2015 Noteworthy TV Drama
Television shows & mini-series that are intelligent, highly creative and original with excellent writing, directing & acting. Read my notes on the individual shows.
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- CreatorMoira Walley-BeckettStarsSarah HayBen DanielsEmily TyraA talented but emotionally troubled dancer runs away to New York City and quickly finds herself immersed in the cutthroat world of professional ballet.Created by Moira Walley-Beckett, one of the top writers on Breaking Bad, F&B is the most audacious, original show ever aired on TV. It excavates taboo territory with fearlessness.Think Greek tragedy. But also -- think allegory. It is about a woman in a cosmic battle for her soul. The writing is sterling as are the acting & direction. After being exposed to such masterful artistry, it was hard to stomach regular TV.
- CreatorFrank SpotnitzStarsAlexa DavalosLuke KleintankRufus SewellIn a dystopian America dominated by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, a young woman discovers a mysterious film that may hold the key to toppling the totalitarian regimes.This is being billed as 'alternate history' but it isn't really, at least, not in the strictest definition of the genre -- and yes, Alternate History (AH) is a genre of its own. PK Dick's books usually challenge what we accept as real, and here, he uses the the 'what if the German's had won WWII? question as a structure to pose this challenge. Sterling cast, scripting & direction, it is also stunning in art direction and cinematography. This is a contender to Flesh & Bone for my pick of the best shows of 2015.
Free on Amazon Prime. - CreatorAbi MorganStarsStellan SkarsgårdNicola WalkerAdeel AkhtarJohn River is a brilliant police inspector whose genius lies side-by-side with the fragility of his mind. He is a man haunted by the murder victims whose cases he must lay to rest.Another new favorite show for me. Powerful writing, tour de force performances. Skarsgård, Walker & Akhtar are breathtaking. Eddie Marsan is unforgettable. The fantastic thing about this series is how the most dramatic parts are understated, giving them more meaning and impact.
Catch the whole series on Netflix. - CreatorGlenn KesslerTodd A. KesslerDaniel ZelmanStarsKyle ChandlerBen MendelsohnLinda CardelliniA family is forced to face their past secrets and scars when the black sheep returns home.Excellent cast, compelling story, masterfully written & directed. Held me all the way through a full 1st season binge. The same is true for the 2nd season.
- CreatorPaul RutmanStarsHenry Lloyd-HughesJemima WestJulie WaltersDrama set in 1932 during the final years of British colonial rule in India.I do not know why this series hasn't generated more talk because it should rank up there with Peaky Blinders and Downton Abbey. From it's spectacular opening titles (I could watch them over and over...) to the exquisite acting, to the genuinely interesting period in history, 1932, when India was asserting its independence, to the fabulous writing... I cannot say enough about this series. Julie Walters plays a deliciously evil old bitch, Jemima West is amazing, Henry Lloyd-Hughes does credit to a tough role to play, Nikesh Patel is a really fresh new talent to keep an eye on... Do not miss it...
- StarsAlexander DreymonEliza ButterworthArnas FedaraviciusAs Alfred the Great defends his kingdom from Norse invaders, Uhtred--born a Saxon but raised by Vikings--seeks to claim his ancestral birthright.Excellent. All around. I'm a big fan of Bernard Cornwell's books, so this was a shoo-in for me.
- StarsMark RylanceDamian LewisClaire FoyAfter the downfall of Cardinal Wolsey, his secretary, Thomas Cromwell, finds himself amongst the treachery and intrigue of King Henry VIII's court and soon becomes a close advisor to the King, a role fraught with danger.It surprised me that I liked this because Henry VIII is so overdone, but this series was really about Thomas Cromwell, who IS not so well covered. Mark Rylance has spectacular charisma.
- CreatorBarbie KligmanStarsRyan PhillippeJuliette LewisKaDee StricklandEach series, a detective focuses on the prime suspect in a murder case; but everyone has something to hide.Good cast but Juliette Lewis's over-acting REALLY tips the show out of balance like a single choir member singing over the rest of the choir. Her portrayal of the lead detective is one-dimensional and extremely annoying so there isn't a single likable aspect to her character. Maybe this is more of a directorial flaw because, in the end, it totally detracts from the story, which is actually compelling.
- CreatorSam EsmailStarsRami MalekChristian SlaterCarly ChaikinElliot, a brilliant but unstable cyber-security engineer and vigilante hacker, becomes a key figure in a complex game of global chaos when he and his shadowy allies try to take down the corrupt corporation his company is paid to protect.Brilliant at first but lost steam.
- CreatorDebbie HorsfieldStarsAidan TurnerEleanor TomlinsonJack FarthingRoss Poldark returns home after the American Revolutionary War and rebuilds his life with a new business venture, making new enemies and finding a new love where he least expects it.Good period piece. Aidan Turner isn't just another pretty face...
- CreatorSimon DonaldStarsRichard DormerBjörn Hlynur HaraldssonSienna GuilloryPerched on the edge of the Arctic Circle, Fortitude is one of the safest towns on earth. There has never been a violent crime here. Until now.Okay, this show isn't for everyone. It's slow, plodding, and very weird. Fortitude is a planned community that looks like it's supposed to be a utopia but the starkness of the location, weather & remoteness give it an ominous taint. As a mystery, it floundered a bit in one of the middle episodes, but recovered right away. Excellent cast, Michael Gambon & Stanley Tucci are superb. Spanish actress, Verónica Echegui is captivating. I've never seen her before but will look for her in the future. Cinematography & art direction are exquisite. But some things are just too out-there to get me to buy the story. If you like weird, you'll like this. I'm not sure yet if it ranks above a 7.
- CreatorEric Ellis OvermyerStarsTitus WelliverJamie HectorAmy AquinoAn L.A.P.D. homicide detective works to solve the murder of a 13-year-old boy while standing trial in federal court for the murder of a serial killer.Great cast with the classic meme of a detective who plays by his own rules. Great writing. Titus Welliver is perfect. Based on the books.
- CreatorAdam ArmusNora Kay FosterPeter HortonStarsAnna FrielPeter FacinelliJake RobinsonThree families are torn apart when a stranded female soldier, a disillusioned corporate attorney and a disrespected political activist are pulled into the same shocking international military conspiracy.The lead, Anna Friel, is really good in this series, but she's surrounded by some pretty 2nd rate acting. Or maybe it's the writing... for sure, it could have used better direction... Still, it's an interesting premise with lots of twists, some more believable than others. However, Friel gives a strong, compelling performance throughout.
- CreatorMark EllisStephanie MorgensternStarsEvelyne BrochuJack LaskeyWarren BrownSet in the exciting and dangerous world of the Second World War, it follows the stories of five highly skilled young recruits.This one starts off slowly, but be patient. Acting, scripting is superb and it keeps getting better until you're left at the edge of your seat until the next episode.
- StarsBen BarnesMarton CsokasHenry ThomasThe story of a group of very different men fighting in the American Colonies for freedom, and how they will shape the future for the United States of America. Based on true stories.A great addition for us historical drama lovers.
- CreatorVince GilliganPeter GouldStarsBob OdenkirkRhea SeehornJonathan BanksThe trials and tribulations of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill in the years leading up to his fateful run-in with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman.Still on the fence on this one because Saul (Jimmy McGill) bores me... 3/31/15
- CreatorMatt FordStarsJames StewartKate JenkinsonLincoln YounesAfter a botched drug deal, Troy must take his family into Witness Protection in exchange for giving evidence against his former employer.Aussie show. Well-balanced cast who is working together. Solid acting, writing & direction. So far, so good.
- StarsJohn SimmAnna MadeleyDavid ThrelfallThe story of Sir Alec Jeffreys' discovery of DNA fingerprinting and its first use by DCS David Baker in catching a double murderer.Typical British mystery with a twist - about 1st time DNA evidence was used forensically t solve murder in 1984.
- CreatorBarbara HallStarsTéa LeoniTim DalyErich BergenA political drama which looks into the life of the Secretary of State as she tries to balance work with family.I like Téa Leoni's performance so much that I may not be the best judge on this show. For sure, it's formulaic, rah rah the US is great, but the stories have been interesting so far. Geoffrey Arend & Patina Miller are just awful but the rest of the cast is good, although I have a hard time believing Keith Carradine as President. Still, I bet this one gets renewed.
- CreatorJimmy McGovernStarsOrla BradyEwen BremnerMyAnna BuringBritish convicts have been sent to Australia as punishment for their crimes. As they try to live their new lives, they have to live with the new rules. The soldiers also have to adjust.Really promising. Period drama about Australia's first penal colony. Great premise, interesting setting & time, excellent acting.
- StarsMartin ClunesArsher AliCharles EdwardsSir Arthur Conan Doyle recaptures his zest for life by pursuing and challenging a notorious miscarriage of justice.For Sherlock fans.
- CreatorJohn RidleyStarsFelicity HuffmanRegina KingTimothy HuttonSeasonal anthology series. Season 1: The lives of the participants in a trial with significant racial motives are forever changed during the legal process.This is a tough watch because it pulls no punches and nobody's riding off into the sunset, but it's real. Tim Hutton & Felicity Huffman are superb, as are the rest of the cast.
- CreatorJohn LoganStarsJosh HartnettTimothy DaltonEva GreenExplorer Sir Malcolm Murray, American gunslinger Ethan Chandler, scientist Victor Frankenstein and medium Vanessa Ives unite to combat supernatural threats in Victorian London.For someone like me who has studied British literature, this series is delightful because it's a mash-up of great Gothic characters like Frankenstein, Dorian Gray and Dracula characters, all thrown together in the same story. Really fine writing, acting & production.
- StarsNcuti GatwaChris FultonGary LewisStewart Gilmour returns to his childhood home and tries to discover the truth behind his best friend's death.Based on Iain Banks' novel.
- CreatorKurt SutterStarsLee JonesKatey SagalFlora Spencer-LonghurstIn the early 14th century, several oppressed Welsh commoners unite to take revenge on the ruthless nobility.Watchable. Although I'm still trying to believe Katey Sagal as a Slavic Catholic Delphic Oracle priestess in Wales...