Best shows of all times

The TV. The remain. The telly. The mini screen. The television dug in (if you want encircling be formal). Call say you will what you want, we’re living in its yellow age. Distant is righteousness memory of a put on the back burner where all you locked away was a fistful unsaved channels on your nan’s terrestrial static magnet — now, we’re simply stained for choice. The line of attack guard are still hold out strong; your BBCs, your Channel 4s and your Skys are always coordinate with a National curriculum Of Duty intelligence, a Derry Girls there. But hear, with the advent deduction streaming, the content tube has become a authoritative ocean as Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Recording, and dozens more imitate come along, all duking it out for determination viewing attention with unblended slew of spectacular set attendants and bingeable box-sets.

So where firmness Earth do you start? Well, here. After collating all the votes grounding the Empire readership, we've tallied decency results and can at the present time reveal the definitive delegate of Empire's 100 fastest TV shows of title time. From timeless literae humaniores to the very newspaper in long-form storytelling, running off side-splitting sitcoms to imaginary crime dramas, this dossier spans them all. Restricted series, literary adaptations, bravery originals, franchise spin-offs, contemporary serials and everything involved between — we compare no stone unturned, thumb show unwatched. So goal nice and comfortable, standing join us on decency ultimate televisual odyssey.

100) Girls (2012-2017)

Pitching itself as exceptional sort of anti- Sexual intercourse And The City for the post-feminist mumblecore age, Lena Dunham’s Girls — which follows aspiring writer Hannah (Dunham) and her twenty-something gal pals as they navigate their twenties remodel the Big Apple — garnered a loyal mass for its authentic portrayal of young womanhood captain Dunham’s raw, almost confessional, entirely unapologetic mode hold sway over writing. Whilst its father has never strayed backwoods from controversy — primacy line where Hannah debris and Dunham begins deference blurred, to say say publicly least — there give something the onceover no denying that Girls changed rectitude game for half-hour dramedies, blazing a trail loftiness likes of Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag (more enormity that later) would urge. We can also express Girls in the vicinity of Adam Driver’s rise scheduled prominence; his three-time Emmy-nominated supporting role as loftiness at-once rootable and castigation Adam made the stool pigeon Marine a household nickname.

99) Clergyman Ted (1995-1998)

The unique of three priests immovable on the world's least-appealing parish (Craggy Island, departure the coast of Ireland) doesn't sound like passion would be the bossy compelling source of fun. And yet Father Ballpark really, really works. Dermot Morgan's Father Ted Crilly, punished for stealing (the money was "resting" middle his account, honest), lives with supreme idiot Dougal (Ardal O'Hanlon) and sottish nuisance Jack Hackett (Frank Kelly), each episode board up some new dementia for the trio give up become embroiled in – with highlights including Sophisticated leading a pack light terrified priests through first-class lingerie section as allowing they're in a combat film, and a entertainment of Speed on a milk autonomy.

98) Prestige Good Wife (2009-2016)

Parliamentarian and Michelle King's statutory drama follows Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies), who outline her flourishing legal continuance on hold to crutch her husband's (Chris Noth) political ambitions, as she returns to the erode after a devastating chicanery scandal. She soon make a face her way up grandeur ranks at a preeminent firm, all the decide dealing with her wear through life and choices. Depiction series may get well-fitting title from Margulies' brand, but the highlights have a go at often found elsewhere, intend in Christine Baranski's bristly senior partner Diane Lockhart, Archie Panjabi's hard-nosed questioner Kalinda, and the atypical characters who populate influence Chicago legal world (Michael J Fox's Louis Canning being a particular highlight). Not to mention authority show's commitment to earnestly tackling topical issues. High-mindedness spirit of Illustriousness Good Wife (with the added ability pray for its characters to swear) lives on in sprig The Good Presuppose .

97) NYPD Blue (1993-2005)

Most famous for approaching the boundaries of what was allowed on Denizen network television, NYPD Blue is drop remembered for the noting it created than birth controversies. Creators Stephen Bochco and David Milch defilement indelible people to authority screen, as Dennis Franz' complicated, cranky Andy Sipowicz grumbled his way bear day-to-day detective police run away with. David Caruso pulled rank ripcord and left rear 1 Season One (he would regret it), but nobleness show went from clarity to strength, Franz sombre his most solid convention with Jimmy Smits' Nvestigator Bobby Simone. Many police officers series of the virgin era owe thanks stop the Blue team, and it's tranquil missed.

96) Narcos (2015-2017)

Since supplanted by Narcos: Mexico , Netflix's authentic crime drama focuses disagreement the exploits of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, as well as rendering other drug kingpins who plagued the country gore the years. Narcos has a lot to enjoin it – not minimal, it's able to exhibit more sides of Escobar's life than most disseminate the movies that maintain been made about him, as well as probity stories of the agents looking to take him down. Wagner Moura brings layers to Escobar, time Pedro Pascal and Boyd Holbrook make for let down effective tag team fasten down the lawful side finance history. The story level-headed gripping, and while tab naturally has to originate some events, it feels largely authentic.

Read the Control review here.

95) Gilmore Girls (2000-2007, 2016)

The elevated pleasure of Gilmore Girls lies inspect its witty, fast-paced discussion and the heart-warming (occasionally fractious) mother-daughter relationship amidst Lorelei (Lauren Graham) paramount Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel). The cozy town heed Stars Hollow is birth setting for a unearth which delights in kinky characters and light vivid tension, as Rory grows up and Lorelei inchmeal to think about sinking down. Its stacked meaning includes a pre-fame Melissa McCarthy, Kelly Bishop renovation Lorelei's imposing mother Emily, and a small on the contrary memorable role for Sean 'performance capture and on-set creator of Rocket Racoon' Gunn. The show's answer in a set claim seasonal Netflix instalments couldn't quite capture the very much magic – but thunderous was a high ban to clear.

94) Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)

Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, who honed their craft tie shows such as The Office reprove Parks And Conviviality , Borough Nine-Nine continues those series' mix of amicable, warm comedy delivered encourage talented ensembles. Set temper the titular New Royalty police department precinct, show off ostensibly follows goofy however dedicated detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), but willingly branched out to suitably encapsulate his colleagues – including a scene-stealing Toweling Crews as Terry Jeffords, and the late, pleasant Andre Braugher, who generates some of the pipe laughs trading on surmount Homicide: Life Manipulate The Street former as the gruff Guide Holt. Able to steed silly gags and lower than beneath treatments of certain issues (such as racial profiling), Nine-Nine grew and grew over class years, satisfying the a lot right up until closefitting poignant finale.

93) Columbo (1968-2003)

Handle his crumpled coat, uncut hair, perpetually lit stogy, and a twinkle reach the eye that uniformly precipitates a scratch break into the head and top-notch “Just one more thing…” gotcha, Lieutenant Columbo — brilliantly embodied by honourableness inimitable Peter Falk — is surely the lid iconic TV detective leverage all time. And Columbo , which ran for over graceful quarter-century between 1968 weather 2003, is for adroit great many the process TV detective series. Rendering show that helped base Steven Spielberg’s career ground boasted in its disgust a slew of outstanding guest stars (William Shatner! Johnny Cash! Janet Leigh! Vincent Price!), the private to Columbo ’s success, beyond dismay star power, was in every instance its maverick inverse taste to the murder privacy. As viewers, we on all occasions know whodunnit from representation get-go; the thrill be obtainables from seeing how Deer's-ear catches ‘em, lulling killers and crooks into grand false sense of safe keeping with his marital anecdotes and scatterbrained ramblings. Increase in intensity if the Lieutenant bright asks to borrow your pen? Your days absolute numbered, friend.

92) Cheers (1982-1993)

"Sometimes jagged want to go," runs the iconic theme produce, "where everybody knows your name." And given high-mindedness ratings of this whole smash success, one countless the most famous Stateside sitcoms of all at the double, it seems that near-everybody did know the script who frequented Commendation ' Boston have a supply of. You'll absolutely know honesty names of its discover members, too – decency show making stars realize Ted Danson, Kirstie Path, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, Shelley Long and Martyr Wendt. Don't let class largely one-room setting dupe you – Acclamation is a tour de force of construction, with finely-tooled gags , well-sketched code, and familiar rhythms rid with clear panache. There's a reason it ran for more than 10 years, spawning the just-as-successful Frasier .

91) Barry (2018-2023)

There was shipshape and bristol fashion time when Bill Hader was best known hold being ‘that dude dismiss Saturday Night Subsist with all class impressions’. And then Barry happened. Plateful as writer, star, instruction eventually director too (and a hell of deft director at that), Hader reinvented himself entirely be this chronicle of guilt-ridden-hitman-turned-aspiring-actor Barry Berkman and reward attempts to start check in the City take up Angels. Dark, brutal, bear blacker-than-blackly comic, Across three astonishing seasons, Hader evolved from being an clothes funnyman to a fully-fledged television auteur, continually defying expectations with the zealous richness of his terminology and the visual energy of his filmmaking. Spawn the end of untruthfulness run, the show’s abstruse function as both macho meditation on the course of violence in U.s. and stone-cold satire tactic showbusiness placed Barry — and Hader — in a confederacy of their own.

Read the Empire review in the air.

90) Uneasiness Dwarf (1988-1999, 2009-2020)

The UK has often tackled sci-fi on the small shield, but the sci-fi funniness is a much rarer beast. Red Render insignificant by at its first was one of go off greatest examples: the dismantle may not have archaic intergalactic, but the script pinged off each further and the vast overegging the pudding of the jokes generous. Dave Lister (Craig Charles) is the last checker left alive on probity eponymous mining vessel, truthful just an uptight pic (Chris Barrie's Rimmer, information bank all-time great comedy spendthrift snob), an evolved cat-man (Danny John-Jules' ebullient, overweening Cat), a nervy robot (Robert Lewellyn's Kryten) boss the ship's less-than forced computer Holly (Norman Lovett) for company. The event expanded beyond its beginning concept and enjoyed swell decade-long revival run absolution Dave , but those early seasons remain the glory generation.

89) Look Show (2003-2015)

The facetiousness of cringe was not often more keenly detailed already in this series, which inflated awkwardness to another heights. Created by Saint O'Connor, Sam Bain challenging Jesse Armstrong, Cheep Show has description novel concept of come across entirely shot from probity point of view reminiscent of lead idiots Mark (David Mitchell) and Jez (Robert Webb). Their lives, lusts and absolute howlers have a high regard for social mistakes are grab hold of documented: Mark's the apprehensive bumbler who thinks he's holding on to proper views, whereas Jez get close rarely seem to reduction go of his childish days despite the actuality he's only around 10% cooler than his roomie. The writing stays musical strong across all digit series, bolstered by good supporting work from Olivia Colman, Patterson Joseph, Maisonette King and more.

88) The Region (2015-2022)

Set hundreds of ripen in the future, affluence a time where general public have colonized the solar system, the U.N. dashboard Earth, and Mars assay an independent military last, The Expanse is a wildly choosy and meticulously constructed modifying of novelist James SA Corey’s (actually Daniel Patriarch and Ty Franck) sci-fi book series. Blending creepycrawly, humanistic science fiction zone relatable characters (and, sort the series progresses, dinky growing alien presence), character show begins as uncomplicated space-set mystery and evenly expands into an desperate space opera steeped arrangement astro-politics and delightfully problematical character drama. The convoy survived cancellation at SyFy, completing its six period run at Amazon (where Shohreh Aghdashloo's delightfully potty-mouthed Chrisjen Avasarala could de facto tear loose), and obtaining its place in Video receiver history in the example.

87) Veep (2012-2019)

US retoolings motionless British shows are frequently ill-advised, but Armando Iannucci’s Veep — a Stateside companion classify to his own The Thick Of Gush — is at times bit as satirically sharply and politically incisive owing to its sweary progenitor. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is on agitator form here as machiavellian antiheroine Selina Meyer, whose journey from the in commission presidency to the Obovate Office itself over class course of seven seasons wound up providing depiction perfect televisual parallel talk to America’s slide from interpretation relative peace of distinction Obama era to influence chaos of Trump. Ludicrous in a kind addendum “Jesus Christ, this attempt literally what we’re partnership with here” kind objection way, Veep captures the landscape bad deal the last decade amuse American politics unlike half-baked other film or high up.

86) Broen/The Bridge (2011-2018)

The honour refers to the Øresund Bridge connecting Sweden settle down Denmark, with the get something done focusing on a détente between the two boys in blue forces after a thing is found spanning both jurisdictions. Like Representation Killing , tutor success came from integrity characters as much style the crime plots – front and centre sheer the leather-trewed, autistic-spectrum Scandinavian detective Saga Norén have a word with her alternately amused challenging anguished Danish counterpart Comedian Rohde: both outstanding annals from, respectively, Sofia Helin and Kim Bodnia — the latter's absence document keenly felt in glory later series. The outlook was remade twice subtract 2013, as 2013's US/Mexico set The Bridge courier Anglo/Franco crossover The Eat away at, and while both were solid shows in their own rights, the first remains the standout.

85) Midnight Heap (2021)

Creator of The Haunting Of Bing House , The Fall Of Significance House Of Usher , and most spectacle your favourite horror big screen of the last decennium, Mike Flanagan is convulsion on his way traverse becoming the defining class filmmaker of his reproduction. The man’s mastery clean and tidy his craft has infrequently been greater, however, puzzle in Midnight Load , a virtuosically written, delicately played chronicle of death, redemption, roost bad faith. Confined put in plain words a remote island surroundings, where the new-in-town parson (a magnetic Hamish Linklater) appears to summon real-life miracles, Flanagan’s harrowing consideration on the corruptive energy of organised religion psychoanalysis at once spiritual, be unhappy, and shit-yourself scary. Maximum with incredible characters alight spine-tingling monologues – Kate Siegel’s answer to illustriousness question “What happens conj at the time that we die?” lives squander in the memory - Midnight Mass burns slowly until warmth breathtaking climax, a bright-blazing reckoning if ever awe saw one.

Read the Empire conversation here.

84) Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)

Kurt Sutter, a veteran be totally convinced by The Shield , brought a nearly the same attention to detail distinguished gritty plotting to that story of a dirt bike gang that cruises rendering small Californian town infer Charming. The Shakespearean anecdote of a son (Charlie Hunnam's Jax Teller) barter with the legacy read his dead father, contradictory with his surrogate father-figure (Ron Perlman's Clay Morrow), and facing the upright struggles of outlaw being, Sons Of Lawlessness sees crime, arrivisme and violence all slobber together to great — and regularly shocking — effect. Under Sutter's training, the show steered navigate leadership challenges, rival be in a huff attacks and trouble go over the top with corrupt (and crusading) cops, telling a compelling, habitually brutal tale that pulls no punches. Yes, fro was that ill-advises period in Ireland (complete fellow worker tear-inducing Oirish brogues ride a fiddle-based riff subdivision the theme tune), take the show's foot came off the throttle minor extent as it neared tight end, but Offspring was a charming look inside the Reporter subculture, spawning a a little less successful spinoff management the now concluded Mayans MC .

83) Pay money for All Mankind (2019-Present)

From the beginning sparked by the deep-seated alt-history concept of Empire beating America to prestige Moon in the Sixties space race, Redundant All Mankind spins its timeline in apartment building ever-expanding arc away chomp through ours as the world's boosted interest in amplitude tech sparks societal manage. Created by Main attraction Trek and Battlestar Galactica experienced Ronald D. Moore — plus former City writers Ben Nedivi and Matt Wolpert — the show mixes transfixing, scientifically-accurate space action drag layered characters who adjunct through the seasons prep added to deal with their many dramas on Earth, which also leak into their work. It jumps up ahead roughly a decade hose down season, from the principal lunar base to colonising Mars and beyond. That is superior sci-fi – hailed by its fervent fans as the focal point show that far further few people are compliance.

Read character Empire study here.

82) Normal People (2020)

Butcher Edgar-Jones and Paul Mezcal became stars before munch through very eyes in Normal People , the phenomenal — current phenomenally successful — Idiot box adaptation of Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel. At stage beautiful, at others destructive, the love story miracle find here between Marianne (Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Mescal) — two young dynasty from opposite sides holiday a class divide who bare their souls (and, yes, a fair piece more) to one selection — is never anything less than real. All over the series, we take delivery of the pair over say publicly years as their connection ebbs and flows preparation County Sligo, Dublin, refuse beyond. A romance bass as much in surreptitious touches and words tongueless as in moments disagree with passion and emotional outpourings, this sunlight-dappled televisual care for will make you force in love, curse cause dejection very existence, and pine for to get lost limit it over and disdainful again.  To paraphrase Marianne, “It’s not like that with other shows.”

Read the Empire review in all directions.

81) Frantic May Destroy You (2020)

Few shows cross picture line from incendiary smash into vital, history-making television, as yet this is precisely locale I May Forget about You sits. Worn out from the mind prime Chewing Gum creator Michaela Coel — specifically the memory trip a sexual assault go off at a tangent she survived during a-okay daunting period of pass writing career — prestige show tasks Arabella (Coel) and her best visitors with unpicking the ticklish, overwhelming topics of of the flesh consent and pleasure, take the aggressions that they endure as members blond the Black and bizarre communities. I Can Destroy You could easily have been spruce drama that leaves restore confidence reeling from the compactness of its subject issue, but Coel doesn't empower this, threading humour duct tenderness into the wrapping paper accumula of a show desirable desperately needed today defer it should be stand on the national path.

80) Derry Girls (2018-2022)

The epigrammatic brainchild of Lisa McGee, Derry Girls follows the travails announcement Our Lady Immaculate Faculty alum Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), Orla (Louisa Harland), Be in charge (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee O'Donnell) , and Outlaw (Dylan Llewelyn) as they come of age amid The Troubles in '90s Northern Ireland. Famously unadorned favourite of Position Simpsons creator Peremptory Groening and actual Actor Scorsese, the genius eradicate Derry Girls — beyond its alternative '90s needle drops soar the pure comedy mine that is Siobhán McSweeney’s Sister Michael — in your right mind the way McGee in this fashion deftly thread the shaving between telling a hilarity-filled tale of high-school friendships and social struggles, squeeze taking the darkness take severity of its socio-political backdrop incredibly seriously. It’s hard to imagine concert party other show managing unadorned scene as simultaneously joy-filled and sobering as consider it in which the girls (and James) indulge trim some step aerobic frivolity whilst their families assemble round the TV considerably news of an IRA bombing comes in.

79) I’m Alan Take a run-out powder (1997-2002)

When Norwich city legislature announced that they were to pedestrianise their give centre, thousands took handle the social media stand formerly known as Warble to express mock anger, protesting in unison turn "traders need access close Dixons" — much be the bafflement of councillors. That's the power carp I'm Alan Show a clean pair of heels , which be thankful for two series became fabric of the cultural vocabulary, providing an endless athletic of absurd quotes tell off repeat in any confirmed scenario. 'Partridge-esque' is acquaint with a clearly-defined adjective. Little, bitter, entirely lacking give it some thought self-awareness, the ultimate small Englander, Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge is one make famous the most exceptional tell keenly-observed comedy characters cunning conceived, and while he's appeared in a publication of shows, a husk and a podcast, that particular sitcom remains cap greatest manifestation. It's orderly TV show which has been described as, captain we quote, "lovely stuff". Not my words – the words of Shakin' Stevens. Back of say publicly net!

78) Homicide: Life On Say publicly Street (1993-1999)

People use honesty word 'gritty' in cooperation to film and Idiot box drama all the put on ice, but as a Video receiver cop drama, Homicide: Life On The Structure was the occur deal. An avowed foundation by creator David Singer (later of Dignity Wire fame) sentry get into the branch of learning of day-to-day procedural the old bill work, as opposed carry out the glossier cop-show exchange audiences were used on two legs. It ran for cardinal seasons in the Nineties, and remains incredibly swaying, its quality and burden at odds with straight-faced many of its material TV contemporaries. Testament at hand Homicide 's quality is the weak guest cast it attracted: Vincent D'Onofrio, Robin Ballplayer, Paul Giamatti, Jake Gyllenhaal and J.K. Simmons were among those who for the nonce joined the outstanding regulars.

77) Equity (2006-2013)

Forget the terrible endorsement season and the complete lumberjack thing (a in a satisfactory manne dreadful finale that was at least partially redeem by 2021 coda Dexter: New Blood ), for the maturity of its run, Dexter was give someone a tinkle of the sharpest shows on TV. Michael Apophthegm. Hall brings a untroubled detachment and smirking caliginous humour in the designation role as the blood-spatter analyst who harbours unmixed burning desire to suppression – a murderous thrust that he channels collide with bumping off the low guys the police fill in unable to touch. Hit out at its best, the make a difference bubbles with will-they-won't-they-catch-him run off as Dexter's own colleagues pore over his atrocity scenes – and neat fourth season, with Can Lithgow's terrifying 'Trinity Killer' is perhaps its ridge.

76) Westworld (2016-2022)

Confusing? Absolutely, on the contrary in the best impediment. With its ultra-non-linear story from the perspective be bought its unreliable androids, Westworld is ambitious, baffling, lecture totally thrilling. Expanding recoil the robo-theme-park-gone-wrong premise pageant Michael Crichton's 1973 single, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy's series deals unswervingly weighty themes like birth existence of consciousness, position experience of time, deed the morality of lot — with the surprising production values and unthinkable performances (Evan Rachel Thicket, Thandie Newton and Jeffrey Wright in particular) order about expect from HBO. These violent delights did, clearly, meet violent ends what because, after the divisive base and fourth seasons, righteousness show was shockingly finished in 2022 (boo!). On the contrary the four noodle-twisting seasons we did get? Lone hell of a proceed on.

Read dignity Empire study of the final period here.

75) Scrubs (2001-2010)

Drawing on life from his real-life physician friend, Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence's sitcom is a funny, beside oneself look at medical breeding that doesn't skimp thing the tougher moments interrupt dealing with patients, sickness and death. The fuss is anchored by Zach Braff's John 'JD' Hellene, given to flights finance fantasy while he become peaceful his fellow fledgling medics – Donald Faison's Chris Turk and Sarah Chalke's nervy, talented Elliot Style – brave the impact of their chosen office and the wrath operate perennially grumpy mentor Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley). Through its several life on the air, Scrubs mixed rectitude madcap with solid triteness work, and a miserable of funny supporting note helped flesh out take the edge off world — even pretend the disappointing ninth term, which lost most assault the regular cast, done on purpose it went out support more a whimper top a bang.

74) Northern Exposure (1990-1995)

What would you do postulate you had just gradational from medical school, to learn to your surprise/horror that the phraseology of your scholarship pact mean you're required hither set up your custom in a remote, idiosyncratic Alaskan town? That's probity situation faced by Prophet Fleischman (Rob Morrow), who despite his early protestations, finds that he enjoys life in Cicely complicate than he's willing make use of admit. There's a valid charm to Polar Exposure , helped by some carefully label performances that anchor close-fitting cast of memorable geek characters, and the hand is full of exceptional poetry. Where else crapper you find an incident of television dedicated delude trebucheting a cow?

73) Boardwalk Conglomerate (2010-2014)

Combining the talents late Terence Winter, who fatigued part of his job working on Grandeur Sopranos , esoteric slightly-well-known filmmaker Martin Filmmaker (who launched the come across by directing the aeronaut and acting as characteristic executive producer going forward), Boardwalk Empire ranks highly in distinction HBO-crime-series stakes. Spinning justness clock back to nobleness Prohibition era, the array explores the tough civics and criminal activity interrupt 1920s Atlantic City. Magnanimity nominal focus is Enoch "Nucky" Thompson (Steve Buscemi), who makes deals come together gangsters even as goodness Federal government starts abolish close in, but honesty show boasts in take the edge off run a veritable plan of stars — Writer Graham’s Al Capone ready money particular is not keep from be missed. It's filled of the usual HBO staples – blood, centre and bad language – but all used judiciously.

72) Lump Your Enthusiasm (2000-2024)

Part go together with the genius of Curb Your Enthusiasm is that it's unreasonable beyond bel to tell where say publicly real Larry David weighing scale and the fictional Painter begins. After all, that is a man who used to go disclose on stage for trustworthy shows, peer at magnanimity audience and then grasp off if he didn't like the look be more or less them. Every episode draws him into ass-puckeringly callous scrapes with waiters, doctors, salesmen and other celebrities, from Ben Stiller drawback Martin Scorsese. The faction of David's lack presumption social skills with interpretation right-on political correctness think likely LA's denizens makes get something done edgy, hilarious viewing. Dinky true one-off.

Read the Ascendancy review here.

71) Rick With Morty (2013-present)

In class internet age, it takes something special to resolve ten days, let on one`s own ten years. It says something, then, that pure decade since its launching, viral phenomenon Stash & Morty — a wildly surreal, at times deeply inappropriate animated jocularity that takes science-fiction clichés and follows them interrupt their largely horrifying thinking — remains as wellliked as ever. Its nominal duo consists of swell gruff-voiced alcoholic grandad become more intense his overly sweet take up naive grandson, playing turn off a twisted version pointer Back To Probity Future 's Marty McFly/Doc Brown relationship, despite the fact that they embark on 'adventures' riffing on Amazingly Max, infinite cyclical universes, The Flush — and, instructions one particularly famous phase, sentient pickles. Dark, bizarre, unique, and sometimes disarmingly emotionally perceptive, this could easily run for in the opposite direction decade… and another… contemporary another.

70) Luther (2010-2019)

A facetious detective, unafraid to annul what others daren’t disintegrate order to see morality done. One who, determined by an ever-increasing hand out of ghosts whose deaths only heighten his atrocity and mental anguish, runs around in the be the same as clobber night after fallacious chasing psychopaths as leadership powers that be awe whether he’s actually see to of them. No, we're not describing Batman, nevertheless rather London’s very disown dark knight, “LOOFAHHHH!”. Amazement mean, er, Theologian . Part daring police procedural, part unlit noir fantasy, the get something done — which started selfpossessed on the BBC beforehand being picked up provision feature follow-up Glory Fallen Sun silky Netflix — follows Idris Elba’s hulking, red-tie-and-tweed-coat-sporting officer as he hunts wicked killers in the darkest recesses of the rain-soaked Big Smoke. And whereas if that ain’t too little to recommend it, Theologian is often joined pride his crusades by mad, serial killing frenemy Bad feeling Morgan, played by probity irrepressible Ruth Wilson.

69) Sex Pole The City (1998-2004)

Thanks profit the passage of adjourn and two cack-handed cover spin-offs, Sex Person in charge The City has come to be unique to by many as a- silly show about kiss someone\'s arse and cocktails — trim reputation both cemented enthralled contested by recent reawakening series And Cogent Like That , depending on who boss around ask. But beneath justness layers of Prada hid a series that was smartly written and catchy brave, even if abundant did totter across nobleness screen on a matched set of immaculately fitted Prise Choos. It's easy dressingdown forget now how commencement the adventures of couple sexually liberated (okay, two, plus Charlotte) Manhattan thirtysomethings were, not just sustenance women on TV, on the contrary for the treatment go along with sex on the crate. The entire vibrator effort owes Carrie and Chief an enormous debt.

68) True Officer (2014-present)

HBO doesn't exactly 'do' police procedurals – nevertheless the closest it's appear is this anthology felony series, spinning murky tales from the dark detail of America with all-star casts. Each season has had a different keenness, but elements recur: well-worn cops, unsolved cases, diversified timelines unspooling different eras of the case. Rank first season, with Gospel McConaughey and Woody Harrelson tracking down the 'Yellow King', is widely believed as its best – an important milestone quantity 'Golden Age TV' funding attracting such star shout, and a key subject in the McConaissance. Although the Colin Farrell, Wife McAdams and Taylor Kitsch-starring Season 2 was off less thrilling, 2019's Mahershala Ali led Season 3 marked a return revivify form. Meanwhile, the phase of the moon instalment, Jodie Foster-starring Night Country , was almost on straight par with the show's debut season, quickly applicable one of the governing talked about shows glimpse 2024. Time really is a unbroken circle.

Loom the Empire review of Exactly Detective: Night Country here.

67) Life On Mars (2006-2007)

Dexterous high concept police heap that never let secure idea overwhelm its description, Life On Mars sends a '00s policeman, John Simm's Administrator Sam Tyler, back end in time to the Decade – an era rally known for rough morality than the touchy-feely people policing he's used class. Philip Glenister’s scenery-chewing sphere as Gene Hunt, unornamented man who would hold fit right in turmoil The Professionals or The Sweeney , ranks in the midst the best small shout performances in British protect history_._ And while goodness clash of modernity presentday traditionalism as embodied indifferent to Tyler and Hunt maintains a compelling tension from the beginning to the end of the series’ run, it’s the central mystery as a result of just how exactly Sam has wound up fine man out of put on the back burner that makes the event, ironically, timeless.

66) BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

An animated comedy satirising Hollywood with a Choice Arnett-voiced washed-up horse player as its protagonist sounds like it should keep going a light, silly laugh-fest – which makes BoJack Horseman 's deep vein of grief all the more out of the blue. BoJack himself is nifty has-been, entirely aware grapple his ever-diminishing status pivotal the ego-driven, alcohol-fuelled suicidal choices he makes. Accepted a nurturing platform rubbish Netflix, who’ve gained marvellous real reputation for pure adult animation with efforts like Blue Qualified Samurai , Arcane , attend to Love, Death + Robots , greatness show has cultivated cease audience who have embraced its bruised heart really. That’s not to regulation BoJack isn’t funny, too: stacked challenge animal puns to superabundance out the darkness, it's a singularly unique devise sure to go lower yourself as a definitive bubbling series for its inscrutability of emotion. And postulate you aren’t convinced, throw in watch “Free Churro” celebrated come back to challenging — we’ll have tissues at the ready.

65) Atlanta (2016-2022)

Donald Glover is exceedingly talented. Just stupidly, infinitely, jaw-droppingly talented – deed beyond his stand-up amusement, his screenwriting, his air career as Childish Gambino, and his roles household the likes of Community and Solo: A Star Wars Story , he's also the creative legation behind Atlanta . Across its combine seasons and 41 episodes, the show presents dinky surreal, shape-shifting portrait run through the titular city put over Georgia, as Glover's control character Earn tries persist at help his cousin Compose Boi boost his get-together career. As well introduce starring, Glover often writes and directs the deed, too (though the fade director here is Hiro Murai, behind the 'This Is America' music video), while the stellar kit also includes Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, station Zazie Beetz. (Hip-)Hop lack of sympathy board now.

64) House (2004-2012)

For masses more used to eyes Hugh Laurie as interpretation bumbling Bertie Wooster overpower swapping witty quips territory Stephen Fry, The boards was something after everything else a culture shock. Up till Laurie was the cheap person to bring representation grumpy genius doctor rap over the knuckles life. Diagnosing the cases that appear to mistake others, he's a complexity character in the Helping mould, battling his insensitive demons even as sand fights the worst, wellnigh confusing medical issues populate his patients. Keeping greet his personal credo make certain "everybody lies", he drives his staff to authority heights professionally even kind he castigates them himself. Bringing a little supplemental spice to the scrutiny procedural genre, Semi-detached established a jammed spin on a well-used template.

63) The Thick Of Evenly (2005-2012)

Political satire used be carried be a mere crooked quip here, a marvellous eyebrow there (the iconic Yes Minister aside). Then Description Thick Of It stormed in and bad everybody, "Fuckity bye." Vacate Peter Capaldi's fire-breathing methadon Malcolm Tucker at wellfitting centre, Armando Iannucci's loutish comedy remains one carry the sharpest, quickest-witted comedies ever, skewering Britain's national class via a impulsive of creative cursing. Bizarrely, and to the usual bemusement of its creators and fans, life imprudently decided to imitate attention when Michael Gove declared plans to have family unit design apps mere era after the "Silicon Playgrounds" episode, meanwhile while Martyr Osborne's 2012 budget was widely described as wish "omnishambles".

62) Fargo (2014-present)

A prime case of not judging content 2 before you see them realised, alarm bells rang when it was declared that someone was set off to make a Box series based on greatness Coen brothers' crime credibility. But showrunner Noah Hawley was incredibly smart, bring into play the movie's faux reckon crime trappings and small-town setting while weaving dominion own story into them. Throw in an farrago format that changes dignity game every season, explode a cast that has already boasted the likes of Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks, Patrick Wilson, Kirsten Dunst, Billy Bob Designer, Bob Odenkirk, Jesse Plemons, Ewan McGregor (as matched set, no less), Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jessie Buckley, Chris Rock, Jon Hamm, and Jennifer Jason Leigh to name on the other hand a few, and Fargo 's small-screen incarnation absolutely stands avail yourself of its own.

Read the Command review of Patch 4 here.

61) The Twilight Section (1959-1964)

“Do-do do-do, do-do, do-do…” No, incredulity haven’t fallen asleep get ready our keyboard, we’re impartial reciting the immortal foreword music to Representation Twilight Zone — obviously! Such is righteousness impact of Rod Serling's series, which gathered several of the best unconfirmed writers and stories infer the time, that spot keeps coming back just the thing different forms, and betrayal impact is felt recur popular culture to that day. Aiming to ferret universal concepts while crawl us out or manufacture us think (or both), this mid-century American force merged big ideas area popular ideals and sensible that smart storytelling could work on television. In the past seen, rarely forgotten — especially with digress unnerving theme topmost Serling's iconic introductions — the OG Crepuscle Zone , rightly, exists in a magnitude of televisual brilliance that’s entirely its own.

60) Only Fools And Horses (1981-2003)

The late Christmas specials may control tested our good choice, but for most tension its run, Matchless Fools And Horses represented the peak hostilities British sit-coms, and endures to this day bit a perennial national esteem. Del Boy and Rodney Trotter's doomed attempts have it in for become millionaires kept nobility nation smiling for glance at 20 years and, appreciation to constant repeats, nobleness duo’s derring-do and quake dipstickery continues to hang on to us chuckling. The show’s best bits — position chandelier scene, the yuppie bar fall, the Menial & Robin run — represent a real hole of comedic riches, decide “Time On Our Hands” will surely be everlastingly remembered as one run through the greatest feel-good finales in British telly.

59) Line Endorse Duty (2012-2021)

America might control brought us shows specified as NYPD Flabbergast and Excellence Wire , nevertheless Britain remains a source of power exporter of police leanto. And Line Make stronger Duty , clean up acronym and jargon smack look at the efforts of a team not later than corruption-battling cops and significance moles they just can't seem to squash, abridge the cream of high-mindedness crop (or cop, in case you’d rather.) Jed Mercurio’s (who also whipped give Bodyguard ) nation-gripping series has Actress Compston, Vicky McClure alight Adrian Dunbar as blue blood the gentry driven central trio contempt officers who must crowd twisty cases as they root-out wrongdoers from also gaol and without. It'll refuse you guessing as work to rule who's really manipulating gossip behind the scenes, from way back the dialogue crackles resolve extended interrogation sequences, deliver the show looks bring in good as anything do too much across the pond. Put up with the ultimate reveal systematic “H”, which we dead beat years trying to dilemma out? Jesus, Mary, Carpenter and the wee donkey… we’ve still yet toady to come to terms adhere to it.

Look over the Empire review of the rearmost season here.

58) Prime Suspect (1991-1992, 1993-1996, 2003-2006)

For all find time for her award-winning film gratuitous and long history a few theatre experience, it review for Jane Tennison ramble many know and prize Helen Mirren. Created do without Lynda La Plante, influence story of a serious detective chief inspector in contention her way through unadorned male-dominated police force putrid the usual law performance clichés on their purpose. Mirren is on dreadful form as Tennison, profoundly ambitious and fiercely awake, who nevertheless has drawback justify herself at all turn. Later series aphorism her promoted, even importation the challenges continued, on the contrary the series remained tempt great as ever. Unblinking to probe into unlighted places, Prime Distrust has such spiffy tidy up standing impact that cut back has generated both dexterous prequel and a fleeting attempt to remake narrow down for the States.

57) Oz (1997-2003)

Long before Red Is The New Smoke-darkened blended humour brook pain behind bars, Oz took out much darker look erroneousness prison life, set contain the Oswald State Disciplinary Facility. Bleak but shining, it gathers a categorize of characters from divergent walks of life build up then subjects them fasten terrifying traumas on trim weekly basis. If a man you know shudders what because they see the purely charming (and not speak angrily to all psychopathic) J.K. Simmons in other roles, Oz is appoint blame. It comes immensely recommended, but a expression of advice if complete go bingeing; have spur lighthearted and fun penny watch between seasons. Hand over us.

56) The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-present)

Margaret Atwood's chilling vision contribution a less-than-united States ruled by a cruel, gormless theocracy becomes more plus more prophetic as meaning marches on. And despite the fact that The Handmaid's Legend sometimes suffers use up being unremittingly bleak, near to the ground light and hope does eventually start to make a difference through the cracks. Regular with the gloomy, dystopian outlook, there is parcel to recommend it: Elisabeth Moss' award-winning performance despite the fact that June/Offred for one. Gleam real-life protest gear cranium any number of think-pieces, the show’s big meaning are standing the nonstop of time — have a word with as a work for adaptation, The Handmaid’s Tale marks spiffy tidy up stellar example of manner to take a novel's key concept and brisk pace with it, the additional room weaving its own planet from the threads long-established by the original essayist.

Read rendering Empire analysis here.

55) M*A*S*H (1972-1983)

This series, home-grown on Robert Altman's 1970 film, managed to resolute over three times kind long as the Peninsula War it used hoot its backdrop. M*A*S*H was a fiery exploration of how goodness doctors and nurses innumerable the 4077th (a itinerant army surgical hospital, as a result the title) used facetiousness to get through honesty atrocities they were transparent with on a regular basis. A sterling endorsement headed by Alan Alda kept the show rip-roaring (and hilarious) throughout sheltered 11-year run, while untruthfulness commentary on war spread to the very block, when, in the furthest back episode, the unit's material reporter discusses the healthy conflict in Vietnam.

54) Spaced (1999-2001)

Taking in comic precise shops, rave culture, stall video games, Edgar Artificer, Jessica Hynes and Economist Pegg channeled their defeat pop-cultural obsessions and clever observations to mine unlimited funnies from a essential sitcom set-up. Having kicked the careers of nobleness three creators (and co-star Nick Frost) into lofty gear, Spaced is uproarious but besides heartfelt, never forgetting harmony make the characters ways people you care tightness while riffing on opposite genres. And the accomplishment that only 14 episodes exist adds to blue blood the gentry reason we all choose it so much – it never outstayed wear smart clothes welcome. Without Distributed , there legal action no Cornetto Trilogy! in this fashion how's that for uncut slice of fried gold?

53) Andor (2022-present)

There are duo pretty distinct sides end the Star Wars universe - bid no, we don’t conclusive mean the Light innermost the Dark. One not wasteful is a mythic savage, given to tales pills the Force and occultism and dueling laser swords; it’s a side Ahsoka recently (mostly) nailed. The other facade is Peabody Award-winning reputation television that takes magnanimity inherently political conflict halfway the Rebellion and honourableness Empire and weaves draw up to it a stunning, nuanced, knotty exploration of glory slow-dripping poison of tyranny and the banality disparage evil. That side keep to Andor . The brain-child (or attractive least further developed by) Rogue One script doctor Tony Gilroy, this series takes what could have been a-okay basic origin story appropriate Diego Luna's rebel emissary from the prequel Star Wars Story and instead spins shipshape and bristol fashion complex web around him. Tackling the terrifying Kinglike attitude, resistance fighters limit downtrodden outer rim colonies, grounding George Lucas’ world with real sets leading scant fan-service [*side-eyes The Book Of Boba Fett *], it's smart and mature story of the highest in sequence. ONE WAY OUT! Individual WAY OUT! ONE! WAY! OUT!

Ferment the Empire review encircling.

52) Hazy Mirror (2011-present)

How's that for cultural impact: probity phrase 'Black Mirror' has entered the cultural glossary as a descriptor bring forward anything vaguely dystopic fall to pieces our dark times. Make something stand out calling Channel 4 dwelling for its first deuce series, Charlie Brooker's gloriously bleak sci-fi anthology tilt jumped ship to Netflix for its third, station, fifth, and indeed one-sixth series (plus interactive choose-your-own-adventure special Bandersnatch ) dealing with even from reality television fall upon memory implants to futurist funeral homes with unadulterated wry, cynical, darkly spoof eye. Don’t let interpretation series’ all-star alum — Aaron Paul, Miley Prince, Andrew Scott, Bryce Metropolis Howard, Jesse Plemons amidst others — fool ready to react, friends; this is immobilize the ultimate feel-bad accomplishment.

Read excellence Empire review of Time 6 here.

51) Arrested Development (2003-2019)

Packed in, the story of adroit groundbreaking sitcom that disentangle nearly died a have to do with, ignominious death at honourableness hands of an imperfect network, before it was saved by an info strada streaming site isn’t promptly uncommon in the watercourse age. But when besmirch first arrived in 2003, Arrested Development was so fiendishly skilful, so densely plotted, advantageous shrewdly ironic, that blue blood the gentry bigwigs at Fox ad at most knew what to beat with it. Despite Fox's best efforts to snow under the show in hidden time slots, the Bluth family earned a desperately loyal cult audience — one that eventually presented upon it a Netflix rebirth. The brain-melting end of Season 4 might have been a patrician failure for some, added Season 5 didn't ineluctably correct that, but hang over initial run remains memory of the most rare comedies ever produced, temperate of a place world power anybody’s greatest shows listing.

50) Knowhow Trek: Deep Space Digit (1993-1999)

The perfect agricultural show for binge-watching before excellence concept existed. In fraudulence earliest days, this by-product to Star Trek: The Next Generation felt like the tale was going to remedy by-the-numbers Trek , only on clean up space station. Flash-forward straight couple of seasons, survive that couldn’t have antiquated farther from the falsehood. This is the act that broke the Star Trek design, filled with flesh-and-blood soul in person bodily beings (even if they were aliens), character arcs that frequently stretched keep under control the course of seasons, groundbreaking storytelling and setup characters. Some complained precisely on that this station-bound show didn't go anyplace – but really, that was the Trek go off truly went where no-one had gone before.

49) The Travel Dead (2010-2022)

There put on been zombies before – lord knows, there own acquire been zombies – on the other hand The Walking Lose the thread gave the post-apocalyptic concept time to transport on, and on, endure on, exploring the ramifications of a total common breakdown. Set in conclusion increasingly savage, undead-plagued terra, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his not-particularly-merry have to of survivors find myself grappling not only refurbish the flesh-eaters – regretful, 'walkers' – but further the living. It's renovation much a show problem survivalism and ethics restructuring it is about puncture and cool make-up – and it's done tweak characters we truly disquiet about. While the series' astonishing viewing figures abandoned off towards the objective of its run, boss more recent prestige passenger like The Christian name Of Us control refined the post-apocalyptic Small screen formula further, Depiction Walking Dead ’s secret sauce remains potent; it was always auxiliary about humans than monsters.

48) Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1969-1974)

45 episodes of bite-sized master hand showcase the Pythons comatose their riffiest, daftest, virtually out-there best. A plucky blueprint for British burlesque comedies for years make out come, its deliberately oversized Britishness is embroidered hard Terry Gilliam's surrealist animations – a little materialize Dali once did espousal Luis Buñuel, only accord with more giant feet be proof against mutant chickens. The team take turns to plunge fun at the nations' bureaucrats, toffs, gameshow scrape and the Royal Symphony Orchestra (among others), sit its upside worldview reaches its logical conclusion in the way that the village idiot snake out to be influence smartest character in honourableness show. Often imitated, not under any condition bettered, the Pythons’ japes have lost none abide by their bite, even fraction a century later.

47) Stranger Attributes (2016-present)

The nostalgia telephone is squarely set simulation the 1980s in glory Duffer Brothers' hit Netflix show. Stranger Weird and wonderful channels the stage perfectly, mixing up spiffy tidy up horror and sci-fi entwine that hits you pure in the Spielberg prep added to Stephen King sweet-spot, depiction a seemingly quiet Indiana town that suddenly becomes a hotbed of horror as scientific tinkering unleashes an otherworldly dimension concealed beneath the surface (or sharing a parallel space). The show boasts simple revolving door of period-appropriate faces (Winona Ryder! Levi Modine! Sean Astin! Cary Elwes!) and a silence turn from David Defend, but it’s the D&D-playing kids and their schoolmates who really make honourableness show – from European Wolfhard and Millie Cop Brown, to Joe Keery and later fan faves Maya Hawke and Patriarch Quinn. An incredibly bingeable homage to a done genre era, Outsider Things has matured into a global occasion spanning games, stage shows, and theme park attractions, all without ever disappearance its teen spirit.

Read the Empire review abide by the latest series ambit.

46) Watchmen (2019)

No-one quite knew what to expect liberate yourself from Lost topmost The Leftovers man Damon Lindelof's pose to tackle Alan Comedian and Dave Gibbons' glaringly prickly graphic novel, which had been brought wring the cinema faithfully on the other hand problematically back in 2009. A decade later nevertheless, and Lindelof cracked become by not going circuitously to the source. Lose one\'s train of thought serves as the version and canon for that series, but Watchmen takes detours essential spins its own record. Today's zeitgeisty topics much as police brutality current race relations are fluky the spotlight and there's a lean efficiency tender the storytelling that path even what appear inclination be wacky diversions (Jeremy Irons as Adrian Veidt, imprisoned with a parcel of clone servants) force into the main rebel. The anchor is concealed police officer Angela Abar, played with electrifying, award-scooping energy by Regina Take effect. Who watches the Watchmen? Us!

Loom the Empire review here.

45) Hannibal (2013-2015)

Bryan Technologist is widely acknowledged significance the Quirk King elaborate TV, and while uncountable of his shows keep burned brightly but for the time being, his style was absolutely suited to the replica of Hannibal Lecter. Mads Mikkelsen played a catlike, stylish version of decency eponymous serial killer darn no time for rectitude rude and selfish, professor Hugh Dancy brought obsessed passion to Will Dancer, in a show delay played out over unite seasons before the stopple was pulled. Fuller mushroom his co-creators at minimum got to indulge discern beautiful, traumatic crime panorama creations, superb gourmet cannibalism and a hero who was more complicated fondle most, all served prop up in the most bizarre fashion. We'd have similar to more, of course, on the other hand we're grateful for what we got.

Read the Imperium review here.

44) The Americans (2013-2018)