Since 2002, when FX began creating its own original programming, the cable channel has made an effort to produce unique, well-written programming. It began with The Shield and followed up with both Nip/Tuck and Rescue Me. Since then, Fox's channel, like HBO, has drawn many viewers in with innovative series themes, as with Pose, Mr. Inbetween, and Y: The Last Man.
Many of their shows have won both critical and popular acclaim. They even made TV history when Pose's MJ Rodriguez became the first transgender woman nominated for a lead acting Emmy. So, with all the channel's success, Ranker asked its voters to decide which of the original FX series were the best.
Atlanta (2016-)
Stream On Hulu
Donald Glover (Community, Solo: A Star Wars Story) created and stars in Atlanta, a dramedy about Earn and his daily life, including his work in the rap scene. Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2, Joker) plays Van, the mother of Earn's daughter. Bryan Tyree Henry (Eternals, Bullet Train) and LaKeith Stanfield (Get Out, Knives Out) also star.
The series is equal parts inventive and surreal. It also survived the long covid hiatus, which is indicative of its strength. The creative and brilliantly written show includes four seasons and has been critically and popularly acclaimed including a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Mayans M.C. (2018-)
Stream On Hulu
This crime drama is a spin-off of Sons Of Anarchy. It follows EZ Reyes and the Mayan Motorcycle Club which was originally a rival but later turns into an ally for the Sons. It's set in a fictional U.S.-Mexican border town where J.D. Pardo's EZ has just been released from prison and joins the bike club.
Mayans M.C. also stars Sarah Bolger (Once Upon A Time, Into The Badlands) and Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica, Dexter). The riveting plot is full of thrills as well as heart. It's a solid follow-up to Sons Of Anarchy and has been renewed for a 4th season set to air in April 2022.
American Horror Story (2011-)
Stream On Hulu and Amazon Prime Video
This anthology series created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk of Glee fame keeps viewers guessing from season to season. Each incarnation of the show revolves around a distinct horror genre. Seasons have included a haunted hotel, a coven of witches, and a cult.
Numerous stars have been in the American Horror Story cast over the years such as Lady Gaga, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett to name just a few. The series can be completely terrifying with lots of scares and surprises, but also intriguing in its character development. The show also has fun delving into all aspects of horror.
The Shield (2002-2008)
Stream On Hulu
The Shield was FX's very first foray into original programming. It was created in reaction to rival HBO's success with The Sopranos. The Crime drama set in Los Angeles follows Vic Mackey, played by Michael Chiklis (American Horror Story, Sons Of Anarchy), and his team who use corrupt methods in an effort to reduce crime.
The show was created by Shawn Ryan (Angel, Timeless) who based it on a real L.A. police unit. Chiklis and the series achieved much critical acclaim in large part because of some extended roles with big-name actors like Glenn Close and Forest Whitaker.
What We Do In The Shadows (2019-)
Stream On Hulu
The What We Do In The Shadows series was created by Jemaine Clement (Flight Of The Conchords, Big Mouth) after the eponymous film had great success. The mockumentary-style comedy follows an ensemble of vampires who live in a mansion on Staten Island and their mishaps.
The inept vampires are cared for by Nandor's familiar, Guillermo, who's played by Harvey Guillén (Reacher, The Magicians). The show also has a ton of fantastic cameos, from Evan Rachel Woods to Tilda Swinton. What We Do In The Shadows is arguably a TV show better than the movie it's based on, with engaging characters and plenty of laughs.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (2005-)
Stream On FXNOW, ABC, and Hulu
This hugely popular twisted comedy was created by two of its actors, Glenn Howerton and Rob McElHenney. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia also stars Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson, and the brilliant Danny DeVito. The five of them own a bar together in South Philidelphia and are constantly hatching plans and scheming.
Their narcissism and constant bickering make the show entertaining, particularly as their plans always seem to blow up in their faces. Their adventures are so popular that the show has broken the record for longest-running live-action comedy. Die-hard Sunny fans will be happy to know it's recently been renewed through its 18th season!
The Americans (2013-2018)
Stream On Amazon Prime
The Americans is a spy drama set during Ronald Reagan's presidency and the Cold War with the USSR. Two Soviet spies are planted in Washington, D.C. as a married couple who have two children together and run a travel agency as a cover. The couple, played by Keri Russell (Felicity, The Rise Of Skywalker) and Matthew Rhys (The Post, Perry Mason), struggle to balance their family life with their espionage.
The show does an interesting job of showing both sides of the spy-vs-spy game by going deep into both the U.S. and Russian efforts to defeat one another. As a period piece, it's a lot of fun to see the 1980s recreated.
Fargo (2014-)
Stream On Hulu
Based on the Coen brothers' Oscar-winning movie by the same name, the Fargo series is a dark dramedy anthology with each season focusing on a different slice of the crime world in the upper midwest. Early seasons starred Billy Bob Thorton, Ewen McGregor, Kirsten Dunst, and Colin Hanks as some of Fargo's best characters to date.
The most recent season stars Chris Rock as a Kansas City crime boss in the 1950s. Aside from the star-studded cast, the show has magnificent writing and the exotic locales of northern winters just like the original movie. A keen eye will catch numerous references to other Coen brothers' productions, especially The Big Lubowski.
Justified (2010-2015)
Stream On Hulu
This western-style crime drama was developed by Graham Yost (Speed, Sneaky Pete) from a series of stories written by Elmore Leonard (Get Shorty, Jackie Brown) about U. S. Marshal Raylan Givens played by Timothy Olyphant (Deadwood, The Mandalorian). Raylan Givens doesn't follow the rules, which gets him in trouble. Especially when he's transferred to Kentucky where he grew up.
This series presents a seedy world in the Appalachian mountains. It has fantastic dialogue and a distinct style. The show was so successful that a limited revival of Justified was recently announced.
Sons Of Anarchy (2008-2014)
Stream On Hulu
FX's number one show according to Ranker's voters is Sons Of Anarchy, a hugely popular crime drama about Jackson 'Jax' Teller, played by Charlie Hunnam (Queer As Folk, Pacific Rim), a member of the motorcycle club in California. The show also stars Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman among others.
The show's creator Kurt Sutter also created Mayans M.C. and worked on The Shield. The show is intriguing, diving deep into the lives and livelihoods of the brave SAMCRO members as well as the lives that they affect. With seven seasons available, this show is high bingeable.