The 2010s delivered a golden age of television, with prestige dramas, innovative comedies, and binge-ready narratives reshaping how stories are told. These best TV shows of the 2010s redefined character depth, visual ambition, and serialized storytelling for a global audience.
Streamers and legacy networks competed to raise the bar, turning series into cultural milestones that sparked discussion long after the credits rolled. The decade rewarded bold experimentation and long-form arcs that kept viewers engaged year after year.
Best TV Shows of the 2010s at a Glance
A quick overview of landmark series, release years, and defining strengths that made these shows stand out.
| Show | Years | Primary Genre | Key Strength | Peak Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breaking Bad | 2008–2013 | Crime Drama | Character Transformation | Season 5A tension and moral stakes |
| Game of Thrones | 2011–2019 | Fantasy Epic | World-Building | Season 4 political scale |
| Mad Men | 2007–2015 | Period Drama | Visual Style & Writing | Season 7 emotional resolution |
| Atlanta | 2016–2td> | Surreal Comedy | Cultural Commentary | Season 2 innovative storytelling |
| The Crown | 2016– | Historical Drama | Production Design | Season 3 postwar nuance |
| Better Call Saul | 2015– | Crime Drama | Slow-Burn Character Study | Season 5 moral ambiguity |
| Succession | 2018– | Dark Comedy | Family Power Dynamics | Season 2 sharp satire |
| Stranger Things | 2016– | Sci-Fi Horror | Nostalgic World | Season 1 nostalgic execution |
Groundbreaking Storytelling Structures
Series in the 2010s stretched episodic formulas with nonlinear plots, unreliable narrators, and genre hybrids that kept critics and audiences on their toes. These experiments expanded what television could express emotionally and structurally.
The best shows balanced serialized arcs with satisfying unit episodes, ensuring both casual viewers and completists found value each week or season.
Character Depth and Performance Breakthroughs
Performances became defining features of the decade, with actors delivering layered, career-defining turns that humanized morally complex figures. Antiheroes were no longer exceptions but central pillars of narrative design, inviting viewers into nuanced perspectives.
Shows like Better Call Saul and Succession paired intricate plotting with intimate character moments, making personal flaws and relationships the engines of long-form drama.
Cultural Impact and Industry Shifts
The 2010s saw television emerge as a primary driver of watercooler conversations, fashion, and music trends, rivaling film in cultural prestige. Streaming platforms invested heavily in originals, enabling risks that traditional broadcast schedules could not support.
Global audiences discovered region-specific stories, while diverse voices gained space in writers' rooms, expanding representation and redefining who gets to tell stories on screen.
Key Takeaways from the 2010s Television Landscape
- Embrace serialized storytelling that rewards long-term engagement.
- Prioritize character-driven narratives that evolve across seasons.
- Value creative risk-taking and diverse perspectives in casting and writing.
- Leverage streaming platforms to discover global and niche voices.
- Balance spectacle with intimate, human moments for lasting impact.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which shows defined the decade for you and why?
Series like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and The Crown set benchmarks for ambition and consistency, while Atlanta and Succession pushed storytelling and representation in fresh directions.
Are these shows still worth watching today?
Yes, their strong writing, performances, and evolving narratives continue to resonate, offering rich rewatch value and ongoing cultural relevance.
How did streaming change the landscape of top-tier television?
Streaming enabled binge-friendly structures, creator-driven visions, and global distribution, allowing niche and bold series to reach wide audiences without traditional ad constraints.
What should I watch first if I am new to 2010s prestige TV?
Start with Mad Men for style and depth, or Succession for razor-sharp dialogue and family dynamics, then branch into genre landmarks like Stranger Things or The Crown.