21 TV Dramas We Loved in 2017
7. House of Cards
House of Cards remains a favorite drama series with its stunning performances and shocking twists. Kevin Spacey won’t be back as Francis Underwood next season, but we’re excited to explore Claire’s character (Robin Wright) more in depth now that she’s gotten her hands dirty for the first time, and because she’s currently serving as POTUS.
8. Chicago Fire
This addictive NBC drama is always keeping its audience on their toes. The series follows a passionate group of first responders in the city of Chicago.
Saving lives on a regular basis, as one might guess, often means risking their own. But what makes Chicago Fire special isn’t the suspense, the cliffhangers, or the plot twists, but rather the way that everyone at Firehouse 51 works together. The series always manages to balance the drama with a bit of humor and a lot of heart.
9. The Good Doctor
The Good Doctor isn’t just another medical drama. It’s a powerful portrayal of character with autism and his everyday struggles as he begins his career as a surgeon.
Sean Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, is a brilliant surgeon, and his autism can often be an asset as much as it can make things more difficult. We also see him navigate interpersonal relationships both in the workplace and outside of it. The series is as captivating as it is important.
10. Big Little Lies
HBO’s Big Little Lies featured the perfect band of dynamic, talented actresses an audience could dream for. From the acting, to the setting, to the beautiful cinematography, Big Little Lies is one of the year’s biggest winners.
More than anything, what really sets the show apart is the positive message it sent to viewers about female relationships — something we really needed in 2017.
11. 13 Reasons Why
13 Reasons Why, which deals with controversial topics such as suicide, rape, bullying, and abuse, garnered a lot of attention this year.
Despite its flaws, including the depiction of Hannah Baker’s depression, the Netflix original series is one of the most important shows of 2017, specifically because of the discussions it sparked. There is no telling how the series will progress, now that a Season 2 has been confirmed, but here’s hoping it keeps the much needed conversation going.
12. Twin Peaks: The Return
When Twin Peaks first premiered in 1990, it was unlike anything else on TV. Even in the over 25 years since its debut, there continued to be nothing quite like it, all thanks to the ingenious and visionary imaginations of David Lynch and Mark Frost.
When the show finally returned in 2017, set 25 years after the original series, Lynch and Frost were thankfully still at the helm and in perfect control of the world they’d created.
What resulted was an 18-part limited series that astounded and delighted longtime fans of the bizarre, quirky, and even otherworldly small town. There’s a reason so many of the new season’s episodes appeared on annual best-of-TV episode lists this year!
Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.