At a time when most of us are practicing social distancing while cosying up at home, having a great web series to look forward to is just about as good as it gets. And seems like HBO has us covered in that department. But, then the question is which ones are the best original HBO shows?
This is actually a tough question because HBO in the past few years has delivered some of the most addictive, comforting, occasionally enraging and indisputably entertaining shows of the era.
So, to make it a bit easier for you (not that it was easy for us though) we have listed the top 5 best original HBO shows of all time. So, just choose your pick and get streaming!
1. Game Of Thrones
Game of Thrones to say the least is a phenomenon in its own right, and is certainly one of the best original HBO shows. It tracks the rise, fall and rise again of the Stark Family alongside parallel storylines. But beware as the series is quite intense with kings and queens, crowns and swords, dragons and ghosts while it spans across the entire fictional world of Westeros. Besides the compelling story, the show has loads of characters who are tangled in a web of deceit, power plays and intrigue.
Additionally, the show’s writing is simply impeccable (at least till season 5) and given the big budget of the show, the VFX are top-notch. Oh, and let’s not talk about the actor’s performances because it is simply beyond perfection. The 8-season series is sure to keep you hooked up till the very last and you will surely be left aching for more.
2. Big Little Lies
Here’s another one that easily is one of the best original HBO shows. Big Little Lies is an adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel and was shepherded by the gorgeous Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon who produce and star in this tale of the nasty secrets hiding among the moms of the Monterey society. The show, besides having a compelling storyline that squarely focuses on independent women who deal with their personal issues and struggles all the while living their lives as mothers, wives and members of the Monterey community, is like a whiff of fresh feminist drama.
The show has a brilliant cast (and even has Meryl Streep in season 2) and loads of mystery – it will keep you on the edge of your seat for sure. This critically acclaimed show is also a stunner for steering a conversations towards topics such as domestic violence, sexual assault and struggles of a single mother. In other words, topics that are mostly swept under the rug.
3. Succession
If Shakespeare were alive and writing today, his version of King Lear would have pretty much looked something like Succession. It’s certainly one of the best original HBO shows to watch. Succession is a dramedy that explores the story of a media mogul and his dysfunctional family. Like the Bard’s titular ruler, the patriarch of the Logan family, Roy Logan is an ageing king with a media empire he needs to bequeath to his children – but who is up to the task? The show reeks of greed, loyalty, ambition and weakness – tales as old as time – but this show is one-of-a-kind because you actually start feeling empathetic for the Roy family children as the show progresses. Succession is also one of those few shows that reinforce the belief “All happy families are alike, but all unhappy families are unhappy in their own way”.
4. Chernobyl
This 2019 miniseries was a stalwart during awards season and holds a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The series revolves around the nuclear disaster in the North of Ukraine in 1986 and gives us a detailed account starting from the moment of the disaster until 2 years later. Chernobyl, to begin with, is an excellent example of how one can use TV to teach a lesson, particularly history one, in an entertaining manner. Besides impeccable performances, the show’s direction and location setup are something that will stay etched in your memory long after you are done with the series.
5. The Wire
The Wire captures the gravity of the Baltimore narcotics scene in a way that is hard to describe in words. This show to say the least is one of the best original HBO shows to watch till date. During its five-season run, the drama garnered tons of critical praise and cultural cache, despite poor ratings and, more weirdly, award-season malaise. However, what truly sets the show apart is its authenticity and take on the fight between good guys and bad guys when politics and economics often mix up with cops and crooks. Watch this show if you wish to know what true cinematography is like!
The above-listed best original HBO shows have created a legacy for themselves that other showrunners cannot challenge easily. If you are looking for some of the best original HBO shows to watch then the list is out and now the ball is in your court. So, pick quick and say “DRACARYS”!
