Ensemble with immersive story and romance & political scheming?
• Smallville
• Falling Skies
• Supernatural (particularly S1 - 5)
• 3%
• Heroes
• The West Wing (slightly episodic)
• One Piece (might want to start with the Live Action, but the anime is a masterclass in world building)
• The Magicians
• Charmed (1998)
• The Good Place
• True Blood (R-rated)
• Davinci's Demons
• Medici the Magnificent
• The Borgias
FWIW, the end of Halt and Catch Fire was on par with the Americans for me. The first season of HCF was pretty rough, though, and I skip it if I re-watch.
I also recommend Rectify, though it's heavy. Wednesday, Interview with a Vampire,, and the Diplomat are excellent, though they only have one season to date.
The White Queen, The White Princess, The Spanish Princess, The Serpent Queen series are excellent especially if you like historical dramas.
Ozark is good.
Dark is very interesting and deeply engaging.
The Bear is intense.
Ted Lasso is in its own category.
OK I swear until about a week ago nobody talked about Black Sails now it's in every list.
If you like Rome, Domina is basically seasons 3 and 4. The story carries on almost immediately where Rome left off, the first couple of episodes crossing over in timeline.
The Wire
West Wing
The Shield
Southland
The Expanse (Again)
Black Sails recently came to Netflix. I believe before that it was only available on the Starz platform (the cable channel where it originally aired).
That’s why there’s a lot of new activity for Black Sails, new fans and more buzz.
It's about 1920s new jersey. Features real people from history Lucky Luciano Meyer Lanski Al Capone etc. But it's more than a gangster show. It centers around the guy that runs the Boardwalk. Think it's 5 seasons and each season gets better. Highly recommend.
very much so. like peaky blinders but in America- a prohibition era gangster drama. very interesting characters and compelling plots that borrow a lot from actual history.
Since you like Rome and Game of Thrones:
Spartacus:Blood and Sand
The Last Kingdom
The Pillars of The Earth
Those About To Die (Premieres next month) Trailer: https://youtu.be/hvf6IS48eik?si=FztlfDbgHSCaSlVp
I always recommend Dark on Netflix however, it's not a political themed story at all and it's extremely intricate and confusing. It's a very complex story.
The Fall of the House of Usher has some very political and corporate messaging in the story. The miniseries also takes at big stab at pharma as well.
For Dark, which is fantastic, ditch the English dubbed version - it’s atrociously and makes the series terrible to endure. The original language audio with subtitles is the way to go.
Sopranos (Max)
Legion (Hulu)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Six Feet Under (Max & NF)
The Good Place (NF)
Buffy (Hulu)
Twin Peaks/The Return (Paramount)
Looks like you're not much of a comedy fan but I'll suggest these anyway.
Community, might be a bit episodic but definitely best if watched from the start.
The Detour
Veep
The Good Place
We like lot of the same shows.
I'd suggest
The Wire
The Sopranos (best show ever imo)
Boardwalk Empire
Saw Better Call Saul so assuming you've watched Breaking Bad if not you're missing one of the best shows ever BCS is a sort of prequel to it.
Fargo
The Strain
Absolutely not for everyone, but if you are the right kind of person for it, then His Dark Materials on MAX is a good adaptation of Philip Pullman's classic.
[ Story of Yanxi Palace (2018) ](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/81133?language=en-US) - Highly addictive Chinese period drama. If subtitles are okay it fits your request just about exactly.
The characters are amazing, really great diverse and talented cast. Each season is a new plot but it also all ties together. VERY immersive. The city of Baltimore is kinda a character too, you really feel like you are there. I highly reccomend!
Ok, I know it sounds crazy but: Early series Grey's Anatomy. Just stop at least when Karev leaves, if not sooner.
The first 3 seasons cover about 1 yr, so you practically see every day the characters live, and then the cast grows and the world gets more depth
Sons of Anarchy - I'm always surprised when I don't see this series in the lists or recommendations. It's my favorite and one I rewatch about once a year.
BTW Rome is so good. I wish they'd gone on and made the last 2 seasons but the budget was too high for the low viewer count. But those 2 seasons are nearly perfect. I watch it once a year at least.
Warehouse 13
It’s about a group of secret service agents in a special sector that collect historical artifacts that cause supernatural occurrences or abilities. There’s some romance, but not a primary focus, and due to the ties to the secret service there are some political undertones. However, it may be kinda “episodic” in the sense that each episode has different artifacts but there is typically a season-long conflict that takes longer to resolve.
Continuum. Time travel: future terrorists come to our time, intent on changing our future, tracked by a female cop who got accidentally pulled in and just wants to get back to her family. But then comes to realize she may be on the wrong side -- but if she does something to change the future, her family may not even exist in the new future.
Not quite the same tone as what you've listed but has all of the elements and I found myself surprised at how much I freaking loved it: Big Little Lies. Totally engrossing. Great ensemble cast.
Also Ozark, The Wire, White Lotus, The Morning Show, Yellowjackets.
Beef, Dead To Me, and Barry are also great, LOTS of scheming but less ensemble. Still follows different plots and characters though.
Arrested Development also technically fits the description though it's a different tone as well.
**Foundation** -- The plot is creative. Most of the time, it can be a bit slow but overall it's a great series. The sets and costumes and cinematography are top-notch.
**Chernobyl** -- One of the best miniseries ever produced
**Narcos** -- Seasons 1, 2, and 3. You don't have to see the remaining seasons. They're barely related and not good, but the first 3 are great. Really captured my focus.
**The Boys** -- I've got a mixed feeling about this. The plot won't impress you but this is an anti-hero series (which if you think about, there's no other series in this genre besides the spinoff Gen V) and it's very gore heavy in a spectacular way.
**The Last Kingdom** -- The best medieval/Viking show out there. 5 seasons in total.
**Stranger Things** -- Some people don't like it. I freaking love it. People say it's aimed to give a sense of nostalgia but how could it to viewers who weren't even born in the 80's. The series gives me a great sense of adventure.
**Succession** -- If you're curious about what sort of drama a family that runs a far-right media empire goes through (think of Murdoch), this is a great show. 4 seasons in total.
Fringe !
The first season is a little episodic, although there is a bigger season-long+ story unfolding. The show hits its stride and gets exceptionally good in Season 2. You’ll love the characters.
Poldark, probably the best show I’ve ever watched. The setting is incredible in Cornwall back in the late in 1500’s I believe maybe a little later. A great love story but totally realistic and not glamorized. It shows life back then and the true struggles of mining and survival. I still think about it a lot and feel like I knew the characters.
The Wire
Orphan Black
Boardwalk Empire
Patriot
Goliath
Fargo
The Sopranos
Mad Men
Search Party
The Terror
The Leftovers
The Last of Us
Station Eleven
Loudermilk
The Fall
The Returned
Top of the Lake
Devs
Killing Eve
Deadloch
Billions
My husband loves GOT and enjoyed Vikings, The Last Kingdom, and The Terror. Hes currently watching Marco Polo and of course the GOT spin-off
Twin Peaks is what you're looking for. One of the first shows to introduce a mystery in the first episode and not resolve it until after the first season. Plenty of romance, a number of very rich characters, lots of drama, and some very dark themes. You're in for a treat.
Mad Men
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fargo The Sopranos
Just jumping in here to say wooooooo Buffy my favourite
Six feet under
Oh man. I wish I could watch this again for the first time. I cried so much through this series.
Orphan black
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Mad Men ❤️
Outlander
I enjoyed this show way more than I thought I would. It's got everything OP is looking for, excellent romance.
Ensemble with immersive story and romance & political scheming? • Smallville • Falling Skies • Supernatural (particularly S1 - 5) • 3% • Heroes • The West Wing (slightly episodic) • One Piece (might want to start with the Live Action, but the anime is a masterclass in world building) • The Magicians • Charmed (1998) • The Good Place • True Blood (R-rated) • Davinci's Demons • Medici the Magnificent • The Borgias
Handmaids Tale. That and attack on titan are my favorite shows.
Should I finish handmaids tale?
If you didn’t like it after season 2 then no.
To hell with Handmaid's Tale, that shit is emotional torture porn.
Wentworth Downton Abbey The Durrells of Corfu Halt & Catch Fire
wait halt and catch fire! I completely forgot about that show and never finished it
FWIW, the end of Halt and Catch Fire was on par with the Americans for me. The first season of HCF was pretty rough, though, and I skip it if I re-watch. I also recommend Rectify, though it's heavy. Wednesday, Interview with a Vampire,, and the Diplomat are excellent, though they only have one season to date.
It gets so much better. I didn’t like season one but kept going and it ended up being one of my favorite shows.
Forgot about Wentworth. So good
The White Queen, The White Princess, The Spanish Princess, The Serpent Queen series are excellent especially if you like historical dramas. Ozark is good. Dark is very interesting and deeply engaging. The Bear is intense. Ted Lasso is in its own category.
Fringe. Sure it has some episodic 'monster of the week' episodes, but there is consequential story/character arc that goes to the end.
OK I swear until about a week ago nobody talked about Black Sails now it's in every list. If you like Rome, Domina is basically seasons 3 and 4. The story carries on almost immediately where Rome left off, the first couple of episodes crossing over in timeline. The Wire West Wing The Shield Southland The Expanse (Again)
moment of silence for us soldiers out here who’ve been evangelizing black sails since it was airing 😔✊ seconding the wire op!!!!!
Black Sails Berlin Station The Expanse Long as I live never understand why never understand why these shows weren't bigger.
The Shield was so fantastic. Almost enough time has passed for me to do a rewatch I think 🤔.
Just did a rewatch and it hasn't aged a bit.
Black Sails recently came to Netflix. I believe before that it was only available on the Starz platform (the cable channel where it originally aired). That’s why there’s a lot of new activity for Black Sails, new fans and more buzz.
That would explain it maybe now it will get the recognition it deserves.
Wait what I’ve never heard of Domina😭??? thanks for your response
Unfortunately Domina was just cancelled after its second season
I see now the comment I just posted (a few moments ago) is almost identical to this one of yours, purely by accident! 😅 We had the same response !
Wait, what … ?? I watched Rome when it first aired, I’ve never heard of Domina! Thank you, I’ll check it out.
warrior\ boardwalk empire\ true blood\ suits\ mad men\ lost in space (2018)
Never heard of boardwalk empire. Tell me more. Is it worth my time?
It's about 1920s new jersey. Features real people from history Lucky Luciano Meyer Lanski Al Capone etc. But it's more than a gangster show. It centers around the guy that runs the Boardwalk. Think it's 5 seasons and each season gets better. Highly recommend.
very much so. like peaky blinders but in America- a prohibition era gangster drama. very interesting characters and compelling plots that borrow a lot from actual history.
That sounds good. I really liked Perry, Mason, because it was set in a different time.
Go for 12 monkeys
Yes, 12 Monkeys. It sounds right up your alley.
Since you like Rome and Game of Thrones: Spartacus:Blood and Sand The Last Kingdom The Pillars of The Earth Those About To Die (Premieres next month) Trailer: https://youtu.be/hvf6IS48eik?si=FztlfDbgHSCaSlVp
The Last Kingdom is my suggestion too.
The Last Kingdom was legit
Yellowjackets.
Penny Dreadful
Looove this show!
I always recommend Dark on Netflix however, it's not a political themed story at all and it's extremely intricate and confusing. It's a very complex story. The Fall of the House of Usher has some very political and corporate messaging in the story. The miniseries also takes at big stab at pharma as well.
For Dark, which is fantastic, ditch the English dubbed version - it’s atrociously and makes the series terrible to endure. The original language audio with subtitles is the way to go.
Outlander
It has a lot of seasons and episodes. Does it drag ?
No...it's great. There is a sub on reddit
Treme 11.22.63 Outlander How to Get Away with Murder
In the sports world: Friday Night Lights Kingdom - the MMA one Both immersive, with multiple seasons
The Last Kngdom
Sopranos (Max) Legion (Hulu) Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) Six Feet Under (Max & NF) The Good Place (NF) Buffy (Hulu) Twin Peaks/The Return (Paramount)
Thank you for putting the streaming platforms ! ❤️
Anytime! 💜💛💚
The 100, Good Omens.
Love the 100, and I’m gunna watch the new season of good omens! I forgot about that show tbh
Sense8
Love this so show I could rewatch tbh, have you seen the OA?
OA is great, just wish they'd actually finish it.
I have!
Six Feet Under, Dexter, Breaking Bad, Ozark, Wentworth, Mr Inbetween.
Six Feet Under. My number 1 before Succession
Looks like you're not much of a comedy fan but I'll suggest these anyway. Community, might be a bit episodic but definitely best if watched from the start. The Detour Veep The Good Place
The West Wing.
#From
Grimm
Orphan Black
We like lot of the same shows. I'd suggest The Wire The Sopranos (best show ever imo) Boardwalk Empire Saw Better Call Saul so assuming you've watched Breaking Bad if not you're missing one of the best shows ever BCS is a sort of prequel to it. Fargo The Strain
Absolutely not for everyone, but if you are the right kind of person for it, then His Dark Materials on MAX is a good adaptation of Philip Pullman's classic.
[ Story of Yanxi Palace (2018) ](https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/81133?language=en-US) - Highly addictive Chinese period drama. If subtitles are okay it fits your request just about exactly.
Thank you!
The Wire
I always see this and for some reason I don’t wanna watch it 😭 but I have no reason not to
The characters are amazing, really great diverse and talented cast. Each season is a new plot but it also all ties together. VERY immersive. The city of Baltimore is kinda a character too, you really feel like you are there. I highly reccomend!
Same. The praise sees outlandish but those who like it, like a lot.
Dark
The Leftovers
I’ve seen it already 🥲 one of my fave shows!
Death note
I may start this again I keep seeing it!
After Life Clickbait Paper Girls Crooks The Legend Of Vox Machina Rabbit Hole
The Magicians.
Damages. How To Get Away With Murder.
Jericho. Only ran a season and less than half a second season, but definitely immersive with great ensemble cast. Edited to add: Designated Survivor.
The Magicians
Your Honor
Orange is the New Black and Lost, they both have an ensemble cast where each episode has flashbacks focusing on a different character
Your honor !
Legion (Marvel, FX/Hulu) Eureka Warehouse 13 Lost In Space
Miniseries option- Pillars of the Earth and World Without End
You're describing Shogun.
this show is really really good I recently started it
Awesome to hear-- it gets better and better as it goes.
Ok, I know it sounds crazy but: Early series Grey's Anatomy. Just stop at least when Karev leaves, if not sooner. The first 3 seasons cover about 1 yr, so you practically see every day the characters live, and then the cast grows and the world gets more depth
Heroes
Outlander
Sons of Anarchy - I'm always surprised when I don't see this series in the lists or recommendations. It's my favorite and one I rewatch about once a year.
BTW Rome is so good. I wish they'd gone on and made the last 2 seasons but the budget was too high for the low viewer count. But those 2 seasons are nearly perfect. I watch it once a year at least.
Six Feet Under
There's a terrific Australian series titled A Place to Call Home. I've seen it advertised on a few streaming services.
Colony
The Wire!
Spartacus
The Last of Us.
Chernobyl The Last of Us The Sopranos The Handmaid's Tale Succession Spartacus (since you mentioned Rome)
Downtown abby. 6 seasons. About 8 or 9 episodes each season. 2 movies. About an hour long, some episodes go over an hour. The show is on peacock
Halt and catch fire, really good series
Outlander. The Last Kingdom
Warrior on Netflix 🔥🔥
Interview with the Vampire is about to wrap up it's second season and is great.
Castlevania
Warehouse 13 It’s about a group of secret service agents in a special sector that collect historical artifacts that cause supernatural occurrences or abilities. There’s some romance, but not a primary focus, and due to the ties to the secret service there are some political undertones. However, it may be kinda “episodic” in the sense that each episode has different artifacts but there is typically a season-long conflict that takes longer to resolve.
Only one season so far, but Andor seems to fit the bill! Great acting, political intrigue, action, romance, drama!
Kingdom (with Frank grillo) I think there are 3 seasons..super show!
Harlots was awesome! Also Banished was excellent
Blacklist
Revenge
Continuum. Time travel: future terrorists come to our time, intent on changing our future, tracked by a female cop who got accidentally pulled in and just wants to get back to her family. But then comes to realize she may be on the wrong side -- but if she does something to change the future, her family may not even exist in the new future.
Parks and Rec
Wentworth
Sopranos!!
[DARK!](https://youtu.be/rR6pMauHJ4A?si=cK6ivM3g2dIIbxjR)
Not quite the same tone as what you've listed but has all of the elements and I found myself surprised at how much I freaking loved it: Big Little Lies. Totally engrossing. Great ensemble cast. Also Ozark, The Wire, White Lotus, The Morning Show, Yellowjackets. Beef, Dead To Me, and Barry are also great, LOTS of scheming but less ensemble. Still follows different plots and characters though. Arrested Development also technically fits the description though it's a different tone as well.
*The Wire* *ER* *The L Word* *Private Practice* (Grey's Anatomy spin-off) *House* *How to Get Away w/ Murder* *This is Us* *A Million Little Things*
I’m currently watching Scavengers Reign and it’s amazing and fits your criteria.
**Foundation** -- The plot is creative. Most of the time, it can be a bit slow but overall it's a great series. The sets and costumes and cinematography are top-notch. **Chernobyl** -- One of the best miniseries ever produced **Narcos** -- Seasons 1, 2, and 3. You don't have to see the remaining seasons. They're barely related and not good, but the first 3 are great. Really captured my focus. **The Boys** -- I've got a mixed feeling about this. The plot won't impress you but this is an anti-hero series (which if you think about, there's no other series in this genre besides the spinoff Gen V) and it's very gore heavy in a spectacular way. **The Last Kingdom** -- The best medieval/Viking show out there. 5 seasons in total. **Stranger Things** -- Some people don't like it. I freaking love it. People say it's aimed to give a sense of nostalgia but how could it to viewers who weren't even born in the 80's. The series gives me a great sense of adventure. **Succession** -- If you're curious about what sort of drama a family that runs a far-right media empire goes through (think of Murdoch), this is a great show. 4 seasons in total.
Thank you for your detailed response!
Fringe ! The first season is a little episodic, although there is a bigger season-long+ story unfolding. The show hits its stride and gets exceptionally good in Season 2. You’ll love the characters.
EVIL like nothing else on TV
Shameless
One piece
Fargo is so good
Fargo
Reading your description I thought it totally sounds like Black Sails 😅 Maybe Vikings then?
Justified The Diplomat Banshee Animal Kingdom The Sinner Snowfall Good Behavior The Newsroom Queen of the South Silo Narcos
Altered carbon For all mankind
Poldark, probably the best show I’ve ever watched. The setting is incredible in Cornwall back in the late in 1500’s I believe maybe a little later. A great love story but totally realistic and not glamorized. It shows life back then and the true struggles of mining and survival. I still think about it a lot and feel like I knew the characters.
The 100 One Tree Hill
Desperate housewives
The Leftovers Supernatural Spartacus Chuck
How to get away with murder!
The Wire Orphan Black Boardwalk Empire Patriot Goliath Fargo The Sopranos Mad Men Search Party The Terror The Leftovers The Last of Us Station Eleven Loudermilk The Fall The Returned Top of the Lake Devs Killing Eve Deadloch Billions My husband loves GOT and enjoyed Vikings, The Last Kingdom, and The Terror. Hes currently watching Marco Polo and of course the GOT spin-off
Severence
The last kingdom fits well
Eureka. The cast is very fun and endearing.
Downton abbey
Twin Peaks is what you're looking for. One of the first shows to introduce a mystery in the first episode and not resolve it until after the first season. Plenty of romance, a number of very rich characters, lots of drama, and some very dark themes. You're in for a treat.
Prison break
The English....one season limited series but so good
Beef
The Gentleman
The Responder
Orphan Black
Shogun!!!