5 Near-Perfect HBO Shows Nobody Remembers

by

When HBO decided to start creating its own shows in the 1970s, no one imagined the incredible series it would produce. With hits like Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and Sex and the City just being a few examples, HBO has been a leader in high-quality television for over fifty years.

HBO has so many great original shows that the most popular ones sometimes overshadow other equally deserving series. These already-celebrated shows have often won awards, but could benefit from increased attention to reach a wider audience.

HBO’s John Adams Was So Much More Than a Historical Biography

HBO’s seven-part miniseries, John Adams, brings to life the story of the second U.S. President and a key figure in American history. Starting with events like the Boston Massacre and the Revolutionary War, the series offers a remarkably accurate account of the nation’s beginnings. It examines the challenges of building a new government through the perspective of John Adams, a brilliant and often complex leader. While it received a range of opinions, the miniseries currently has an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

We often forget that the famous figures who created our country were real people with everyday lives. The HBO series John Adams portrays him as a human being, not just a historical icon. It focuses on his family, his legal career, and his complex relationship with Thomas Jefferson, another key Founding Father. More than just a recounting of Adams’ accomplishments, the series tells a compelling story about a life that truly mattered.

Gentleman Jack Brings Two Enterprising Women Into the Spotlight

Gentleman Jack is a historical drama series that tells the story of Anne Lister, widely considered to be one of the first modern lesbians. Created by Sally Wainwright, the show is based on Lister’s incredibly detailed diaries and offers a realistic look at her life. It depicts her determination to live authentically, despite the restrictions of her time, as well as her business dealings as a landowner and the challenges she faced from the men around her.

I’m completely captivated by the show’s honest depiction of Anne Lister’s relationships – it was so brave of them to portray her affairs with women, especially considering the time period. Suranne Jones is absolutely brilliant as Lister, bringing this incredible energy to the character – she’s witty, playful, and just a bit arrogant, and I can’t help but adore her! Even with its challenges, the show still has a fantastic 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and honestly, it feels almost perfect to me.

Sharp Objects Is a Cerebral Masterpiece

This critically acclaimed drama, with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, hasn’t quite reached its full potential with viewers. It stars Amy Adams in a standout early television role as Camille Preaker, a journalist with a lot of personal struggles. When she returns to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of two teenage girls – one of whom was already found dead – the case and her own difficult past begin to overwhelm her, leading to a troubling decline in her well-being.

Sharp Objects is a captivating mystery that expertly builds suspense, keeping you hooked from beginning to end. Amy Adams delivers a chilling performance as Camille Preaker, realistically portraying her difficult mental health journey. Even when things seem hopeless for her character, the story gradually reveals its secrets. It’s a truly remarkable and thought-provoking series that doesn’t shy away from dark themes, and it’s something everyone should experience at least once.

Nearly 30 Years Ago, Oz Took Dark Storytelling to a Whole New Level

1980s television often presented a hopeful, but unrealistic, view of the world, avoiding direct depictions of difficult or disturbing themes. While hints of darkness existed, shows by the late 1990s began to openly explore the flaws and corruption within people. HBO’s Oz was a groundbreaking series that led the way for other critically acclaimed, gritty dramas like The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, ushering in a new era of realistic television.

Running from 1997 to 2003, the show Oz was groundbreaking for its willingness to explore difficult and previously unseen topics on television. The series, set in an experimental prison, is a consistently gripping psychological thriller filled with complicated characters that viewers become deeply invested in. Oz powerfully reminds us that even those who have committed crimes are still human beings. With a remarkable 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it remains one of the most impactful shows ever made, even nearly three decades after its original run.

Barry’s Biggest Pitfalls Are Timing & False Comparison

Despite being consistently overlooked, Barry is one of the best HBO series ever made. It shares clear similarities with Showtime’s Dexter, starting with the single-name title. Both shows center around protagonists – a retired Marine turned hitman named Barry Berkman and Dexter Morgan – who commit murder with a darkly comedic edge. However, while both are killers, Barry’s desire to leave his violent past behind and become an actor makes him almost the complete opposite of Dexter.

Because Barry premiered on HBO five years after Dexter ended, it’s tempting to see it as simply copying that show. While the two series have some similarities, many viewers believe Barry actually feels like a natural continuation of Dexter’s themes. To truly appreciate Barry, viewers need to forget about Dexter and enjoy it on its own merits. Barry is a unique and darkly funny black comedy about a troubled hitman who’s unable to leave his life of crime behind, no matter how hard he tries.

Challenge yourself with this quiz about the article
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-03-22 04:37