One of the most complicated critics polls this site has had to put together was the Best TV Shows of the 2010s. Mostly due to a lack of knowing many television critics. We had to go the extra mile to find them, and that we did. I found close to 100 and below were the results:
1. Breaking Bad (AMC)
2. Mad Men (AMC)
3. Fleabag (BBC)
4. The Leftovers (HBO)
5. Game of Thrones (HBO)
6. Twin Peaks: The Return (Showtime)
7. The Americans (FX)
8. Atlanta (FX)
9. Bojack Horseman (Netflix)
10. Veep (HBO)
The BBC decided to tackle similar territory with The 100 Greatest TV Series of the 21st Century. Around 206 industry professionals voted. It’s a considerably solid list, but I will never, for the life of me, understand why “Fleabag” keeps making these lists. The results below:
1 The Wire (2002-2008)
2 Mad Men (2007-2015)
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4 Fleabag (2016-2019)
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6 I May Destroy You (2020)
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8 The Americans (2013-2018)
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10 Succession (2018-)
A little more British-centric with 3 UK TV shows in the top 10. “The Wire,” an indisputably great show, wasn’t eligible in the World of Reel poll due to not having been screened in the 2010s. Otherwise, that top 3 is identical to my own personal one.
”Succession,” the current best show on television, has only had two seasons under its belt, but its impact has been undeniable — a #10 positioning is justified (especially since “Fleabag” (#4) is also just two seasons.