For years, HBO has been the gold standard when it came to prestige television, giving the greenlight to shows that pushed boundaries and told stories that network television would have shied away from. However, over the past 15 years, HBO’s prestige legacy has been tested, with an explosion of original content from streaming services such as Netflix, at times, challenging HBO for prestige television supremacy. While those streamers have succeeded at times, it hasn’t been enough to get HBO off of its pedestal.
In fact, HBO hasn’t just merely survived the challenge brought on by streamers, it’s upped its own game in delivering culture-defining content that continues to leave the rest of the television industry desperately trying to play catch up. Streamers chase algorithms, HBO chases auteur-driven narratives and groundbreaking storylines, the same formula that’s used to dominate the prestige space ever since Oz premiered in 1997. But for this piece, we’re not chasing the great HBO shows, as there’s plenty to list, but the ones that are simply perfect. The following shows don’t just entertain, they stick the landing and leave their mark on pop culture, all without overstaying their welcome. So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
7
‘The White Lotus’ (2021–Present)
For the past 15 seasons, Netflix’s Black Mirror has been the standard-bearer for the anthology genre. But while that show is great, it has its share of episodes that you can skip over without feeling guilty. However, there is another anthology show that recently premiered, and you can make the argument that not only is it better than Black Mirror, but it’s actually the perfect anthology series. That show is The White Lotus, created by Mike White, which is a masterclass in social satire and tension. While each season is different, the central premise revolves around a luxury global resort hotel chain called White Lotus, and we spend a week with the guests and staff of each location in each season.
Within each season, The White Lotus is unafraid to tackle complex themes like wealth entitlement and colonialism; and the best part is that it does this without offering that comforting moral conclusion that would have happened if The White Lotus aired on network television. It gives the themes explored in each season so much weight, with the focus on the “haves and have-nots” so clear and focused, and the tragedies that come in each season feel unavoidable and heavy. All of this is set in a beautiful setting in immersed locations that highlights the satire within The White Lotus even more.
6
‘True Detective’ (2014–Present)
There are crime shows, and then there is True Detective, a series that should have its own category given how perfect the series is. The brainchild of Nic Pizzolatto, True Detective is another anthology series that HBO works to perfection with each season set in a different location and following a different set of detectives solving a murder within their jurisdiction. True Detective turned the typical crime drama on its head, diving deep into the characters’ backstories and a hunting atmosphere that hung over each season like a thick blanket of fog.
Season 1 is considered to be a masterclass of how a show sets a tone, with its eight episodes dealing with themes of nihilism and existentialism that would only expand as the series went along. The atmosphere within each season of True Detective is palpable and tense, and few crime dramas use its setting to such a powerful degree than True Detective does. The location of each season is basically its own character, from the swampy, isolated towns of Louisiana to the dark and cold chill of Alaska, the setting makes this series even more unsettling, in a good way.
5
‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)
One of the main reasons why HBO is the gold standard when it comes to prestige television is its willingness to take risks on shows that tell its stories in an unflinching, nuanced way. There are many examples of this scattered throughout the network’s history, but in 2020, I May Destroy You took this to another level entirely, a level of perfection. Created and starring Michaela Coel, the series follows Arabella (Coel), a young writer who tries to rebuild her life after being sexually assaulted. Just off the premise alone, network television wouldn’t have dared touch a series such as I May Destroy You, and even streamers would have a bit of a hard time greenlighting a show with such a heavy premise. But HBO looked at this and saw its potential, and they certainly made the right call.
While this could have been a straightforward heavy drama, I May Destroy You moved beyond a simple narrative to focus on the complicated and messy process of recovering from such a traumatic event. With such an unpredictable narrative, it actually fits the reality perfectly, as we live in an anxious world full of unconventional and unpredictable moments, and I May Destroy You captures this to utter perfection. While there are bits of comedy scattered throughout the series, I May Destroy You forces viewers to face uncomfortable themes and challenge typical conventions within the drama genre. It’s different, original, and simply perfect.
4
‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
In 1986, Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat exploded, and, to this day, is considered one of the worst nuclear accidents in history. Many documentaries have detailed the disaster and the brave souls who risked their lives to clean up the accident; but in 2019, HBO released a five-part series that revolved around the accident, and to this day, is considered one of the most perfect historical dramas in TV history. Chernobyl, created by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck, took the subject matter seriously, and the end result was a show that had phenomenal performances, an eerie atmosphere and tone, and cinematography that was simply brilliant.
Throughout Chernobyl, an unrelenting sense of dread will hang over you, and, in a sense, the miniseries, with the protagonists fighting the invisible threat of radiation that, if left unchecked, could have had disastrous consequences for the entire world. This wasn’t done for the sake of drama, this was the mood in our timeline as well, which hints at another reason why Chernobyl is such a perfect historical drama: its accuracy. You can tell that Mazin really did his homework with this one, as the show recreated 1980s Soviet Ukraine with near-pinpoint accuracy, from the clothes to the scenery. Of course, none of this would matter if the performance wasn’t top-notch, and, thankfully, that was also one of Chernobyl’s strongest assets. Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson were simply masterful in their roles, bringing emotional weight to a story that definitely commanded it. Chernobyl is a miniseries that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the opening credits to the ending.
3
‘Veep’ (2012–2019)
On the surface, Veep is a political satire that could have easily existed on any streaming service, but when you look deep beneath the surface, it quickly becomes apparent that only HBO could produce a show that was filled with rapid-fire, high-IQ insults and provide a scorching critique of political ineptitude. Created by Armando Innaccui, Veep stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as vice president Selina Meyer, who aims to leave a political legacy, but instead, gets caught up in daily political games and quagmires.
Much like Seinfeld and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, insult comedy is basically an art form in Veep. The comedy is creative, profane, and very fast-paced, with the show leaving you little time to catch your breath before the next joke lands. But Veep isn’t all about comedy, as the series also deals with complex political maneuvering that was very effective given the way it was constructed. Thus, you don’t get the feeling that a season is being wasted, and every episode truly matters. Unlike the shows that were mentioned earlier, Veep‘s quality is simply unmatched. There isn’t one bad episode here, and unlike many shows in which the quality dips as each season passes, Veep only gets better as the show goes along. There is no question, Veep is the perfect political satire, hands down.
2
‘Boardwalk Empire’ (2010–2014)
With so many great shows that HBO has produced over the years, it certainly feels that Boardwalk Empire is a show that is often overlooked, when it really shouldn’t be. Created by Terence Winter and adapted from the Nelson Johnson novel of the same name, Boardwalk Empire is a period crime drama that is simply perfect at what it creates, a story that centers on the mob and political corruption. The show revolves around Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), a powerful political figure in 1920s Atlantic City during the Prohibition era. But Nucky’s lavish lifestyle catches the attention of the feds, who head to Atlantic City to investigate possible connections between the mob and Thompson.
Where do we begin with regard to Boardwalk Empire? For starters, the production quality is simply magnificent, as the show looks and feels like 1920s Atlantic City with its costumes and intricate set designs. Then there’s the fantastic character development, as we don’t just see these characters at the surface level, but we get a deep dive into what makes them the way they are; and the best part is that it isn’t done in a rush manner, either, but over the span of five seasons, we see how these characters develop, the relationships they form, and how it all comes to a head in the final season, giving Boardwalk Empire a gritty, immersive experience that you’d be hard-pressed to find on any streaming service. Boardwalk Empire had the unlucky fate of airing at the same time as Game of Thrones was basically at its peak creatively, which makes this series an underrated gem for those who are in love with period dramas.
1
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
There were a lot of broken hearts when Succession ended in 2023. When it comes to satirical black comedy, few shows had such a strong impact as the Jesse Armstrong-created series. For those who haven’t seen the show yet (and, seriously, why haven’t you?) Succession revolves around the Roy family, who fight for control of the family business after the patriarch’s health begins to decline. For four seasons, we were immersed in the intense and hilarious drama the Roy family cooked up on a weekly basis, and this is thanks to the razor-sharp writing that almost makes Succession feel like a Shakespearean tragedy.
One can’t say enough about the writing of this series, which is extremely witty, very profane, and very fast-paced. This makes every scene in Succession so engaging, especially when you consider that the performances are a masterclass in how a black comedy should operate. The performances within Succession were compelling and more complex than their personas would lead on. Yes, the Roy kids were definitely despicable and unlikable, but they also felt human and real. Through the characters, Succession offered a raw look into the lives of the super-rich and the consequences of corporate greed. Succession was the perfect show that didn’t have a bad episode, and thank goodness for HBO Max, as we can relieve the Roy family drama whenever our hearts desire.
Succession
- Release Date
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2018 – 2023
- Network
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HBO Max
