TV Series to Binge On

It’s hard to believe that it is going on six months since the dramatic denouement of Breaking Bad. Vince Gilligan’s epic five-series show became a staple diet for students looking to escape impending assignments and graduate scheme applications, with Netflix allowing viewers to unhealthily binge on seven or eight episodes in a day. So, in the absence of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, here’s a list of other famous TV series that you can well and truly lose yourself in.

The Wire – 5 series, 60 episodes

The other programme often put up in the ‘Greatest Show of All Time’ debate, David Simon’s intertwining tales of the drug trade in Baltimore is just as gripping as Vince Gilligan’s efforts. Drawing on Simon’s experiences as a police journalist, the show follows characters on both sides of the law, from the humble beat cops and drug dealers to the political manoeuvring of police chiefs, mayors and kingpins.

But where Breaking Bad was the intense study of a single character, The Wire aims far higher, examining the War on Drugs, the socio-political issues of the modern American city, race, poverty and even the fallacious nature of the American Dream.

There is a similar plethora of challenging characters that can’t be placed into simple archetypes, and incredible direction and performances. While not recognised at the time, or by any award body, The Wire has nonetheless gained a massive following amongst TV connoisseurs and is a must watch for any Breaking Bad fan.

The Sopranos – 6 series, 86 episodes

Considered the father of the Golden Age of television we are currently in, The Sopranos follows the life of mobster Tony Soprano and his attempts to balance his hectic family life alongside a criminal organisation.

The show was ground-breaking at the time for its realistic portrayal of criminal life compared to the glorified presentation in the films of the 70s and 80s, and its willingness to deal with mature and difficult concepts such as crime, gender roles, family, and American and Italian American culture.

Fans of Breaking Bad will also appreciate the magnificent cinematography, score and acting, particularly from the late James Gandolfini as the eponymous gangster. Feel free to not only compare Tony to Walter, but also the relationship these two men have with their wives over their criminal enterprise. If you haven’t got around to watching the show that made ‘Best Show Ever’ a thing, get on Netflix now.

There is a similar plethora of challenging characters that can’t be placed into simple archetypes in The Wire 

Boardwalk Empire – 4 series, 48 episodes

If the idea of Steve Buscemi and Martin Scorsese’s take on Prohibition America doesn’t appeal to you, then I don’t know what will. The tale of Nucky Thompson’s rise to the top of the Atlantic City underworld and his constant battles with his own morality will seem familiar to fans of Breaking Bad, but the historical time period and Buscemi’s excellent acting really give the show its own flavour.

Bringing together that typical HBO blend of intense, character driven story and uncompromising takes on violence, sex and drugs that you don’t get anywhere else, the show manages to really capture the feel of America in the 20s, yet still retaining a sense of familiarity that the audience can empathise with. While often a bit heavy handed in its symbolism and some of its messages, the show is definitely worth your time.

The Shield – 7 series, 88 episodes 

Satisfying both your need for morally complex characters and characters with no hair, The Shield takes a different point of view to Breaking Bad and instead focuses on corrupt detective Vic Mackey, played with gravitas and skill by Michael Chiklis.

Grabbing all the requisite Emmy Awards for acting and directing across the board, The Shield almost plays out like an alternate Hank Schrader, a detective willing to break the law and use any means to bring order to his world, whether that be planting evidence or murder. Featuring the same long character arcs that keep you hooked from start to finish and compelling characters and storylines that don’t let go, The Shield is a show that has thoroughly secured its place in this shortlist.

Boardwalk Empire has quickly become one of the most talked about programmes on American television photo: sky.com

Game of Thrones – 3 series, 30 episodes 

While not quite possessing the gritty realism the other shows in this list have, Game of Thrones certainly has no shortage of Machiavellian characters and haziness of morality that we expect from TV shows like Breaking Bad (Team Lannister vs Team Stark is just as hard as Team Walt vs Team Jesse).

Set during the Succession Crisis for the Iron Throne of Westeros, the show deconstructs the idea of Knight in Shining Armour and really shows the brutality of warfare in the Medieval period, while examining issues of honour vs pragmatism, family, social hierarchy, religion, loyalty and loss. Its multiple storylines are held together by a slew of excellent performances, particularly Charles Dance, Peter Dinklage and Aidan Gillen as well as some brilliant unknown actors like Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner and Alfie Allen (Lily Allen’s younger brother).  Combine this with the unparalleled set design and well realised world; it is easy to see how this show has started a rebirth in the fantasy genre. Also, it has dragons in it and that’s awesome.

House of Cards – 1 series, 13 episodes

A relative new-comer on the TV scene (discounting the fact it’s a remake of a British show from the 90s, based itself on a book from the 80s), House of Cards is perhaps the closest of the shows on this list to the idea of Breaking Bad. Passed over for the position of Secretary of State in the new government, Francis Underwood, exceptionally portrayed by Kevin Spacey, decides enough is enough and he will gain power by any means necessary.

While the political side of the main characters machinations is certainly an interesting contrast to Breaking Bad, it is Underwood’s fourth wall breaking monologues to the audience which really draw us in, giving us both a clearer understanding of the political issues and terminology of this world, but also a real insight into Underwood’s psyche and motivations that we didn’t get from Breaking Bad until the very end.

The almost Shakespearean dialogue is fantastic material for an actor of Spacey’s calibre and his soft Southern drawl, and it becomes very easy for the audience to empathise with those who are drawn to Underwood in his pursuit of power. However, in comparison to the BBC original, Spacey often falls short of Ian Richardson’s Francis Urqhart and the story itself clearly fits a parliamentary system more than a presidential one. Nevertheless, either of the shows are excellent portrayals of unbridled pride and ambition like Breaking Bad and easily worth any self-respecting TV fanatic’s time.