Nowadays, it is so easy to watch anything at anytime of anyday. Every genre of TV show exists and there really is something for everyone. With services such as Amazon Prime, Hulu, Showtime and Netflix who needs cable?
OK..we do! Why? Because we want and need access to everything! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t sit around all day and watch TV, in fact, I don’t even turn the TV on during the day. But after the kids go to bed, we do enjoy watching a thrilling, usually dark TV series.
So, I’m rounding up my favorite “thriller” series of all time. Most of these shows are dramas of some sort..but they are for the most part on the “darker” side. Since most of these shows have multiple season, I rated the series collectively, on a scale of 1-10.
It was difficult to keep it to 10, since there are others I really like too…but I’ll save those for another post.
#10 Walking Dead – AMC
Currently in it’s eight season… “The Walking Dead” has been a favorite show of ours for years mainly because of the well written storylines…but I feel it’s time to end this zombie show. “The Walking Dead” earned the #10 spot on my list because the show has dragged on long enough. We have watched this series since it’s inception and have enjoyed watching the characters evolve over time and escape from every possible scenario of being trapped by a zombie. I don’t particularly enjoy watching “101 ways to kill a zombie” but it’s a big part of the show. We didn’t really enjoy this past season as much as the previous ones..it was less story line and more war and strategizing between different sides. But I do love Negan’s character and think he’s pretty hot 🙂 All in all, “The Walking Dead” is a gripping and thought provoking series.
#9 Hand of God – Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is definitely a strong contender when it comes to great TV series. We stumbled upon this dark show on Amazon and thoroughly enjoyed it. It stars Ron Perlman from “Sons of Anarchy” and Dana Delany. Ron is very compelling in his role as a corrupt judge who has a breakdown and believes God is compelling him onto a path of vigilante justice. Unfortunately is was cancelled after 2 seasons but is definitely worth binge watching.
#8 Animal Kingdom – TNT
I love this BadAss show!! These bad boys and their badass mom, (a southern California crime family) are HOT! The series follows a 17-year-old boy, who, after the death of his mother, moves in with the Codys, a family governed by matriarch Smurf (Ellen Barkin). Pope’s (Sean Hatosy) character is very intriguing, he is mentally disturbed and served 3 years in prison, and does such a superb job in his role. I love each of the bad boy’s different characters…season 3 is going to debut very soon and I can’t wait!
#7 Bloodline – Netflix
This 3 season dark drama is a definite binge watching favorite. This addictive show portrays a wealthy family who runs a successful beachside hotel in the Florida Keys. The show begins as Danny Rayburn (Ben Mendelsohn), the oldest brother and black sheep of the clan, shows up. Danny’s reappearance triggers a return to his long history of illicit behavior and illegal business ventures, and then drags his family into it.
#6 Handmaid’s Tale – Hulu
Currently in it’s second season on Hulu, this series is an Emmy Award favorite. The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Gilead is ruled as a militarized state as it faces a plunging birthrate. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of a group of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world.
This show is so dark, twisted and disturbing…it’s impossible to look away…a definite add to my current favorite line-up. What I don’t like is Hulu! This service sucks! Unlike Netflix and most other paid services….Hulu has commercials! WTF! If you want to avoid all commercials…you have to pay a higher monthly rate than the regular monthly rate. After being sucked in by a show like “Handmaid’s Tale” when the series returns for another season, they only release a couple episodes at a time…instead of releasing the entire series at once like Netflix. I rate shitty Hulu at the bottom of paid TV services…but they do have a winner with “Handmaid’s Tale” and we will continue to pay the monthly fee just to watch this series and I’ll continue to be pissed off about the commercials! Bastards!!!
#5 The Affair – Showtime
Currently entering it’s fourth season, “The Affair” is a provocative drama exploring the emotional effects of an extramarital affair. The characters are so relatable on all sides of the affair. “The Affair” is told through each character’s own perspective, the cheaters and the ones being cheating on. A binge watching favorite for sure.
If you’re in the market for a new TV, check out this one HERE..we bought it recently and feel it’s great quality for the price.
#4 The Chi – Showtime
A new show on Showtime, currently entering a second season, “The Chi” explores the complexities on the south side of Chicago. In a realistic depiction of the south side of Chicago, the staff do a remarkable job and the show is expertly written. I am so drawn to the characters and their tender hearts, the show has given me a totally new perspective of Chicago’s struggles.
#3 Game of Thrones
2019 will debut the ninth and final season of this fantasy drama. The “Game of Thrones” is a very complex show with many characters and multiple plot lines. The acting is superb and the production of the show outstanding. The series chronicles the violent struggle among the realm’s noble families for the Iron Throne, often using very disturbing sexual content. The story takes place in medieval times and depicts all too realistic history, such as incest. Nonetheless, the show is very compelling but can be difficult to follow due to the multiple plot lines.
#2 Homeland Showtime
This spy thriller is a top favorite of mine, coming in at #2. Again, I am rating this series collectively as a show, not by season…because some seasons were definitely better than others…but overall a superb show. It stars Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) as a CIA operative with a bi-polar disorder. The first few seasons are superb..the latter seasons hit or miss but still definitely worth watching. Clare Danes is outstanding in the role and Brody (Damian Lewis) exceptional as well. The show often times parallels what is going on in real life with terrorism and politics. The last season delved into how the Russian Government messes with our political system…very intriguing to get that perspective from the writers.
#1 Breaking Bad – AMC
My number one…all time favorite show in the world, hands down is “Breaking Bad”. If you have never seen this award winning show..you have to stop everything you are doing and take a weekend to binge watch the entire 5 seasons!
In all my years, I have never seen another show that can compete with the exceptional writing, directing, and acting of this crime drama. The story line is so unique and intriguing, there is no comparison. It tells the story of Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a struggling high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with lung cancer. Together with his former student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), White turns to a life of crime by producing and selling crystallized methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future before he dies. The over the top and bizarre situations these two encounter in their life of crime is beyond compelling.
We started this show stopper when it first aired 10 years ago, and waited for each additional season…which was very painful. Anyone who hasn’t seen this show…and enjoys crime dramas will absolutely love “Breaking Bad”!!!
Well, that’s my list of favorite thriller dramas…what’s on your list? Let me know!
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See you next time!
Homeland is the one on the list that I’ve seen/watched. But generally speaking, I’m not much for suspense or thrillers…I just can’t handle the “stress.” 😉 However, I will watch political intrigue and crime solving shows. Thanks for the run down on these programs, Denise! 🙂 <3 <3
Homeland is so well done! A top favorite for sure. Have you tried “The Affair”? It will get you sucked in Lynn! Thanks for visiting!