Warning: This article mentions the topics of drugs and mental health.
While the most famous TV shows around are famous for a good reason, not everyone can get on board with them, and there are some amazing alternatives worth checking out instead. The best titles ever, but especially the best TV shows of the last 25 years, are renowned by audiences for a lot of reasons. From endearing characters to gripping storylines, there are certain TV shows that are considered an absolute must-watch.
Many of these titles vary across genres, too, proving that the majority of the most-watched TV shows appeal to a wider audience, regardless of their preferences. From sitcoms like The Office to hard-hitting dramas like Game of Thrones, there is always an alternative to a famous TV show you’re struggling to get on board with.
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‘Weeds’
An Alternative to ‘Breaking Bad’
Breaking Bad is undoubtedly one of the best TV shows of all time, but it’s okay if you’re struggling to get on with it. A great alternative to Breaking Bad is Weeds, which stands on its own brilliantly, but it also shares several parallels in terms of storylines and character archetypes. Weeds focuses on single mother Nancy Botwin, who finds herself caught up in the world of marijuana dealing following the death of her husband.
Much like Walter White and several other main characters in Breaking Bad, Nancy can be rather morally ambiguous at times, and while she does this all for the sake of her children, she later gets consumed by the power she holds. Weeds uses some great dark humor, too, so it’s a great and more lighthearted option over Breaking Bad.
7
‘Mr. Robot’
An Alternative to ‘Severance’
Apple TV’s Severance continues to dominate the streaming service, but for those who aren’t gelling with Adam Scott’s drama, Mr. Robot is a good alternative. Mr. Robot stars Rami Malek as Elliot Anderson, a computer programmer who is hired by the enigmatic titular character. Malek’s Emmy award-winning performance in Season 1 is astounding, and it’s fascinating to watch Elliot’s mental health journey progress throughout the show.
Much like Severance, Mr. Robot delves into a trippy story about the human psyche, and it’s hard to figure out who is worth trusting and who might know more than they’re letting on. While Mr. Robot typically just focuses on Elliot’s story, unlike Severance, which follows the lives of more than one character, both shows offer a thrilling watch.
6
‘Arrested Development’
An Alternative to ‘Succession’
Despite ending over two years ago now, new viewers are discovering Succession every day. The gripping hit drama focuses on the cutthroat Roy family and their powerful business, but those who simply can’t get into Succession should consider Arrested Development instead. The Bluths are essentially the sitcom version of the Roys, and while Arrested Development is plenty ridiculous, it’s a less intense watch.
Arrested Development’s viewers are also treated to early career performances from several actors, with the most notable including the likes of Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Michael Cera, for example. The show also features some amazing titans of industry, too, such as Karl Weathers and Liza Minnelli. Arrested Development is the source of some of the internet’s best memes and running jokes, and it’s definitely one that audiences shouldn’t miss (even if it has its peaks and valleys).
5
‘Dark’
An Alternative to ‘Stranger Things’
With Stranger Things Season 5 finally underway, some audiences will likely be considering whether it’s worth getting invested in the show this late in the game. However, an interesting alternative to Stranger Things is the German drama Dark. While Dark only has three installments and is now finished, it’s impossible not to be drawn in by the thrilling mystery time travel story.
Dark jumps back and forth in time and delves into the disappearance of two children, and in the process, reveals years’ worth of generational trauma and secrets. There are definitely sci-fi elements to Dark, and although the bootstrap paradox makes things confusing at times, the show’s logic is pretty solid. Dark is another legendary title everyone should watch at least once, but it also works as an ideal option for those struggling with Stranger Things.
4
‘Monk’
An Alternative to ‘Sherlock’
While Sherlock is one of the greatest TV shows ever, and one of the best Sherlock Holmes adaptations of all time, there’s no doubt that the lengthy episodes can take a lot out of audiences. A perfect replacement for those wanting a more relaxing watch is Monk, which offers a heartwarming yet attention-grabbing take on the Sherlock Holmes character archetype.
Tony Shalhoub provides a masterclass in acting as the titular Adrian Monk, a private detective with OCD who helps the police with their investigations while also trying to figure out who killed his wife, Trudy. Monk’s approach to mental health is accurate yet entertaining, and the show always finds a way to translate Adrian’s outlook in a way that is both endearing and respectful. Following the release of Mr. Monk’s Last Case in 2023, Monk has become increasingly popular again in recent years, and hopefully, we’ll see another Monk movie in the near future.
3
‘Peaky Blinders’
An Alternative to ‘The Sopranos’
The Sopranos changed TV forever, and to this day, it is still one of the best titles in the industry. While Tony Soprano’s journey impacted the stories of many other TV characters, some audiences simply find it hard to enjoy the show. Peaky Blinders fits the bill in many ways, but it also differs from The Sopranos, too, although this isn’t a bad thing. The BBC drama centers on the Shelbys, a gangster family in the 1920s with just as many personal issues as professional.
With the Peaky Blinders movie on the way, now is the perfect time to check out the show. Like The Sopranos, Peaky Blinders heavily relies on the themes of family and loyalty, and audiences will spend a lot of time wondering who will be the next person in Tommy Shelby’s firing line. Although Peaky Blinders doesn’t have as many episodes, its 6-season run is just as enthralling as The Sopranos.
2
‘The Last Kingdom’
An Alternative to ‘Game of Thrones’
If you haven’t seen Game of Thrones, you’ve almost certainly heard of it, as it has been impossible to avoid the show in the last decade. Although the famous adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s book series is fantastic, it isn’t to everyone’s tastes. The Last Kingdom is a solid alternative to Game of Thrones and is adapted from Bernard Cornwell’s novel series of the same name, and every character is actually based on a real-life figure from history, too, which is interesting.
Uhtred is the main character in The Last Kingdom, a young man who battles with choosing between his noble ancestry and the family who raised him, an arc audiences often compare to that of Jon Snow in Game of Thrones. Other than its storylines, another thing Game of Thrones is renowned for is its incredible cinematography, and The Last Kingdom offers some strong competition in this area.
1
‘Abbott Elementary’
An Alternative to ‘The Office’
While The Office is a sitcom worth persevering with, it’s understandable that so many give up on it in the first season. The Office Season 1 is extremely similar to the first installment of the UK original, and the humor doesn’t always translate, unfortunately. However, a more recent workplace sitcom worth taking a look at instead is Abbott Elementary. The hilarious show centers on the titular school in Philadelphia and follows the day-to-day lives of the various students and teachers.
There are some parallels in the characters of both shows. For example, Abbott Elementary’s Ava Coleman has plenty of Michael Scott moments, and Barbara’s religious outlook is similar to that of accountant Angela Martin. However, Abbott Elementary’s characters are also unique and stand by themselves, resulting in some of the funniest sitcom figures in recent years.
