3 Crime Dramas Better Than Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is widely considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time, particularly in the crime drama genre. Its story of a struggling chemistry teacher turning into a drug kingpin captivated audiences and critics alike. The fusion of a unique concept with a talented cast and crew ensured its lasting reputation.
Crime dramas remain a dominant and popular genre, both for viewers and creators. Many showrunners see this genre as the ultimate challenge, producing series that sometimes surpass even the acclaim of Breaking Bad. Here are three crime dramas that stand out and rival Breaking Bad’s stature.
The Shield
Often overlooked in conversations about the greatest TV shows, The Shield was the first prestige series on the then-new FX channel, which limited its initial exposure. It also aired alongside The Sopranos, during a time when audiences were saturated with complex antiheroes.
Despite this, The Shield is highly praised by critics and fans. The show stars Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey, leader of an experimental police division operating in one of Los Angeles's most dangerous neighborhoods.
"The series stars Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey of the LAPD. Mackey is the head of an experimental division in one of LA's most dangerous districts."
The Shield's gritty portrayal of law enforcement and moral ambiguity makes it a standout in the crime drama field.
"Crime dramas are incredibly popular, both with audiences and with showrunners. It seems like the magnum opus for most showrunners is in the genre."
Shows like these demonstrate how crime dramas continue to evolve and captivate viewers more than a decade after Breaking Bad's conclusion in 2013.
Summary: Crime dramas remain a pinnacle for storytelling, with series like The Shield offering powerful narratives that challenge even the legacy of Breaking Bad.