One of the most successful hybrid genres that popular culture has to offer, greatest television shows of all time. Upping the stakes associated with typical dramatic offerings by introducing the perilous element of criminality makes for endlessly watchable viewing, a state of affairs that has been exemplified by television's best crime dramas. Throw in a raft of compelling characters and a collection of riveting storylines, and audiences are left with one of the most exciting brands of television available.

The diverse nature of these shows' subject matter means there is no set formula to create a perfect crime drama. Encoming a wide range of settings, characters, and times, television's standout offerings from this genre have focused on topics from ruthless TV drug lords. Earning critical acclaim from fans and critics alike against the backdrop of a successful multi-season run, the best crime dramas represent indispensable viewing for any self-respecting student of popular culture.

10 Top Boy

Aired Between 2011-2023

A deep dive into London's murky world of organized crime, Top Boy received critical acclaim across a five-season run spanning more than a decade. While the series was initially dropped by Channel 4, Netflix revived the show in 2019 following considerable interest from rapper Drake. This proved to be an inspired decision, with the superb crime drama roaring back onto the scene bigger and better than ever before, producing three magnificent seasons of television before concluding in 2023.

Capturing a visceral snapshot of London's criminality, Top Boy is an unflinching look into the darkest aspects associated with drug dealing and gang violence. The show's adrenaline-fused narrative is loaded with gripping twists and turns, making for endlessly compelling viewing; a status quo aided by Top Boy's cast of rich characters and masterful performances. Throw in a killer soundtrack to boot, and viewers are left with one of British television's most electrifying offerings.

9 True Detective

Aired Between 2014-Present

Television's preeminent authority for crime anthologies, True Detective has had its ups and downs across a four-season run to date, but still rightfully retains its status as one of television's best crime dramas. True Detective's first season, starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, is widely regarded as one of the single best installments of television ever made. 2024's fourth outing, the Jodie Foster-led True Detective: Night Country, has also received a similarly effusive response from critics.

Presenting each new season as a self-contained narrative with a new setting and different characters, the show's innovative approach proved the perfect shake-up for a played-out premise like true crime. Leveraging an array of performances so intense that they border on visceral against the backdrop of a diverse array of thrilling crime-based storylines, True Detective is such a first-rate crime drama that even the show's weaker seasons still make for gripping viewing.

8 Sons Of Anarchy

Aired Between 2008-2014

An epic crime family saga with heavy Shakespearean overtones, Sons of Anarchy chronicles the turbulent life and times of the titular motorcycle gang. Boasting a wickedly talented ensemble cast who utterly lose themselves in bringing these colorful outlaws to life, Kurt Sutter's Hamlet-on-Harley-Davidsons offering received highly positive reviews throughout a seven-season run. Making for an even more interesting blend of genres, Sons of Anarchy is also considered a neo-Western.

Providing an immersive window into the shadowy world of biker culture and modern criminality, Sutter's show depends on authenticity; an unsurprising aspect, given that the showrunner spent time with a real-life outlaw motorcycle gang as research for his show. A glorious cocktail of intense drama, shocking moments, and thrilling action sequences, Sons of Anarchy even boasts a brilliant soundtrack that further cements its status as an iconic crime drama.

7 Boardwalk Empire

Aired Between 2010-2014

Set during the Prohibition era of the 1920s, Boardwalk Empire depicts the rise and fall of Steve Buscemi's Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a political figure, bootlegger, and career criminal who serves as the de facto ruler of Atlantic City. One of HBO's most consistently underrated offerings, Boardwalk Empire received highly positive reviews across a five-season run. Particular praise was singled out for the show's arresting visual style, its dramatization of various historical figures, and Buscemi's superb leading bow.

Heavily channeling executive producer Martin Scorsese's inimitable influence throughout proceedings, Boardwalk Empire remains a timeless triumph.

While Terence Winters' crime drama regrettably never fully recovered from the loss of Michael Pitt's Jimmy Darmody in the second season, it speaks volumes to Boardwalk Empire's wider quality that it still managed to deftly sidestep this creative loss to produce three more acclaimed seasons of television. Heavily channeling executive producer Martin Scorsese's inimitable influence throughout proceedings, Boardwalk Empire remains a timeless triumph.

6 The Shield

Aired Between 2002-2008

An explosive crime drama loosely based on a true story, The Shield has been labeled by many critics as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Focusing on the conduct of corrupt police officers in the LAPD, The Shield was critically acclaimed, running for seven highly successful seasons before concluding in 2008. The show has arguably been overshadowed by the slew of more modern crime dramas that followed, but has lost none of the watchability that made it such a success in the first place.

Spearheaded by a career-best performance from Michael Chiklis as amoral detective Vic Mackey, The Shield is loaded with violence, suspense, and high stakes, a unique recipe of anti-hero drama that makes for a masterful crime series. The show also features some exemplary ing performances and is also notable for casting prominent A-Listers like Michael Peña or Glenn Close in extended roles throughout the show's run, which only serves to underline the inherent quality.

5 Peaky Blinders

Aired Between 2013-2022

The crime drama that defined a generation of young British people, it's hard to overstate Peaky Blinders' impact on popular culture. Chronicling the turbulent existence of the titular Birmingham crime gang, the show's influence on fashion and haircut trends spread like wildfire. Peaky Blinders' cultural footprint arguably distracts from what a magnificent offering of television Steven Knight's acclaimed show was; an iconic crime outing that many will never get tired of rewatching on TV.

The Immortal Man, a feature film continuation of Peaky Blinders, will be distributed by Netflix.

Renowned for its soundtrack, Peaky Blinders presents a visually arresting snapshot of pre-WWII Birmingham that renders the city's filth and grime in remarkably authentic fashion. That's to say nothing of the gripping adventures Knight sends his cast out on across six seasons, although Cillian Murphy's mesmerizing bow as Tommy Shelby undoubtedly serves as Peaky Blinders' crowning jewel. The Irishman produces a consistently exceptional performance, bringing this haunted gangster to life in an unforgettable style.

4 Better Call Saul

Aired Between 2015-2022

Focusing on the origin story of the individual who would go on to become known as Saul Goodman, hopes were high for the Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul when the show debuted in 2015. With that being said, even the most optimistic individual in the world would likely have done a double take to find out that not only did the Bob Odenkirk-led enterprise receive similarly effusive critical praise, but many fans have argued that Better Call Saul is better than Breaking Bad.

Being labeled as superior to one of the greatest television shows ever conceived is no small praise, which Better Call Saul wears like a badge of honor. The prequel doesn't place the same emphasis on criminality that Breaking Bad does, choosing to focus its efforts on cultivating intrigue and nuanced character development in an exemplary fashion instead. Odenkirk's iconic lead performance as a character who was only originally written as a TV minor role is the stuff of legend; a career-best performance that the actor will always find his name inextricably linked to.

3 The Wire

Aired Between 2002-2008

Earning rave reviews for its unflinching depiction of the drug trade and organized crime in Baltimore, Maryland, HBO's The Wire set a new bar for authenticity in crime dramas. Despite a slight drop-off in positive reviews during the final season, this first-rate piece of television steadily rose in quality, to the point that David Simon's universally lauded piece of work frequently appears on top ten lists, narrowing down the candidates for the greatest television show of all time.

A seminal piece of television that has aged like a fine wine, The Wire remains as relevant and impactful in 2024 as it did throughout its initial run.

Groaning under the weight of a wickedly talented ensemble cast tasked with bringing Baltimore's human tapestry to life, The Wire also plays host to one of the best television characters of all time in the late Michael K. Williams' whistling killer, Omar Little. A seminal piece of television that has aged like a fine wine, The Wire remains as relevant and insightful in 2024 as it did throughout its initial run.

2 The Sopranos

Aired Between 1999-2007

Heavily inspired by Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, The Sopranos is frequently touted as a near-flawless television show. Running for six seasons, David Chase's epic crime drama follows the life of Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano as he attempts to juggle his responsibilities as a family man with his role as the leader of a criminal organization. Earning countless awards and glowing reviews throughout its run, there are few television shows that can even begin to rival this HBO offering.

The Sopranos has been praised across the board, from the quality of the ensemble cast's performances to the captivating nature of the show's various storylines. Spearheaded by a masterful lead turn from the late James Gandolfini, Chase's offering has also been praised for its take on fraught social topics. Deftly balancing astute social commentary with the trappings of an exemplary crime drama, The Sopranos rubber-stamped its own status as one of popular culture's most beloved and universally revered television shows.

1 Breaking Bad

Aired Between 2008-2013

A devastating criminal saga with no equal, Breaking Bad isn't just the best crime drama television show of all time. Vince Gilligan's iconic tale charting the rise and fall of Walter White from terminally ill high school teacher to the methamphetamine kingpin "Heisenberg" is a front-runner for the greatest television show ever made, five seasons of flawless viewing ending with a final act that may never be topped in of drama or spectacle.

Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, and Anna Gunn all deliver generational performances throughout their time on the show, breathing life into some of the most complex and compelling characters that television has ever witnessed. Gilligan's unique cinematography and inspired use of Albuquerque's natural landscape serve as a visually arresting backdrop to one of the most electrifying crime drama stories of all time, a timeless classic that gets better with every watch.