Best TV Shows of the 21st Century: A Personal Journey Of Reflection
A deeply personal journey through 21st-century television: from Breaking Bad to The Fall, discover 33 must-watch series ranked purely on authentic viewing experience and lasting impact.
When it comes to ranking the greatest TV shows of the 21st century, everyone's got an opinion. But here's the thing: I'm not interested in what the critics say or what's trending on social media. This list represents shows I've actually watched from start to finish (or at least until their current season). No aggregated reviews, no hearsay, just a pure, personal viewing experience. Some shows were so equally impressive that I couldn't possibly rank one above the other—hence the ties you'll see throughout this list. Let's dive into what I consider the absolute best television has offered since 2000.
Key Takeaways
- This list represents shows we've watched in their entirety, ensuring authentic, experience-based rankings
- Several shows tied for positions because of their equal impact on us as viewers
- The list spans various genres, from crime dramas (Breaking Bad) to fantasy epics (Game of Thrones)
- Many series appear with specific season mentions, acknowledging their peak performances
- The ranking includes both concluded series and ongoing shows (up to 2024)
The Rankings
20. The Fall (2013-2016)
Starting our list is this gripping British crime drama. Gillian Anderson's performance as DSI Stella Gibson had me glued to the screen. The cat-and-mouse game between her and Jamie Dornan's character created some of the tensest viewing experiences I've had.
19. The Killing [English Version] (2011-2014)
While some might dismiss American remakes, this one grabbed me from the start. The rainy Seattle atmosphere and the chemistry between Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman made this impossible to stop watching.
18. Detectorists (2014-2022)
Here's a show that proves great television doesn't need high stakes or violence. This gentle British comedy about metal detector enthusiasts is pure gold. The wit and warmth of every episode make it one of my favorite comfort watches.
17. Green Wing (2004-2007)
Before shows like Scrubs became popular, this surreal British hospital comedy was breaking all the rules. Its bizarre humor and dreamlike sequences shouldn't work, but somehow they create something uniquely brilliant.
16. The Righteous Gemstones (2019-present)
Danny McBride's take on televangelist culture hits every note perfectly. I find myself constantly torn between laughing at the absurdity and being impressed by the genuine character development.
15. Beef (2023)
I wasn't prepared for how this show would grip me. What starts as a simple road rage incident spirals into one of the most intense character studies I've seen. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong's performances are nothing short of magnetic.
14. The Crown (2016-2023)/ The Queen's Gambit (2020) [TIED]
I've paired these together because they both mastered the art of making seemingly niche subjects universally compelling. The Crown's royal drama and The Queen's Gambit's chess matches had me equally on the edge of my seat - something I never thought I'd say about either topic.
13. Godless (2017)
Jeff Daniels in a western? Sign me up. This limited series proves that the western genre still has plenty to say. The all-female town concept could have been gimmicky, but instead, it delivered some of the most authentic frontier storytelling I've seen.
12. Banshee (2013-2016)
Look, I know this show is completely over-the-top, but that's exactly why it works. The action scenes are brutal, the plot is wild, and somehow it all comes together into something unforgettable. It's pure pulp entertainment at its finest.
11. Mr Inbetween (2018-2021)
This Australian gem doesn't get nearly enough recognition. Scott Ryan's portrayal of Ray Shoesmith - a hitman juggling family life with "work" - brings a uniquely understated quality to what could have been just another crime drama. The short episodes pack more punch than most hour-long shows.
10. The Americans (2013-2018)/ Homeland (2011-2020) [TIED]
I couldn't separate these two because they both redefined spy drama for me. The Americans kept me guessing about where my loyalties should lie, while Homeland's first few seasons, particularly with Damian Lewis, were some of the most intense television I've ever watched. Both shows understand that the best espionage stories are really about human nature.
9. Stranger Things (2016-present)
Don't roll your eyes at this one - yes, it's popular, but it earns its spot. The way it captures 80s nostalgia while creating its own unique mythology is masterful. Plus, watching these kids grow up alongside the increasingly high stakes has been a unique television experience.
8. The Walking Dead (2010-2022)/ Yellowstone (2018-2023) [TIED]
Here's an unexpected pairing, right? But both shows share something crucial - they're about survival and family in hostile environments. While The Walking Dead's quality fluctuated, its peak episodes are unmatched. Yellowstone, meanwhile, is basically a western-style Game of Thrones, and I mean that as a high compliment.
7. Lost (2004-2010)/ Fargo "1st Season" (2014) [TIED]
Now this is an interesting tie. Lost changed how we watch television - it made weekly viewing an event again. And while later seasons got... complicated, those first few years were revolutionary. As for Fargo's first season, it did the impossible - it honored the Coen Brothers' film while creating something entirely its own. Billy Bob Thornton's Malvo still haunts me.
6. The Leftovers (2014-2017)
I know this show isn't for everyone, but that's partly why I love it. It's challenging, weird, and deeply human all at once. The way it handles grief and faith is unlike anything else I've seen on television. Plus, any show that can pull off that hotel episode deserves a high ranking.
5. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)/ Spartacus (2010-2013)/ Vikings (2013-2020) [TIED]
A three-way tie here, and I'll tell you why - each of these shows redefined historical/fantasy epic television in their own way. Yes, we all know about Game of Thrones' ending, but those first six seasons were revolutionary. Spartacus surprised everyone by transcending its pulpy first episodes to deliver something truly profound. And Vikings? Well, it just kept getting better, especially when it dared to continue beyond Ragnar's story.
4. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)/ Dexter (2006-2013, 2021) [TIED]
Talk about character studies! Better Call Saul did the impossible by matching (and sometimes surpassing) its predecessor. Bob Odenkirk's transformation from Jimmy to Saul is a masterclass in character development. And Dexter - despite its original controversial ending - gave us one of TV's most compelling antiheros. I'm pairing these because they both excel at making us root for people we probably shouldn't.
3. Billions (2016-2024)/ The Sopranos (1999-2007)/ Mad Men (2007-2015) [TIED]
This three-way tie might raise eyebrows, but hear me out. Each of these shows is a perfect time capsule of American ambition and excess in their respective eras. The Sopranos changed television forever, Mad Men defined sophisticated storytelling, and Billions captures our current era's obsession with power and wealth. I simply couldn't rank one above the others.
2. Succession (2018-2023)/ Ted Lasso (2020-2023)/ True Detective "First Season" (2014) [TIED]
Now this is a weird combination, right? But each represents absolute perfection in their genres. Succession's shakespearean family drama, Ted Lasso's revolutionary take on kindness, and True Detective's first season (let's be honest, nothing else comes close) all show television at its absolute peak. Each one is a masterclass in their respective genres.
1. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)/ Chernobyl (2019)/ Band of Brothers (2001) [TIED]
Here it is - the holy trinity at the top of my list. I've rewatched each of these multiple times, and they never lose their impact. Breaking Bad is simply perfect storytelling - watching Walter White's transformation from "Mr. Chips to Scarface" (as creator Vince Gilligan put it) is lightning in a bottle that I don't think we'll ever see again.
Chernobyl, though only five episodes, achieves something remarkable - it turns a historical disaster into a gripping thriller while never losing sight of the human cost. The attention to detail, the mounting dread, and Jared Harris's performance create an experience that stays with you long after watching.
And Band of Brothers? Well, it set the standard for television production values back in 2001, and honestly, few shows have matched it since. Its portrayal of Easy Company's journey through World War II manages to be both epic in scope and intimately personal. What pushes it into this top spot is how it honors the real men whose story it tells.
I can't put one of these above the others because they each represent television at its absolute zenith - just in completely different ways. Breaking Bad shows us how to tell a long-form story perfectly, Chernobyl proves that brevity can be just as powerful, and Band of Brothers demonstrates how to balance spectacle with human drama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there so many ties in your rankings?
When you've watched as much quality television as I have, it becomes impossible to definitively say one great show is better than another, especially when they excel in different ways. Some shows might share a position because they achieve similar levels of excellence in completely different genres, or because they've had an equal impact on me as a viewer.
Why isn't [Popular Show X] on this list?
Simple - I haven't watched it yet, or haven't finished it. This list only includes shows I've watched in their entirety (or up to their current season for ongoing series). There are undoubtedly many great shows that could make this list, but I believe in only ranking what I've personally experienced.
What criteria did you use for ranking these shows?
My rankings consider several factors: storytelling quality, character development, acting performances, and most importantly, lasting impact. Some shows might not be technically "perfect" but left such a strong impression that they earned their high placement.
Why separate some shows by specific seasons?
Television can be inconsistent across seasons. When I specify "First Season" (like with True Detective), it's because that particular season reached heights that the rest of the series couldn't match. It's about recognizing peak television when we see it.
Are these rankings final?
Absolutely not! Great television is still being made, and tastes evolve. This list represents my current feelings based on years of viewing, but it's always subject to change as new shows emerge or as revisiting old ones reveals new perspectives.
Let's Talk TV
Everyone's got that one show they can't stop talking about. Maybe it's a series that didn't make my list, or perhaps you think Breaking Bad shouldn't share the throne. Whatever your take, I'd love to hear what shows defined television for you this century.
Great stories bring us together – let's celebrate the shows that moved us, challenged us, and kept us watching "just one more episode."
Comments ()