5 Best Drama Series to watch on HBO

I love to get sucked into a new TV show, one that is so good it takes your mind off things.  I’ve been known to stumble upon a series and knock out a couple of seasons in one weekend, impressive I know!  Sometimes you just feel like watching a good drama, and HBO is just the spot.

The great thing about a new old series is you know you can binge if you want and they are generally pretty good considering they’ve been on for years.  They are perfect for a rainy/snowy weekend or to pass time on a plane.  I’ve decided to put my seemingly useless TV knowledge to use and give you some suggestions if you find yourself looking for a new old series to watch.  The below are what I’ve deemed the top 5 drama series to watch on HBO (at time of posting).

 

5. The Wire

This 5 season series takes place in Baltimore and shows the inner workings of a police drug unit, kingpins and the complex relationships in between.  There’s suspense, crime, drama…all the things that get you sucked in.  For some reason I resisted watching when it was on the air but when I gave it a chance it did not take long for me to become Obsessed.

 

4.  Big Love

What seems like it could not be relatable at all, this 5 season series is based on a polygamist and his multiple wives.  When you get down to it though it’s about the search for love and protecting and providing for your family, whatever that may look like.  The dynamics between the husband and wives, the wives with each other, and the family with the outside world…makes for great drama.

 

3.  The Sopranos

There were many awards won during the 6 season run, so it might be a little controversial that this didn’t get the #1 spot.  Of course, it’s good. Very good. But having a show based on the mafia doesn’t seem that original at the end of the day.  Regardless, it’s worth watching if you haven’t and you’ll get to see James Gandolfini in his famous role, RIP.  

 

2.  Six Feet Under

To be honest, I did not watch this show for a long time.  There was nothing about a show centered around a funeral home and the family running it that appealed to me.  8 years after the 5 season run, as I was healing a broken foot, I took the plunge. Not only did it keep me entertained, but I can also honestly say I was obsessed with it.  Weeks after I watched the final episode I could not get it out of my head and to this day I still get a visceral reaction when I hear the song Breathe Me by Sia

 

1.  Game of Thrones

8 seasons of pure entertainment.  I resisted at first, not one for fantasy or sci-fi or whatever you want to call it.  But GOT is one of those shows that is just universally appealing. Even if you think you aren’t into the genre, there is enough drama between the families vying for power, the mysterious threat to society’s existence, and the “love” stories in between, trust…you will find yourself rooting for and against people.

 

Honorable Mention | Succession

I’m really enjoying the 2 seasons that have aired so far.  Like really enjoying.  But it can’t go on the list until I see where it ultimately goes.  So while it’s not officially one of the best of all time (yet) I highly recommend you dive into this show based on a dysfunctional media mogul’s family.

There are a lot of really good shows to watch on HBO but my list is based on seeing every episode.  Too many times a series starts strong but I lose interest (hello Boardwalk Empire).  Another indication that a series has really stuck with me is if the theme song invokes a certain feeling.  When I hear GOT it always makes me think of a Sunday evening, ha! 

If you are in the mood for something a little more lighthearted than the above, check out the post on the Top 90’s Comedies to watch on HBO.

Did I miss a favorite on your list?  Drop me a note and let me know the show and which one it should replace on the list, this should be fun!