Miniseries are some of the most fun TV shows to watch, as they're quick and compelling, falling somewhere between a series and a movie. While some of these projects are instantly popular, others never get the attention they're due and are still overlooked to this day. These miniseries come from all genres, from sci-fi projects like Station Eleven to period dramas like John Adams. However, regardless of genre, there's something about all of these works that draws you in and immerses you in the story, never letting go until the screen finally goes dark.

One of the most fun things about a condensed show is that the best miniseries can be binged in a weekend or even a day or two, making it quickly digestible. Though not all of these miniseries have happy endings, all of them deliver an ending that uplifts the story and makes sense for the characters. However, it's also the central performances of the actors who lend their skills to the projects that elevate these shows beyond typical miniseries. With the right attention, all of these have the potential to be classics.

10 John Adams (2008)

This period drama is rooted in emotional realism

Fans of The Holdovers will recognize Paul Giamatti, the actor who leads the series as the titular historical figure, John Adams. Though it isn't technically one of the best Revolutionary War movies, John Adams is often brought up in discussions of the most iconic works that tackle this period of history. Giamatti is deeply entrenched in his performance and committed to showing the many sides of the famous Adams as both a politician and a man.

With gorgeous sets and costumes that immerse the viewer in the period, John Adams also featured Laura Linney in one of her best performances to date as Abigail Adams.

You can learn a lot about U.S. history by watching John Adams, but this isn't to say that the series is only concerned with educating the audience. With gorgeous sets and costumes that immerse the viewer in the period, John Adams also featured Laura Linney in one of her best performances to date as Abigail Adams. Though there's nothing glamorous or sweeping about John Adams​​​​​​, the realism and emotional truths of the story are iconic.

9 Irma Vep (2022)

The original movie gets a new lease on life in this sleek miniseries

Alicia Vikander plays Mira in Irma Vep, a television reimagining of the 1996 movie of the same name. The director of the film, Olivier Assayas, adapted the story for TV, modernizing it and tackling the ways that the film industry has evolved since his first project. In discussion with the most toxic elements of filmmaking and Mira's descent into borderline madness, as she pushes herself to embody her character, Irma Vep is a smart and stylish take on the narrative that soars thanks to Vikander.

Imbuing the series with surreal elements and plenty of tongue-in-cheek references to filmmaking itself, Irma Vep was made for film lovers but offers something for everyone. Mira is an interesting and empathetic character who we get to know through Vikander's performance. In some ways, Irma Vep is closer to an extended epic movie rather than a TV series, as the end of each episode only makes the audience want to keep watching.

8 Mildred Pierce (2011)

Kate Winslet is unforgettable as the iconic character Mildred Pierce

Kate Winslet and Evan Rachel Wood star in the miniseries Mildred Pierce. They play the titular character and her daughter, Veda. Based on the novel of the same name, which was originally adapted to the screen in 1945, Mildred Pierce hasn't enjoyed the popularity of Winslet's other miniseries, like Mare of Easttown. Todd Haynes, known for movies like Carol and I'm Not There, helms Mildred Pierce as the director and one of the writers. Thanks to the collaboration between Haynes and the actors, Mildred Pierce becomes a gripping drama.

Winslet has never had any trouble anchoring a series, and her work alone is reason enough to watch Mildred Pierce.

Set primarily during the Great Depression, Mildred Pierce is concerned with the relationship between Mildred and Veda, who grows to resent and scorn her mother. Mildred Pierce distinguishes itself from the film iteration of the story for many reasons, but Winslet's unforgettable performance can't be overlooked. Winslet has never had any trouble anchoring a series, and her work alone is reason enough to watch Mildred Pierce.

7 North & South (2004)

Love, industrialization, and cultural clashes take center stage in North & South

One of the best period romance TV shows of the 21st century, the 2004 North & South is typically overlooked compared to bigger period dramas. However, North & South boasts a timeless story that has plenty of intrigue, heartbreak, and romance, perfect for any fan of the genre. Though personal drama is a large part of the narrative of North & South, the series is also in conversation with the industrialization of England, exploring how working conditions and workers' rights became significant issues.

Just four episodes long, North & South is easy to dive into in just a day or two, reaching its satisfying conclusion in no time. The relationship between Margaret (Daniela Denby-Ashe) and John (Richard Armitage) is a driving thrust behind the emotional arc of the story, as the pair grow to love and respect each other, witnessing how their values align. North & South is more serious than similar works like the BBC Pride & Prejudice​​​​​​, but this is part of what sets the project apart.

6 Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015)

A fantasy series full of fun and magic from start to finish

This magical take on Susanna Clarke's fantasy novel of the same name, Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, is an under-appreciated addition to the fantasy genre. It's set in an alternate history where magic is real and widely accepted despite there being few true practitioners. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell follows the parallel journeys of the two magicians, played by Bertie Carvel and Eddie Marsan, two veteran British actors who give their all to the mystical world of the story.

Though Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell didn't perform as well internationally as the series did with British audiences, there's a lot to recommend about the series to anyone who enjoys fantasy. However, that isn't to say that viewers who don't typically go for magical storytelling wouldn't enjoy the show. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell blends genres and incorporates plenty of thrills into its perfectly paced runtime. From the immersive production design to the offbeat characters, the show creates a cohesive atmosphere.

5 Catch-22 (2019)

The iconic book is skillfully brought to life

There have been many attempts to bring Joseph Heller's well-known book to life, and the 2019 miniseries adaptation of Catch-22 pays tribute to the original text. Christopher Abbott, known for his work in the TV show Girls and the recent fantasy movie Poor Things, plays John Yossarian, the unfortunate protagonist of Catch-22. Yossarian is unable to escape his dangerous life as a bombardier in the Air Force during fictionalized battles in World War II.

Unlike the early movie iterations of Catch-22, this recent version is a sleeker, more refined take on the story thanks to the strides made in technology and visual effects. Additionally, Abbott is far from the only cast member giving his all to his performance, as every actor fully immerses themselves in the dark absurdity of the narrative. Catch-22 is a strong adaptation that will likely continue to expose younger generations to the seminal book.

4 Under The Banner Of Heaven (2022)

This true crime drama is led by an incredible cast

Based on the book by Jon Krakauer, Under the Banner of Heaven is a true crime miniseries that was clearly inspired by popular contemporary mystery series like True Detective​​​​​​. Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones lead the cast in their respective timelines. From their opposing perspectives, the audiences see the events that led to Brenda's (Edgar-Jones) death and Jeb's (Garfield) struggle to reconcile his faith with the crimes he witnesses. Though it made waves when it first aired, Under the Banner of Heaven deserves to be considered a classic.

The performances by Garfield and Edgar-Jones are two of the most enduring aspects of the series and help elevate the overall quality of the project.

The performances by Garfield and Edgar-Jones are two of the most enduring aspects of the series and help elevate the overall quality of the project. Under the Banner of Heaven garnered some controversy due to its portrayal of the actual events of the murder and the Mormon church. It's always a delicate balance when a series is bringing real events to life, but Under the Banner of Heaven makes it clear that it's not a reenactment or documentary but a fictionalized show.

3 Generation Kill (2008)

A visceral wartime drama that pushes the audience and characters to their limits

One of the most grueling depictions of war to come out in the 21st century, HBO's Generation Kill is a stark and intense exploration of the horrors of war. Loosely based on the work of a journalist who chronicled his experience shadowing soldiers during the first U.S. invasion of Iraq, Generation Kill gave viewers an insight into war they'd never seen before. Though it was hailed as a realistic and skilled telling of the conflict, Generation Kill isn't as well ed as other war miniseries.

Part of this could be because this conflict is so recent, and it's often more comfortable to watch a series about a war that ended many years ago rather than one that's still affecting international relations today. Generation Kill prompts the audience to think deeply about what they see onscreen, even in the most visceral moments. Led by an expert cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Generation Kill is a must-watch series for people interested in military media.

2 Station Eleven (2021–2022)

This hidden gem sci-fi series is full of hope

Station Eleven isn't just an amazing miniseries but also one of the strongest works of sci-fi of the 2020s. The series is based on the novel by Emily St. John Mandel. Starring Mackenzie Davis as Kristen, the protagonist and survivor of a deadly flu that wiped out the majority of the population, Station Eleven chronicles how the survivors grapple with their new world. Told through flashbacks that punctuate the intensity of the present moment, Station Eleven is dark, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

However, the nonlinear storytelling and hard-to-watch moments could easily put off viewers before they make it to the resolution. This is likely why Station Eleven never got its due and is still considered a hidden gem within the sci-fi genre. For those who have gotten sucked into the world of Station Eleven, they know how much of a joy it is to watch the moving pieces slowly fit together and to witness how Station Eleven gives meaning back to an uncertain world.

1 A Very English Scandal (2018)

Hugh Grant shines in this darkly comic send up of British society

In one of Hugh Grant's best villain performances, the actor plays the real English politician, Jeremy Thorpe, who was ousted from the government after the public scandal and trial involving Norman Josiffe (Ben Wishaw). A Very English Scandal dramatizes the events of the affair, breakup, and legal battle between Thorpe and Josiffe. The series grapples with the intersection between LGBTQ+ rights and Thorpe's misguided attempts to hide his true self as the events unfold in the 1960s and '70s.

It's an interesting miniseries, praised for the performances by the actors and its dedication to showcasing the drama and dark comedy of the situation. This is far from the only miniseries that Grant has been a part of, but it is his most underrated. Though there were criticisms about how the real people were portrayed in the series, A Very English Scandal is a functionalization that uses the story as a tool to comment on British society as a whole.