You're Officially A Hermit Crab If You've Seen Over 70% Of These TV Shows
- by Laura Martisiute
- – on
- in Movies and TV
What is it about TV shows that most of us can't resist? Sure, movies are awesome: we all love going to the cinema or even hosting a film night at home now and again.
But most people will probably agree that TV shows are somewhat more engaging. We might settle down to watch a film once or twice a week. But the majority of us can't ever imagine skipping an episode of our favorite TV series, regardless of anything else that might have happened that day.
Whereas a movie requires an hour or two of our time, a TV show robs us of hours and hours of our life. That's because most TV shows consist of at least a few seasons which in turn consist of ten or so episodes. These episodes might be only 20 minutes long. Or they might be an hour long.
Consequently, watching a TV series, let alone a few of them, requires plenty of free time. The less we have going on in our lives, the more likely it is that we will watch a TV show. Forget shows that everyone is raving about. Real hermit crabs will have seen not only popular shows and cult classics but also shows that have been forgotten or shows that people will laud in a few years time.
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is a neo-western crime drama that was created by Vince Gilligan. Set in New Mexico, this series centers on a man named Walter White (played by the actor Bryan Cranston), a depressed high school teacher who is taken aback when he finds out that he has lung cancer. White wants to ensure that his family is financially secure before he passes away, so he teams up with his former student Jesse Pinkman (portrayed by Aaron Paul) and starts selling crystallized methamphetamine. According to Wikipedia, many people deem Breaking Bad to be one of the best shows ever made!
Twin Peaks
Mark Frost and David Lynch were the two men responsible for the creation of Twin Peaks, a mystery thriller drama TV series that first came out in the 90s. To be more specific, it premiered in 1990. According to Wikipedia, it was well rated but was cancelled due to declining ratings after season two which came out in 1991. Nonetheless, this show garnered a serious cult following over the years which is perhaps why season three was released in 2017, exactly 25 years after the show went on hiatus. This show takes place in the fictional town of Twin Peaks and focuses on Dale Cooper, an FBI Special Agent sent there to investigate a mysterious crime.
Arrested Development
Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jeffrey Tambor, and Jessica Walter were all cast in Arrested Development, a TV sitcom that first aired in 2003. Originally, the show ended in 2006, after the release of only three seasons due to low viewership and poor ratings. However, according to Wikipedia, in 2011 the show was picked up by Netflix. Consequently, viewers were treated to two more seasons (the second half of season five aired earlier this year) of the show! Arrested Development focuses on the dysfunctional (and formerly very wealthy) Bluth family, and in particular on Michael Bluth, a man who has no other choice but to run the family real estate business after his father lands in jail.
This Is Us
This Is Us falls under the genre of comedy drama TV series. It was created by Dan Fogelman and it stars Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan, Ron Cephas Jones, Jon Huertas, and Alexandra Breckenridge among others. This show focuses on the families of two parents and their children. According to Wikipedia, the plot is spread across a couple of different time frames. Season one of This Is Us came out in 2016. The following year, NBC renewed this series for two additional seasons (and if you're following this show you probably know that season three premiered in September of last year).
Vikings
Vikings is a historical drama TV show. It was created as well as written by Michael Hirst, a screenwriter and producer who is perhaps best known for the 1998 biographical drama film Elizabeth which starred Cate Blanchett as the lead character. According to Wikipedia, the plot for Vikings was inspired by Ragnar Lothbrok, a legendary Norse hero. Initially, Ragnar is a farmer but over time he becomes known for his successful raids into the country of England. Travis Fimmel was cast as Ragnar in this show whereas Katheryn Winnick, Clive Standen, Jessalyn Gilsig, Gustaf Skarsgård, George Blagden, Gabriel Byrne, Alyssa Sutherland, and Donal Logue were cast in supporting roles.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Andy Samberg portrays Jake Peralta in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, a gifted but somewhat immature NYPD detective who works at Brooklyn's 99th Precinct. Jake quickly comes into conflict with Captain Raymond Holt, the new (and very serious) commanding officer (who is played by Andre Braugher). Apart from Peralta and Braugher, this series also stars Terry Crews, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Dirk Blocker, and Joel McKinnon Miller. You don't have to be an avid fan of this show to know that it falls under the genre of police live-action sitcom. Six seasons have been released to date (Fox cancelled it after season five but luckily, NBC picked it right up).
The X-Files
David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, and Mitch Pileggi were all featured in this science fiction drama TV series that was created by Chris Carter. According to Wikipedia, this show is one of the longest-running science fiction series in TV history. It follows two FBI agents, the conspiracy theorist Fox Mulder and the realist Dana Scully, who work together on mysterious cases. Originally, this series aired from 1993 to 2002. In total, nine seasons were released. However, in 2016, season ten premiered (it was pretty short but it satisfied the show's fans nonetheless) and in 2018 viewers were treated to season 11.
Westworld
Westworld is a science fiction Western TV series. The plot takes place in Westworld, a fictional and technologically advanced Wild-West-themed amusement park that is inhabited by android "hosts." Wealthy individuals can make their dreams a reality in this unique park without any repercussions for the hosts are programmed in such a way as not to harm the rich human guests. This series was created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy and according to Wikipedia was actually based on a 1973 film of the same name. Season one of Westworld came out in 2016. To date, two seasons have been released.
True Detective
Nic Pizzolatto created and wrote True Detective, an anthology crime drama TV show that premiered five years ago, in 2014. According to Wikipedia, each season of the show is structured in a self-contained narrative. This means that cast ensembles, characters, settings, and story lines change every season. For example, season one took place in Louisiana and focused on two homicide detectives and their attempt to catch an elusive criminal over a 17-year period. Season two was set in California and centered on three detectives investigating a series of crimes. Season three took place in the Ozarks and followed two detectives trying to solve a morbid crime.
The Last Kingdom
David Dawson, Alexander Dreymon, Tobias Santelmann, Adrian Bower, Emily Cox, Thomas W. Gabrielsson, Simon Kunz, Joseph Millson, Harry McEntire, and Charlie Murphy are just some of the actors that you might have grown accustomed to if you've seen The Last Kingdom, a historical fiction TV series. According to Wikipedia, this show was based on the The Saxon Stories, a novel series written by Bernard Cornwell. The story line centers on a man named Uhtred who was born a Saxon but who was raised as a Viking. After his family is eliminated, Uhtred must choose between those who raised him and his birth country.
Billions
Billions is a drama series that was created by Brian Koppelman, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and David Levien. Its cast consists of Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff, Toby Leonard Moore, Malin Åkerman, David Costabile, Asia Kate Dillon, Condola Rashād, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Kelly AuCoin. According to Wikipedia, Billions was inspired by the former U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, and his legal battles with Steve Cohen, the hedge fund manager for S.A.C. Capital Advisors. Season one of this series aired in 2016. To date, four seasons have been released (season four aired earlier this year).
The Office
According to Wikipedia, The Office, a TV sitcom that depicts the lives of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company office workers, was based on a BBC series of the same name. It was adapted for the U.S. market by Greg Daniels (a talented man who has worked on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons). Initially, the cast consisted of Steve Carell, John Krasinski,Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer, and B. J. Novak. However, as the series progressed, the cast changed. For example, Ed Helms, Craig Robinson, James Spader, Mindy Kaling, and Ellie Kemper were all introduced at one point or another of the show.
Suits
Patrick J. Adams bagged the role of Mike Ross in Suits, a talented college dropout who is employed as a law associate for Harvey Specter (played by Gabriel Macht) even though he has never even attended law school. Apart from Adams and Macht, this show also featured such talented actors as Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams, Rick Hoffman, Sarah Rafferty, Gina Torres, Amanda Schull, Dulé Hill, and Katherine Heigl. According to Wikipedia, season one of this series aired almost 10 years ago, all the way back in 2011. Eight seasons have been released in total, and a spin-off to Suits, titled Pearson, is due to premiere later this year.
The Crown
Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Eileen Atkins, Jeremy Northam, Victoria Hamilton, Ben Miles, Greg Wise, Jared Harris, John Lithgow, Alex Jennings, Lia Williams, Anton Lesser, and Matthew Goode are some of the actors that ended up getting plenty of screen time on The Crown, a highly praised historical drama web TV series that focuses on the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. This show was created by Peter Morgan. According to Wikipedia, two seasons have been released so far but the show has been renewed for at least two more (season three is supposed to come out later this year).
Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds falls under the genre of police procedural crime drama TV show. Ceated and produced by Jeff Davis, it stars Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, Lola Glaudini, Shemar Moore, Matthew Gray Gubler, A. J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, Joe Mantegna, and Rachel Nichols among others. This show focuses on behavioral profilers who work for the FBI. To be more specific, the behavior profilers are employed in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). The special team spends hours profiling criminals but they also dedicate plenty of time to victimology (which is a study of the relationships between victims and offenders and the psychological effects that these relationships create).
Fargo
Noah Hawley created and (for the most part) wrote Fargo, a black comedy drama anthology TV show. If you're not only into TV shows but also into movies, you are probably well aware that this TV series was actually inspired by a 1996 film of the same name that was directed by the talented Coen brothers. Because this is an anthology series, each season (of which there are three) is set in a different time period and focuses on different characters (although, according to Wikipedia, there is some overlap between the seasons). Colin Hanks, Martin Freeman, Ewan McGregor, and Kirsten Dunst are some of the actors that were cast in this show thus far.
Good Girls
Beth (portrayed by Christina Hendricks) and Annie (played by Mae Whitman), as well as their best friend Ruby (represented by Retta), are sick and tired of playing good citizens. All of them face serious financial difficulties and the only way out is to rob a local grocery store, or so they believe. That's the plot of Good Girls, a crime comedy drama TV show that was created by Jenna Bans. This show is fairly recent. Indeed, season one aired only last year. To date, two seasons have been released although the show has also been renewed for the third season, according to Wikipedia.
House of Cards
According to Wikipedia, House of Cards is a thriller web TV series that was adapted from a BBC miniseries of the same name (which in turn was based on a novel of the same named that was written by Michael Dobbs). Set in Washington, this series follows a Congressman named Frank Underwood who is prepared to do anything it takes to become even more powerful than he is already. His ambitious wife Claire Underwood is more than supportive of his plans whereas his Chief of Staff and director of strategy Doug helps him execute his plans. Six seasons were released in total. There might have been more had Kevin Spacey not gotten into trouble.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito are the principal actors that were cast in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a popular sitcom that premiered more than a decade ago, all the way back in 2005. This series focuses on a group of friends, or "The Gang", who run Paddy's Pub (an Irish pub) in South Philadelphia. 13 seasons of this show have been released in total (season 13 aired last year). However, the show has also been renewed for season 14! Funnily enough, an adaptation of this series aired in Russia in 2014. It's titled It's Always Sunny in Moscow (Wikipedia).
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy falls under the genre of medical drama TV series. It was created by Shonda Rhimes and it stars an ensemble cast that consists of Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, T. R. Knight, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Isaiah Washington, Patrick Dempsey, and Kate Walsh among others. Grey's Anatomy focuses on a woman named Meredith Grey who, at the start of the series, is an intern at Seattle Grace Hospital. As is only natural, over the years she rises through the ranks. She is currently Head of General Surgery (Wikipedia). If you watch this show you're probably well aware that it's not all just about Meredith though!
Mad Men
The period drama TV series Mad Men was created by Matthew Weiner, who worked on The Sopranos and who wrote the first draft of the show all the way back in the early 2000's (season one came out in 2007). The plot of this show centers on the people that work for several ad agencies in New York, and especially on Don Draper, the Creative Director at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce and his secretary-turned-copywriter Peggy Olson. The series begins in 1960 and concludes in 1970 (Wikipedia). Various historical events (such as the moon landing for example) are depicted throughout the show too.
Black Mirror
Charlie Brooker created Black Mirror, a science fiction anthology TV show that premiered in 2011. According to Wikipedia, Black Mirror examines our modern society, and in particular how it is affected by new technologies. All the episodes are standalone and they tend to be set either in the very near future or in an alternative present. This show was inspired by other anthology shows, such as the very famous The Twilight Zone. So far, four seasons have been released in total. Many of the episodes are dark and most have a very satirical tone. However, others are lighter and more experimental.
The Big Bang Theory
Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, Kunal Nayyar, Sara Gilbert, Mayim Bialik, Melissa Rauch, Kevin Sussman, and Laura Spencer are some of the actors that make an appearance on The Big Bang Theory, a popular TV sitcom that was created by Bill Prady and Chuck Lorre. According to Wikipedia, Prady and Lorre, as well as Steven Molaro, also serve as the executive producers of the show. Furthermore, all three are also the principal writers. Initially the show focused on five characters: physicists and roommates Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter, their neighbor Penny, and their two nerdy friends Raj Koothrappali and Howard Wolowitz.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is a science fiction TV series that was not only directed but also created and written by the Duffer Brothers. Set in the fictitious town of Hawkins in the 80s, the plot of season one centers on the disappearance of a young boy. As an investigation is initiated, other supernatural events take place. The plot of season two is somewhat different in that we get to see our favorite characters return to their normal, everyday lives. According to Wikipedia, season three (which hasn't been released yet) will be set in the mid-80s. If you've watched Stranger Things you probably know that Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, and Gaten Matarazzo are some of the actors that were cast in this enthralling show.
Line of Duty
Adrian Dunbar was cast as Ted Hastings in Line of Duty, an Authorised Firearms Officer who ends up getting transferred to the anti-corruption department after he refuses to cover up for a member of his own team. Dunbar wasn't the only actor featured in this series. Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Craig Parkinson, Lennie James, Keeley Hawes, Daniel Mays, Thandie Newton, Stephen Graham, and Anna Maxwell Martin are some of the actors that make an appearance on this show. According to Wikipedia, Line of Duty premiered in 2012. To date, five seasons have been released (and season six has been ordered).
The Sopranos
According to Wikipedia, many people (TV critics and regular audience members alike) consider The Sopranos to be one of the greatest TV shows ever made. It was created by David Chase and it starred James Gandolfini as the lead character, Tony Soprano. Tony is a mobster who lives in New Jersey. He finds it difficult to balance his family life with his professional life (which makes sense seeing how he is the leader of the criminal organisation) and ends up seeing a psychiatrist who blames it all on his mother. The Sopranos premiered in the late 90s and ran for six seasons.
Star Trek: Discovery
Star Trek: Discovery is a pretty recent TV series. Indeed, it premiered only two years ago, in 2017. Two seasons have been released so far, according to Wikipedia. The show begins about a decade before the events of the original Star Trek series take place (but is more or less completely separate from the concurrently produced films) and centers on the crew of USS Discovery. The show's cast consists of such gifted actors as Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, Jason Isaacs, Wilson Cruz, and Anson Mount among others. Star Trek: Discovery received positive reviews so if you're into all things nerdy (and if you've seen the original series) you've probably seen it (and if not, you should totally watch it).
Gomorrah
Gomorrah falls under the genre of crime drama TV show. It was created and produced by the journalist and screenwriter Roberto Saviano and it was based on Saviano's book of the same name. Marco D'Amore, Fortunato Cerlino, Maria Pia Calzone, and Salvatore Esposito are some of the actors that were featured in this intriguing series. Set in Naples, this show centers on Ciro Di Marzio, a member of the Savastano mafia clan. Ciro must not only navigate the dangerous criminal world but also fight a civil war. According to Wikipedia, this show has been sold in almost 200 countries around the world!
Peaky Blinders
Set in the early 20th century Britain, Peaky Blinders follows a powerful gang known as Peaky Blinders that is run by Thomas Shelby (portrayed by Cillian Murphy), a war hero. Thomas is not content with just running the streets, however. He understands that while crime pays well, a legitimate business is the way to go in the long run. Apart from Murphy, this show, which premiered in 2013, also stars Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Sam Neill, Annabelle Wallis, Sophie Rundle, Joe Cole, Tom Hardy, Aidan Gillen, Charlotte Riley, Finn Coleand, and Adrien Brody (among many, many others according to Wikipedia).
The Good Fight
Christine Baranski, Rose Leslie, Erica Tazel, Cush Jumbo, Delroy Lindo, Sarah Steele, Justin Bartha, Nyambi Nyambi, Michael Boatman, Audra McDonald, and Michael Sheen were all cast in The Good Fight, a legal web TV series that premiered in 2017. To date, three seasons have been released. The Good Fight is actually a sequel to the legal drama series The Good Wife. The story line of this show centers on a woman named Diane Lockhart who loses her job after a financial scam not only wrecks the reputation of her goddaughter but also liquidates her savings. This prompts her to join one of the most preeminent law firms in Chicago.
Sherlock
Even if you're not a fan of Sherlock (and indeed, even if you've never seen it), it's probably pretty obvious that this show was based on the famous Sherlock Holmes detective stories that were written by the talented Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock, which was created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, falls under the genre of crime drama TV series. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes whereas Martin Freeman is cast as Sherlock's sidekick, Doctor John Watson. This show is not a period series. Indeed, it is actually set in the present day (although fans were also treated to a special that was set in the Victorian times).
Parks and Recreation
Amy Poehler bagged the role of Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation, a mid-level bureaucrat who works in the Parks Department of the fictional town of Pawnee in Indiana. The ensemble and supporting cast consisted of Rashida Jones, Paul Schneider, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Adam Scott, Rob Lowe, Jim O'Heir, Retta, and Billy Eichner. According to Wikipedia, Poehler's character underwent major changes after season one (seven seasons have been released in total) because the audience felt that she was far too unintelligent and even "ditzy." If you're a fan of this show you probably know that it incorporated real events into its episodes.
The Rookie
The Rookie falls under the genre of crime comedy drama TV series. It was created by Alexi Hawley and it stars Nathan Fillion as the lead character. Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Titus Makin, Mercedes Mason, Melissa O'Neil, Afton Williamson, and Eric Winter were cast in supporting roles. This show follows a forty-year-old man named John Nolan who ends up becoming the oldest rookie at the Los Angeles Police Department. This show is very recent. Indeed, season one (the only season that has aired to date) came out only last year, in 2018 (Wikipedia). According to Digital Spy, The Rookie has been neither canceled nor renewed as of yet.
Boardwalk Empire
Set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition Era, Boardwalk Empire centers on Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a man who is not only a public figure and lawmaker but also a gangster. He is the person everyone else goes to for illegal alcohol and he ends up dealing with such notorious figures as Al Capone, "Big Jim" Colosimo, and Lucky Luciano. Steve Buscemi was cast as Nucky in this show but other actors, such as Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Aleksa Palladino, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, Vincent Piazza, and Paz de la Huerta got plenty of screen time too according to Wikipedia.
House
David Shore created House, a medical drama TV series that ran on the Fox network for as many as eight seasons. That being said, according to Wikipedia, Shore was mostly responsible for conceiving the title character whereas Paul Attanasio came up with the show's premise. House focuses on a man named Dr. Gregory House (played by Hugh Laurie), an unconventional medical genius who solves medical mysteries with a group of talented diagnosticians. Apart from Laurie, House also featured Lisa Edelstein, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Peter Jacobson, Kal Penn, Olivia Wilde, Amber Tamblyn, Odette Annable, and Charlyne Yi.
Bosch
Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, Sarah Clarke, and Madison Lintz are some of the actors that make an appearance in Bosch, a police procedural web TV series that premiered five years ago, in 2014. The plot centers on Harry Bosch, a homicide detective who works for the Los Angeles Police Department and who tries his very best to solve a difficult case. Five seasons of this show have been released so far. Season five came out earlier this year. According to Wikipedia, season six has also been confirmed which is great news for the show's loyal fans!
The Bridge
The Bridge is a Scandinavian noir crime TV series that was written and created by Hans Rosenfeldt and that starred Sofia Helin, Kim Bodnia, and Thure Lindhardt among others. Originally, the show premiered in 2011. The show begins with the discovery of a body on the Øresund Bridge. Because the bridge links Copenhagen with Malmö, and because the body was left right in the middle of the bridge, a joint investigation is necessary. This show received positive reviews. Indeed, according to Wikipedia, it has, since its initial release, been aired in more than 100 countries which, you have to admit, is pretty impressive.
Gotham
Bruno Heller developed Gotham, a crime drama TV series that was based on DC Comics characters. According to Wikipedia, Danny Cannon directed the show's pilot. Indeed, he is also the show's executive producer (along with Heller). The plot of this series focuses on James Gordon, a rising detective in Gotham City who must not only navigate the complicated justice system of Gotham City but also try and contain the irrepressible villains such as The Penguin, Catwoman and The Riddler. The series also documents the life of the young Bruce Wayne who is left an orphan after his parents' lives are taken.
Better Call Saul
If you've seen Breaking Bad then you've probably also seen Better Call Saul. After all, Better Call Saul is a spin-off prequel to the famous show. Set in the early 2000s, the series takes place around six years before the events of Breaking Bad and focuses on Jimmy McGill, a con-man-turned-lawyer. This series shows Jimmy's transformation into the criminal-for-hire Saul Goodman. Bob Odenkirk played the role of the lead character whereas Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Michael McKean, and Giancarlo Esposito portrayed supporting characters. Better Call Saul was praised by pretty much everyone. Indeed, some people regard it as one of the best prequels ever made (Wikipedia).
The Resident
If you're into medical dramas then you've probably seen The Resident. As far as TV shows go, this one is very recent. Indeed, according to Wikipedia, The Resident premiered only last year, in 2018. Two seasons have been aired so far. Created by Amy Holden Jones, Hayley Schore, and Roshan Sethi, this show's cast consists of Matt Czuchry, Emily VanCamp, Manish Dayal, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Bruce Greenwood, Moran Atias, Merrin Dungey, Melina Kanakaredes, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Glenn Morshower, and Jane Leeves. The story line focuses on the lives of staff members that work at Chastain Park Memorial Hospital, while at the same time exploring the bureaucratic practices of hospitals.
The Wire
The Wire is one of those shows that received only average ratings and reviews during its run. Indeed, it never even won any awards. However, nowadays, The Wire, which falls under the genre of crime drama TV series, is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows ever made. Set in Baltimore, this series uses each season to look at a different institution (such as city government and bureaucracy or schools and education) and its relationship to law enforcement. The characters are not scrapped at the end of every season however. Their story lines are maintained throughout the show (which consists of five seasons according to Wikipedia).
Downton Abbey
Set in the early 20th century England, Downton Abbey centers on the Crowley family as well its loyal servants that live in the family's massive Edwardian mansion. As is probably quite obvious from the description (and the image), this series falls under the genre of historical period drama. Created by Julian Fellowes, it starred Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Brown Findlay, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Siobhan Finneran, Joanne Froggatt, Phyllis Logan, Thomas Howes, Lesley Nicol, and Maggie Smith among others. According to Wikipedia, this series premiered in 2010. It concluded in 2015, after the release of five seasons.
The Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid's Tale was created by Bruce Miller. According to Wikipedia, it was based on Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name that was published in 1985. Set in a dystopian future following a Second Civil War, a totalitarian society forces fertile women known as "handmaids" to bear children. The show's cast consisted of a large number of talented actors, including Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Yvonne Strahovski, Alexis Bledel, Madeline Brewer, Ann Dowd, O. T. Fagbenle, Max Minghella, Samira Wiley, and Amanda Brugel. This show was all anyone could talk about when it premiered in 2017. As such, it only makes sense that season one was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards (it won as many as eight!)
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Larry David created Curb Your Enthusiasm, a comedy TV series in which he plays a fictionalized version of himself. The show follows Larry as he leads the life of a semi-retired producer and writer in Los Angeles and New York City. Cheryl Hines was cast as his wife Cheryl, Jeff Garlin stars as Larry's best friend and manager Jeff, and Susie Essman portrays Jeff's wife Susie. According to Wikipedia, Curb Your Enthusiasm often features famous guest stars who tend to also play fictionalized versions of themselves. Curb Your Enthusiasm premiered in the early 2000's. Nine seasons have been released so far.
The Blacklist
James Spader, Megan Boone, Diego Klattenhoff, Ryan Eggold, Parminder Nagra, Harry Lennix, Amir Arison, Mozhan Marnò, and Hisham Tawfiq are some of the actors that bagged roles in The Blacklist, a crime thriller TV show that premiered in 2013. This show follows a man named Raymond "Red" Reddington. Red is an ex U.S. Navy officer who ended up becoming a pretty serious criminal. After eluding capture for decades, he surrenders to the FBI voluntarily. Furthermore, he claims that he has a list of the most dangerous criminals in the entire world and that he is willing to share that list if he is guaranteed immunity. The catch? He'll only work with Elizabeth Keen, a rookie FBI profiler (Wikipedia).
Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D., which premiered in 2014, falls under the genre of police procedural drama TV show. It was created Matt Olmstead and Dick Wolf. According to Wikipedia, it is the second installment of Wolf's popular Chicago media franchise. The series follows the Intelligence Unit of the 21st District and the uniformed patrol officers of the Chicago Police Department as they try to capture street criminals. Jason Beghe, Jon Seda, Sophia Bush, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick Flueger, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins, Archie Kao, Elias Koteas, Amy Morton, Brian Geraghty, and Tracy Spiridakos are some of the actors featured on this show.
The Orville
Seth MacFarlane was cast as Ed Mercer in The Orville, a Planetary Union's exploratory space vessel officer. Ed's life is not without complications. After his professional life takes a hit following his divorce, he is assigned the ship Orville with his ex-wife as his first officer. Apart from MacFarlane, this series also features Adrianne Palicki, Penny, Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, Halston Sage, J. Lee, Mark Jackson, and Jessica Szohr. According to Wikipedia, The Orville was inspired by shows such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek. Season one of this show came out in 2017. So far, two seasons have been released.
Game of Thrones
This is the show that everyone is obsessed with at the moment so we'll be very surprised if you haven't seen it! Game of Thrones falls under the genre of fantasy drama TV series. It was created by D. B. Weiss and David Benioff and it was based on George R. R. Martin's fantasy novel series known as A Song of Ice and Fire. Set in the fictitious continents of Westeros and Essos, the show features a large ensemble cast and numerous plots. Game of Thrones made stars out of such actors as Kit Harrington, Sophie Turner, Maisie Williams, and Emilia Clarke (Wikipedia).
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone is a popular anthology TV series that was created as well as presented by Rod Serling. According to Wikipedia, The Twilight Zone ran for five seasons, from 1959 to 1964. Each episode focuses on a stand-alone story in which the characters have to deal with mysterious and unusual events. The endings are almost always surprising and there's usually a moral. The show's main genre is science-fiction but at times it also falls under the genre of thriller. Many deem The Twilight Zone to be one of the best TV series ever made. Consequently, it comes as no surprise that this show has received as many as three revivals (the latest one premiered earlier this year).
Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers is a war drama miniseries that, according to Wikipedia, was based on a book of the same name that was written by the historian Stephen E. Ambrose. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg created this miniseries whereas Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Mikael Salomon, David Nutter, David Leland, David Frankel, and Tony To all starred in it. That being said, Hanks was featured in it too. The series focuses on Easy Company, which was part of the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and on its participation in major events in Europe in the early 20th century.