Watching TV is the ultimate escape for everyone out there; it just releases you from the monotony of life and places you into magical realms or alongside brilliant detectives or next to your favorite characters as they survive an apocalypse in a dystopian future. The appeal of television lies in its potential to pluck us from our real lives and let us experience stories that are vastly different from our own, and they can be both exhilarating and emotional at the same time.
However, not all TV dramas are created equal. Some shows demand more from the viewers because they explore the darkness and complexity of the human experience. From the grim realities of a totalitarian regime to the disturbing psyche of a serial killer, shows like these require viewers to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally before pressing play. The 10 TV shows mentioned in this list fall squarely into this category. They’re not for the faint of heart and have the ability to bring you to tears one moment and fill you with a sense of unease the next.
10
’13 Reasons Why’ (2017 – 2020)
Based on the 2007 novel written by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why follows Clay Jensen, a quiet high school student, who receives a mysterious package containing thirteen audio cassettes recorded by Hannah Baker, a classmate who recently took her own life. As he listens on, Clay discovers that each tape reveals a reason why Hannah decided to end her life, implicating various students and faculty members, and Clay himself.
Chronicles Honest Teen Struggles
13 Reasons Why is not for the faint of heart. An emotionally draining series, it explores the ripple effects of mental health issues, trauma, and the often-cruel realities of high school life by addressing topics like bullying and sexual assault. Each episode of Season 2 peels back another layer of Hannah’s personal suffering. The intense and disturbing storyline sparked conversations around mental health, but the latter seasons attracted some controversy as well.
9
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (2017 – 2025)
Release Date
2017 – 2024
Showrunner
Bruce Miller
Writers
Bruce Miller, Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s most well-known work is her dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, which gets a striking television adaptation under Bruce Miller’s assured vision. Set in a dystopian future where the totalitarian government of Gilead has taken control and stripped women of their rights. With infertility plaguing the world, those still capable of bearing children are forced into sexual servitude. Offred, a Handmaid assigned to a powerful Commander, tries to escape her condition and reunite with her daughter.
Disturbing Descent into Darkness
Never holding back on its depiction of a harrowing future where women are dehumanized and stripped of their autonomy, the series is one that needs to be watched with patience. It stays faithful to the source material, is beautifully shot, explores themes of oppression and resistance, and is often too haunting and visceral for mainstream viewers, but Elisabeth Moss’ turn as Offred is simply powerful and mesmerizing. With each season, the tension builds and the emotional toll on the audience grows.
8
‘The Sopranos’ (1999 – 2007)
The Sopranos follows Tony Soprano, a mob boss in New Jersey, who leads a double life as the leader of the powerful organized crime family and a husband and father struggling with his own mental health issues. The series begins with Tony seeking therapy to deal with panic attacks, and as the story progresses, we witness him dealing with the betrayals, power struggles, and violence that comes with his world.
Explores the Complex Human Condition
It goes without saying that The Sopranos is a groundbreaking TV series that explores the deepest crevices of its central character, brought to life by James Gandolfini’s unparalleled talents. Over the course of six seasons, the series takes viewers on a rollercoaster of a journey as they witness Tony’s difficult relationships, his battles with depression, and the ever-present threat that looms over his family. The plot twists are enough to keep you hooked, but the themes are quite heavy.
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7
‘Westworld’ (2016 – 2022)
Release Date
2016 – 2021
Network
HBO Max
If there’s anything more emotionally taxing than the realistic portrayal of mental health issues on television, it’s seeing a highly plausible future that very well destroys our perception of reality. Westworld takes place in the titular futuristic amusement park, where wealthy guests can indulge in their wildest fantasies with the help of lifelike androids known as “hosts.” But when the park’s hosts begin to develop self-awareness, it leads to chaos.
Paints a Thought-Provoking Future
Westworld unfolds through multiple timelines and perspectives, so it’s a little difficult to keep track of the narrative. But if you devote your full attention and mental agility, you will begin to admire the show’s complex storytelling, stunning visuals, the way it presents the unsettling implications of the park creators’ own actions as well as the ethics of artificial intelligence. With standout performances by Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, and Jeffrey Wright, Westworld is a compelling watch.
6
‘Black Mirror’ (2011 – Present)
In the same vein as Westworld, Black Mirror, which debuted on Netflix in 2011, is an anthology series set in a world where technology has become an integral part of our lives and is shaping our every behavior. Each episode tells a unique story about a dystopian future where advanced technology has taken over human interactions, which often leads to morally questionable outcomes.
Reflects Our Obsession with Technology
From social media obsession to escaping into virtual reality, from the lack of online privacy to the erosion of human connection, Black Mirror predicts a future that feels eerily plausible and that’s why watching the series demands being mentally prepared for what’s to come. With its sharp wit, innovative visuals, unpredictable twists, different actors and settings, the series remains fresh and engaging.
5
‘Twin Peaks’ (1990 – 1991)
5
/5
Release Date
1990 – 1990
Network
Showtime, ABC
Showrunner
Mark Frost
In the idyllic town of Twin Peaks, the mysterious murder of high school student and homecoming queen Laura Palmer leads to a series of events that threaten to reveal the community’s darkest secrets. FBI Agent Dale Cooper arrives in town to investigate the case using his unorthodox methods and intuition. But the deeper he goes, the more entangled he gets into the surreal world.
Crime dramas are known particularly for their ability to tackle heavy themes, and Twin Peaks stands out not just as a compelling murder mystery but also for the way it blends psychological horror and surrealism into the narrative to provide an otherworldly experience. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the show initially ran for two seasons in the early ‘90s before making a triumphant return with a third season in 2017.
4
‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)
Release Date
2017 – 2019
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Jantje Friese
A German sci-fi thriller that ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2020 on Netflix, Dark takes place in the small town of Winden, where the mysterious disappearance of two children sets off a complex, time-traveling mystery. As the search for the children paces, the hidden secrets, lies, trauma, and deep-rooted family connections spanning four generations come to light.
Intoxicating From Start to Finish
Dark is just as cerebral as it is nauseating, which is why it demands the utmost attention and emotional presence from its audience. The show has a multi-layered story and an intricate web of characters across the past, present, and future. It’s a puzzle that needs to be meticulously pieced together. The atmospheric visuals, haunting soundtrack, and profound existential questions posed by the show are sure to leave your mind twisted and shaken to the core.
3
‘The Wire’ (2002 – 2008)
Release Date
2002 – 2007
Network
HBO Max, BBC
Described as a show that is “really about the American city, and about how we live together,” The Wire is one of the greatest and most influential TV dramas of all time. It is set in the gritty streets of Baltimore and focuses on the intertwined lives of police detectives, drug dealers, politicians, and everyday citizens. Each season explores a different aspect of the city’s institutions and how the people struggle for power and survival.
A Sobering and Realistic Drama
The Wire is an essential addition to this list for its unflinching depiction of the dysfunction in society and the corruption that runs deep in the city’s various institutions, from the education system to the media. Starring Dominic West, Idris Elba, and Michael K. Williams, who brings out the bleakest prospects of their characters, the series confronts the harsh realities of life and the universal search for meaning. It’s a masterpiece that demands nothing less than your undivided attention.
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2
‘Ozark’ (2017 – 2022)
Release Date
2017 – 2021
Showrunner
Bill Dubuque
Directors
Bill Dubuque
Ozark centers around Marty Byrde, a financial planner whose money-laundering scheme for a ruthless Mexican drug cartel goes horribly wrong, and he’s forced to uproot his family and life from Chicago and relocate to the Ozarks to meet the cartel’s demand and set up a new criminal enterprise. Marty, along with his wife Wendy and their children, however, finds himself caught up in the complex web of violence and betrayal in their new surroundings.
The Most Shocking Plot Twists
From the very first episode, Ozark lays the foundation for an intense and nerve-wracking portrayal of a family caught in the crosshairs of organized crime. It’s known for its consistently suspenseful storytelling and a relentless barrage of plot twists across four seasons as the Byrdes go from being a seemingly normal family to unforgiving survivors. It is led by incredible performances of Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, and features equally unforgettable turns from Julia Garner, Skylar Gaertner, and Sofia Hublitz.
1
‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)
Release Date
2017 – 2018
Showrunner
Joe Penhall
Set in the late 1970s, Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they dive headfirst into the minds of some of history’s most notorious serial killers in an effort to understand their motives and develop more effective criminal profiling techniques. They are joined by psychologist Wendy Carr. The series is based on real events, and it’s all about enlightening viewers about how criminal psychology came into existence.
Pioneer of Criminal Profiling
Mindhunter makes you realize that the line between madness and sanity is far thinner than you imagined. It is a brilliant show that uses psychological tension as a tool to examine human capacity for evil. Expertly crafted and thoroughly researched, it immerses viewers in the world of criminal profiling in a way that’s twisted, unsettling, and chilling. Its deliberate pace and realistic approach requires viewers to go in with a steely resolve and prepare themselves to confront some horrifying facts.
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