25 Incredible TV Dramas from 2018

Everyone loves a good drama; a show that gets your heart racing or heightens your sensitivities to things around you.

Some of the best dramas make us feel all the hard realities of life. They manage to break our hearts and then mend them with a few inspiring phrases or moments.

Then there are the action-packed dramas that keep us on the edge of our seats begging for more, even when we knew we may not like the result. 

2018 was definitely a year packed full of fun and exciting dramas, each one unique in its own way, but none more important than the next. After all, they served to help us cope with all of life’s complex moments.

In no particular order, here are 25 incredible TV dramas from 2018. (Tread carefully as you may find spoilers!)

Note: we have an entirely separate list dedicated to the best sci-fi, fantasy, and horror series from 2018 coming soon (stay tuned!), so those shows won’t be listed here.

1. The Affair

This year saw the fourth season of the Showtime drama, The Affair. It sometimes borders on soap-operatic, but ultimately it gives a realistic portrayal of the complexities of love and relationships. 

More specifically,The Affair Season 4 showed audiences just how complicated past relationships can get when new relationships get involved. The incredibly talented cast took us through the multitude of emotions and situations with a raw sense of honesty. Life isn’t always pretty or even nice, but it is ours for the taking. 

The final few episodes of the season are what really sealed the deal for many fans. With the death of Alison came momentous performances from Joshua Jackson and Dominic West alike as their characters dealt with their individual feelings on the situation.

2. Better Call Saul

Better Call Saul has always been a show that’s better than it had any right to be. In 2018, it got even better.

Jimmy McGill (Saul) fell into the darkness after the death of his brother, Chuck. Our hearts broke as he and Kim Wexler drifted apart, and Jimmy became closed off to the world in his grief. The once compassionate James McGill slowly faded, and Saul Goodman came clearer into focus.

Further still, Mike Ehrmantraut and Gustavo Fring drew even closer to the characters we know from Breaking Bad, with even more heartbreaking twists and turns. They may catch up to Breaking Bad sooner rather than later, but in the meantime, we’re enjoying the ride!

3. How To Get Away With Murder

Since the show began it has captivated audiences and left them begging for more each and every week. While some of 2018’s episodes were a bit dull and drab, the majority of them had us screaming at our TV screens.

From shocking surprises to heartbreaking betrayals, How to Get Away With Murder has it all. Interwoven through it all is that element of mystery and just enough unknown to have fans going crazy with theories, most of which prove false.

The biggest moment for this show, this year, was definitely the death of Nate, Sr. It’s a death that is completely unexpected and changes the course of the whole show. Moments like this keep the show fresh; worth watching.

The writers certainly don’t disappoint as they continue to find new ways to make Viola Davis captivate and intimidate us all.

4. Scandal

After seven seasons, this Shondaland staple came to an end in the Spring of 2018. Fans were sad to see the show go, but nevertheless, it ended on a high note.

The show’s final season focused on Olivia Pope as Chief of Staff to President Mellie Grant. Cyrus remained a viable villain to our protagonist right up until the very end when he poisons David.

Clear up until the very end, most of the cast remained from Season 1. Unlike any other show, Scandal was able to intricately combine political drama with romance and mystery. The show may have ended, but whenever there’s a problem Olivia Pope will be there to handle it.

5. Grey’s Anatomy

Of course, we can’t mention the other Shondaland shows without including the longest running element, Grey’s Anatomy.

What continues to make this show great is its attention to trends and real-life connections. While the show is a tad bit over the top in the romance department, it still manages to awe and inspire us with the medical elements. We come back time and time again because the medicine connects with the doctors and intrigues us to the point of wanting to know more.

2018 also saw the departure of two main staples, Sarah Drew and Jessica Capshaw. Many fans worried their departure would ruin the show. However, Grey’s proved once again just how adaptable it can be. With a stellar ensemble cast, it is more than able to fill any voids left behind.

6. Bodyguard

We follow Richard Madden’s Sergeant David Budd, a police sergeant and Afghanistan war veteran. He is tasked with protecting the Rt. Hon. Julia Montague MP. He is torn by his beliefs, her politics, his desire to do his job and of course the PTSD that he doesn’t want anyone finding out about.

With a phenomenal performance by Richard Madden, Bodyguard keeps you guessing every minute of the 6 episodes available. Every character in the show walks in shades of grey and they all have different motivations. Which we find out as David does.

We won’t say more as to not spoil the show but let’s say that both Richard Madden and Bodyguard deserve those Golden Globe nominations. It’s definitely one of the best dramatic shows of 2018.

7. 9-1-1

It isn’t often that we can say we got the whole first responder experience from one TV show. That completeness is what makes us love 9-1-1 with all our hearts.

Unlike shows such as Chicago Fire or Blue Bloods, this drama brings us the fire, police, and 9-1-1 dispatch perspective for each emergency. It allows us to get the whole picture and have a deeper respect for each separate element.

On top of it all, there is a major human side. Each character has their own struggles but ultimately they all use those weak points to become stronger heroes.

We get a glimpse at the constant struggles of addiction and depression as well as what it’s like to be someone who is LGBT or a person of color in this world. There is even an element of balancing work and kids. This show has something for everyone.

8. Riverdale

This year, Riverdale managed to become more ridiculously campy than ever before. This doesn’t mean we stopped loving it, not by a long shot.

Following Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead, and the rest of the gang as they solve one ridiculous crime spree after another we find ourselves thankful that our lives are never this crazy! Who would want to go to school all while living in fear of a mysterious man known as the Black Hood or the Gargoyle King?

Despite its campy nature, the show has a few really strong female-led stories. We found ourselves rooting for Cheryl and Veronica to successfully defy their parents, and for Alice to finally let go of her perfect persona and let FP inside her defenses.

9. Chicago Fire

Of all the Chicago shows, Chicago Fire had the most growth this year. Big changes were made that could’ve either made or broke the show, but with fantastic storytelling, they managed to stay ahead of the game.

Firehouse 51 said goodbye to their beloved Dawson after a long struggle, on her part, which ultimately led to her going on a mission. This could have disrupted the flow of the show completely; however, many fans would argue that Dawson leaving was the best thing for the show as a whole.

The emotional roller coaster this departure takes the characters on is one that really helps Chicago Fire redefine itself while hanging onto the legacy already built up over the past six seasons. 

10. A Million Little Things

ABC’s newest drama breaks our hearts and inspires us through their tales of love, loss, and friendship. A Million Little Things deals with the subject of suicide, but from the perspective of the friends left behind to pick up the pieces.

When Jon ends his life his longtime best friends: Eddie, Gary, and Roman are left stunned, fumbling with the unknown reasons left in its wake. The show manages to take a still somewhat taboo topic and make it the focal point for everything else.

In a diversely grounded manner, A Million Little Things, takes these friends and their spouses/significant others on a journey through their own separate grief, anger, and guilt. They show us that we are all struggling in our own ways which can enhance and exacerbate the way we handle grief.

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