Whether set in a fantasy realm or grounded in reality, they prove that when it comes to drama, the art of tension is an exhilarating ride. These exceptional shows represent only a fraction of the myriad options available to discerning viewers searching for their next immersive experience in television entertainment. As storytellers continue to push creative boundaries and explore innovative ways to captivate audiences, the landscape for new drama TV shows will undoubtedly expand even further.
Jane Austen: Rise of a Genius, review: lifeless reconstructions aside, plenty for Janeites to tuck into
Abbott is scathing in his critique of a self-serving political class – one that still feels valid – but most dazzling is his ability to juggle plotlines, foreground new characters and maintain tension. The acting is of course superb (David Morrissey, Kelly Macdonald, Bill Nighy) but State of Play is a technical tour de force too. Before manga quiz Peak TV, there was HBO, and the cable channel was the primary destination for adult dramas you couldn’t find anywhere else.
The Pitt is HBO’s first medical procedural that’s already one of the breakout TV hits of 2025. ER alum Noah Wyle returns to the onscreen hospital in this pulse-pounding drama, which mimics 24 with its storytelling style. Each episode coincides with one hour out of a 15-hour shift in the emergency room at Pittsburgh Trauma Hospital, meaning that literally every second counts. Adapted from Sally Rooney’s best-selling novel of the same name, Normal People is a modern love story that portrays the challenges of communication across different classes with intimate depth and sensitivity. With star-making performances from Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, the show follows the yearslong romance brewing between Connell and Marianne from secondary school through university. In this Emmy-winning dystopian series, 456 contestants suffering from financial hardship in South Korea compete in a children’s game show for the chance to win 45.6 billion won.
Critic Emily S. Mendel described the plots of season one as “impressive, inventive, baffling, exciting, and engrossing.” This dystopian sci-fi anthology series depicts a series of mostly disconnected stories, all pertaining to a future or alternate present in which new technologies deliver unanticipated consequences. Each episode carries different characters and tones; some are lighter and more satirical, while others are much darker. The series has received over 80 awards nominations, having taken home at least 23, including several Emmy Awards.
Approximately 100 million viewers across the United States tuned in to witness the shows finale, and Roots won nine Primetime Emmy Awards with its powerful storytelling. By never shying away from the awful realities of slavery and Americas early years, stories like Roots left an unforgettable mark on period TV. In its two seasons on HBO, this comedy followed the adventures of the legendary Captain Blackbeard, his crew, and aristocrat Stede Bonnet, who tags along in search of excitement. It raised the bar for period TV with its LGBTQ+ representation, and in particular the well-written main romance between Blackbeard and Bonnet.
The show kicks off with young and ambitious college graduates seeking a chance to prove themselves at the London office for international bank Pierpoint & Co. In this psychological thriller, Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is a charming bookseller and a hopeless romantic—not to mention a certified psychopath. When he falls in love with aspiring writer Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), Joe goes to extreme measures in order to ensure that they get their happily ever after together. And if they can’t be together, then Beck sure as hell won’t get her happily ever after at all. Danny (Steven Yeun) is a down-on-his-luck contractor struggling to set a good example for his younger brother. Amy (Ali Wong) is a successful workaholic attempting to sell her business to a mega retail chain.
These shows exemplify the art of dramatic storytelling, offering viewers a mix of suspense, intrigue, and emotional depth. Whether you’re drawn to the gritty realism of a crime saga or the fantastical elements of a fictional realm, these series promise to deliver unforgettable viewing experiences. For drama enthusiasts, they are nothing short of essential. In the realm of high-stakes drama, character conflicts and unexpected twists are the lifeblood that keeps viewers glued to their screens.
Our Flag Means Death resonated with audiences so much that it received multiple arts and entertainment awards for its inclusivity. If youre looking for a cozy, goofy take on swashbucklers, this period piece is worth watching. The Wire launched the careers of many talented actors, most notably Dominic West as Detective Jimmy McNulty and Idris Elba as Stringer Bell.
The Best TV Shows for Fans of High-Stakes Drama
This historical epic swept the 2024 awards circuit, winning a record-breaking total of 18 Emmys. Adapted from the 1975 James Clavell novel of the same name and following after the 1980 miniseries, Shōgun is ambitious in scope, with the execution of storytelling, visuals, performances, and production all culminating together into a massive cinematic feat. The show follows John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), an English pilot who gets shipwrecked in feudal Japan. John ultimately becomes a political tool in the power struggle between the country’s rivaling rulers and families, including the likes of daimyo Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) and highborn translator Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai).
American Horror Story
The secrets and local mysteries begin to bubble to the surface of the seemingly idyllic Twin Peaks. A groundbreaking and influential show crossing multiple genres (including comedy, melodrama, mystery, and horror), it is considered by many one of the greatest shows of all time. In this first prequel series to “Yellowstone,” the Dutton family is struggling in post-Civil War America and leaves their home in Tennessee in search of a better life.
Both are good for different reasons, yet they also contain some of Cranston’s best TV work ever as the corrupted titular character. If you like your dramas set in the West and tinged with a bit of romance, then Ransom Canyon is for you. Josh Duhamel as Staten Kirkland, a lonely Texas rancher who is still grieving the death of his wife. That changes when Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) returns to Staten’s small town, Ransom Canyon, to oversee the local dance hall. While Ransom Canyon premiered in April, the Western drama is still popular with Netflix audiences.
The son of a funeral director (Peter Krause) is – reluctantly – left with the family funeral home in the wake of his father’s death. He partners up with his brother (Michael C Hall), and together, with the corpses in the basement, they battle through life while surrounded by death. Every episode began with someone dying, which meant that across five series, there has been no more profound (and darkly comic) exploration of mortality.