Jeremy Leal

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Best 17 Limited Series Ranked

Jeremy Leal

The criteria for the following list is as follows:

  • Each series is only one season long

  • Has to be really good

  • Season 2 can’t be in production or confirmed

To gain a better understanding of the type of shows that I gravitate towards, check out my article, ‘The Best Shows of 2022.’

This way you can adjust according to my bias.

With that said, here’s my compiled list of the best 15 limited series of all time. These ones tell a complete story in a captivating way, showcasing the unique strengths of the limited series model.

These shows prove that sometimes less really can be more.

Best 17 Limited Series of All-Time:

(last update 3/13/23)

  1. The Night Of

  2. Chernobyl

  3. I May Destroy You

  4. ZeroZeroZero

  5. Watchmen

  6. When They See Us

  7. We Own This City

  8. Escape at Dannemora

  9. I Know This Much is True

  10. Normal People

  11. Mare of Easttown

  12. Show me a Hero

  13. Maniac

  14. MAID

  15. Wanda Vision

  16. Queen’s Gambit

  17. Olive Kitteridge

Still need to Watch: Station 11

What is a Limited Series?

A limited series is a specific type of television program or streaming series that features a predetermined number of episodes - typically ranging from six to twelve - and aims to tell a complete story with a definitive conclusion. 

Featured: [Spoilers] The Whale: A Heart Wrenching Movie About Reckoning With What Matters Most

Unlike ongoing series that can continue indefinitely with new episodes each season, limited series have a specific endpoint and are often structured more like a long-form movie or a multi-part book. 

They’re also known as mini-series.

Limited series are often made to be complex, multi-layered stories that may not fit into a traditional series format or require a shorter, more focused narrative. They also can attract top-tier actors and directors who are interested in working on a project with a definite end point, rather than committing to a long-running series. Some examples of successful limited series include "Chernobyl" and "The Queen's Gambit."

Some of the most captivating and unforgettable stories on television come from limited series releases.

Related: Best Shows of 2022

Sometimes, the success of a limited series leads to follow-up seasons, which has the potential to tarnish the original series if not done well. Purists prefer the creators to leave the story as it is.

For example, True Detective is a series that has faced criticism for its subsequent seasons. Conversely, The White Lotus received acclaim for its second season. Both were originally presented as limited series.

5 Best Limited Series Protagonists

(last update 3/13/23)

  1. Nasir ‘Naz’ Khan - Riz Ahmed - The Night Of

  2. Dominick/Thomas Birdsey - Mark Ruffalo - I Know This Much is True

  3. Arabella - Michaela Coel - I May Destroy You

  4. Emma Lynwood - Andrea Riseborough - ZeroZeroZero

  5. Detective Mare Sheehan - Kate Winslet - Mare of Easttown


Honorable Mentions: 

Nick Wasicsko - Oscar Isaac - Show Me a Hero

Alex Russell - Margaret Qualley - Maid

David Sweat - Paul Dano - Escape at Dannemora

5 Best Limited Series Antagonists

(last update 3/13/23)

  1. Wayne Jenkins - Jon Bernthal - We Own This City

  2. Stefano La Piana - Giuseppe De Domenico - ZeroZeroZero

  3. Sean Boyd - Nick Robinson - Maid

  4. Tilly Mitchell - Patricia Arquette - Escape at Dannemora

  5. District Attorney Helen Weiss - Jeannie Berlin - The Night Of


Honorable Mentions:  

Carrie Layden - Sosie Bacon - Mare of Easttown

Chris Lynwood - Dane DeHaan - Zerozerozero

10 Best Supporting Characters

(last update 3/13/23)

  1. Korey Wise - Jharrel Jerome - When They See Us

  2. Freddy Knight - Michael Kenneth Williams - The Night Of

  3. Chandra Kapoor - Amara Karan - The Night Of

  4. Manuel Contreras - Harold Torres - ZeroZeroZero

  5. Adrian Veidt - Jeremy Irons - Watchmen

  6. Dr. James K. Mantleray - Justin Theroux - Maniac

  7. John Stone - John Turturro - The Night Of

  8. Paula Langley - Andie MacDowell - Maid

  9. Dr. Greta Mantleray - Sally Field - Maniac

  10. Richard Matt - Benicio Del Toro - Escape at Dannemora

Honorable Mentions:

Doctor Manhatten - Yahya Abdul-Mateen II - Watchmen

In Conclusion

When ranking the best limited series, I found myself considering how these limited series stack up against the best individual seasons of shows like the Sopranos or Breaking Bad.

It makes me wonder how many seasons of the hall-of-fame shows stand alone on their own without the context of the other seasons around it. Would they have made this list? 

Anyways, let me know what you think in the comments!

Related Reading: Power & Pitfalls of Self-Reflection: Lessons from The Sopranos