NYT Ranks 100 Best TV Shows of the Century

Familiar names are at the top, starting with Breaking Bad

By John Johnson

Posted Sep 28, 2026 6:44 AM CDT

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NYT Ranks 100 Best TV Shows of the Century — This file image released by AMC shows Bryan Cranston as Walter White, left, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in a scene from the season 5 premiere of "Breaking Bad." (AP Photo/AMC, Ursula Coyote)

The New York Times is out with its latest best-of-the-century list, and this one focuses on TV shows. The outlet ranked the top 100 programs of the 21st century with input from more than 500 actors, showrunners, critics, and others. Fans of The Office may interested to know that the show didn't crack the top 10 but came close: It's No. 11, ahead of the British version starring Ricky Gervais at No 16. Meanwhile, anyone betting that Breaking Bad would finish in the top spot ... would win their bet. Here are the top 10 finishers:

Breaking Bad
The Wire
Mad Men
Succession
Fleabag
Game of Thrones
Veep
30 Rock
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Atlanta

See the full list.

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