The New York Times newspaper has decreed the 100 most influential TV series of the 21st century, chosen by the elite of the English-speaking audiovisual industry which includes producers, directors, actors and actresses. Between positions 1-20, at position 20 is The Crown (2016), which in six seasons tells the recent history of the British royal family through the eyes of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy, Olivia Colman and Imelda Staunton), and which does not hide the darker sides of the house, such as the relationship between the royals and Princess Diana.
At position 19 is Chernobyl (2019) by Craig Mazin, which in five episodes recounts with melancholy and historical accuracy the disaster at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Chernobyl which occurred in 1986 and follows the events of the men and women overwhelmed by the accident. The show received the vote of D.B. Weiss, co-author of the TV series Game of Thrones.
At position 18 is I May Destroy You – Trauma and rebirth (2020), created and written by Michaela Coel, who also plays the protagonist, Arabella, a London-based Twitter star and writer. After a night spent drinking and dancing in company, he has difficulty remembering what happened when he finds himself with a cut on his forehead and the screen of his phone shattered. It shows the mechanisms of gender violence, even when the survivor does not fall within the socially accepted canons of innocence.
At position 17 is The Americans (2013). While the Cold War dominates the political life of the United States in the 1980s, the red threat hides within the walls of the Jennings house. The two Soviet KGB officers Elizabeth (Keri Russell) and Philip Jennings (Matthew Rhys) pretend to be a married American couple living in Virginia with their two children.
At position 16 is The Office UK (2001), the mockumentary-style workplace comedy created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant which launched a sitcom format replicated in hundreds of twin versions. It follows the daily lives of employees at the Slough branch of the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company.
At position 15 is Six Feet Under (2001), created by Alan Ball. The title refers to the depth at which a coffin is buried in the United States. Through the work of Fisher & Sons Funeral Home, and its "dead of the day", in five seasons it addresses themes such as mourning, trauma, homosexuality, religion, philosophy and infidelity.
At position 14 is Friday Night Lights (2006). Taken from the journalistic report Friday Night Lights. A city, a team, a dream by H. G. Bissinger (which tells the story of American adolescence and which in 2004 also inspired Peter Berg's film of the same name), the TV series tells the story of the Dillon Panters, a high school football team from Texas.
At position 13 is Girls (2012), created, starring and produced by Lena Dunham. It tells the story of four friends who are trying to build a life in New York. Defined several times as the Millennial version of Sex and the City, it is not afraid of making the protagonists unpleasant or deplorable.
At position 12 is Arrested Development (2003), which tells the story of Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman), a young manager who tries to save his (dysfunctional) family business from bankruptcy. The cast also includes Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, David Cross, Tony Hale and Jessica Walter, while the narrative voice belongs to Ron Howard.
At position 11 is The Office US (2005), written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, it is the American version of the progenitor The Office UK and follows the events of the office badly led by the unbearable boss Michael Scott, who however at the same time shows a tender side. Steve Carell's performance is famous.
At position 10 is Atlanta (2016), created by and starring Donald Glover, it tells the story of two cousins who try to make their way on the Atlanta rap scene, in an attempt to improve their lives and those of their families.
In position 9 is Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000), created by and starring Larry David, who stars in a fictionalized version of himself and follows his adventures as a semi-retired television writer and producer in Los Angeles. Between celebrity guests and mostly improvised dialogues, it has become a pillar of comedy.
At position 8 is 30 Rock (2006), created and starring the actress and comedian Tina Fey. It follows behind the scenes of the fictional comedy program The Girlie Show, inspired by Fey's experience as a writer on Saturday Night Live.
At position 7 is Veep – Incompetent Vice President (2012) with Julia Louis-Dreyfus in an exaggerated and ridiculous version of the Vice President of the United States.
At position 6 is Game of Thrones (2011), the eight-season adaptation of George R. R. Martin's fantasy novels. In the fight to conquer the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, power, intrigue, dragons, betrayals and wars alternate.
In position 5 is Fleabag (2012), written and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, a young woman who tries to navigate modern life in London between self-sabotage and selfishness.
At position 4 is Succession (2018), created by Jessie Armstrong. It follows the Roy family, headed by patriarch Logan, who controls Waystar-Royco, one of the largest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world. Logan's failing health leads his three children from his second marriage, Kendall, Roman and Shiv, to reflect on the future of the company.
In position 3 is Mad Men (2007), which uses the New York advertising world of the 1960s as a mirror to describe the great changes in American society, including wars between the sexes, power games, money and class struggle.
In position 2 is The Wire (2002), which over five seasons tells the story of the relationship between American society and organized crime for drug dealing.
In position 1 is Breaking Bad (2008), created by Vince Gilligan, which tells the story of Walter White, a chemistry professor who, after a cancer diagnosis, uses his skills to produce methamphetamine and thus leave an economically secure future for his family. What begins as a desperate plan, however, turns into a rapid descent into the world of crime.
