This series kicks off with an audacious premise: a structural engineer gets himself incarcerated to help his wrongly convicted brother escape death row. The initial seasons are a high-octane thriller focused on the elaborate escape plan, filled with twists, turns, and close calls. While it evolves over its run, the core appeal lies in the intricate plotting of the escape and the bond between the brothers. It's more of a straight-up action/suspense show compared to the character-driven moral descent of Breaking Bad, but offers plenty of intense, plot-heavy drama.

Executive produced by David Fincher (who also directs several episodes), MINDHUNTER delves into the early days of criminal psychology and serial killer profiling at the FBI in the late 1970s. Based on a true-crime book, the series follows agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they interview incarcerated serial killers to understand their psychology. It's a dark, dialogue-driven show focused on the intellectual and psychological aspects of crime, featuring chillingly accurate portrayals of real-life serial killers and the toll their work takes on the agents.

Follow the exploits of the Shelby family, a notorious gang operating in Birmingham, England, after World War I. Led by the ambitious and cunning Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), the Peaky Blinders rise to prominence through illegal gambling, racketeering, and violence. The show is stylishly filmed with a distinctive look and anachronistic soundtrack, creating a cool, gritty atmosphere. It's a story of family, power, and class struggle, featuring strong performances and compelling historical context.

This acclaimed anthology series features different casts and storylines each season, united by a focus on complex criminal investigations and the damaged detectives who pursue them. Season 1, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, is particularly renowned for its philosophical depth, atmospheric tension, and stunning performances. While the quality varies slightly between seasons, the show is known for its high production values, intricate plotting, and exploration of dark, often existential, themes.

Set during the Cold War, The Americans follows two Soviet KGB officers (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) posing as an American married couple in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. They carry out espionage while raising their unsuspecting American children. The show masterfully balances spy thriller tension with deep dives into marriage and family dynamics. It's a nuanced exploration of duty, identity, and the personal cost of ideological conflict, earning widespread critical acclaim for its writing, performances, and historical accuracy.

Set in Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, Boardwalk Empire tells the story of Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, a political figure who is also a gangster. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese (who directed the pilot), the show is lavishly produced, recreating the look and feel of the 1920s with incredible detail. Steve Buscemi leads a fantastic cast in this historical crime drama that explores corruption, power, and the birth of organized crime in America. It's a period piece with modern sensibilities in its complex character studies.

Centered around the lives of a close-knit outlaw motorcycle club in Charming, California, Sons of Anarchy is a modern-day Hamlet story filled with loyalty, betrayal, and violence. Charlie Hunnam stars as Jax Teller, the club's VP who begins to question their path. The series explores themes of brotherhood, family, and the cost of living outside the law. It features a strong ensemble cast including Katey Sagal in a powerhouse role as the matriarch Gemma Teller Morrow. The show's intense drama and Shakespearian influences make for compelling, often tragic, viewing.

Pushing boundaries for television anti-heroes, The Shield follows the corrupt but effective Strike Team led by Detective Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis). They fight crime using controversial, often illegal, tactics. Chiklis won an Emmy for his raw, intense performance. The show is known for its gritty realism and complex moral questions about ends justifying means. It was critically acclaimed throughout its run and its unflinching portrayal of police corruption was groundbreaking for its time.

Inspired by the Coen Brothers' film, this anthology series captures the unique blend of dark humor, quirky characters, and sudden violence set against the stark landscapes of the Midwest. Each season features a new story and cast (though characters and plots sometimes subtly connect), exploring themes of greed, consequence, and the absurdity of crime. It boasts incredible acting talent across its seasons, including Ewan McGregor, Billy Bob Thornton, Kirsten Dunst, and Chris Rock, delivering darkly comedic and often shocking narratives.

This gripping series chronicles the rise and fall of infamous drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and the efforts of the DEA agents determined to bring him down. It blends historical footage with dramatic reenactments, offering a visceral look at the brutal world of the Colombian drug cartels in the late 20th century. The show features compelling performances, particularly Wagner Moura as Escobar, and provides a fascinating, albeit intense, look at a pivotal moment in the war on drugs and its devastating impact on Colombia.

If you're drawn to stories about seemingly ordinary people getting entangled in high-stakes crime and facing impossible moral choices, Ozark will hook you. The Byrde family, led by financial planner Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) and his wife Wendy (Laura Linney), relocate to the Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican cartel. The tension is palpable as they navigate dangerous criminals, the FBI, and their own disintegrating family dynamics. Julia Garner's performance as Ruth Langmore is particularly captivating, earning multiple awards for her complex and fierce portrayal.

Often cited as one of the greatest TV series ever made, The Wire offers a sprawling, hyper-realistic look at urban life in Baltimore, focusing on the drug trade from multiple perspectives—dealers, users, law enforcement, politicians, and more. Each season tackles a different facet of the city's systemic problems, from the drug corner to the school system. Its ensemble cast is phenomenal, featuring actors who became stars like Idris Elba and Michael B. Jordan. It's a deep dive into the failures of institutions and the human cost of the drug war, requiring attention but rewarding it immensely.

A true titan of television that pioneered the complex anti-hero protagonist. Following mob boss Tony Soprano as he juggles organized crime with family life and therapy sessions, the show is a profound exploration of the human psyche. James Gandolfini's portrayal of Tony is iconic, earning universal acclaim. It's a show about the internal struggles of a powerful man, filled with dark humor, surprising philosophical depth, and groundbreaking narrative techniques that paved the way for many shows that followed, including perhaps even Breaking Bad itself.

Absolutely essential viewing if you loved Breaking Bad! This prequel series delves deep into the transformation of Jimmy McGill into Saul Goodman. Bob Odenkirk delivers a performance for the ages, showing the slow, painful erosion of a man's morals under pressure. It's not just a spin-off; it's a masterpiece in its own right, lauded for its incredible writing, direction, and character development. Keep an eye out for how they weave in familiar faces and build the world we came to know and love (or fear) in surprising and often heartbreaking ways.