20 Miniseries That Can Be Called Masterpieces, Ranked
Miniseries have a unique opportunity to tell compelling stories in a short amount of time. These series are often accessible because they are easy to invest in. The fact that miniseries feature fewer episodes than other TV shows means that they can tell tighter, more impactful stories. Because they feature fewer episodes, miniseries can focus on character development in a way that longer TV shows can’t. The best miniseries use their limited time to tell innovative stories with characters who are worth investing in and who are worth re-visiting over time. Some series, like Angels in America, are adaptations of established works of art. These series revitalize literary works so they can be introduced to new generations of fans. Other series, like North & South, are cultural commentaries that resonate with viewers.
20
‘Generation Kill’ (2008)
Two American soldiers and a journalist with a camera stand in a street in Baghdad in Generation Kill, 2008.Image via HBO
Generation Kill is a seven-part miniseries based on the memoir of the same name by Evan Wright. The series recounts Wright’s experiences as a journalist embedded with American troops during the Iraq War. Generation Kill focuses on the chaos of the early days of the war, and how unprepared many American soldiers were for the realities of war. The series contrasts the idealism many soldiers had with the brutal realities of war. What makes Generation Kill such a notable miniseries is the fact that it offers a raw and often unfiltered look at the experiences of American soldiers who found themselves directly in the line of fire during the Iraq War. The series provides an authentic portrait of the almost immediate loss of idealism that many experienced, and the fact that these soldiers had to rely on one another to survive.
19
‘When They See Us’ (2019)
Jharrel Jerome as Korey Wise and Asante Blackk as Kevin Richardson in When They See Us.Image via Netflix
When They See Us dramatizes the true story of the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers falsely accused and convicted of a brutal assault in New York City in the 1980s. The series follows the boys, Antron (Caleel Harris), Kevin (Asante Blackk), Yusef (Ethan Herisse), Raymond (Marquis Rodriguez), and Korey (Jharrel Jerome), as they endure coerced confessions, harsh interrogations, and the trauma of the criminal justice system, while their families struggle to fight for justice. When They See Us is both a timely exploration of the nature of the American legal system and a timeless reminder of the many ways oppression can show up in the world. The series is deeply moving, showing both the resilience of the boys and the broader societal failures that put them through this. When They See Us balances rage, sorrow, and hope, leaving a lasting impact that goes beyond entertainment—sparking conversations about reform, accountability, and racial injustice.
18
‘I, Claudius’ (1976)
An Ancient Roman woman and man reclining in ‘I, Claudius’.Image via BBC
I, Claudius is a must-see British miniseries that chronicles the turbulent history of the early Roman Empire through the eyes of Claudius (Derek Jacobi), a stammering, underestimated member of the Julio-Claudian family who survives by appearing harmless. As Claudius recounts the reigns of Augustus (Brian Blessed), Tiberius (George Baker), and the unstable Caligula (John Hurt), the series unfolds as a dark, intimate saga of political murder, corruption, and family betrayal. I, Claudius is considered one of the greatest miniseries ever because it redefined what television drama could achieve in terms of storytelling and historical depth. Every episode is dense with intrigue, betrayal, and psychological nuance, delivering a story as rich and complex as any Shakespearean drama. Ultimately, I, Claudius does far more than simply recount historical events. Instead, it explores family loyalty, ambition, and the price of cruelty.
17
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, sitting in front of a chess board in The Queen’s Gambit.Image via Netflix
The Queen’s Gambit introduces Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphaned girl in 1950s Kentucky who discovers an extraordinary talent for chess. As she rises through the competitive chess world, Beth battles not only her opponents across the globe but also personal demons, including addiction, trauma, and loneliness. The Queen’s Gambit highlights Beth’s struggles to gain control over her own life while managing the challenges of being a young woman in a male-dominated field. At its core, The Queen’s Gambit is a character study about Beth and her genius, vulnerabilities, and personal struggles. It balances the tension of competitive chess with deeply human themes like grief, addiction, identity, and resilience, making her victories and setbacks emotionally charged. It’s impossible not to root deeply for this character, who is unforgettable even though her story lasts a mere seven episodes.
16
‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)
Amy Adams looks worried in Sharp Objects.Image via HBO
Sharp Objects is based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The story centers around journalist Camille Preaker (Amy Adams). Camille struggles with alcohol abuse disorder and a traumatic past. When she returns to her hometown to report on and investigate the murders of two young girls, she comes face-to-face with her own past and confronts family secrets that have impacted her life. Sharp Objects is a slow burn that sees Camille’s personal and professional life unravel. Sharp Objects is a masterpiece of a miniseries because it leans into its dark subject matter and story without becoming inaccessible. The brilliant performances, led by Adams in particular, stand out. Adams creates a deeply relatable character whose pain is easy to empathize with. In a short seven episodes, the series delves deep into Camille’s psyche without ever overdramatizing what she’s been through.
15
‘John Adams’ (2008)
Paul Giamatti glancing up from a handful of papers in HBO’s John Adams.Image via HBO
John Adams chronicles the life and career of its titular character, one of America’s Founding Fathers. The series is based on David Gaub McCullough’s 2001 biography of Adams. The series specifically chronicles the first five years of America’s existence following the American Revolution. John Adams showcases Adams’ (Paul Giamatti) complex nature, his commitment to the law, and the challenges he faced keeping a new country together. John Adams can be considered a masterpiece as a miniseries since it humanizes one of America’s most iconic historical figures. This could have so easily been a miniseries simply designed to educate. Instead, John Adams brings Adams to life for a modern audience. In addition to highlighting Adams himself, the series gives a new perspective on the challenges he and his peers faced in building a new nation.
14
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
Victoria Pedretti as Nell in a night gown standing on a balcony next to a rope in The Haunting of Hill House.Image via Netflix
The Haunting of Hill House follows five siblings who have paranormal experiences during a brief stay at Hill House. The miniseries focuses on the fact that, years later, the trauma the family experiences resurfaces and they each have to deal with it in their own way. The Haunting of Hill House takes place across two timelines as the siblings remember their horrifying experiences as children while confronting a family tragedy in their adulthood. This is one of the most notable miniseries because it manages both psychological horror and compelling family drama. While The Haunting of Hill House uses paranormal events to set up its story, it really highlights how trauma shows up in its characters. This mix of authentic, character-driven stories with a side of the paranormal is what makes this miniseries a masterpiece that can be revisited time and time again.
13
‘Baby Reindeer’ (2024)
Donny on stage holding a microphone in front of a red curtain in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer. Image via Netflix
Baby Reindeer is a semi-autobiographical account of series star and creator Richard Gadd’s experiences with a stalker when he worked as a bartender. Gadd plays Donny, a struggling comedian whose act of kindness toward a vulnerable woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning). Martha becomes obsessed with Donny and puts him in increasingly uncomfortable and ultimately dangerous situations. While dealing with this, Donny also has to confront his own traumatic past.
Baby Reindeer is a masterpiece of a miniseries because it’s a unique take on an autobiographical story since the series is based on the star’s real experiences. The fact that Gadd portrays himself gives the story an added emotional layer. Rather than offering black-and-white depictions of victim and villain, the series paints its characters as morally complex. Baby Reindeer goes beyond being a stalker drama. At its core, it’s a raw exploration of shame, masculinity, mental health, and the long-term effects of abuse.
12
‘Angels in America’ (2003)
Three men talking to a woman in front of a fountain in “Angels in America” on HBO.Image via HBO
Angels in America is an American miniseries based on the play of the same name by Tony Kushner. The story follows six New Yorkers whose lives intersect in the 1980s. At its core, this is a political story that follows the emerging AIDS crisis and the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community living through the Regan administration. The story specifically follows Prior Walter (Justin Kirk), who is visited by an angel. Angels in America is such an important miniseries because it builds on the themes of the source material and confronts the stigma of AIDS. The series is a powerful reminder of the realities of the AIDS crisis for a new generation. Angels in America also effectively uses its surreal and fantastical premise to create pointed political commentary on the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
11
‘North & South’ (2004)
North & South Image of Margaret Hale (Daniella Denby-Ashe) and John Thornton (Richard Armitage) via IMDb.Image via IMDb
North & South is a British miniseries that is based on the Victorian novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. The series introduces Margaret Hale (Daniela Denby-Ashe), a woman from the south of England who moves north when her father decides to leave his position as a church minister. Margaret and her family struggle to adapt to what feels like a whole new country to them, with distinctive customs and a different way of life. North & South stands out as a miniseries because it highlights compelling relationships in only four episodes. Specifically, the relationship between Margaret and John Thornton (Richard Armitage), a local mill owner. They have a complicated relationship, but one that’s worth investing in. Additionally, this series highlights the cultural differences that exist within England and how class impacts how people from the north and south of the country see themselves.
已发布: 2025-12-24 02:54:00
来源: collider.com
