LOS ANGELES, Dec 26 — Newcomers or old standbys, these series left their mark on the TV world in 2014, whether through their originality, their ratings triumphs or their critical acclaim. Here is a selection of the top 10 shows of the outgoing year.
“True Detective”
HBO hit the ground running in 2014 with this captivating crime series, which had critics raving from the premiere. Viewers were also seduced by the show’s stellar screenplay and all-star cast, led by Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey (who won an Oscar for his performance in “Dallas Buyers Club” while “True Detective” was on the air). With its dark ambiance and existential themes, the detective show kept its audience riveted through all eight episodes. In fact, a total of 11 million viewers the entire first season (when counting catch-up TV or re-broadcast views) — the best performance for a freshman season on HBO since “Six Feet Under” premiered in 2001. The second season, which will star Vince Vaughn and Colin Farrell and is due to arrive in summer 2015, is already among the most anticipated TV events of 2015.
“Fargo”
An adaptation of the eponymous feature, this FX crime series was produced with help from the Coen brothers themselves, so it wasn’t hard to convince “Fargo” fans to tune in. Based on an entirely new story, the small screen version of “Fargo” reprises certain aspects of the movie: witty dialogue, black humour and a snowy Minnesota setting. Add a winning cast of Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Colin Hanks and Kate Walsh into the mix and you have one of the most successful shows of the year. Here as well, the second season is definitely one to watch in 2015.
“How To Get Away With Murder”
What do you get when actress Viola Davis teams with “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal” creator Shonda Rhimes? A unique legal drama that the American Film Institute (AFI) named TV program of the year for 2014. The ABC drama centres on a defence attorney and law professor played by Davis, who is nominated for the 2015 Golden Globe for best actress for the role. When she recruits some of her brightest students to work at her firm, she ends up becoming involved in a murder plot.
“The Knick”
With Steven Soderbergh behind the camera and Clive Owen on screen, this medical drama, broadcast on Cinemax over the summer, stands out for its impeccable visuals. Not for the faint of heart, “The Knick” follows the staff at New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital at the turn of the 20th century. At a time before antibiotics, when even the most common infection could be fatal, the doctors and nurses at the Knick continually pushed the limits of medicine. Among them is John W. Thackery (Owen), a surgeon battling his own drug addiction.
“The Affair”
In October, Showtime bolstered its line-up with this drama on the consequences of an extra-marital affair. Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson headline the drama, which is noteworthy mainly for its original format. Each episode is divided into two parts — his and hers — each depicting roughly the same series of events as remembered by one lover and the other.
“Jane the Virgin”
One of the more unexpected hits of fall 2014, this new comedy earned a spot in the AFI’s ranking and is nominated for the 2015 Golden Globes. Aired on the mostly teen-focused CW network and adapted from a Venezuelan telenovela, the show has appealed to a wider audience than one might expect thanks to its frank tone and humour. The show tells the story of Jane, a devout young woman who, though a virgin, winds up pregnant due to a mix-up at the doctor’s office.
“Game of Thrones”
The series adapted from the writings of George R.R. Martin continues to gain followers. The fourth season broke multiple records, with four episodes attracting an impressive 7 million viewers. Altogether, including rebroadcasts and catch-up views, the season was followed by over 18 million fans. This allowed “Game of Thrones” to unseat “The Sopranos” as the most popular HBO show of all time. Fans are already eagerly awaiting the fifth season.
“The Walking Dead”
Like “Game of Thrones,” “The Walking Dead” enjoyed unprecedented popularity in 2014, in terms of both ratings and internet buzz. Boasting a record 17.3 million viewers — as many as some of the most watched shows on network TV — the cable drama also enjoyed a strong presence on Twitter over the year. And the zombie invasion shows no signs of stopping in 2015. In addition to the return of the fifth season on February 8, fans can look forward to the premiere of a new spin-off/companion series set in Los Angeles.
“Transparent”
Amazon’s new dramatic comedy has critics abuzz, and not just because it explores transgender identity, a topic seldom discussed on the small screen. Reviewers have praised the show’s unique tone, which balances humour and sincerity while steering clear of preachiness. Former “Arrested Development” star Jeffrey Tambor is in the lead as Mort, a father who finally reveals to his adult children that he has always identified as a woman. “Transparent” is created by “Six Feet Under” screenwriter Jill Soloway, who experienced a similar situation with her own parent.
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Offbeat and consistently hilarious, this show took the 2014 Golden Globe for best comedy series with its freshman season, beating the previous title holder “Modern Family” in a surprise upset. Andy Samberg and his fellow cast members play a team of cops on the show, which is sometimes an overt parody of “Law and Order,” as seen in show’s subtitle: “The Law without the Order.” — AFP-Relaxnews
