The 20 Best TV Dramas Since 'The Sopranos' (according to the N.Y. Times)

[Auggie]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/arts/television/best-drama-series.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

I would have found a place for Netflix's "Stranger Things" and AMC's "Better Call Saul," though to be honest, there are many shows on this list I haven't seen (yet).

What I have seen:

The West Wing
Lost (partial -- I stopped after season two)
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
The Americans
Transparent

Discuss ...

[hlthe2b]

1. You should copy the full list--NYT is behind an impenetrable paywal.

[Auggie]

3. So sorry! The list:

The West Wing
The Sheild
The Wire
Battlestar Galactica
Deadwood
Lost
Veronica Mars
Grey's Anatomy
Friday Night Lights
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
The Good Wife
Adventure Time
Enlightened
The Americans
Rectify
The Leftovers
Transparent
Jane the Virgin
Atlanta

[hlthe2b]

5. I've seen everything on your list. Would never include LOST on a "best list".

The show," the Americans" was quite good. Breaking Bad and Sopranos would definitely be on a "best" list. I enjoyed the Good Wife, The Leftovers, Deadwood, The West Wing, and The Wire. Certainly, at least the latter two might make a "best"... Despite the controversy over the last season, I'd find it hard not to likewise include Game of Thrones.

Good heavens, who would include "Grey's Anatomy?" Maybe the first year (how many decades ago was that?)

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. No Treme????

Both Treme and The Corner were David Simon shows, excellent writing, just as good as his Wire, tho not as many seasons long.

[hlthe2b]

13. I'd forgotten Treme. I really liked it too

[Hoyt]

26. Treme was very good.

[Brainstormy]

20. me either.

that one threw me. And didn't care for Good Wife.

[mainstreetonce]

7. I would include

GOT

Nurse Jackie

[underpants]

8. They lost me at Grey's Anatomy

I can’t believe that’s still on.

[hlthe2b]

22. It jumped the shark at least 15 years ago. Now that the characters have aged and are the "experts"

in their fields, supposedly, the inane, immature "girl talk" and almost-teen angst is so damned annoying. (I had to watch a few episodes the past 3 or 4 years with my sister, so I can attest).

[underpants]

29. We actually watched it until she drown for 2-3 weeks

but then was saved.

Yes it was really on the show for a couple of weeks but we kept tuning in and would say "She's still drowning?!?!"

[CaptainTruth]

11. What does it say about me that I've never seen any of those?

[lunatica]

18. It says you've missed some outstanding Americana entertainment

a lot of these have become part of our lexicon. If you feel like it pick one and watch it until you lose interest. From that list chances are you won’t lose interest. They aren’t your regular fare because most of them have adult themes, like violence and sex.

[Auggie]

19. Maybe it says you are an incredibly well-read individual ...

Admittedly, while a lot of the programming has set the bar for creativity and entertainment, it's really nothing more than that -- and not a replacement for literature, sports, hobbies, relationships, etc.

[hlthe2b]

23. I'm addicted to reading, but well produced tv dramas and even theatrical productions are out there.

With streaming services, I have likely seen more documentaries in the past 2-3 years than in all my previous years-- and burned some calories on the exercise bike at the same time. Reading is almost impossible for me while exercising so, I consider that a good tradeoff.

[hlthe2b]

21. Most of these are dramas. If you gave me a list of 100 sitcoms, I would be hard pressed to have

watched more than a fewl. Different strokes for different folks, I'd suppose.

[Lucky Luciano]

38. Some of these shows have amazing character development with lots of depth.

This was six episodes into breaking bad and it was the scene that hooked me! I still don’t get to watch much tv because I’m too busy, but there are shows I’d love to watch!

[sinkingfeeling]

35. I have never watched any of those.

[Sherman A1]

2. I would say

The West Wing was the gold standard and the rest coming in 10th in a 3 person race.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

4. All 3 seasons of Mr. Robot.....

Dark, gritty, and sensational......

[ADX]

6. "The Wire" and "The Sopranos" are definitely #1 and #2...

...but which is which is hard to determine...

[Little Star]

28. The Sopranos is another a-lister in my book.

[ADX]

32. Without question...

...It was ground-breaking stuff, considering the fact that it was pretty much the first show that had people actually rooting for a bad guy, especially a sociopathic, homicidal Mafia Don...

[Nitram]

9. "Jusify" would be on my list.

[Little Star]

10. Me too and Longmire also.

[Nitram]

16. Yes! Longmire surely belongs there.

[hlthe2b]

24. I liked both of those shows.

Hell on Wheels never got much attention, but I thought it was well done too.

[Little Star]

25. Hell on Wheels is another one I realy liked!

[argyl]

14. #1 would be The Wire.

[Nitram]

17. Agree!

[True Dough]

30. The Wire is fantastic

Season 2 really threw me at first. It was such a departure from the first season. But I'm glad I stuck with it. It all comes together in the end.

[IronLionZion]

15. Sweet! I like watching stuff on demand long after it aired on TV

I can get the best shows from reviews like this, and skip all the nonsense around it like commercials or waiting a week for the next episode.

[FM123]

27. Breaking Bad.

I was unable to watch while it was on the first time so I had to start my journey many years later on Netflix, it was even better than I had expected.

[True Dough]

31. Breaking Bad is right up there for me

Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos and Better Call Saul are the four TV series I have enjoyed most in my lifetime.

[FM123]

33. Better Call Saul is next on my must watch list!

[True Dough]

34. It's a slow burn

Lots of character development. It has less action than BrBa but I love it just the same.

[Auggie]

36. Yeah ...

perfect description. I love it too.

[True Dough]

37. Nice!

I've heard/read too many people fed up with it because they wanted instant Saul Goodman. I was satisfied with the pace. Also anything with Mike Ehrmantraut in it is going to get a thumbs up from me!

[alfredo]

39. My short list excluding ones mentioned

Kidding
Westworld
Barry
Sherlock PBS/BBC
The Borgias
The Lion of Wolf Hall
Rome

[MarianJack]

40. My wife and I are big fans of Veronica Mars.

RESIST!

[grantcart]

41. Breaking Bad is number one. Surprised Dexter isn't on the list.

Better call Saul is promising.