Today, we reveal our picks for the top 10 (plus one tie) dark and grittier tv series dating from the late 90’s to present day. We took a look at series we’ve watched from beginning to end and ranked them on a “Moteventurous” scale between 1 and 10. We then also considered the IMDB rating and the audience and critic ratings from Rotten Tomatoes.
Inputting all four rankings into a spreadsheet, we then sorted by the sum of the ranking themselves to arrive at our Top 20 Grittiest (yet bingeable) Drama Series. How does your personal rank fit with ours? What great series have we not seen yet? Let us know in the comments!
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TODAY’S 10 ARE NEWS STORIES & LINKS THAT ARE HELPFUL, INSIGHTFUL, INFORMATIVE, AND (HOPEFULLY) ENJOYABLE TOO.
10
FRINGE
An F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.
BINGE IT HERE: FreeVee
Our Thoughts: From the creators of “Lost”, Fringe takes you on a sci-fi journey to the edge of scientific discovery. Like “Lost”, the show kicks off with a plane crash…and also features a great cameo role from “Star Trek” star Leonard Nimoy.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: Fox/IMDB
9
VIKINGS
Vikings transports us to the brutal and mysterious world of Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking warrior and farmer who yearns to explore–and raid–the distant shores across the ocean.
BINGE IT HERE: Amazon Prime Video
Our Thoughts: Travis Fimmel embodies Ragnar Lothbrok with an intensity not seen in many History Channel productions. The scenery and the backstory are gripping, particularly in the earlier seasons.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: HISTORY/IMDB
8
BODYGUARD
A contemporary thriller featuring the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
BINGE IT HERE: Netflix
Our Thoughts: How this series escaped my attention for several years is beyond me. While only 6 episodes long, the storyline and intensity make it clear how it garnered the highest BBC viewing in 10 years and also a Golden Globe for Richard Madden (Game of Thrones).
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: BBC/IMDB
7
OUTLANDER
An English combat nurse from 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743.
BINGE IT HERE: Amazon Prime Video/STARZ
Our Thoughts: There is something intriguing about a story involving time travel without it feeling like a sci-fi flick. The scripts are well done and the chemistry between the two leads is such that you forget they’re actors playing roles.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: STARZ/IMDB
6
LONGMIRE
Walt Longmire is the dedicated and unflappable sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Widowed only a year, he is a man in psychic repair but buries his pain behind his brave face, unassuming grin and dry wit.
BINGE IT HERE: Netflix
Our Thoughts: Leaving you hanging at the end of most episodes, this was another series that initially didn’t grab me, but when I tried it again, it was one episode after another after another to the final season.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: Netflix/IMDB
5
GAME OF THRONES
Nine noble families fight for control over the lands of Westeros, while an ancient enemy returns after being dormant for millennia.
BINGE IT HERE: HBO/Amazon Prime Video
Our Thoughts: Like the Harry Potter series, every so often a book is translated into film in a way that is so spot on in creating the author’s universe that you’re literally transported to a place that has never existed, but you believe it is real. GOT is like that.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: HBO/IMDB
5 (TIE)
BROADCHURCH
The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
BINGE IT HERE: PBS Masterpiece/Amazon Prime Video
Our Thoughts: David Tennant (Dr. Who) and Olivia Colman (The Crown) turn a British murder mystery into a riveting and unpredictable event on PBS Masterpiece of all places!
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: PBS/IMDB
4
THE MANDALORIAN
The travels of a lone bounty hunter in the outer reaches of the galaxy, far from the authority of the New Republic.
BINGE IT HERE: Disney+
Our Thoughts: As a fan of the original Star Wars trilogy, I couldn’t resist checking out creator Jon Favreau’s vision for this series. The inclusion of “Baby Yoda” at its launch only magnified the nostalgia factor further.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: Disney+/IMDB
3
THE AMERICANS
At the height of the Cold War, two Russian agents pose as the average American couple, complete with family.
BINGE IT HERE: Hulu
Our Thoughts: Based upon a 2010 true story of Russian sleeper agents living in the USA for years, the ongoing story and the acting of Keri Russell (Felicity) and Matthew Rhys (Brothers and Sisters) elevate this FX series to greatness.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: FX/IMDB
2
OZ
A series chronicling the daily activities of an unusual prison facility and its criminal inhabitants.
BINGE IT HERE: HBO/Amazon Prime Video
Our Thoughts: What a show HBO created for their first one-hour drama. It’s hard to go wrong with a cast including Ernie Hudson, Chris Meloni, J.K. Simmons, Dean Winters, and Rita Moreno. Don’t really want to spend any time at Emerald City though unless it’s on TV.
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: HBO/IMDB
1
BREAKING BAD
A chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student in order to secure his family’s future.
BINGE IT HERE: Netflix
Our Thoughts: My initial recollection of the pilot was Walter White in underwear by an RV in the desert making meth. Who knew that humble beginning would lead to a series that was so addictive and well done?
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: AMC/IMDB
Naturally there are series we haven’t yet seen that would alter our list of the Top 20 grittiest, most bingeable drama series.
What’s your favorite darker TV show? Leave a comment below.
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