Entertainment

462 voters

The Best Serial Drama TV Shows

Updated March 2, 2021 2.2k votes 462 voters 17.3k views99 items

List RulesVote up your favorite dramas that unfold their complex stories episode-by-episode.

It's no secret America loves drama. Which shows that include over-the-top scenarios and intense characters are the best of the best? Popular serial drama TV shows have been a staple of television for years, so there's often debate about what the most entertaining serial drama show of all time is. Don't let your favorite serial drama television programs in history get to the bottom of the list - be sure to vote them up so they have the chance to reach the top spot.

Featuring shows like Breaking Bad, Dexter, The West Wing, and more, this list will provide some great recommendations for drama programs!

This list answers the questions, "What is the best serial drama show of all time?" and "What are the greatest serial drama shows?"

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Lucifer
Tom Ellis, Lauren German
Premiered: 2015
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102
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Breaking Bad
Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul
Premiered: 2008
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78
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Gypsy
Naomi Watts, Billy Crudup
Premiered: 2017
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34
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The Sopranos
James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco
Premiered: 1999
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Better Call Saul
Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks
Premiered: 2015
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Game of Thrones
Peter Dinklage, Lena Headey
Premiered: 2011-04-17
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68
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Dexter
Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter
Premiered: 2006
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Friday Night Lights
Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton
Premiered: 2006
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33
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24
Kiefer Sutherland, Mary Lynn Rajskub
Premiered: 2001
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10
33
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Caprica
Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales
Premiered: 2010
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Prison Break
Dominic Purcell, Wentworth Miller
Premiered: 2005
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Battlestar Galactica
Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell
Premiered: 2004
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The OA
Brit Marling, Emory Cohen
Premiered: 2016
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A Million Little Things
David Giuntoli, Ron Livingston
Premiered: 2018
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Mad Men
Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss
Premiered: 2007
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13
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Boardwalk Empire
Steve Buscemi, Stephen Graham
Premiered: 2010
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10
13
The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt Smith
Premiered: 2016
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Shameless
Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy
Premiered: 2011
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Luther
Idris Elba, Warren Brown
Premiered: 2010
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10
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How to Get Away with Murder
Viola Davis, Billy Brown
Premiered: 2014
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Parenthood
Peter Krause, Lauren Graham
Premiered: 2010
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Oz
Ernie Hudson, J.K. Simmons
Premiered: 1997
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Twin Peaks
Kyle MacLachlan, Russ Tamblyn
Premiered: 1990
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Homeland
Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin
Premiered: 2011
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Downton Abbey
Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis Logan
Premiered: 2010
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The OA

Twin Peaks