The 2020s have seen some of the best television in decades. With the rise of streaming services and more channels than ever, fans have access to television from around the globe and plenty of titles to choose from.
In particular, dramas are more innovative, genre-spanning, and diverse. Drama series are distinct from miniseries because they have a core concept that can continue to generate compelling storylines for multiple seasons. The 2020s have already seen stand-out entries in the drama genre, and audiences are on the hunt for the best of the best.
10 Loki Is Masterful Mischief
Loki is one of the MCU's many series on Disney+, but it's the only one to boast a second season. Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as the fan-favorite character, Loki. The series is set in an alternate timeline that picks up directly after Avengers: Endgame and sees Loki not only still alive, but also up to his old tricks.
Loki allows a closer look at the antihero and does so with irreverent flare. The rest of the cast is filled to the brim with movie-star-level talent, including Owen Wilson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Fans were delighted by the six-episode first entry, and eagerly await more of Loki's signature mischief and machinations.
9 Pachinko Is An Era-Spanning Epic
Apple+'s Pachinko is a multi-generational epic that follows the members of a Korean family from 1910 to 1990. The series bridges two timelines. The first storyline takes place in the early 1900s when the family's matriarch Sunja (Youn Yuh-Jung) struggles to survive emigrating to Japan and the onset of World War II. The second follows Sunja's grandson Solomon (Jin Ha) in the 1980s, who is returning to Japan after spending years climbing the corporate ladder in America.
Pachinko is a visually stunning series from The Terror's co-showrunner, Soo Hugh. It's also based on the popular novel by Min Jin Lee. With stunning visuals, a stellar ensemble cast, and a gripping emotional story, Pachinko is a must-watch drama series.
8 The Great Is An Incredible Period Drama
The Great is mostly a true story about Catherine the Great's rise to power. Elle Fanning takes on the role of Russia's longest-reigning ruler, and the dramedy follows her political plotting as she rises to power.
Streaming on Hulu, The Great is an irreverent and modern take on the historical story with two seasons under its belt and a third on the way. The gripping series has already cemented its place among the television greats with a number of award nominations and wins for its star-powered cast and technical achievement.
7 Lupin Cracks The Mystery Of Great Television
Lupin is one of Netflix's many foreign-language gems that has broken through to the American mainstream. The series is based on the classic Aresène Lupin French adventure series penned by Maurice LeBlanc. The character has often been called the "French Sherlock Holmes," and this series has no shortage of intrigue, disguises, and criminal masterminds.
Lupin is a modern spin on the older tales and takes place in present-day Paris. Actor Omar Sy, who has appeared in several American features, expertly portrays the titular role of the gentleman thief.
6 Bridgerton Is Television Royalty
Bridgerton is a romantic delight from Shonda Rhimes' production company, Shondaland. The Netflix series is based on the book series of the same name by Julia Quinn and takes place in an alternate Regency Era London. Bridgerton follows the titular family as they stake their fortunes and plan their romantic futures during the social season.
There is plenty of gossip, drama, and scandal for fans to enjoy, and Bridgerton is a fun modern update to the classic romance formula. This genre-bending drama has enjoyed huge critical and commercial success.
5 Yellowjackets Is A Female-Driven Thriller
Showtime's Yellowjackets is a survival thriller that features time-jumping, a talented cast, and gripping storylines. The series follows a girl's high school soccer team as they become stranded in the woods after a plane crash. As the audience learns about what the teenagers were forced to do to survive, they also see how the grown-up survivors are dealing with their trauma in the present day.
The adult teens are portrayed by incredible actors, including Melanie Lynskey, Juliette Lewis, and Christina Ricci. Yellowjackets doesn't hold back in its nail-biting and gruesome turns, and with a second season on the way, this show has already made its mark in the TV wilderness.
4 House Of The Dragon Is As Impressive As Game Of Thrones
Game of Thrones was one of the biggest television dramas of all time, so it's no surprise that the prequel series House of the Dragon is carving out a similar path. Set over a hundred years before the events of the first series, House of the Dragon follows House Targaryen at the height of their power during their reign over the Seven Kingdoms.
House of the Dragon is as impressive as its predecessor, with the political scheming and dragons to match. With a second season already scheduled, this drama series is poised to follow in the footsteps of its incredibly successful predecessor.
3 White Lotus Is Compelling And Full Of Twists
HBO's The White Lotus is a dramedy about a luxury vacation that's anything but relaxing. The anthology series follows the lives of the staff and vacationers staying in the fictional White Lotus resort. The first season takes place in Hawaii, while the second season is slated to catch up with guests as they holiday in Sicily.
Created by talented writer Mike White, The White Lotus has no shortage of twists and dark humor. The White Lotus recently cleaned up at the Emmy's, sweeping in a total of 10 awards, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
2 Severance Finds Success With A Sci-Fi Twist
Severance delves into the divide of the work-life balance. At the fictional Lumon corporation, employees have decided to sever their memories between their work and home lives. Severance is a blistering commentary on the modern working world and pulls no punches with its darkly comedic delivery.
Severance has been a success and the concept is bolstered by standout visuals and a movie star cast. The first season stars the likes of Adam Scott, Christopher Walken, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette. Lucky for audiences, Apple+ is hard at work on season two.
1 Squid Game Is Firmly Rooted In Pop Culture
Since its premiere in 2021, no show has dominated pop culture quite like Squid Game. The South Korean series became a massive breakthrough hit on Netflix as fans raced to find out which contestants would survive the show's signature gruesome games.
Squid Game became a pop culture juggernaut, with Halloween costumes and techno remixes of its theme song to accompany a number of historic Emmy wins. No other 2020s show has come close to creating the impact of Squid Game, and audiences are eagerly awaiting the second season.