Breaking Bad revolutionized television from its early days. This gripping drama (which doesn’t fully capture its essence) first aired on AMC in 2008, following closely behind Mad Men‘s debut. Both shows elevated AMC to a major contender in the pre-streaming era of high-quality television, with Breaking Bad having an especially significant impact on subsequent TV dramas. The collection here consists of various shows; some were already airing before Breaking Bad was even conceived, while others found themselves in its wake. Not every show is strictly crime-based, but they all share the harmonious blend of plot progression and character growth.
After completing a marathon of Breaking Bad on Netflix, you might be wondering what to watch next. Netflix might suggest Ozark, another one of their highly acclaimed originals, and a show often compared to Breaking Bad. While other lists may recommend Better Call Saul, the prequel series in the Breaking Bad universe, this list aims to offer suggestions that are less mainstream and possibly unfamiliar. You may come across shows you’ve never heard of, as well as international programs that don’t always make it into the American prestige TV conversation. Let’s explore some lesser-known alternatives instead!
Boardwalk Empire
To start things off, it’s hard to surpass “Breaking Bad” in terms of maintaining high quality across seasons. Even “Mad Men” had its weaker episodes. However, “Boardwalk Empire” seems like HBO took a dare and combined the two shows, added some of their critically acclaimed show (“The Sopranos”), and gave Steve Buscemi the role he deserved. Over its five seasons (2010-2015), “Boardwalk Empire” was like a roller coaster on a boardwalk: it could be bumpy, sometimes hard to enjoy, but always exciting. It had Martin Scorsese directing the pilot and helped establish Michael Stuhlbarg and Michael Shannon as beloved character actors. Kelly Macdonald played Margaret, who was both Nucky Thompson’s (Buscemi) love interest and a narrative counterpoint, adding depth to the story while also creating someone worth grieving for. “Boardwalk Empire” wasn’t always perfect, but its unique aesthetic and old-school gangster twists kept viewers engaged.
Boardwalk Empire can be streamed in its entirety on Max.
Cardinal
In a unique manner, Canada appears to exude unwavering confidence in its television production. Even when disturbing crimes are portrayed on-screen or subtly hinted off-screen, the characters maintain a witty demeanor. To put it mildly, Canadian TV might have a distinctive quirkiness about it. The series “Cardinal” (2017-2020) could arguably be more serious than typical Canadian television, but even then, there was a hint of the peculiarity that Canada is known for. Billy Campbell plays Detective John Cardinal, a character who specializes in solving the most gruesome crimes Algonquin Bay can handle, and he embodies a detective with an edge, though it’s a quiet, understated one. He seems to echo early Walter White more than, say, Elliot Stabler. Detective Lisa Delorme (Karine Vanesse) provides the counterbalance, being as cold as Cardinal is brooding. Despite the emphasis on crimes, their dynamic interactions make the four seasons an engaging watch.
Cardinal can be streamed in its entirety on Hulu.
Endeavour
What made Breaking Bad so captivating was the opportunity it provided viewers to watch a character develop across five seasons of meticulously crafted television. We didn’t have much insight into Walter White, nor were we certain of his destination, which turned Breaking Bad into more of an exhilarating ride than an outright tragedy. On the other hand, Endeavour presents a different perspective. As a prequel to the long-running 80s/90s series Inspector Morse, and as it also relies on the books by Colin Dexter that spawned the beloved grumpy yet sophisticated detective, we already know the ending. Endeavour Morse (portrayed by Shaun Evans) is destined to become an old soul before his time, struggling with alcoholism and loneliness, and a career detective: the challenge of Endeavour (2012-2023) lies in making this transformation seem both unavoidable and impossible. The show is equally invested in an engaging mystery as it is in the tragic tale it intends to unfold, and with 9 seasons consisting of 3-6 hour and a half episodes each, it makes for a rewarding journey.
You can watch the full series of “Endeavour” either via PBS Passport or by subscribing to the PBS Masterpiece add-on on Amazon Prime.
Justified
As a devoted fan, I must confess that “Justified” was undeniably one of the standout shows when it came to FX’s bid for television dominance. Raylan Givens, played brilliantly by Timothy Olyphant, is technically a law enforcement officer, but he’s far from being a model of lawfulness. Over six thrilling seasons, “Justified” masterfully told its compelling story, with exceptional support from the inimitable Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder. If “Breaking Bad” was the narrative of our turbulent era, “Justified” (2010-2015) posed a captivating question: what if an old-school character like Raylan found himself navigating those same tumultuous times?
Justified can be streamed in its entirety on Hulu.
Perry Mason
The show “Perry Mason” remains puzzlingly contentious even after its initial debut, despite not being a direct reboot of the classic series (airing from 1957-1966). Instead, the creators placed emphasis on staying true to the original books rather than adhering to Raymond Burr’s portrayal of the defense attorney. It might have been challenging for viewers to accept Matthew Rhys’ more lean and hungry interpretation as the iconic character. Regardless, the show didn’t receive enough opportunities to establish itself. Unfortunately, we may never understand why — “Perry Mason” was only given two seasons to work its magic, but despite creating some enchanting moments, it struggled in a world where every TV show competes for attention, even with a legendary character leading the way. However, if “Breaking Bad” is a contemporary interpretation of noir, this version provides an engaging introduction to the genre’s classic style, but presented in vibrant color.
Perry Mason can be streamed in its entirety on Max.
Slow Horses
Many of these shows primarily focus on preventing crime, rather than committing it, such as Breaking Bad which emphasizes the latter. This is generally true for most television series. For instance, although the characters in Slow Horses often save the day, they don’t do so without getting their hands a bit dirty. The Apple TV+ series, which debuted in 2022, has provided four captivating seasons of thriller television so far. If Gary Oldman’s character Jackson Lamb from Breaking Bad had somehow found himself in the UK instead of New Mexico, he might have fit right in. There’s a resemblance between Lamb and River Cartwright (played by Jack Lowden) and Walter White’s relationship with Jesse, albeit with a more strained dynamic. In espionage, taking on an apprentice isn’t always the smartest move, and while Lamb doesn’t exactly welcome River, he keeps him close enough to hear when River makes a serious mistake. Slow Horses is the only show among these that is still currently airing. The fifth season is expected to premiere this year, and you can catch up on it all through Apple TV+.
Wiseguy
It’s worth noting the connection between “Wiseguy” (1987-1990), “The Sopranos,” and “Breaking Bad.” In the late ’80s, there were many restrictions on what could be depicted on television, making “Wiseguy” a trailblazer in its own right. It challenged the traditional cop drama narrative by featuring a protagonist who maintained his undercover identity throughout the series instead of occasionally going undercover as was common at the time. The character, Vinnie Terranova (Ken Wahl), played by Jonathan Banks, who is familiar to “Breaking Bad” fans, navigated moral gray areas and made questionable decisions to maintain his cover. This narrative choice paved the way for a television landscape that eventually led to shows like “Breaking Bad.
Wiseguy can be streamed on Peacock or Tubi, as well as some other free streaming TV services.
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2025-03-23 03:41