The world is indeed in the midst of the "Golden Age of Television". In addition to such a wide array of quality ongoing series available these days, the "limited series" or "miniseries" has enjoyed its own renaissance. Over the course of the past ten years, both and cable networks have invested in many high-concept, big-budget, star-powered miniseries, many of which have gone on to ensnare viewers in the perpetual search for the next prestige binge.
With so many choices, and so many streaming services and networks vying for consumers' attention, it can be difficult to discern where they should invest their time. Here are the ten best "limited series" that have aired since 2010, according to the Tomatometer.
Updated on December 14th, 2020 by Svetlana Sterlin: Limited series seem to be taking over traditional television as viewers prefer to watch something that doesn't require a long-term commitment. For instance, Netflix's new miniseries The Queen's Gambit has become the streaming platform's most-watched program ever. Here are five more critically acclaimed limited series to watch.
True Detective: Season 1 (87%)
One of the most talked-about shows of 2014, HBO's anthology series kicked off with its best season. The network, and the show's driving creative force, Nic Pizzolatto, were lucky enough to strike gold with the pairing of leads Woody Harrelson as two philosophically mismatched detectives on a decades-long quest to solve a grisly murder.
Truly a series that captured the morbid attention of the nation for its eight-week run, True Detective Season 1 is one of the smartest and best helmed crime thrillers to grace the small screen.
Assasination of Gianni Versace (89%)
The award-winning anthology returned to FX two years after its inaugural installment with this even darker true-crime saga. The second season tells the lesser-known story of serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
This set of episodes may not be as jaw-droppingly amazing as its predecessor, but Darren Criss gives a career-highlight showing as the chameleon, Cunanan. Though the story may leave a little to be desired, this season makes up for it in the visual department. Bright colors and dark shadows mirror the glossy world of Italian fashion. The reverse chronology makes for a suspenseful viewing experience.
The Act (90%)
Based on a haunting true story, The Act stars Joey King as Gypsy Blanchard and Patricia Arquette as her mother Dee Dee. Dee Dee keeps her daughter under very close watch, forcing her to take medications that render her totally dependent.
As Gypsy grows, she tries to break free of their toxic relationship and assert her independence. As a young woman and someone who has always been under the influence of various drugs, Gypsy also doesn't really know who she is. This can lead her to commit terrible crimes with the help of her boyfriend who she meets online.
The Pacific (91%)
HBO's sister series to Band of Brothers, one of the best to ever do it, once again took a gritty and realistic look at the horrors of WWII. Instead of focusing on the European front, however, The Pacific shows the sun-drenched nightmare of the Pacific Ocean theater.
A pulse-pounding spectacle, The Pacific largely satisfied the high expectations set by its predecessor. Furthermore, the miniseries featured another standout ensemble that brought stars like future-Oscar winner Rami Malek to the public eye. Producer and narrator Tom Hanks also returned with his writing team for this series, lending a consistent voice to both installments.
Sharp Objects (92%)
As far as deep character studies disguised as a Southern-fried murder mysteries parading as gothic family melodrama go, Sharp Objects is the cream of the crop. Amy Adams gives one of her very best performances as Camille, a damaged journalist sent back to her hometown to investigate a duo of murders most foul.
Adapting the Gillian Flynn novel into a thematically heavy and plot-dense maze of interpersonal turmoil and dark family secrets, Sharp Objects weaves its serpentine structure with a deceiving malaise until it reaches a truly frightening conclusion.
The End Of The F***ing World (93%)
Based on a comic by Charles Forsman, The End Of The F***ing World was originally planned to be only one season long. The episodes are short, ranging from twenty to twenty-five minutes, and the two charming seasons consist of just eight episodes each.
The first season follows two rebellious, angsty teens as they run away from home. James believes he's a psychopath and plans to kill Alyssa, who believes she's in love with him. Both of them have troubled histories and complicated home lives, but they learn to tackle the world together, taking down a sexual offender in the process. This British series is funny, endearing, and heartwarming.
The Night Of (94%)
One of the most prominent formulas in recent memory when it comes to "limited series" is the exploration of a single crime. When True Detective began dominating the landscape, it seemed like every single network had its own version of the one-season crime schtick.
However, HBO's own The Night Of is about as good as it gets. By focusing less on the whodunit and more on the many ways the American justice system fails a young man, the series was both consistently suspenseful and incredibly cerebral.
Watchmen (95%)
Comic book television took a step forward in a big way with this HBO miniseries, the brainchild of Lost-alum Damon Lindelof. Labeled a "remix" of the landmark graphic novel, the miniseries told a brand new story that tied in with the source material in a myriad of exciting and clever ways.
Particularly special are the ways the show handles Dr. Manhattan's arc, as well as the heavy focus on racial tensions that are more relevant than ever in the current world. A true home run for the post-Game of Thrones HBO, the only downside is there isn't more of it.
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (95%)
This docies, again hailing from HBO, is probably best ed for its honest-to-god mindblowing finale. Viewers watched in disbelief as accused killer Robert Durst, unknowingly still being recorded, seemingly its to murder.
The true-crime series has never been more of a trend than it is right now, but there's something about the way Durst is so apparently open to helping the filmmaking team to clear his name before being confronted with the now legendary damning evidence in the final moments. Even crazier is the series leads to the eventual arrest of Durst for his crimes, a real-world effect of filmmaking that doesn't happen often enough.
Mrs. American (95%)
The most recent, and relevant, entry into the all-time canon, Mrs. America tells the story of Phyllis Schlafly, an anti-feminist conservative who led a movement to block the ratification of the “Equal Rights Amendment.”
A period-piece as much as it is a dark political satire that happens to be true, the whole thing is elevated ten-fold by the multilayered work done by Cate Blanchett in the titular role. A great remedy to our modern times, Mrs. America is a constantly engaging and informative piece of television.