The 2010s saw a number of amazing TV shows come to an end, leaving a bittersweet feeling amongst many fans. Some of the shows ended with divisive feedback on their final seasons and episodes, whilst others were completely satisfying. Regardless of how these popular shows were received at the end, there's no denying that they gave fans plenty of memorable hours of entertainment.
We know all good things must come to an end, but thankfully, there's always something new to replace our beloved shows once they're gone. The latter half of the last decade has already produced some top-quality gems for TV audiences to get addicted to, and it's only the beginning of many more years of great TV to come. Check out a list of the 5 biggest TV shows that ended in the last decade and 5 that are just getting started below.
Ended: Dexter (2006-2013)
Dexter follows the life of a well-mannered Miami PD blood-splatter analyst who moonlights as a serial killer after hours. He's not your average serial killer though, as he only targets other murderers. Dexter has to balance his work, personal, and family life all while battling his inner demons and quenching his thirst for blood.
There have been plenty of loveable anti-heroes in film and TV history, but few more so than Dexter Morgan (immortalized by Michael C. Hall). Dexter's struggle to keep his murderous ways a secret to those around him and his internal battle of wanting to be a good person, while succumbing to his desire for death, was one that allowed audiences to empathize with the character while keeping them on the edge of their seats for 8 seasons.
Started: The Boys (2019-)
The Boys follows a group of super-powered 'heroes' known as the 'Seven,' who have a penchant for crime. The media paints this group of heroes as good guys, but a small group of vigilantes known as 'the boys,' know what's really behind the facade, and seek to stop the 'Seven' at any cost.
This popular new series is a satirical take on the superhero genre and is based on an original DC Comics graphic novel series. It imagines a world where everyone's favorite superheroes are merely a manufactured product of the mainstream media, allowing them to go about their devilish ways behind the scenes. The show is filled with gloriously over-the-top bloody violence and is an excellent addition to the Amazon Originals slate of TV programming, giving Netflix shows a run for their money.
Ended: The Office (2005-2013)
The US version of The Office re-defined comedy television. It featured the antics of and relationships between a ragtag bunch of office employees of a paper company, led by their doofus boss, Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Shot in a mockumentary-style format, The Office was one of the funniest shows on television for most of its 9 season run.
An adaptation of Ricky Gervais' popular UK series of the same name that ran from 2001-2003, The Office (US) hit TV screens and became an instant success. The casting was spot on, the stories heartfelt, and the character dynamics perfect. This charming and hilarious show would quickly go on to become ingrained into pop culture history.
Started: Barry (2018-)
HBO's irreverent new comedy series Barry is a great choice to fulfill your comedy needs moving into the next decade. It stars funnyman Bill Hader as a hitman nearing the end of his professional killing career, who begins to realize his newfound passion for acting by joining an acting school. Unfortunately for Barry, his past is not so quick to retire and he's constantly thrust back into the life he's trying to escape.
Another show with a strong anti-hero lead, Barry's first two seasons have proven that this show could be a contender for one of the best of the 2020s. Hader is excellent as the reluctant hitman and is joined by a stellar supporting cast that includes comedy legend, Henry Winkler. It's a show that will have you emotionally invested in the characters and it contains a good mix of laugh-out-loud humor, violence, and drama.
Ended: Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Breaking Bad is without a doubt, one of the greatest shows of all time and it was a sad day when the series ended in 2013. The story revolves around Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher who, upon being diagnosed with cancer, takes it upon himself to cook meth and sell it for a large profit in order to provide for his family once he's gone. White, alongside his young drug-dealing business associate Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) tread down a path of no return as they begin to mix with dangerous drug kingpins.
The thing that made Breaking Bad such an amazing show was its raw intensity, well fleshed-out and likable characters (even the villainous ones), and devotion to maintaining a consistently intriguing story. It's a show that needs to be experienced by all and is one that won't soon be forgotten from the pages of pop culture history.
Started: The Mandalorian (2019-)
From Disney and based in the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian is the latest and greatest show to debut in the last decade. It follows the story of a bounty hunter that's taken a particularly cute bounty under his protection, causing many unsavory-type characters, including the forces of the Empire, to hunt them down and retrieve said bounty.
The Mandalorian became an instant hit with fans when it launched on Disney+ in late December of 2019. Its tone is reminiscent of old Westerns and features plenty of intriguing characters and subplots. It's been a great start for the series and only time will tell if it will go on to become a classic, though it's certainly looking that way.
Ended: Mad Men (2007-2015)
Set in the 1960s advertising world, Mad Men is a drama series that revolves around the stressful lives of a group of New York ad agency professionals. At the center of the story is Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the enigmatic, multi-layered executive that kept audiences tuned in for 7 seasons.
Mad Men just oozed cool. From its set and costume design to the enviable lives lived by its characters, the show was one that required patience but was well worth it in the end. The writing was the highlight of the show, with Don Draper going down as one of the most intriguing lead characters of any show in the past decade.
Started: Succession (2018-)
The new HBO series Succession has dropped two stellar seasons so far and is well on its way to becoming a classic. It follows an extremely wealthy media mogul and his family as they try to outmaneuver each other for a higher position in their company, often with hilarious consequences.
Succession is a family-themed drama that's as equally funny as it is dramatic. The characters are all quirky and the backstabbing and squabbling between the family members make for some standout, memorable moments. It's an understated show that's yet to hit the public consciousness but is well on its way to doing so.
Ended: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Undeniably the biggest show of the 2010s (and potentially, of all time), Game of Thrones was a landmark series that's cemented itself in pop culture history in a way unlike any that have come before it. It's a fantasy epic that sees various families vying for control of Westeros - the fictional world the show is set in.
A politically-charged high fantasy show at its core, Game of Thrones featured heavy drama, fantasy, action, adventure, and intrigue at each turn. Its biggest strength was the diverse cast of (mostly despicable) characters that kept audiences glued to their screens each week. Its final episode divided audiences, but it still remains one of the biggest and best shows to ever hit TV screens, and its cultural significance will live on forever.
Started: The Witcher (2019-)
If ever a show was going to fill the massive void that Game of Thrones left behind, The Witcher would be it. It follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a monster hunter whose destiny is intertwined with that of the sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) and the young princess Ciri (Freya Allan).
Fantasy fans can rejoice following the arrival of The Witcher on Netflix in late 2019. It may not be as polished as Game of Thrones, but it features all of the same high fantasy elements that fans can embrace.