Writing about the best television from the past decade is no easy feat. Over the years, I’ve spent an unholy number of hours watching everything from reality TV and dramas to sports coverage, kids’ shows, and true crime. This list is based solely on shows I’ve actually watched that premiered between 2010 and 2019.

Some didn’t make the cut—not because they weren’t good, but because they lost their spark partway through (The Walking Dead is a prime example). A few British dramas also came close but didn’t quite break into the top tier.

Honourable Mentions

• Three Girls – A harrowing mini-series about the Rochdale grooming gang scandal.
• Little Boy Blue – A heartbreaking true-crime drama about the murder of Rhys Jones.
• Cilla – Sheridan Smith brings Liverpool’s icon to life with charm and grit.

Frankly, Sheridan Smith and Stephen Graham could each have had their own Top 15 list. These two actors could read out a shopping list and I’d watch.

Overrated (and Overhyped) – Shows That Didn’t Click

• Mrs Brown’s Boys – One-trick, overdone, and increasingly irritating.
• Luther – Overpraised. Idris Elba lacks the range needed for the James Bond fantasy.
• Peaky Blinders – Monotonous, despite high production values and a stellar cast.

Now, onto the real deal—the top 15 shows that defined the decade for me.

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My Top 15 TV Shows of the 2010s

15. No Offence
Darkly funny and fiercely political, No Offence offers a unique take on British policing. With fearless DI Viv Deering at the helm, the series tackles taboo issues with grit and humour—delivering three superb seasons before being prematurely cancelled.

14. Shameless (US)
The US reboot doesn’t just match the UK version—it surpasses it. Set in gritty South Side Chicago, this bold, brash, and brilliantly acted series elevates each member of the Gallagher family across ten compelling seasons.

13. Making a Murderer
This is the documentary that lit the spark for a global obsession with true crime. Steven Avery’s story—and the jaw-dropping injustice surrounding his case—is compelling, controversial, and addictive television at its finest.

12. Unforgotten
A slow-burning gem, this series reminds viewers that the best detective shows are the ones that trust their audience. Subtle performances, outstanding writing, and truly moving storylines make this one of British TV’s most quietly powerful dramas.

11. When They See Us
Heartbreaking and infuriating in equal measure, Ava DuVernay’s portrayal of the Central Park Five shows the real, raw consequences of systemic racism. Every performance is a gut punch—essential viewing that demands reflection.

10. The Virtues
Shane Meadows crafts an emotionally intense narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. Stephen Graham is utterly spellbinding in a role that delves into trauma, addiction, and identity. Haunting and powerful.

9. Unbelievable
This true-crime adaptation is as infuriating as it is riveting. A wrongly disbelieved teenager, a dogged investigation, and two outstanding female leads make this one of the decade’s most gripping—and important—miniseries.

8. The Keepers
What starts as a cold case turns into a harrowing investigation of abuse within the Catholic Church. Told with compassion and determination, The Keepers exposes institutional silence and delivers raw, emotional impact.

7. Mindhunter
Stylish, cerebral, and chilling, this slow-burn psychological drama dives deep into the minds of infamous serial killers. Based on real events and laced with razor-sharp dialogue, it’s a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling.

6. Wentworth
This reboot of a cult classic is anything but tame. Visceral, violent, and emotionally intense, Wentworth charts the brutal politics of prison life with compelling characters and high-stakes tension. Highly underrated.

5. Chernobyl
Brutal, atmospheric, and relentlessly tense—this HBO masterpiece redefines the disaster drama. With haunting cinematography and devastating performances, it captures the human cost of the worst nuclear accident in history.

4. This Is Us
A masterclass in emotional storytelling, This Is Us weaves together decades of heartbreak, healing, and joy within the Pearson family. With rich characters and pitch-perfect writing, this show hits harder than most dramas ever dare.

3. Whitehouse & Mortimer: Gone Fishing
Unexpectedly profound and always heartwarming, this series is about friendship, mortality, and finding peace in nature. Paul and Bob’s quiet reflections on life and laughter are some of the most honest moments on television.

2. Line of Duty
Explosive, intricate, and jaw-droppingly good, this anti-corruption thriller redefined British crime drama. With career-making performances and twists you never see coming, it’s no surprise Line of Duty became a national obsession.

1. This Is England
Nothing comes close to this devastatingly raw depiction of working-class Britain. This Is England blends unflinching realism, pitch-black humour, and emotional depth in a way no other series has. It’s more than TV—it’s a cultural landmark.

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In Summary

This is a personal list, not a definitive canon. Some entries are popular, others quietly slipped under the radar. But every one of them hit me in a way most shows don’t. Whether it was emotion, shock, or sheer quality, these 15 stood out in a decade of noise.