HBO is the American premium television network that has brought masses of iconic shows over the years. Viewers from all over have been able to enjoy hilarious comedies, interesting docuseries, and plenty of thrilling dramas. HBO has delivered several stunning dramas, and while people are aware of the service's blatant involvement in some of them, its presence is much more subtle in other cases.

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The best HBO dramas are masterclasses in progressing characters, building up tension, and releasing all the moving parts for some purely astonishing television. While HBO's current programming is stacked full of intense dramas, most of the network's best shows have been finished for a long time.

10 The Last Of Us Has Already Cemented Itself As One Of The Greats

The Last of Us television series debuted in January 2023, but it already has its claws in the record books. The Last of Us is still considered to be one of the best video games of all time, so when plans for the series were announced, fans were excited but understandably nervous.

Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey have already impressed as a Joel and Ellie, respectively, and they lead a stacked cast that has reimagined the franchise's characters perfectly. The Last of Us has shown a unique love and appreciation for the original material and doesn't display any signs of slowing down or disappointing. In normal cases, it would be too soon to class The Last of Us as an all-time great, but it undoubtedly will be considered as such in the coming years.

9 True Detective Goes Big With Its Anthology Approach

True Detective is a crime drama that is remembered for its anthology approach. It presented a new story and set of characters every season. There have been huge names in each season, which really put True Detective on the map.

Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Rachel McAdams, Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, and Mahershala Ali barely scratch the surface in terms of the overall depth of star power. Jodie Foster, Kali Reis, and Christopher Eccleston are set to lead the fourth season. While the first season was undoubtedly True Detective at its best, every season has thrown up engaging and ominous storylines and interesting new characters.

8 The Leftovers Is A Unique Tale Of Loss And Grief

Not only is Christopher Eccleston set to be in the new season of True Detective, but he was previously also in another HBO classic, The Leftovers. The Leftovers is a dystopian supernatural drama that focuses on how humanity adapts after the disappearance of 2% of the world's population. Chaos ensues and there's a huge shift in order.

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The Leftovers took time to find its footing in the early episodes, but when the foundations were there, the series really lifted off. The Leftovers is a real amalgamation of various genres, from psychological thriller to magical realism, and it has something for everybody.

7 Succession Is All About Familial Conflict

Succession may still be a part of HBO's current programming, but with its fourth season fast approaching, it is already one of HBO's best ever dramas. Succession is a satirical black comedy drama that follows the Roy family, who own a media and entertainment conglomerate named Waystar RoyCo.

Succession's chaos begins when the patriarch Logan Roy starts to deal with health issues, and the rest of the family leaps into action and prepares for a potential future without him. As far as familial dramas go, Succession is right up there with its absurdity, chaos, and drama, and it all comes together to make an exceptional show.

6 Six Feet Under Has A Morbid Charm To It

Six Feet Under is a psychological drama and black comedy. It premiered back in 2001 and ran for five seasons. Six Feet Under had the premise of a dysfunctional family before the likes of Succession and House of the Dragon existed, but had its plot centered around a family-run funeral home in Los Angeles.

Six Feet Under is remembered fondly for its cast and their performances, as well as the creative direction. Six Feet Under came during the golden era of television dramas, debuting between The Sopranos and The Wire, but ultimately finishing before them both.

5 The Wire Is The Quintessential Crime Drama

The Wire is one of those shows that everybody knows, even if they haven't seen it. It is an American crime drama that debuted back in 2002 and went on for five seasons and 60 episodes. Each season explores a different subject within law enforcement, starting with the illegal drug trade.

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While The Wire changes it up with each season, characters return and past storylines hold value, giving it a refreshing theme that keeps the show from going stale. The Wire has always been praised for its stellar casting, and even casual viewers will recognize most of the actors on show.

4 Band Of Brothers Follows Easy Company Through The Horrors Of War

Band of Brothers is a war drama miniseries that wowed with its ten episodes of action. Band of Brothers premiered back in 2001, but is still remembered for its stacked cast, incredible performances, and the generally horrifying themes of war.

Band of Brothers was created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, which is clear through its epic scale and exceptional reviews. Band of Brothers is a dramatized account of "Easy Company" and their antics in World War II, with interviews from the survivors being shown before and during the episodes to cement the series as a retelling of horrifying events.

3 Chernobyl Captures The Enormity, Suspense, And Tragedy Of A Disaster

While The Last of Us has impressed fans, it is not the first time that screenwriter and film director Craig Mazin has impressed with impeccable storytelling. In 2019, he created and wrote Chernobyl, a chilling historical drama centered around the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.

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Chernobyl is only five episodes long, but each one feels like a movie in terms of colossal length and the sheer enormity of each given situation. Chernobyl is rightly seen as one of the best television shows of all time for its brutal storytelling, captivating performances, and the general bleakness that leaves it in viewers' minds long after the credits roll.

2 Game Of Thrones Instantly Became The New Standard-Bearer For Fantasy Dramas

Game of Thrones quickly became the most talked-about fantasy series after it premiered back in 2011. Game of Thrones has a reputation for killing off characters as quickly as it built them up, meaning that nobody was ever truly safe. This gave the first few seasons a horrifying layer of suspense and bleakness, with viewers just assuming the worst for their favorite characters.

Game of Thrones produced some perfect episodes during its first seven seasons, but its eighth season threatened to tarnish everything good that came before it. While many can't look past the final season when giving their overall opinion, there was still so much to Game of Thrones that will never be bettered or recreated, and it still deserves to be remembered in that light.

1 The Sopranos Will Always Be An Influence For New Shows Looking For Success

In any conversation about iconic and successful crime dramas, The Sopranos will always be mentioned. The Sopranos premiered in 1999 and has since been viewed as a groundbreaking series that reinvented the mafia genre. It is an undeniable fact that most recent dramas have viewed The Sopranos as an inspiration.

The Sopranos follows Tony Soprano as he tries to balance family life with being a mafia boss at the head of the Soprano family. James Gandolfini became synonymous with Tony Soprano, the face of The Sopranos, and delivered spectacular performances throughout the show's six seasons. The Sopranos is seen as television perfection by many and still holds up as a good watch to this day.

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