3 Crime Dramas Better Than Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is rightly hailed as one of television’s finest achievements, especially within the crime drama genre. Its story of a struggling chemistry teacher who becomes a drug lord remains unforgettable. However, several shows have managed to raise the bar even higher.
The Evolution of Crime Dramas
Since Breaking Bad concluded in 2013, it has appeared on nearly every list of the greatest shows ever made. Yet, its success is part of a broader trend. The crime drama genre has long captured both audiences and creators, often serving as a creative high point for many showrunners.
The Shield
One standout example is The Shield, a series that tends to be overlooked in discussions of television’s best works. This might be due to its debut on the then-new FX network or its unfortunate timing alongside The Sopranos, another landmark show featuring morally complex antiheroes.
“Despite being overshadowed when it premiered, The Shield is an incredible show, widely regarded by critics and fans alike.”
The Shield stars Michael Chiklis as Detective Vic Mackey, the head of an experimental LAPD division operating in one of Los Angeles’s toughest neighborhoods. The series delivers an intense portrayal of corruption, justice, and moral conflict that rivals and, in some ways, surpasses Breaking Bad.
Author’s Summary
Three exceptional crime dramas have managed to surpass Breaking Bad’s legacy, showing the genre’s continuing power to deliver complex, unforgettable storytelling.