20 Greatest Television Dramatic Series
by peacham | created - 31 Dec 2012 | updated - 31 Dec 2012 | PublicFrom Jr.'s schemes to President Bartlett's decisons to Brother Justin's evil designs for armageddon..these is some of the most powerful drama to be found on television over the last 4 decades.
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1. Dallas (1978–1991)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
J.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.
Stars: Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
Votes: 16,598
Larry Hagman,Barbara Bel Geddes,Patrick Duffy,Linda Gray,Ken Kercheval,Jim Davis,Howard Keel,Steve Kanaly, Victoria Principal,Mary Crosby,Susan Howard,Dennis Patrick,William Smithers and David Wayne.
2. Carnivàle (2003–2005)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.
Stars: Michael J. Anderson, Adrienne Barbeau, Clancy Brown, Debra Christofferson
Votes: 46,889
Clancey Brown,Michael J. Anderson,Nick Stahl,Amy Madigan,Adrienne Barbeau,Patrick Bauchau, Carla Gallo,Clea Duvall,Ralph Waite.
3. Babylon 5 (1993–1998)
TV-PG | 45 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
In the mid 23rd century, the Earth Alliance space station Babylon 5, located in neutral territory, is a major focal point for political intrigue, racial tensions and various wars over the course of five years.
Stars: Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Stephen Furst, Andreas Katsulas
Votes: 34,638
Michael O'Hare,Bruce Boxlietner,Andreas Katsulas,Peter Jurasik,Mira Furlan,Patricia Tallman,Cludia Christian,Andrea Thompson,Jason Carter,Bill Mumy, Stephen Furst, and Walter Koenig.
4. Mad Men (2007–2015)
TV-MA | 45 min | Drama
A 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.
Stars: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones
Votes: 260,766
Jon Hamm,John Slattery,January Jones,Robert Morse,Jared Harris,Christina Hendricks,Vincent Karthieser,Elisabeth Moss,Jessica Pare' .
5. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama
New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.
Stars: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli
Votes: 472,151
James Gandolfini,Edie Falco,Nancy Marchand,Tony Srrico,Steve Van Zandt,Frank Vincent,Michael Imperioli,Lorraine Bracco,Jerry Adler,Jaime Lynn Sigler,Vincent Curatola,Vincent Pastore,John Ventimiglia.
6. The Tudors (2007–2010)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, History, Romance
A dramatic series about the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII.
Stars: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Henry Cavill, Anthony Brophy, James Frain
Votes: 81,263
Johnathan Rhys-Meyers,Sam Neill,Jeremy Northam,Henry Cavill,Natalie Dormer,Maria-Doyle-Kennedy,Joley Richardson,Nick Dunning,James Frain,Peter O'Toole,Max Von Sydow, Colm Wilkinson,Callum Blue.Henry Cavill,Joss Stone,Henry Czerny.
7. The West Wing (1999–2006)
TV-14 | 42 min | Drama
Inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
Stars: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney, John Spencer
Votes: 85,652
8. The Waltons (1972–1981)
TV-G | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and trials of a 1930s and 1940s Virginia mountain family through financial depression and World War II.
Stars: Jon Walmsley, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott, Kami Cotler
Votes: 9,063
9. The Borgias (2011–2013)
TV-MA | 50 min | Crime, Drama, History
In the fifteenth century, Pope Alexander VI tries to control all power in Italy with the help of his several sons, through murder, intrigue, war, and marriage alliances.
Stars: Jeremy Irons, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger, Peter Sullivan
Votes: 53,965
10. Law & Order (1990– )
TV-14 | 45 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
New York's finest police detectives and prosecutors fight to make the city a safer place. With integrity as the guiding force from investigation to verdict, the teams weigh every perspective in their commitment to finding justice.
Stars: Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, Dennis Farina, Sam Waterston
Votes: 44,661
11. St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama
The lives and work of the staff of St. Eligius Hospital, an old and disrespected Boston teaching hospital.
Stars: Ed Begley Jr., Howie Mandel, David Morse, Christina Pickles
Votes: 5,217
William Daniels,Norman Lloyd,Ed Flanders,David Birney,Stephen Furst,Bonnie Bartlett,Howie Mandell,David Morse.
12. Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974–1975)
TV-PG | 51 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Carl Kolchak is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper. Through more accident than design he ends up investigating homicides, many of which involve supernatural forces. Ultimately, rather than reporting on the crimes, he solves them.
Stars: Darren McGavin, Simon Oakland, Jack Grinnage, Ruth McDevitt
Votes: 6,247
Darren McGavin,Simon Oakland.
13. Deadwood (2004–2006)
TV-MA | 60 min | Crime, Drama, History
A show set in the late 1800s, revolving around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota; a town of deep corruption and crime.
Stars: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, Molly Parker, Brad Dourif
Votes: 117,747
14. Columbo (1971–2003)
TV-PG | 100 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Los Angeles homicide detective Lieutenant Columbo uses his humble ways and ingenuous demeanor to winkle out even the most well-concealed of crimes.
Stars: Peter Falk, Mike Lally, John Finnegan, Bruce Kirby
Votes: 42,064
15. Knots Landing (1979–1993)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The residents of Knots Landing, a coastal suburb of Los Angeles, deal with various issues such as infidelity, health scares, rape, murder, kidnapping, assassinations, drug smuggling, corporate intrigue and criminal investigations.
Stars: Michele Lee, Ted Shackelford, Joan Van Ark, Kevin Dobson
Votes: 3,221
Michelle Lee,Ted Shackleford,Don Murray,John Pleshette,Constance McCashin,Joan Van Ark,Julie Harris,Kim Lankford,Donna Mills,William Devane.
16. Eight Is Enough (1977–1981)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
This comedy drama focused on a family with eight very independent children.
Stars: Dick Van Patten, Lani O'Grady, Connie Needham, Susan Richardson
Votes: 3,814
17. Quincy M.E. (1976–1983)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The cases of a brilliant, if Irascible, coroner who investigates suspicious deaths which usually suggest murder.
Stars: Jack Klugman, John S. Ragin, Robert Ito, Joseph Roman
Votes: 7,336
Jack Klugman,Gary Walberg,Robert Ito.
18. Cold Case (2003–2010)
TV-14 | 44 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The Philadelphia homicide squad's lone female detective finds her calling when she's assigned "cold cases," older crimes that have never been solved.
Stars: Kathryn Morris, Danny Pino, John Finn, Jeremy Ratchford
Votes: 31,519
Kathryn Morris,John Finn,Jeremy Ratchford,Danny Pino,Thom Barry, Tracie Thoms.
19. Falcon Crest (1981–1990)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
Set in the vineyards of California, this prime-time soap opera presented the conflict in the powerful Gioberti family, owners of the vast Falcon Crest Winery.
Stars: Jane Wyman, Lorenzo Lamas, Chao Li Chi, David Selby
Votes: 4,276
Jane Wyman,Robert Foxworth,Susan Sullivan,David Selby,Mel Ferrer,Lorenzo Lamas,Ana Alicia,Abby Dalton,Paul Freeman,Lana Turner,Eddie Albert,Rod Taylor,Cliff Robertson, Celeste Holm,Laura Johnson.
20. Smallville (2001–2017)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A young Clark Kent struggles to find his place in the world as he learns to harness his alien powers for good and deals with the typical troubles of teenage life in Smallville, Kansas.
Stars: Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack, Kristin Kreuk
Votes: 138,187
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