Whether it’s a sick day, a day off with nothing to do, or bad weather keeping you indoors, there are days when boredom takes over. TV shows can be great cures for mundane days because, unlike films, they allow viewers to connect to and get invested in characters over a longer period. Moreover, if the series is long enough (like the good ol' days when shows had20+ episodes per season), it can provide entertainment for weeks or months.
Dramaseries are particularly great at alleviating boredom. With tense plots, frequent plot twists, and highly emotional scenes. But not all dramas are created equally. Some prefer a slow burn before getting to the heart of the story. While those can be great, the perfect series for those days when nothing piques your interest are the ones that are exciting from episode one. Here are 20 great guilty pleasure TV dramas that are perfect for when you’re bored.
20Scandal (2012-2018)
Scandalis a crime drama set amidst the political atmosphere of Washington D.C.. The series primarily follows Olivia Pope, a talented professional who used to work as the Director of Communicationsin the White House. To make things extrascandalous, Olivia had an affair with her boss and employer, the President himself. Eventually, Olivia starts her own crisis management firm, and the show follows the team as they solve the different cases.
What Makes It Great
As one of the many Shondaland productions, the drama is in great hands. The high-stakes atmosphere will inject liveliness in most viewers. The central mysteries and political intrigue would be enough on their own to propel the story, but Shonda Rhimes and her team don’t stop there. There are also romantic subplots, assassination attempts, betrayal, and much more to keep audiences engaged. Real-life politics deserve serious attention, so it’s nice to be able to indulge in the political world without feeling like you’ve trivializing issues impacting actual people.Stream on Hulu
19The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-Present)
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian television series based on the 1985 novel by author Margaret Atwood. The series was created by Bruce Miller and stars Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, and Yvonne Strahovski. The show follows the story of a young handmaid as she is forced to deal with a new totalitarian government that subjugates women in this dark societal twist.
Based on the book by Margaret Atwood many consider a modern classic,The Handmaid’s Taletakes place in a dystopian future where women have little to no rights. Some are relegated to being subservient wives. Others are tasked with being “Marthas,” which are essentially maids. Then, there are the handmaids, women who are stripped of their names, forced to get impregnated by men, and then hand over their children to be raised by the man and his wife.
This show is not for the bored viewer looking for a fun, light watch. The series depicts an array of different women, from those we sympathize with to those who uphold this oppressive system. How those in charge justify their barbaric actions against those who can’t escape is horrifying and upsetting, yet also fascinating. The topics covered on the show are heavy, some even criticize the show for its non-stop trauma against women, calling it unnecessary or gratuitous. Die-hard fans may agree, but the poignant acting and sharp detailing in the world-building make it a certifiable guilty pleasure.Stream on Hulu
18Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
Peaky Blinders
A British ganagster saga set in 1919 post-war Birmingham. Cillian Murphy is Thomas Shelby, leader of the most feared and powerful local gang, the Peaky Blinders. Named for their practice of sewing razor blades into the peaks of their caps, they make money from illegal betting, protection and the black market. But when a crate of guns goes missing from an arms factory, their battle-hardened leader recognizes an opportunity to move up in the world.
Peaky Blindersis a crime drama that draws inspiration from a real-life street gang from the late-1800s. After the First World War, many are searching for power and control in the shaky economy. The Shelby family, led by Tommy, seemed to have found that, with a hand on much of business (legal and not) running in and out of Birmingham, England. However, whenever there’s a rowdy bunch on top, there’s always a handful of others looking to tear them down.
The show is gritty, violent, and, at times, dark. However, it’s not a bog-standard gang show where there’s no substance or depth to those who grace the screen.Tommy Shelby is the bestexample of this. With less skilled writers (and a less talented actor than Cillian Murphy), Tommy could’ve been a one-note villain who uses his Tragic Backstory to be a horrible person. Instead, viewers see him make bad choice after bad choice, with a few good ones sprinkled in. And even if we don’t agree with them, we understand the motivations behind them, which is the key to any great character and why, even with the unnecessary violence and sexism, people still tune in.Stream on Netflix
17Reign (2013-2017)
Reignis a historical drama based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Since she was a young child, Mary knew she was to wed Francis, the future King of France. However, when she arrives in France, she is met with a cold shoulder by the Queen and even Francis himself. With England threatening to strike Scotland, Mary must try to form alliances with those in the court while also keeping herself safe from several individuals who would rather see her gone.
This soapy romantic drama is perfect for viewers who prefer their romances to play out in opulent settings without modern-day distractions. Fans of the show love that Mary and Francis didn’t fall in love right away, even with their undeniable chemistry from the first episode. Their conflicts fit within the time this takes place, even when the writers veered away from what historians know aboutthe royal family.
There are even slight supernatural elements thrown into the show, making it unique from other period dramas. Yes, it ultimately is a teen romance costuming as a sophisticated historical drama. But it doesn’t need to be highbrow when it’s this much fun.Stream on Prime Video
Related:Why Historical Inaccuracies in Period Pieces Can Be a Good Thing
16The OC (2003-2007)
The O.C.is a teen drama about a boy named Ryan Atwood, whose trouble-making ways are finally catching up with him. He grew up in a poor and dysfunctional household, and eventually his mother kicks him out. He’s invited to live with the Cohens, a wealthy family who have a son named Seth around his age. With a new family and peers, Ryan has to adjust to the new world he now inhabits.
So many teen dramas from the mid-to-late 2000s can start to blend together.The O.C.stands out from the very first episode, when Ryan and a friend break into a car, get guns pulled on them by cops, and are thrown into jail. From that moment, viewers know this won’t be a sanitized version of the teen experience.
And no matter how many love storylines the writers throw in, the most special relationships are the familial ones betweenRyan and the Cohens. Even with how “tropey” the show can get and how predictable certain plot points can be, something about the cast and setting keep roping us back in for more.Stream on Hulu
15Sons of Anarchy (2008-2014)
Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchytakes place in the fictional city of Charming, California, even though “charming” isn’t what most of the characters would be described as. Jax Teller is the vice president of an outlaw biker gang, the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original, or SAMCRO. In the first season, Jax is at odds with the new president of the club: his stepfather. His actual father used to run SAMCRO, but after his death, leadership switched hands. And Jax struggles with the direction the club is going with his dad’s vision for the organization.
The show takes morally gray characters to the next level. It doesn’t brush past the violent bits, some viewers may find it a little too brutal at times. Yet there’s no question that the scenes where Jax and his companions are facing off with their adversaries are riveting. Later seasons in the show start to feel a little repetitive, but the earlier episodes are quite fun. Sometimes the best guilty pleasures are ones that allow viewers to completely turn our brains off, and this niche focus on a motorcycle club does just that.Stream on Hulu
14Lost (2004-2010)
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
Lostfollows a group of characters dealing with the aftermath of a plane crash from Sydney to Los Angeles. The first season spans 44 days, as the remaining passengers try to survive on a deserted island. Jack Shephard was a surgeon on board the fated flight and stepped up as the leader. While finding food and adequate shelter are important, Jack and the rest of the inhabitants soon realize other dangers on the island could threaten their lives.
Gettingstranded on an islandis a great premise, one that most people would agree is an unnerving situation. However, it wasn’t the concept alone that made the six seasons and over 100 episodes a treat for fans. It weaves in elements of mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural that keep viewers on edge.
For some, never knowing if a challenge is real or magic could be frustrating (and certainly some plot points inLostwere), but all in all, it made for exciting TV. Show writers leave a plethora of questions unanswered, but by that point we’re too invested in the characters to care about inconsistencies and plot holes.Stream on Hulu
13Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)
Pretty Little Liars
Based on a young adult mystery series,Pretty Little Liarsis about a group of friends stalked by a person who goes by “-A.” Spencer, Hanna, Aria, and Emily used to be close until queen bee Alison went missing, and it fractured their friend group. However, the discovery of Alison’s body brings them together, as well as texts from “-A.” This stalker holds each of their many secrets, and it becomes clear why the show refers to them as liars.
Most fans will agree that the series went off the rails toward the end. Reveals of antagonists didn’t make sense, timelines switched up, and it became more melodramatic if that was even possible. However, the first few seasons were a genuinely good teen drama. Theoverarching story of -Aand what led to Alison’s disappearance connected each of the girls' individual stories.
The show had lots of characters, perhaps too many, but that does mean viewers will be invested in figuring out who’s a red herring and who cannot be trusted. Though certain relationships make viewers cringe, and the central -A mystery overstayed its welcome by at least two seasons, it’s the perfect watch for days when you want to scream at your scream in both frustration and excitement.Stream on Hulu
Related:Pretty Little Liars: Every TV Series in the Franchise, Explained
12The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
The 2000s were all about young adult book adaptations, andThe Vampire Diarieswas among the most successful. Elene Gilbert is a 17-year-old girl still grappling with her parents' recent deaths. Living in Mystic Falls, Virginia, she resorts to her diary to vent her feelings, even while in foggy cemeteries. A new boy named Stefan starts to be a welcome distraction for Elena, though it becomes clear he has a few secrets of his own that may explain his peculiar behavior.
Stefan and Elena aren’t the only two that fans enjoy following. Stefan’s brother, Damon, becomes the third member to round out the lead trio. As one may expect,a love triangle ensuesas Elena is dragged deeper into the world of vampires. The plot deviates from the books, so even fans of the original work will still have a good time.
The show can be predictable at times, but in a way that’s comforting and still entertaining. Damon, Stefan, and Elena’s dynamic is frustrating at the best of times, annoying at the worst. Even so, the charisma of each character, plus the dynamic side characters, is enough to propel many viewers to say, “Justonemore episode.“Stream on Max
Breaking Bad
Breaking Badis a crime drama following an unconventional high school chemistry teacher. Walter White’s life does not fulfill him, and he questions it more after his diagnosis of Stage 3 lung cancer. When he witnesses a former student named Jesse escape a raid on a drug dealer’s house, Walter wonders if he can use his chemistry knowledge in other ways. To ensure his family is set financially before he dies, he recruits Jesse to his meth-making scheme.
This series is the perfect combination of the ordinary and the peculiar. Walter is such an ordinary guy. From his day job to the way he carries himself to his family life. Many viewers can relate to Walter and the missing spark he feels in his life and the turmoil a terminal illness can stir up.
However, not many viewers can relate to the road Walter turns down. It’s fascinating to see what dire circumstances can push the most ordinary people to do. This morally gray (and to others morally bankrupt) character divides many people. But for those who can get on board with a man who loses his morality, it’s a fun ship to sail on.Stream on Netflix
