The 2000s has seen some of the best drama series in the history of television. Popular dramas of this century differ in genre, tone, and time period. From anthology horror to R-rated fantasy and historical fiction, the drama category has never been more diverse. Competition in the TV landscape is fierce, and critics and audiences don't always agree on which series deserves the most accolades.
The Emmy Awards is the annual award show dedicated to rewarding the most outstanding achievements in television, with a voting body of Television Academy members. The Academy has lauded some series with more nominations and statues than others, making clear what they consider to be the best of the best. TV fans may be surprised by some of the drama series that garnered the most attention from the Emmys in the 21st century.
10 Stranger Things Turned The Emmys Upside Down
Netflix's Stranger Things is one of the streaming platform's most popular shows. Millions of fans tune in each season to watch Eleven and her companions battle the monsters of the Upside Down. The five-season series boasts a charismatic cast of young actors, '80s movie nostalgia, and gripping action sequences.
Emmy voters and fans are united in their adoration of this sci-fi drama. Stranger Things has garnered over 51 nominations since it began airing in 2016, including multiple nominations in the Outstanding Drama Series and Supporting Actor categories. Although the show has yet to score the top prize, Stranger Things has brought home a dozen statues for technical achievement.
9 The Mandalorian Sets Its Sights On Awards Glory
Sci-fi and genre media have often not been recognized at award shows, but The Mandalorian is looking to change that. The Disney+ series is part of the Star Wars universe and stars Pedro Pascal as the titular hero. Fans eagerly responded to the masked heroes' adventures alongside his adorable companion, Grogu.
The Emmys has also taken notice of the young series, which premiered in 2020. The Mandalorian has already garnered a staggering 39 nominations and 14 wins for its first two seasons, including back-to-back nominations for Outstanding Drama.
8 Breaking Bad Broke Through The Drama Category
AMC's Breaking Bad defined the antihero protagonist for 21st-century drama series. The show follows chemistry teacher Walter White as he turns from mild-mannered family man to kingpin of a methamphetamine drug empire. Over its five-season run, the crime drama made household names of series leads Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.
The show was often recognized come Emmy Award season with 58 total nominations. Of these nominations, Breaking Bad boasted 16 wins, including multiple times in the Outstanding Drama Series category, along with award recognition for Cranston and Paul.
7 American Horror Story Scared Up Nominations
American Horror Story has been haunting television screens for years. The anthology series has taken scare-seekers to psychiatric asylums, haunted mansions and carnival tents. Although each season spools a unique horror story, the show pulls from an ensemble of actors who weave together characters and settings from prior seasons.
American Horror Story has dominated the Outstanding Anthology or Limited Series category for years, amassing over 100 nominations in the past decade. The series has scared up more than just nominations and has, so far, been awarded 16 statues.
6 Mad Men Sold Itself To Academy Voters
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
Mad Men is another drama of the mid-aughts that will go down in history as a television classic. The period drama set in 1960s New York focused on the employees of the fictional advertising firm Sterling Cooper. The highbrow series featured meticulous attention to detail in its faithfulness to the retro time period and made leading man Jon Hamm a star.
The Emmys bought what Mad Men was selling and rewarded the series with 116 nominations. Over its seven seasons, Mad Men brought home 16 awards, including four for Outstanding Drama Series.
5 American Crime Story Stole Emmy Voter's Hearts & Minds
American Crime Story is another anthology series from creator Ryan Murphy who launched the show after the success of the American Horror Story franchise. Each season of American Crime Story covers a different criminal event from different periods of American history.
Like its horrifying sister franchise, American Crime Story is also no stranger to accolades. The series has 45 nominations in the Outstanding Anthology or Limited Series categories. The first season, focusing on the OJ Simpson trial, was the highest individual earner, with nine out of an overall 19 wins for the series.
4 Boardwalk Empire Brought Prestige To The Emmys
Boardwalk Empire marked the beginning of movie star talent migrating to television. The highly-produced HBO series featured Steve Buscemi in the lead role and boasted a pilot episode directed by series Executive Producer Martin Scorsese. Boardwalk Empire was a lush period drama taking place in the 1920s American Prohibition Era.
The expensive drama and movie star ensemble cast didn't go unnoticed by the Television Academy, which granted Boardwalk Empire 57 nominations. The show went on to win 20 Emmys, largely in the production and technical categories.
3 24 Clocked In An Impressive Emmy Run
These days, the most critically lauded drama series are often found on cable or streaming networks. But at the beginning of the aughts, network dramas still ruled the airwaves and the awards shows. The action series 24 aired on Fox and starred Kiefer Sutherland as counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer. Each episode covered a single hour in Bauer's life, and the nine-season series was appointment viewing in the aughts.
24 was more than just an audience favorite and saw 68 Emmy nominations over its run. The series clocked in just under its namesake with 20 wins, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Sutherland.
2 The Crown Rules The Emmys
Netflix's The Crown is undeniably a standout series of the 21st century. The period drama follows the life and times of former monarch Queen Elizabeth II with fictionalized plots ripped from real-life events. The show is notable for rotating out its cast of heavy-hitting British actors every two seasons as time passes in the world of the series and characters age.
This prestige drama is beautifully produced and is one of Netflix's most expensive series. The budget is all worth it in terms of awards attention, and The Crown has gained 63 nominations, and 21 wins so far. Its changing cast of actors is most often recognized with statues for portraying real-life politicians and royals.
1 Game Of Thrones Conquers The 21st Century
When it comes to the best dramas of this century, there is one show that scorches the competition. HBO's juggernaut series kept critics and fans hooked on Westeros' political squabbles and battlefields for eight seasons. The Television Academy confirms that Game of Thrones is the true king of television drama, and the show has earned a staggering 160 nominations.
The fantasy series wins leave the competition in the dust, with an untouchable 59 Emmy Awards. Game of Thrones has been recognized as Outstanding Drama Series a record-tying four times, with additional wins for the sprawling ensemble cast and immense technical achievements. The Emmys have made it clear which show they believe to be the best of the century.