Great Series I Have Known
Series or miniseries not commonly available on "regular network television", so (although I love them) no House, Cheers, Modern Family or Friends. Look for these shows on DVD and/or premium channels.
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- CreatorMark GatissSteven MoffatStarsBenedict CumberbatchMartin FreemanUna StubbsThe quirky spin on Conan Doyle's iconic sleuth pitches him as a "high-functioning sociopath" in modern-day London. Assisting him in his investigations: Afghanistan War vet John Watson, who's introduced to Holmes by a mutual acquaintance.Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century - the same powers of observation and deduction, with cellphones and GPS added to the mix.
- CreatorJane EspensonD. Brent MoteStarsEddie McClintockJoanne KellySaul RubinekPete and Myka, U.S Secret Service agents, are deployed in South Dakota's Warehouse 13 with a new assignment from an authority above and outside the government.Funny, innovative, sometimes scary but always watchable
- CreatorDavid MilchStarsTimothy OlyphantIan McShaneMolly ParkerA show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.Not for those who are bothered by strong language, but worth watching. Keep an eye out for a movie "sequel"
- CreatorMatthew WeinerStarsJon HammElisabeth MossVincent KartheiserA drama about one of New York's most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm's most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper.A mesmerizing look at the ad business in the 60s - or so they tell us.
- StarsKeira KnightleyCharlotte AtkinsonAnna FrielSome places may look familiar. Some characters may ring a bell. But in this world, where time stands still, an adventure awaits like none you've ever seen before.A fabulous prequel/back-story to the Peter Pan we all know.
- CreatorGraham YostStarsTimothy OlyphantNick SearcyJoelle CarterEnforcing his own brand of justice, U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a strong-willed, quiet law-man haunted by his past, returns to his native town to see that justice is served to those in need.A lawman who has been in trouble for unorthodox methods returns to his old home town and has to deal with characters from his past.
- CreatorTerence WinterStarsSteve BuscemiKelly MacdonaldMichael ShannonAn Atlantic City politician plays both sides of the law by conspiring with gangsters during the Prohibition era.Strong language, but powerful imagery and sterling performances.
- CreatorJames Manos Jr.StarsMichael C. HallJennifer CarpenterDavid ZayasHe's smart. He's lovable. He's Dexter Morgan, America's favorite serial killer, who spends his days solving crimes and nights committing them.A chilling character, but somehow understandable and perhaps even likable.
- CreatorJoss WhedonStarsSarah Michelle GellarNicholas BrendonAlyson HanniganA young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.A petite blonde who can kill vampires and save the world.
- CreatorRob ThomasStarsKristen BellJason DohringEnrico ColantoniAfter her best friend is murdered, and her father is removed as county Sheriff, Veronica Mars dedicates her life to cracking the toughest mysteries in the affluent town of Neptune.A petite blonde who can solve mysteries and save the world.
- CreatorMitchell HurwitzStarsJason BatemanMichael CeraPortia de RossiLevel-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.Perhaps the funniest series I have ever seen on television. Fabulous writing and a talented cast perfectly used.
- CreatorBryan FullerTodd HollandStarsCaroline DhavernasKatie FinneranTyron Leitso24-year-old loner B.A. Jaye lives in a trailer park and sells souvenirs in Niagara Falls. Animal figurines and dolls speak to her and force her to interact with people and try to help them.A likable lead character, strong stories and interesting situations. Gone all too soon.
- CreatorDavid SimonStarsDominic WestLance ReddickSonja SohnThe Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of drug dealers and law enforcement.Gritty, sometimes hard to take, but gripping television. Don't watch if you can't stand "the F word" or you'll miss a LOT of dialog.
- CreatorTom KapinosStarsDavid DuchovnyNatascha McElhoneEvan HandlerA writer tries to juggle his career, his relationship with his daughter and his ex-girlfriend, as well as his appetite for beautiful women.A writer who is amoral, has poor judgment, is unreliable, disloyal and disappointing to those around him...and I wish I were him! Strong language and sexual situations.
- CreatorAlan BallStarsAnna PaquinStephen MoyerSam TrammellTelepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse encounters a strange new supernatural world when she meets the mysterious Bill Compton, a southern Louisiana gentleman and vampire.Vampire walk among us...and drink bottled blood at the local bar. Strong language and sexual situations.
- CreatorAlexandra ClertGuy-Patrick SainderichinStarsCaroline ProustAudrey FleurotThierry GodardFollows criminal investigations in Paris from all the different points of view of those involved.A French series (in French) by way of the BBC, who added subtitles. Another murder mystery, but very well done.
- StarsScott GrimesDamian LewisRon LivingstonThe story of Easy Company of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their mission in World War II Europe, from Operation Overlord to V-J Day.A gritty and sometimes gory depiction of a troop of American soldiers in WWII
- StarsJames Badge DaleJoseph MazzelloJon SedaThe Pacific Theatre of World War II, as seen through the eyes of several young Marines.A gritty and sometimes gory depiction of a troop of American soldiers in WWII, produced by Tom Hanks after making "Saving Private Ryan"
- CreatorJulian FellowesStarsHugh BonnevillePhyllis LoganElizabeth McGovernA chronicle of the lives of the British aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early twentieth century.You would think that you might have no way to relate to the life of a rich family in England around the time of WWI -- but you would be mistaken.
- CreatorJeff EastinStarsMatt BomerTim DeKayWillie GarsonA white-collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white-collar criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief, counterfeiter, and conman.Based on the premise of "Set a thief to catch a thief", this series is smart, funny and very watchable.
- CreatorBryan FullerStarsLee PaceAnna FrielChi McBrideA pastry chef with the power to bring dead people back to life solves murder mysteries with his resurrected childhood sweetheart, a cynical private investigator, and a lovesick waitress.Yes, this was shown on network TV - but it was so original, funny and captivating (and so tragically cut short) that I'm including it here just the same.
- CreatorJenji KohanStarsMary-Louise ParkerHunter ParrishAlexander GouldWhen a suburban mother turns to dealing marijuana in order to maintain her privileged lifestyle after her husband dies, she finds out just how addicted her entire neighborhood already is.A really screwed-up family with drug connections would seem to be strange fodder for a really good, funny show, but there you go.
- CreatorAnn BidermanStarsMichael CudlitzShawn HatosyRegina KingThe lives of Police Officers working for the Los Angeles Police Department.A police procedural, as seen from the viewpoint of the beat cops. Strong writing and excellent performances.
- StarsJill ScottAnika Noni RoseLucian MsamatiPrecious Ramotswe launches the first-ever female detective agency in Botswana. She embarks on various adventures while investigating cases and must also overcome several challenges in her quest.Funny, heartwarming and fascinating stories with memorable characters based on the books by Alexander McCall Smith. Another series with great potential that was cut short before its time.
- CreatorEric Ellis OvermyerDavid SimonStarsKhandi AlexanderRob BrownKim DickensLife after Hurricane Katrina as the residents of New Orleans try to rebuild their lives, their homes, and their unique culture in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in the USA.In New Orleans after Katrina, Treme follows several different story/character lines. Strong language.
- CreatorNeil CrossStarsIdris ElbaDermot CrowleyMichael SmileyJohn Luther is a brilliant homicide detective with a knack for getting inside the minds of murderers. Unfortunately, his unconventional methods and personal demons put him at odds with his team.Idris Elba plays the "troubled yet brilliant" British detective John Luther -- but it is Ruth Wilson's depiction of Alice Morgan in Season 1 that steals the show for me.
- CreatorAndrew CosbyJaime PagliaStarsColin FergusonSalli Richardson-WhitfieldErica CerraA U.S. Marshal becomes the sheriff of Eureka, a remote, cozy little Northwestern town where the best minds in the US have secretly been tucked away to build futuristic inventions for the government which often go disastrously wrong.Fun and funny series with a definite science-fiction twist. Almost a companion series (with characters and actors crossing back and forth) to Warehouse 13 - and that's not a bad thing!
- CreatorJim DunnSam ErnstStarsEmily RoseLucas BryantEric BalfourMany in the coastal town of Haven, Maine have a dormant curse or "trouble" that could trigger at any time for any reason. FBI agent Audrey Parker, the sheriff and the town's black sheep must deal with the troubles' deadly effects.Steven King series set in Maine (but filmed in Nova Scotia) is interesting in a very unorthodox, Steven King-ish way.
- CreatorMichelle LovrettaStarsAnna SilkKris Holden-RiedZoie PalmerWhen a succubus finds it difficult to adapt with her unusual traits inspite of being born in a human family, she sets off on a journey to find out the truth of her origin.Aside from the fact that this show features one of the most beautiful actresses on TV, it is one of the few fantasy "creatures that walk among us" shows that doesn't rely heavily on vampires and werewolves.
- CreatorEilif SkodvinAnne BjørnstadStarsSteven Van ZandtTrond FausaSteinar SagenA New York mobster goes into hiding in rural Lillehammer in Norway after testifying against his former associates.Offbeat and sometimes just plain strange. Look for the version with English subtitles if you don`t speak Norweigan.
- CreatorTed GriffinStarsDonal LogueMichael Raymond-JamesLaura AllenEx-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth partners with his best friend, former criminal Britt Pollack, in an unlicensed private investigation business.Private investigators who masquerade as pool guys - sorry, ladies, but they may not be the hot ones you were looking for!
- StarsAneurin BarnardRebecca FergusonAmanda HaleThree different, yet equally relentless women vie for the throne in 15th-century England.An interesting viewpoint on the War of the Roses. I would like it even better if Elizabeth and her mother were not (supposedly) endowed with witch powers. Although this is a rare and minor aspect of the plot, it detracts from the historic feel.
- CreatorMitch GlazerStarsJeffrey Dean MorganOlga KurylenkoSteven StraitCenters on Miami mobsters and other characters from Miami Beach in the late 1950s.Sopranos meets CSI Miami meets Vegas - set in the 60s when the mob-controlled hotels of Havana suddenly got shut down by the revolution. Sex, violence and strong language.
- CreatorHunt BaldwinJohn CovenyStarsRobert TaylorKatee SackhoffLou Diamond PhillipsWalt 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.Crusty older sherriff (seen THAT before) but mixed in with a little supernaturalism - he sees dead people. Odd, but not off-putting.
- CreatorDavid X. CohenMatt GroeningStarsBilly WestJohn DiMaggioKatey SagalPhilip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy, is accidentally frozen in 1999 and thawed out on New Year's Eve 2999.Formerly a network show, then cancelled, but kept on in various incarnations, it is now difficult to find sometimes. From Matt Groening, this is well-written and often hilarious. As with the Simpsons, watch for little gems in the background, like Robbie the Robot in the episode where the robots revolt.
- StarsShaun EvansRoger AllamJames BradshawSet from 1965 into the 1970s, the show follows Endeavour Morse in his early years as a police constable. Working alongside his senior partner DI Fred Thursday, Morse engages in a number of investigations around Oxford.If you liked Inspector Morse, you should like Endeavour, about his early years in Oxford. He doesn`t yet drive the Jag, he doesn`t yet like opera, but you can see these things starting to take root.
- CreatorRay McKinnonStarsAden YoungAbigail SpencerJ. Smith-CameronDaniel Holden must put his life back together after serving 19 years on Georgia's Death Row before DNA evidence calls his conviction into question.A look at the life of a freed convict, whose sentence was ended due to DNA evidence - but it doesn`t really come out and say he is innocent. A spookily-rendered character, he is sometimes eloquent, sometimes naive.
- StarsRachael StirlingJulie GrahamSophie RundleIn 1952, four women who worked at the wartime code-breaking centre, Bletchley Park, reunite to track down a serial killer.A group of ladies who worked in the great Bletchley Park code-breaking circle get together in the 50s and offer their puzzle-solving abilities to the police.
- CreatorChris ChibnallStarsDavid TennantOlivia ColmanJodie WhittakerThe murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.A murder mystery, but original and entertaining, featuring the great Jodie Whittaker as a young mother whose child is found dead.
- StarsChris O'DowdDavid RawleDeirdre O'KaneMartin Moone is a young boy who relies on the help of his imaginary friend, Sean, to deal with the quandaries of life in a wacky small-town Irish family circa 1990.Funny and original, this series recounts the adventures of young Martin Moone and his imaginary friend / companion / bad advisor Sean Murphy