From courtroom cunning to high-stakes law enforcement operations, this list of the top 10 best drama series on TV right now will help TV show lovers find the next best thing to watch.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest drama shows so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Law & Order: SVU to Chicago Med, this list will help TV fans stay up to date on the most popular drama series available.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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TOP 10 DRAMA SERIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending drama television series TV-lovers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit pits the justice system against the most heinous of crimes. Led by seasoned detectives like Olivia Benson, the series brings viewers into the high-intensity world of the New York City Police Department’s Special Victims Unit. With intense storylines and compelling performances, it powerfully illuminates relevant social issues within the framework of an emotionally captivating crime drama.
2. ‘Perry Mason’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Step back in time to the 1930s to experience the origin story of Perry Mason, America’s most cunning defense lawyer. Perry Mason follows Mason from his roots as a private investigator with distinctive wits and unrelenting commitment to the pursuit of truth to his transformation into a successful courtroom lawyer. The show brilliantly explores that case that set off Mason’s legal career, combining mystery, drama and classic noir vibes in a manner that will captivate any investigative procedural and legal drama enthusiast.
3. ‘9-1-1’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Experience heart-stopping drama with 9-1-1, a TV drama series that provides an unflinching view of the frantic world of first responders. Each episode follows a group of first responders working in Los Angeles and the unexpected, challenging and dangerous situations they encounter when they’re called. Full of suspense, raw emotion and the untold stories of real-life superheroes who risk their lives every day.
4. ‘General Hospital’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
General Hospital is not your typical medical drama. For decades, these life and death narratives have kept audiences on the edge of their seats. Set in the fictional town of Port Charles, the series delves into the complex lives of medical professionals, mobsters, and entrepreneurs, led by the beloved Dr. Monica Quartermaine. Navigate love, mystery, betrayal and desperation amidst the whirlwind of hospital life and beyond. Get ready to feel your pulse race with each storyline that intertwines each character’s destiny in the fascinating world of Port Charles.
5. ‘Chicago Fire’
↓ 1 vs. Prior Week
Chicago Fire is one of the hottest shows on TV right now, and for good reason! A typical procedural drama with a twist, this show follows the lives and careers of the brave women and men working at the Chicago Fire Department. Led by Chief Wallace Boden, the team navigates inferno-filled days, while at the same time attempting to manage their own lives. This adrenaline-fueled drama promises heart-stopping action and emotional undercurrents, providing unparalleled insights into the lives of firefighters.
6. ‘Criminal Minds’
↑ 2 vs. Prior Week
Enter the dark and intense world of FBI profilers with Criminal Minds. Follow special agent Aaron Hotchner and his elite team of experts, known as the Behavioral Analysis Unit, as they delve into the twisted minds of dangerous perpetrators, interrupting violent crime sprees across America. The training and psychological prowess of these dedicated agents unravel even the most intricate criminal puzzles. The engrossing, high-tension drama that showcases human behavior at its most sinister makes this show a must-watch for all thriller and crime-drama enthusiasts.
7. ‘Yellowstone’
↓ 5 vs. Prior Week
Yellowstone takes us to the breathtaking and sprawling Montana landscape and the trials and tribulations of the family that owns the largest ranch in America. Starring Kevin Costner, this engaging modern-western family drama follows the raw, unfiltered life on America’s largest ranch, the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch.
As the patriarch, Costner’s John Dutton III fights to preserve his land and family from those who aim to seize control, including aggressive land developers. Beneath the picturesque landscape lies a fierce battle for power and land ownership, dark secrets, political maneuvering and intense family dynamics.
8. ‘Death in Paradise’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Dive into the tropical charm and mystery of the Caribbean with Death in Paradise, a thrilling detective show set on the beautiful Saint-Marie Island. Detective Inspector Richard Poole, swapping the grimy streets of London for sandy beaches and sunshine, is tasked with solving the island’s perplexing murder cases. With each episode teeming with puzzling clues, elegant plot twists, and a dash of humor, it is not just another detective show. Set against a picturesque backdrop, join DI Poole as he unpicks the secrets of this paradise turned crime scene. The show impeccably combines elements of farce and homicide in a way that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
9. ‘Outlander’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Outlander is a time-traveling mystery and romance like no other. The year is 1945, and Claire Randall, a combat nurse, is honeymooning in Scotland when she is inexplicably transported back to the harsh reality of 1743. Trapped between two radically contrasting lives, Claire is torn between her husband in one era, and Jamie Fraser, a gallant Scottish warrior in another century. Join Claire in this fascinating journey, brimming with historical depth, romantic entanglement, and epic storylines, as she navigates a complex, challenging existence in the raw, unpredictable landscape of 18th-century Scotland. Watch the past and present interlace in the thrilling show, Outlander.
10. ‘Chicago Med’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
Another series from the acclaimed Chicago franchise, Chicago Med is a dynamic and exciting show that follows the courageous doctors working the bustling Emergency Department at Chicago’s newest hospital. Fans of Grey’s Anatomy will love watching as Dr. Will Halstead and the team face high-stakes decisions, grapple with demanding medical situations and deal with the emotional turmoil in their personal lives all at the same time.
And there you have it: the top 10 dramas to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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And for even more insight into the top shows and movies to watch right now, check out these other lists:
- Top 20 Movies to Stream Right Now
- 20 Most Binge-Worthy TV Shows to Watch Right Now
- 10 Best Limited Series to Watch
- The Most Thrilling Suspense Shows to Watch
- The Most Gripping Docudramas to Stream
- Top Medical Shows to Obsess Over Today
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most popular drama series on TV?
Yellowstone, Grey's Anatomy, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, 9-1-1.
What is the most watched drama series ever?
Game of Thrones
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