Top 10 Drama Shows

Lost

Mad Men

This one's attracted a real cult following, and if you like your American dramas to be thought-provoking and intelligent then Mad Men - set in a 1960s ad agency in New York - more than fits the bill. One of the best shows around at the moment as far as I'm concerned.

Dexter

Life On Mars

One of the best dramas to come out of the UK in years, Life On Mars was as memorable for its retro costumes and cars as it was for its thrilling storylines and frankly baffling central plot. It wasn't really until the end of spin-off series Ashes To Ashes that the loose ends were neatly tied up. It was worth the wait though.

The Sopranos

A little jittery in the opening two series, delving as it does into the realm of the soap opera, The Sopranos nevertheless finds it's feet in series 3-6, and in the process becomes the greatest TV drama of all time. A must-see, a life-changer.

Californication (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Song)

The Wire

Grittier, less glamorous and a damn-sight harder to follow without subtitles than The Sopranos, The Wire is a Baltimore-set drama with oodles of wit, suspense and intelligence that will hook you like a bass to a maggot.

ER

Quite aside from the fact that this is a splendid medical drama (created by Michael Crichton, the man who gave the world Jurassic Park and countless other best-sellers), ER is famous for turning one George Clooney from a virtually unknown actor into an Oscar-winning household name. Although the series continued to go from strength to strength even after he left.

Friday Night Lights