BBC’s greatest 100 television shows of the new era is in

If you know this site at all, you probably know that we reckon that the elevation of the modern television series from cheap entertainment to serious art form is a pretty bloody good thing. Don’t get us wrong, there were obviously some pretty f**ken spectacular television series before the advent of streaming channels, but we all know that the modern era is a golden one for television. That’s why we got pretty f**ken excited when we saw that the BBC had surveyed more than 200 critics to come up with THE definitive list. But, we’ve gotta say, we feel like one show was robbed…

Now, it kinda goes without saying that the fun of lists like these ones is the checking to make sure that your favourite shows got in there. And that’s where we’re feeling a bit bloody grumpy. It seems that one of the criteria for the survey was that the series started after the turn of the millennium.

These are the 100 greatest TV series of the 21st Century, as voted for by 206 critics from 43 countries. #TVOfTheCentury https://t.co/A3x6MAqIkw

— BBC Culture (@BBC_Culture) October 19, 2021

Now, on one hand, that’s fair enough, but on the other, it rules out The Sopranos. That’s a major oversight. Sure, technically, it started in 99, but it ran till 2007, giving it a pretty good claim, and considering how highly-rated it is, we reckon it should really be eligible.

Still, now that we’ve got that off our chests, we have to admit that BBC are pretty open about the point of the survey. They’ve even gone so far as to say, “This list is designed not as an end in itself but merely as a starting point for discovery, discussion, and debate.”

See all the voters and what they chose here. #TVOfTheCentury https://t.co/rwbi2gFYqG

— BBC Culture (@BBC_Culture) October 19, 2021

And on that token, we have to go, yeah, f**ken whatever. Of course, they’re kinda right, though. Whether the shows you like made the list, or shows you think are garbage topped it, it’s all about debate and reflection.

That’s probably why the BBC said this: “While in no way definitive, the answers we have collated are fascinating – and, we hope, will inspire TV lovers everywhere to both seek out titles they haven’t seen before, and further reflect on and discuss ones they have.”

Still, despite that, you have to see that there’s some serious quality in that top three and choosing between shows like The Wire, Mad Men and Breaking Bad for top spot can’t have been easy.

Anyway, here’s the complete list:

BBC’s 100 Greatest TV Shows Of The 21st Century

1. The Wire (2002-2008)
2. Mad Men (2007-2015)
3. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
4. Fleabag (2016-2019)
5. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
6. I May Destroy You (2020)
7. The Leftovers (2014-2017)
8. The Americans (2013-2018)
9. The Office (UK) (2001-2003)
10. Succession (2018-)
11. BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
12. Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
13. Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)
14. Atlanta (2016-)
15. Chernobyl (2019)
16. The Crown (2016-)
17. 30 Rock (2006-2013)
18. Deadwood (2004-2006)
19. Lost (2004-2010)
20. The Thick of It (2005-2012)
21. Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-)
22. Black Mirror (2011-)
23. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
24. Veep (2012-2019)
25. Sherlock (2010-2017)
26. Watchmen (2019)
27. Line of Duty (2012-2021)
28. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
29. Parks & Recreation (2009-2015)
30. Girls (2012-2017)
31. True Detective (2014-2019)
32. Arrested Development (2003-2019)
33. The Good Wife (2009-2016)
34. The Bridge (2011-2018)
35. Fargo (2014-)
36. Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
37. Band of Brothers (2001)
38. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-)
39. The Office [US] (2005-2013)
40. Borgen (2010-2022)
41. Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
42. Peep Show (2003-2015)
43. Money Heist (2017-2021)
44. Community (2009-2015)
45. The Good Fight (2017-)
46. Homeland (2011-2020)
47. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-)
48. Inside No 9 (2014-)
49. The Bureau (2015-)
50. Halt & Catch Fire (2014-2017)
51. Small Axe (2020)
52. This is England 86, 88, 90 (2010-2015)
53. Call My Agent! (2015-2020)
54. Happy Valley (2014-)
55. The Shield (2002-2008)
56. The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019)
57. The Young Pope (2016)
58. Dark (2017-2020)
59. The Underground Railroad (2021)
60. House of Cards (2013-2018)
61. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
62. The Good Place (2016-2020)
63. Pose (2018-2021)
64. Detectorists (2014-2017)
65. Orange is the New Black (2013-2019)
66. Mare of Easttown (2021)
67. RuPaul’s Drag Race (2009-)
68. Stranger Things (2016-)
69. 24 (2001-2010)
70. Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
71. Enlightened (2011-2013)
72. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
73. Planet Earth (2006)
74. Utopia (2013-2014)
75. Babylon Berlin (2017-)
76. Rick & Morty (2013-)
77. American Crime Story (2016-)
78. The Killing [Denmark] (2007-2012)
79. Mindhunter (2017-2019)
80. House (2004-2012)
81. OJ: Made in America (2016)
82. Big Little Lies (2017-2019)
83. Insecure (2016-2021)
84. Normal People (2020)
85. Narcos (2015-2017)
86. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
87. The Comeback (2005-2014)
88. The OA (2016-2019)
89. Dexter (2006-2013)
90. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)
91. Westworld (2016-)
92. Show Me a Hero (2015)
93. Treme (2010-2013)
94. Louie (2010-2015)
95. Luther (2010-2019)
96. Catastrophe (2015-2019)
97. Hannibal (2013-2015)
98. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019)
99. Steven Universe (2013-2020)
100. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

The cultural impact of The Wire – which featured the kind of antiheroes, explicit action, authentic storylines and complex plotting that would become standard practice in streaming television – has proven immeasurable, writes @Deggans #TVOfTheCentury https://t.co/ERQ37aNBJ1

— BBC Culture (@BBC_Culture) October 19, 2021

Final thought: Yeah, look, we reckon it’s unfair that The Sopranos didn’t make the list, but maybe we’re wrong and rules are rules. Still, have your say. How does this list compare to your own? Give us your top five in the comments section. Let’s see what kinda consensus we can get going here.

Just in case you missed it, here’s one of Ozzy’s latest commentary videos…Ozzy Man Reviews: Cyclists

H/T: BBC.