In the realm of television, the 2000s ushered in a new era of storytelling, innovation, and cultural impact. From groundbreaking dramas to iconic sitcoms, this decade gifted viewers with an array of unforgettable TV shows that continue to resonate with audiences to this day. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable TV shows of the 2000s.
15. Shameless (2004–2013) IMDB 8.0
“Shameless” is a television series that follows the lives of the dysfunctional Gallagher family, led by their eldest sister, Fiona Gallagher. Set in the South Side of Chicago, the show portrays the daily struggles and triumphs of the Gallagher clan as they navigate poverty, relationships, and personal growth amidst chaotic circumstances.
The patriarch of the family, Frank Gallagher, is a charismatic but irresponsible alcoholic who is often absent from his children’s lives. With Frank frequently absent, Fiona takes on the role of caretaker for her five younger siblings: Lip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam
14. Six Feet Under (2001–2005) IMDB 8.7
“Six Feet Under” is a critically acclaimed television series that revolves around the lives of the Fisher family, who own and operate a funeral home in Los Angeles. The show begins with the sudden death of the family patriarch, Nathaniel Fisher, Sr., in a car accident, which forces his sons, Nate and David, to take over the family business.
As the series unfolds, each episode typically begins with the death of a stranger, whose body is brought to the Fisher & Sons Funeral Home for burial or cremation. Through these encounters with death, the Fisher family confronts their own mortality and grapples with the complexities of life, love, and loss.
13. Doctor Who (2005–2022) IMDB 8.6
“Doctor Who” is a long-running British science fiction television series that follows the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, a time machine that appears as a British police box on the outside.
The central character, known simply as the Doctor, is a centuries-old alien with the ability to regenerate into a new form when mortally wounded, allowing the character to be portrayed by different actors over the show’s long history.
12. Family Guy (1999–2024) IMDB 8.1
“Family Guy” is an animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane that centers around the dysfunctional Griffin family living in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island. The show is known for its irreverent humor, pop culture references, and satirical take on American society.
At the center of the Griffin family is Peter Griffin, a bumbling and often clueless patriarch. His wife, Lois Griffin, is a loving but sometimes overwhelmed homemaker who tries to keep the family in line. They have three children: Meg, a socially awkward and unpopular teenager; Chris, a dim-witted and overweight teenager; and Stewie, a diabolical and highly intelligent infant with aspirations of world domination. The Griffins are also accompanied by their anthropomorphic pet dog, Brian, who is often the voice of reason amidst the chaos of the family’s antics. Brian is a failed novelist and an intellectual, frequently engaging in philosophical discussions and romantic entanglements.
“Family Guy” follows the Griffin family as they navigate various misadventures and absurd situations, often involving humorous parodies of popular culture, politics, and everyday life. The show employs a non-linear storytelling style, with episodes typically consisting of multiple subplots and cutaway gags that provide comedic relief and commentary on the main storyline.
11. The Wire (2002–2008) IMDB 9.3
“The Wire” is a critically acclaimed television series created by David Simon that explores the complex social, political, and economic dynamics of Baltimore, Maryland. Set primarily in the city’s impoverished neighborhoods, the show offers a multi-layered portrayal of various institutions, including law enforcement, the drug trade, the education system, and local government.
The series follows a large ensemble cast of characters, including both law enforcement officials and criminals, as they navigate the challenges and contradictions of life in Baltimore. At the heart of the show is the conflict between the police department, led by various commanders and detectives, and the drug trade, controlled by powerful and often ruthless drug lords.
10. South Park (1997–) IMDB 8.7
“South Park” is an animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that follows the misadventures of four boys—Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, Eric Cartman, and Kenny McCormick—in the fictional Colorado town of South Park. Known for its crude humor, satirical commentary, and irreverent take on current events, “South Park” has become one of the most iconic and controversial animated shows in television history.
The series primarily revolves around the adventures and antics of the four main characters, who often find themselves in absurd and outrageous situations. Stan is the everyman of the group, Kyle is the moral compass, Cartman is the selfish and manipulative troublemaker, and Kenny is the perpetually unlucky and often killed off member of the group.
9. The Sopranos (1999–2007) IMDB 9.2
“The Sopranos” is a groundbreaking television series created by David Chase that follows Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mobster, as he deals with the challenges of being in a criminal organization while balancing his personal and family life. The show premiered on HBO in 1999 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time.
At the center of “The Sopranos” is Tony Soprano, a complex and morally conflicted character who seeks therapy to deal with panic attacks and emotional turmoil. Dr. Jennifer Melfi becomes his psychiatrist, and their sessions provide a window into Tony’s psyche, his struggles with his violent tendencies, and his efforts to reconcile his criminal activities with his roles as a husband and father.
8. House M.D. (2004–2012) IMDB 8.7
“House M.D.” is a medical drama television series that follows the brilliant but misanthropic Dr. Gregory House, portrayed by Hugh Laurie. House is an unconventional and highly skilled diagnostician who leads a team of doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital’s Department of Diagnostic Medicine. The series primarily focuses on House’s unorthodox approach to solving complex medical cases, often employing his keen observational skills, deductive reasoning, and disregard for social norms.
Each episode typically revolves around a mysterious medical ailment that initially baffles the team of doctors. House and his team then engage in a series of diagnostic tests and procedures to identify the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms. Along the way, House’s abrasive personality and unorthodox methods frequently clash with his colleagues, hospital administrators, and patients, adding layers of drama and humor to the narrative.
7. Band of Brothers (2001) IMDB 9.4
“Band of Brothers” is a miniseries based on the book of the same name by historian Stephen E. Ambrose. Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series follows the true story of Easy Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from their training in Georgia to their participation in several key battles during World War II, including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
The series begins with the rigorous training the soldiers undergo at Camp Toccoa in Georgia under the command of Captain Herbert Sobel. As they prepare for combat, the men of Easy Company forge strong bonds and develop a deep sense of camaraderie. They then parachute into Normandy on D-Day, where they face intense combat and heavy casualties.
6. Prison Break (2005–2017) IMDB 8.3
“Prison Break” follows the story of Michael Scofield, a structural engineer who gets himself deliberately incarcerated in a maximum-security prison, Fox River State Penitentiary, in order to break his brother, Lincoln Burrows, out of death row. Lincoln has been wrongfully convicted of murdering the brother of the Vice President of the United States.
Michael crafts an intricate plan to escape from the inside, utilizing his knowledge of the prison’s layout and infrastructure. To execute his plan, he intentionally gets himself sentenced to the same prison where Lincoln is held. Once inside, Michael navigates the complexities of prison life, forming alliances with fellow inmates and occasionally clashing with dangerous adversaries.
5. Lost (2004–2010) IMDB 8.3
“Lost” is a television series that follows the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, which crashes on a mysterious tropical island somewhere in the South Pacific. The survivors, from various backgrounds and with different pasts, must work together to survive in the face of numerous challenges presented by the island.
As the survivors explore the island, they discover that it is not an ordinary place. It is filled with strange occurrences, unusual phenomena, and a series of interconnected mysteries. Among these mysteries are polar bears roaming the island, a mysterious black smoke monster, and a group of “Others” who inhabit the island and seem to have their own agenda.
4. The Office (2005–2013) IMDB 9.0
“The Office” is a mockumentary-style sitcom that takes place at the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. The series primarily revolves around the daily lives and interactions of the office employees, with a focus on the eccentric and often clueless regional manager, Michael Scott, played by Steve Carell.
Throughout the series, the employees navigate the mundane and sometimes absurd aspects of office life, including office politics, romantic relationships, and various workplace antics. The show features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own quirks and personalities, including Jim Halpert, a prankster who harbors a crush on receptionist Pam Beesly; Dwight Schrute, a socially awkward and ambitious salesman with a penchant for beet farming and martial arts; and Pam Beesly, the kind-hearted receptionist who dreams of pursuing her artistic talents.
3. How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014) IMDB 8.3
“How I Met Your Mother” is a sitcom that follows the life and romantic adventures of Ted Mosby as he recounts to his children the story of how he met their mother. The show is framed as a series of flashbacks, with Ted narrating his experiences to his teenage children in the future.
The main narrative begins in the year 2005 when Ted, portrayed by Josh Radnor, is a young architect living in New York City. He is joined by his best friends: the womanizing and humorous Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris), the sweet and romantic Marshall Eriksen (Jason Segel), the independent and career-driven Robin Scherbatsky (Cobie Smulders), and Lily Aldrin (Alyson Hannigan), Marshall’s long-time girlfriend, completes the main group.
2. Dexter (2006–2013) IMDB 8.7
“Dexter” is a television series centered around Dexter Morgan, a forensic blood spatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department who leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer. Dexter, portrayed by Michael C. Hall, adheres to a strict code instilled in him by his adoptive father, Harry Morgan, which dictates that he only kills other criminals who have escaped justice.
The series delves into Dexter’s inner struggle as he balances his job, relationships, and his secret life as a serial killer. Dexter harbors a deep desire to fit in and appear normal, despite his sociopathic tendencies. He maintains a facade of normalcy by pretending to be a caring brother to his sister Deb, a loving boyfriend to his girlfriend Rita, and a dedicated colleague to his coworkers.
1. Breaking Bad (2008–2013) IMDB 9.5
“Breaking Bad” follows the transformation of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturer, as he descends into the criminal underworld. The series begins with Walter, portrayed by Bryan Cranston, receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, leading him to contemplate his legacy and financial future. Determined to provide for his family after his death, Walter teams up with former student and small-time methamphetamine manufacturer Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, to produce and distribute high-quality methamphetamine.
As Walter becomes more deeply involved in the drug trade, he adopts the alias “Heisenberg” and adopts increasingly ruthless and morally ambiguous tactics to protect his operation and expand his influence. Throughout the series, Walter’s actions have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only his own life but also the lives of those around him, including his wife Skyler, his son Walter Jr., and his brother-in-law Hank Schrader, a DEA agent.
