and... more7
232159Actors: Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry
Beverly Hills, 90210 (Fox, 1990) is an American teen drama television series created by Darren... more8
190168Law & Order
1990Actors: Chris Noth, Sam Waterson
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by... more9
197160Angel
1999Actors: David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Alexis Denisof
Angel (The WB, 1999) is an American supernatural television series created by Joss Whedon and... more10
171177The Sopranos
1999Actors: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco
The Sopranos (HBO, 1999) is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase.... more11
164163Actors: Lucy Lawless, Renée O'Connor, Ted Raimi
Xena: Warrior Princess is an American/New Zealand television series filmed in New Zealand. The... more12
6533Quantum Leap
1989Actors: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt
Quantum Leap is an American television series that originally aired on NBC for five seasons,... more13
190148Dawson's Creek
1998Actors: James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams
Dawson's Creek (The WB, 1998) is an American teen drama television series created by Kevin... more14
1571667th Heaven
1996Actors: Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks, Jessica Biel
7th Heaven is an American family drama television series, created and produced by Brenda... more15
153129Actors: Claire Danes, Bess Armstrong, Wilson Cruz
My So-Called Life (ABC, 1994) is an American teen drama television series created by Winnie... more16
115143Actors: Roma Downey, Della Reese, John Dye
Touched by an Angel is an American supernatural drama series that premiered on CBS on... more17
5235Baywatch
1989Actors: David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth
Baywatch is an American action drama series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol... more18
113158Twin Peaks
1990Actors: Kyle MacLachlan, Russ Tamblyn, Sherilyn Fenn, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick
Twin Peaks (ABC, 1990) is an American mystery horror drama television series created by Mark... more19
105155Actors: Rob Morrow, Janine Turner, Barry Corbin
Northern Exposure is an American television series that ran on CBS from 1990 to 1995, with a... more20
130142Actors: Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Sheree J. Wilson
Walker, Texas Ranger (CBS, 1993) is an American action crime television series created by... more21
103159NYPD Blue
1993Actors: Dennis Franz, Gordon Clapp, James McDaniel
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal... more22
120156Melrose Place
1992Actors: Heather Locklear, Andrew Shue, Courtney Thorne-Smith
Melrose Place is an American primetime soap opera that aired on Fox from July 8, 1992 to May... more23
104168The West Wing
1999Actors: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney
The West Wing is an American serial political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin... more24
115130Party of Five
1994Actors: Matthew Fox, Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell
Party of Five (Fox, 1994) is an American television teen and family drama created by... more25
113138Ally McBeal
1997Actors: Calista Flockhart, Greg Germann, Jane Krakowski
Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama television series, originally aired on Fox from... more
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