The world is indeed in the midst of the "Golden Age of Television". In addition to such a wide array of quality ongoing series available these days, the "limited series" or "miniseries" has enjoyed its own renaissance. Over the course of the past ten years, both premium and cable networks have invested in many high-concept, big-budget, star-powered miniseries, many of which have gone on to ensnare viewers in the perpetual search for the next prestige binge.
With so many choices, and so many streaming services and networks vying for consumers' attention, it can be difficult to discern where they should invest their time. Here are the ten best "limited series" that have aired since 2010, according to the Tomatometer.
Updated on December 14th, 2020 by Svetlana Sterlin: Limited series seem to be taking over traditional television as viewers prefer to watch something that doesn't require a long-term commitment. For instance, Netflix's new miniseries The Queen's Gambit has become the streaming platform's most-watched program ever. Here are five more critically acclaimed limited series to watch.
True Detective: Season 1 (87%)
One of the most talked-about shows of 2014, HBO's anthology series kicked off with its best season. The network, and the show's driving creative force, Nic Pizzolatto, were lucky enough to strike gold with the pairing of leads Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as two philosophically mismatched detectives on a decades-long quest to solve a grisly murder.
Truly a series that captured the morbid attention of the nation for its eight-week run, True Detective Season 1 is one of the smartest and best helmed crime thrillers to grace the small screen.
Assasination of Gianni Versace (89%)
The award-winning anthology returned to FX two years after its inaugural installment with this even darker true-crime saga. The second season tells the lesser-known story of serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
This set of episodes may not be as jaw-droppingly amazing as its predecessor, but Darren Criss gives a career-highlight showing as the chameleon, Cunanan. Though the story may leave a little to be desired, this season makes up for it in the visual department. Bright colors and dark shadows mirror the glossy world of Italian fashion. The reverse chronology makes for a suspenseful viewing experience.
The Act (90%)
Based on a haunting true story, The Act stars Joey King as Gypsy Blanchard and Patricia Arquette as her mother Dee Dee. Dee Dee keeps her daughter under very close watch, forcing her to take medications that render her totally dependent.
As Gypsy grows, she tries to break free of their toxic relationship and assert her independence. As a young woman and someone who has always been under the influence of various drugs, Gypsy also doesn't really know who she is. This can lead her to commit terrible crimes with the help of her boyfriend who she meets online.
The Pacific (91%)
HBO's sister series to Band of Brothers, one of the best to ever do it, once again took a gritty and realistic look at the horrors of WWII. Instead of focusing on the European front, however, The Pacific shows the sun-drenched nightmare of the Pacific Ocean theater.
A pulse-pounding spectacle, The Pacific largely satisfied the high expectations set by its predecessor. Furthermore, the miniseries featured another standout ensemble that brought stars like future-Oscar winner Rami Malek to the public eye. Producer and narrator Tom Hanks also returned with his writing team for this series, lending a consistent voice to both installments.
Sharp Objects (92%)
As far as deep character studies disguised as a Southern-fried murder mysteries parading as gothic family melodrama go, Sharp Objects is the cream of the crop. Amy Adams gives one of her very best performances as Camille, a damaged journalist sent back to her hometown to investigate a duo of murders most foul.
Adapting the Gillian Flynn novel into a thematically heavy and plot-dense maze of interpersonal turmoil and dark family secrets, Sharp Objects weaves its serpentine structure with a deceiving malaise until it reaches a truly frightening conclusion.
The End Of The F***ing World (93%)
Based on a comic by Charles Forsman, The End Of The F***ing World was originally planned to be only one season long. The episodes are short, ranging from twenty to twenty-five minutes, and the two charming seasons consist of just eight episodes each.
The first season follows two rebellious, angsty teens as they run away from home. James believes he's a psychopath and plans to kill Alyssa, who believes she's in love with him. Both of them have troubled histories and complicated home lives, but they learn to tackle the world together, taking down a sexual offender in the process. This British series is funny, endearing, and heartwarming.
The Night Of (94%)
One of the most prominent formulas in recent memory when it comes to "limited series" is the exploration of a single crime. When True Detective began dominating the landscape, it seemed like every single network had its own version of the one-season crime schtick.
However, HBO's own The Night Of is about as good as it gets. By focusing less on the whodunit and more on the many ways the American justice system fails a young man, the series was both consistently suspenseful and incredibly cerebral.
Watchmen (95%)
Comic book television took a step forward in a big way with this HBO miniseries, the brainchild of Lost-alum Damon Lindelof. Labeled a "remix" of the landmark graphic novel, the miniseries told a brand new story that tied in with the source material in a myriad of exciting and clever ways.
Particularly special are the ways the show handles Dr. Manhattan's arc, as well as the heavy focus on racial tensions that are more relevant than ever in the current world. A true home run for the post-Game of Thrones HBO, the only downside is there isn't more of it.
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (95%)
This docuseries, again hailing from HBO, is probably best remembered for its honest-to-god mindblowing finale. Viewers watched in disbelief as accused killer Robert Durst, unknowingly still being recorded, seemingly admits to murder.
The true-crime series has never been more of a trend than it is right now, but there's something about the way Durst is so apparently open to helping the filmmaking team to clear his name before being confronted with the now legendary damning evidence in the final moments. Even crazier is the series leads to the eventual arrest of Durst for his crimes, a real-world effect of filmmaking that doesn't happen often enough.
Mrs. American (95%)
The most recent, and relevant, entry into the all-time canon, Mrs. America tells the story of Phyllis Schlafly, an anti-feminist conservative who led a movement to block the ratification of the “Equal Rights Amendment.”
A period-piece as much as it is a dark political satire that happens to be true, the whole thing is elevated ten-fold by the multilayered work done by Cate Blanchett in the titular role. A great remedy to our modern times, Mrs. America is a constantly engaging and informative piece of television.
Unorthodox (95%)
Unorthodox is a four-part miniseries based on the incredible true story of Deborah Feldman. Shira Haas gives an outstanding performance as Esther Shapiro, a young Jewish woman fleeing her home of Williamsburg - and her arranged marriage - to seek freedom in Berlin.
Esther is also pursuing the other joys of life, including her passion for music, which her culture had previously forbidden her to study. The series is the first Netflix original to be primarily in Yiddish.
When They See Us (96%)
Rarely is a series this emotionally draining. Ava DuVernay's stark and scathing condemnation of the racial prejudices present throughout all levels of the American justice system is a brilliant and heartwrenching piece of work. Featuring stellar performances from both TV veterans like Joshua Jackson and breakout newcomers like Jharell Jerome, When They See Us drew wide acclaim from audiences and critics and led to a reemergence of the central case in the public consciousness.
Telling the true story of five young African-American teens wrongly imprisoned for the rape of a white woman, the series is not only a stellar watch but an important one.
Fargo (96%)
Noah Hawley’s unique spin on the Coen Brothers’ 90s noir classic, FX’s Fargo remains one of modern television's most acclaimed anthologies. Though the seasonal installments are loosely tied together by a common geographical location and damn-near constant nods to the source material and previous installments.
Still, the witty writing and unexpected seasonal arcs are unparalleled. A quirky masterpiece worthy of its title, the first season is a bonafide stroke of genius and features a startlingly great performance by Billy Bob Thornton as a mysterious out-of-towner.
Chernobyl (96%)
The best horror show of 2019 wasn't even a horror show. For five weeks, HBO kept viewers peering from behind their fingers as the drama of the titular nuclear disaster unfolded. Featuring some of the scariest imagery to hit the TV screen since Twin Peaks, the Chernobyl miniseries was as gripping as any major Hollywood thrillers and nastier than any torture porn out there.
Especially great was Jared Harris as a scientist trying to convince government leaders to take the threat seriously. Certainly a bleak descent through Hell itself, Chernobyl is nonetheless a major achievement for the network.
American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson (97%)
Ryan Murphy has been a major forerunner in the rebirth of the anthology series. Staring with American Horror Story, Murphy has been behind an almost innumerable amount of new shows over the past decade. However, the greatest thing he's currently producing on TV is American Crime Story.
Though the second installment is excellent, it's this first season that centers on O.J. Simpson's murder trial that swept the Emmys and recaptured the world's interest in the case. Featuring a stunning ensemble of Hollywood stars, the season's MVP was breakout Sterling K. Brown as prosecutor Christopher Darden.
Wolf Hall (98%)
Yes, the best "limited series" of the past decade is another one of those 'stuffy British nighttime soaps.' Except, Wolf Hall isn't like that at all. The seven-episode series adapts a duo of popular novels in a dense and witty period-piece detailing a fictitious account of Thomas Cromwell's rise in the British court.
Starring Oscar winner Mark Rylance as Cromwell, the series is sweeping and thoroughly engrossing, though admittedly a slow-burn. For those that stick with it, Wolf Hall is a rich and immensely rewarding piece of work. Truly an example of a serendipitous work where all elements therein are working together in perfect tandem, Wolf Hall should be your next binge.
Unbelievable (98%)
Kaitlyn Dever stars as Marie Adler, a teenager who reports being raped. Two female detectives, played by Toni Collette and Merritt Wever, take her case and question her about the assault.
They gather evidence, based solely on Marie's words - and a true story - to compile enough information that could lead them to the truth. But as the title suggests, Marie's story seems unbelievable to some.
The Queen's Gambit (99%)
Netflix recently announced that The Queen's Gambit has broken the streaming platform's records to become its most-watched program ever. The series follows Beth Harmon, a troubled female chess prodigy, as she becomes orphaned, adopted, and then becomes the best chess player in the world.
Along her journey, she becomes addicted to drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and victory. She gradually spirals into darkness while proving the world wrong about women in sports. One of the most fascinating things about her is that she's genuinely unaware that being female is considered to be a disadvantage.