1
‘Unforgettable’ (2011–2016)
Inspired by J. Robert Lennon's 2008 short story "The Rememberer," Unforgettable is a police procedural series developed by Ed Redlich and John Bellucci that stars Poppy Montgomery as Carrie Wells, a troubled detective with a photographic memory. Using her unique skills, Carrie helps the NYPD crack complex, baffling cases, while simultaneously attempting to uncover the one memory she can’t remember: the death of her sister. The show also stars Dylan Walsh, Michael Gaston, Kevin Rankin, Daya Vaidya, Jane Curtin, Dallas Roberts, and more in key roles.
A unique show in the vast canon of TV procedurals, Unforgettable is a relatively little-known entry that had a troubled production history, being canceled twice by CBS over its first three seasons and then picked up by A&E for a fourth and final installment. While its narrative and stories are quite formulaic, the series does feature a truly intriguing premise and some great performances, particularly by Poppy Montgomery in the central role. And though it never quite became a critical success, the show continues to enjoy a cult following and airs reruns in syndication.
2
‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)
An iconic period drama series, Downton Abbey was created and co-written by Julian Fellowes and revolves around the residents of the titular English country estate. Set between 1912 and 1926, the show follows the changing lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the context of major historical events of the time, like the sinking of the Titanic and the First World War. The ensemble cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael, Jessica Brown Findlay, Maggie Smith, Dan Stevens, and many more.
During its six-season run in the 2010s, Downton Abbey was one of the biggest television shows, earning critical and commercial success and becoming a major pop culture phenomenon. A gorgeously produced period drama with engaging characters and storylines, the show has been praised by critics and viewers alike for its writing, direction, costumes, and performances, garnering numerous accolades. After the show’s conclusion, the series further expanded into a multimedia franchise with a sequel film trilogy, the last of which was released in September 2025.
3
‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)
Inspired by H. G. Bissinger’s 1990 book and developed by Peter Berg, Friday Night Lights is a sports drama series that follows a high school football team in the rural West Texas town of Dillon. Starring Kyle Chandler as coach Eric Taylor and Connie Britton as his wife, Tami, the show explores the many issues that plague life in American small towns through the stories of its ensemble. The series cast also stars Gaius Charles, Zach Gilford, Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, Michael B. Jordan, and Jurnee Smollett, among others.
A spiritual successor to Berg’s 2004 film of the same name, Friday Night Lights is an engaging and underrated character drama that deals with pressing topics like school funding, racism, substance use, abortion, and more, which earned it highly positive reviews from critics. Though it was never a very big ratings hit, the show is well-remembered as one of the best TV dramas of the 2000s, and many of its cast members would go on to become major stars in later years. The series also earned several accolades, including three Emmys, a Peabody Award, and an NAACP Image Award.
Release Date
2006 - 2011
Showrunner
Jason Katims
Directors
Patrick R. Norris, Jonas Pate, Allison Liddi-Brown, Adam Davidson, Dean White, Peter Berg, Seith Mann, Jason Katims, Chris Eyre, Ami Canaan Mann, Charles Stone III, Dan Lerner, Josh Pate, Kyle Chandler, Mark Piznarski
Writers
Brent Fletcher
English (US) ·