Drama TV shows we watched and loved
While I covered lighthearted shows in this post, I wanted to share dramas and darker TV shows that we loved.
It may seem like we watch a lot of TV (funny enough, we don’t own one, and have no desire to), but we’ve seen some of these over the course of several years. As you can see, some stayed in our memory because they were that good.
I might be updating this list as we either watch more shows worth being mentioned or, as I remember more of them, so make sure to bookmark and check again.
Here are the drama TV shows we’ve watched and loved (note that several have upcoming new seasons).
Stranger Things. I don’t think it needs an introduction. If you’re one of the few people who haven’t watched it yet, well, what are you waiting for? You don’t suppose that millions and millions of people love it for no reason, do you?
Slow Horses. We haven’t come across many AppleTV+ shows we didn’t like (Shrinking falls into that category for us), but Slow Horses did not disappoint. It starts slow but gets better with each episode — definitely worth watching.
Dark. Not a show you can “watch in the background” as it is confusing and hard to keep up with sometimes, but it’s good. Watch via Netflix.
Clickbait. Wow, the twists in this show just kept on coming, and we definitely didn’t anticipate the ending. Overall, we loved it as it kept us on our toes. Watch via Netflix.
True Detective. Gruesome yet impossible to stop. Season 1 was phenomenal, season 2 was collectively the least liked, but still worth watching, and season 3 once again lived up to the hype of the first. With Jodie Foster joining the yet-to-be-released season 4, it promises to be a good one once more. Available on HBO Max.
The Sinner. Similar to True Detective, we enjoyed this show though it comes with its own set of disturbing scenes and scenarios. We thought that season 4 was the best of them all, and our favorite. Watch via Netflix.
Killing Eve. This show features phenomenal actors and a surprising plot and twist that keeps one guessing. It was frustrating at times but definitely left an impression. Watch via Hulu.
Mr. Robot. There is so much to unpack in this show, and it certainly is confusing (and slow), but the actors are incredible, and it all makes sense in the end. Season 4 is the best of them all, and had us on the edge of our seats with each episode. Watch via Prime Video.
Big Little Lies. How could I forget about this show? It’s so good (please watch for trigger warnings). Watch via Max and/or Prime.
Cruel Summer. Intense, with quite the twist, this show will leave you mad and keep you on your toes with different timelines. Definitely worth watching. Available on Hulu.
The Queen’s Gambit. Another popular show, it’s a dramatic story about heartbreak, chess, and defying sexism — a must-watch. Available on Netflix.
Squid Game. Gory, with edge-of-your-seat action, there’s no surprise it is the most viewed show of all time. It was hard to watch every so often as it did not shy away from gruesome scenes and details, but I still couldn’t stop. Available via Netflix.
The Crown. The British Royal Family has fascinated the entire world for decades, so it’s not surprising that a show based on it has become so popular. Even for non-interested people like us, it made us understand its role and life, and we’re eagerly waiting for the next two seasons. In case you haven’t heard, recently it’s been confirmed that the show will add a 6th season after previous reports stated that it would end with season 5. Watch via Netflix. *As I am writing this, the sad news of Queen Elizabeth II's passing is being announced, and I am getting chills… RIP, Your Majesty…
Downton Abbey. Everyone was obsessed with this show a few years back, and I finally joined the crowd. It took me an episode or two to get into, but soon after, I was looking forward to watching it all day. There are reports that we may be getting another season, so, yeah, can’t wait! Watch via Prime Video, Peacock, etc.
Only Murders in The Building. True crime interest, and consequently, all kinds of shows about it have taken the world by storm in recent years. For this show, in particular, the cast is great, and the storyline is comedic yet engrossing, which makes it a must-watch. This is a show perhaps more fitting of the lighthearted category, however, since it literally investigates murders, I decided to add it to this list. Available on Hulu.
You. Twisted yet enthralling, this show has had a loyal following, and for good reason. Each season seems more shocking than the last, and, when you think it gets repetitive, and you got it all figured out, it manages to surprise you once more. Watch via Netflix.
Severance. The mystery of it all drove me mad at first, but I think that’s what kept us engaged the entire time. Yes, it felt slow but the ending is mind-blowing and intense. I can’t wait to see what the next season brings. Watch it on Apple TV+.
The Originals. This “The Vampire Diaries” spinoff is a show I mostly watched on my own, and loved so much more than the one it originated from. A CW fantasy/horror drama, it’s full of action, romance, heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, and I loved every episode. It’s one of my all-time favorites and I was lucky enough to meet the majority of the cast at Comic-Con in San Diego two years in a row (and even take selfies with the actors). Watch it on Netflix.
True Blood. It’s pretty darn good but intense. Some seasons or episodes are better than others, but overall, we enjoyed it. Watch it on Hulu.
The Outsider. We listened to the audiobook, and we loved it. It is upsetting and extremely dark, but in author Stephen King’s fashion, thoroughly captivating. When we found out that they were making it into a TV show, we had to watch it. It did not disappoint. Available via HBO Max.
The Morning Show. This show left me somewhat broken, as it felt extremely intense, however, check the trigger warnings before diving in (I had no idea what it was about). The cast is phenomenal. Watch it on Apple TV+.
Jack Ryan. This one falls into the action/thriller genre, and it was my husband who got me into it. It’s good! Watch it via Prime Video.
The Blacklist. I’m positively obsessed with this show and I am genuinely sad it’s over. It’s been ever-evolving with its storyline as well as the cast but it managed to keep us glued to the screen season after season. Speaking of, season 8 was probably our least favorite, but it came back in full force in season 9 and I swear it got even better somehow. Season 10 (its final) left us floored.
Any other good shows I need to add to this list?
