10 TV Dramas

Constantine

Network: NBC (Available now on Amazon Prime) 

Air Date: Oct 2014 - Feb 2015

Episodes: 13

Summary: A chain-smoking scouse fights off demons and supernatural beings in this gothic fantasy drama, based off the hit DC/Vertigo comic series, Hellblazer.

Opinion: Occasionally cheesily over-blown and over-dramatic, this source-accurate drama has lots of jump scares, many heart-felt moments and a fantastic charisma to it.

Torchwood

Network: BBC (Season 4/Miracle Day co-produced with Starz)

Air Date: 2006-2011

Episodes: 41

Summary: Spinning-off of a character and concept introduced in the first two series of the revived Doctor Who, Torchwood brings a more adult and terrestrial take to sci-fi. The first two series tell a series of 11 self-contained stories (with the exception of Series 2's midseason two-parter
Dead Man Walking and Day in the Death) and a two-part finale, usually with one or two plot threads tying together. However, the last two series follow a more serialised plot, with series 3's 5-part Children of Earth and series 4's 10-part Miracle Day.

Opinion: A fantastically dark show, exploring terrestrial sci-fi. This series has its stand-outs (notably: Captain Jack Harkness, Fragments, Exit Wounds, Children of Earth) but, similarly to all shows, has its flops (Day One, Countrycide, the middle section of Miracle Day). Still hoping for the show's return, as teased by the lead, John Barrowman.



New Blood

Network: BBC

Air Date: June 2016

Episodes: 7 (Representing 3 stories - Case 1 = Ep 1-3, Case 2 = Ep 4-5, Case 3 = Ep 6-7)

Summary: Stefan Kowolski, a junior investigator at the Serious Fraud Office, and Arash Sayyad, a constable turned Trainee Detective Constable, team-up to investigate crimes that their own jobs won't allow them to, in this Crime Drama, written by Anthony Horowitz (author of the Diamond Brothers and Alex Rider series as well as several of the new James Bond novels).

Opinion: Very similar to Sherlock, but lacking its crazy and bombastic writing (bloody Moffat...), making it very down-to-earth, with its more life-like and charismatic characters.

Game of Thrones

Network: HBO

 

Air Date: 2010-Present

Episodes: 60+

Summary: A fantasy drama taking place in a fictional earth, where there are two main continents (Essos and Westeros - where the majority take place), dragons once ruled the lands and the most powerful families fight over the seven kingdoms of Westeros.

Opinion: Although I'm not fully caught up, this is the pinnacle of escapism. With engaging storylines, charmisatic characters (you might even love the evil ones like Ramsay Snow/Bolton) and gorgeous special effects, this show is a must watch for anyone who can handle its dark themes.



Gotham

Network: Fox

Air Date: October 2014-Present

Episodes: 44+

Summary: A crime drama taking place before the reign of the dark knight in Gotham, showing a young Bruce Wayne on his path to becoming the world's greatest detective as well as many of his villains turning to the darker path (like Penguin or Riddler). However, the series main character is Jim Gordon, who climbs up the hierarchy of the GCPD to clean up Gotham.

Opinion: A great drama, with a strong first series and series 2's half half following suit. Despite the later half of season 2 falling incredibly flat, Gotham is a must-watch for any fan of Batman or crime drama.

 



Arrow

Network: CW

Air Date: Oct 2012-Present

Episodes: 92+

Summary: Oliver Queen returns from an island where he spent the past 5 years stranded on, thought to be dead. Upon his return, he takes to the streets of his home, Starling, to clean up his city and avenge his father's death, whilst also trying to lead a double life as Oliver and The Arrow.

Opinion: A very strong series, with great action pieces and dramatic moments. The show is at its strongest in series 2, with the end of season 3 and the subsequent season 4 waning in quality.

Agents of SHIELD

Network: ABC

Air Date: September 2013-Present

Episodes: 66+

Summary: Agent Coulson (from the Avengers) returns from the grave to lead a special task force in SHIELD (Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division) to combat the rising influx of meta-humans.

Opinion: A fantastic show, with a variety of interesting characters (personal favourites include Fitz, Hunter and Bobby/Mockingbird). Despite how season 2 wasn't brilliant (with an over-load of plot lines and characters as well as strange changes to some characters), this show is, overall, fantastic!

 

 The Flash 

Network: CW

Air Date: October 2014-Present

Episodes: 46+

Summary: Barry Allen, a forensic scientist obsessed with the mysterious murder of his mother, has his life turned upside down after an accident left him with super speed. He then uses this speed to fight crime and other meta-humans, along side his friends Dr Harrison Wells, Caitlyn Snow and Cisco Ramone.

Opinion: Starts off really cheesy and naff but as the series progresses, into the end of series 1 and the entirety of series 2, more sci-fi aspects (time travel, pocket dimensions and alternate timelines) are introduced and emotional tension between characters are created to add to the drama, making it a fantastic show.

 

Sherlock

Network: BBC

Air Date: Oct 2010-Present

Episodes: 10+

Summary: A modern iteration of the classic Sir Arthur Colan Doyle novels, with Benedict Cumberbatch playing the titular Sherlock and Martin Freeman as his sidekick, Dr Watson. 

Opinion: Generally a good show (despite the recent Abominable Bride) that almost feels like a series of short films, with their 90 minute run time. Only gripe would be with the writing, which sometimes can feel over-ambitious and ridiculous.

 

 Star Trek: The Original Series

Network: NBC

Air Date: September 1966-June 1969

Episodes: 79 (And the 1988 re-release of the unaired original pilot: The Cage)

Summary: A Sci-fi, drama series following the adventures of the crew of the SS Enterprise (Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, Ahura, Sulu and Chekov) on their mission to seek out new life.

Opinion: A truely iconic series that stands out from its subsequent spin-offs (Next Generation, Deep Space 9, Voyager, Enterprise and the reboot movies) due to its charismatic and realistic cast, as well as the charm that comes with many other 60s-70s sci-fi (same as the classic Doctor Whos, the original Day of the Triffids and the Twilight Zone).