Last updated March 2024
Want to watch extraordinarily awesome, critic-approved Best Drama Tv Shows 2008 ASAP? We assembled 30 marvelous, rave-worthy Best Drama Tv Shows 2008 for your immediate viewing enjoyment. With through the roof ratings from IMDB and widespread acclaim from our knowledgeable user base, these elite titles are as jaw-droppingly great as it gets! Help other fans uncover buried treasures by voting for the titles you consider keepers. We value members who contribute phenomenal recommendations!
Breaking Bad (2008)
Plot Summary:
When Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live, he becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting desire to secure his family's financial future at any cost as he enters the dangerous world of drugs and crime
Duration: 3030 min
IMDB Rating: 9.5/10
IMDB Votes: 21000000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: criminal, cancer, peril, life turned upside down, drug dealing, drug cartel, unlikely partners, drug lord, master criminal, family problems, life is a bitch, drug, ambition, meth lab, desperation, double life, success, anti hero, hidden identity, lifestyle change, cartel, methamphetamine, chemistry, drug dealer, outlaw
Clannad: After Story (2008)
Plot Summary:
A sequel to the anime based on the Key Clannad franchise. After Story is a path that opens in the original visual novel after all the other paths have been opened. Life continues on for Tomoya. A few months have passed since he confessed his love to Nagisa. Now entering the second semester, he continues to meet a variety of different people, expanding his own world in the process. His various encounters and the start of his new family with Nagisa, Tomoya will finally begin to understand the value of the most precious thing that we have in this world; the value of having a family
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Japan
Plot tags: slice of life, youth, love and romance, terminal illness, dream come true, teenage love, life is a bitch, coming of age, parenthood, mature, tragedy, zen, basketball, first sex, childbirth, high school life, high school, loss of daughter, graduation, unfulfillment, loss of spouse, supportive coworker, teenage life, child birth, romance
Sons of Anarchy (2008)
Plot Summary:
An adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones that explores a notorious outlaw motorcycle club’s (MC) desire to protect its livelihood while ensuring that their simple, sheltered town of Charming, California remains exactly that, charming. The MC must confront threats from drug dealers, corporate developers, and overzealous law officers. Behind the MC’s familial lifestyle and legally thriving automotive shop is a ruthless and illegal arms business driven by the seduction of money, power, and blood
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 317000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: biker, motorcycle, motorcycle gang, prison, gang, organized crime, power struggle, group of criminals, young man, arms dealing, criminal, friends, family relations, police corruption, street gang, outlaw, small town, aryan brotherhood, mafia, dirty cop, violent, gangster, tattoo, ira, subculture
John Adams (2008)
Plot Summary:
The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years
Duration: 71 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Plot tags: american history, president, american revolution, politics, lawyer, freedom, u.s. president, politician, colonial america, leadership, historical character, true love, marriage, father son relationship, first lady, human spirit, head of state, state affairs, army, family relations, ambition, determination, supportive spouse, idealism, revolution
Generation Kill (2008)
Plot Summary:
Marines prepare to invade Iraq at the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom; while the soldiers wait to receive their orders, they learn a Rolling Stone columnist will be embedded with them
Duration: 70 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: military, iraq war, marines, soldier, war, anti war, courage, military life, violence, life & death, character study, survival, invasion, life is a bitch, society, conflict, danger, behind enemy lines, chaos and mayhem, wartime, propaganda, reporter, mission, squad, intrigue
The Heroes (2008)
Plot Summary:
The moral stories of a group of champions (Pahlevanan) living in Kharazm city in the 13th century
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 168000
Genere: Animation, Drama, History
Country: Iran
Plot tags: horse, fight, king, god, heroes, sword, sword fight, alternate history, persian, fighting
Fringe (2008)
Plot Summary:
FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham, brilliant but formerly institutionalized scientist Walter Bishop and his scheming, reluctant son Peter uncover a deadly mystery involving a series of unbelievable events and realize they may be a part of a larger, more disturbing pattern that blurs the line between science fiction and technology
Duration: 46 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 254000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: supernatural, investigation, mad scientist, time travel, parallel universe, fbi, alternate dimension, experiment, top secret, alternate reality, paranormal activity, danger, research, peril, scientist, government facility, alternate universe, creature, killings, mission, disappearance, coworker, mysterious place, laboratory, father son relationship
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Saga continues with the Emmy-winning "Star Wars: Clone Wars." This animated micro-series, directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, captures George Lucas' vision in a dynamic animated style that is a visual delight for all ages. "Star Wars: Clone Wars" Volume 1 reveals the epic adventures that bridge the story arc between "Star Wars: Episode II: Attack of the Clones" and "Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith." Follow the valiant Jedi Knights and the Brave soldiers of the Republic's clone army as they battle against the droid forces of the Separatists, led by the evil Sith Lord, Count Dooku. Witness the battles that made galactic heroes out of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and along the way get a first look at the new menace from Episode III, General Grevious. This is a must-have for any "Star Wars" collection
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: star wars, space wars, intergalactic, space opera, villain, rivalry, heroes, fight for supremacy, emperor, ruler, apprentice, escapades, space station, evil empire, good versus evil, sword fight, galaxy, jedi, combat, battles, army, star trek, fight, supernatural power, evil alien
In Treatment (2008)
Plot Summary:
Set within the highly charged confines of individual psychotherapy sessions and centering around Dr. Paul Weston, a psychotherapist who exhibits an insightful, reserved demeanor while treating his patients—but displays a crippling insecurity while counseled by his own therapist
Duration: 30 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: psychologist, therapist, introspection, doctors and patients, psychotherapy, psychotherapist, patient, emotional breakdown, psychology, self involved, haunted by the past, power relations, workplace, psychiatrist, medical, medicine, hospital, psychiatry, psychological manipulation, disorder, mental health, arrested development, slice of life, drug, depression
Little Dorrit (2008)
Plot Summary:
The series tells the story of Amy Dorrit, who spends her days earning money for the family and looking after her proud father, who is a long term inmate of Marshalsea debtors' prison in London. Amy and her family's world is transformed when her boss's son, Arthur Clennam, returns from overseas to solve his family's mysterious legacy and discovers that their lives are interlinked
Duration: 420 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: poverty, young woman, life is a bitch, uncover truth, society, secret, rich and poor, dysfunctional family, social problems, family problems, financial problem, co worker co worker relationship, employer employee relationship, money problems, love and romance, world war one, passion, lady, happy ending, makeover, realism, love story, debt, murderer, family relations
The Mentalist (2008)
Plot Summary:
Patrick Jane, a former celebrity psychic medium, uses his razor sharp skills of observation and expertise at "reading" people to solve serious crimes with the California Bureau of Investigation
Duration: 43 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 197000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: serial killer, partners against crime, investigation, fighting crime, murder, police investigation, police, law enforcement, danger, talented, justice, outsmarting, vengeance, who done it, psychic, coworker, weirdo, twists and turns, policewoman, deception, investigator, private detective, female detective, murderer, crime solving
Murdoch Mysteries (2008)
Plot Summary:
A Victorian-era Toronto detective uses then-cutting edge forensic techniques to solve crimes, with the assistance of a female coroner who is also struggling for recognition in the face of tradition, based on the books by Maureen Jennings
Duration: 48 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: Canada, UK
Plot tags: police detective, partners against crime, uncover truth, riddles and clues, police investigation, twists and turns, forensics, unconventional method, murder investigation, who done it, victorian england, morgue, police station, mind game, workplace, boss and employee, whodunit, manipulation, police, murder, investigation, law enforcement, intelligence agency, writers, inventor
Ashes to Ashes (2008)
Plot Summary:
Crime drama series featuring Life On Mars' DCI Gene Hunt. After being shot in 2008, DI Alex Drake lands in 1981, where she finds herself in familiar company
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: time travel, police, police detective, reluctant partners, female detective, fighting crime, uncover truth, power relations, female protagonist, confined, tough law enforcer, coma, boss, existence paradox, investigation, paradox, female investigator, policewoman, hallucination, police station, sexism, partner, culture clash, fish out of water, mars
Toradora! (2008)
Plot Summary:
It’s Ryuji’s first day as a junior in high school and it seems as if things are looking up. He gets to sit in between his only friend, Yusaku, and, more importantly, the girl he’s secretly crushing on, Minori Kushieda. But just when he thinks the stars are aligned in his favor, he unwittingly crosses the most feared girl in school, Taiga Aisaku, making her onto his arch enemy. To top it off, Taiga has moved in right next door to Ryuji and happens to be Minori’s best friend! Can this school year possibly get any worse?!
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: Japan
Plot tags: friendship, school, high school, teenage love, teenage life, love and romance, slice of life, high school life, friends, looking for love, youth, unrequited love, love, schoolgirl, injustice, wooing, grownups, mature, coming of age, young adult, delinquent, best friend, couples, unlikely partners, high school friend
Sense and Sensibility (2008)
Plot Summary:
This is the acclaimed 2008 BBC adaptation of the famous Jane Austen novel. While it originally aired as a 3-part miniseries, this home video release includes a single uninterrupted version of the entire film
Duration: 174 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Plot tags: english countryside, society, sister sister relationship, romanticism, love and romance, love triangle, countryside, rich and poor, wooing, rich man poor woman, unrequited love, social relations, manners, love story, love affair, sisters, female protagonist, love, destiny, happy ending, inheritance, sibling relationship, fall in love, class differences, world war one
Wolverine and the X-Men (2008)
Plot Summary:
Wolverine and the X-Men was an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is the fourth animated adaptation of the X-Men characters, the other three being Pryde of the X-Men, X-Men: The Animated Series, and X-Men: Evolution
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: mutant, superhero, supernatural, superhero team, supernatural power, save the world, heroic mission, rivalry, danger, genetically altered, super villain, mysterious past, superpower, heroes, imaginary, villain, multiverse, supernatural ability, comic book, school, x men, escapades, mentor, enemy, senator
True Blood (2008)
Plot Summary:
True Blood is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball. It is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, detailing the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional, small town in northwestern Louisiana. The series centers on the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress with an otherworldly quality
Duration: 55 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 257000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: vampire, supernatural, couple relations, couples, dangerous attraction, vampire human love, danger, undead, sex, supernatural ability, forbidden love, love affair, immortality, unlikely couple, desire, seduction, young woman, witch, love and romance, beast, lovers, bare breasts, small town life, death, interspecies romance
Merlin (2008)
Plot Summary:
The unlikely friendship between Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, and Prince Arthur, heir to the crown of Camelot
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 86000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: UK
Plot tags: king arthur, supernatural, arthurian legend, dragon, witch, supernatural ability, magic, legends and myths, knight, camelot, wizards and magicians, friendship, prophecy, king, curses spells and rituals, ancient, magical, imaginary kingdom, magician, royal family, imaginary, prince, royal court, youth, young heroes
Being Human (2008)
Plot Summary:
The central premise of Being Human is that various types of supernatural beings exist alongside human beings, with varying degrees of menace; that three of these supernatural beings are opting to live amongst human beings rather than apart from them; and that these three characters are attempting (as much as is possible) to live ordinary human lives despite the pressures and dangers of their situations. They are constantly threatened with exposure or persecution, with pressure from other supernatural creatures, and with problems caused by their attempts to deal with their own natures
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Country: UK
Plot tags: supernatural, vampire, werewolf, supernatural ability, ghost, roommate, friendship, imaginary, supernatural power, misfit, social misfits, transformation, hospital, house, nurse, twists and turns, relationships, friends, teenager, lesbian, wolf, dracula, halloween, ancient, paranormal
Flashpoint (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Strategic Response Unit (SRU) is an elite team of cops who specialize in high-risk critical incidents. Trained in tactics and psychology, they deal with extreme situations, where split-second decisions could save a life...or cost one
Duration: 41 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Canada
Plot tags: swat, police, rescue, law enforcement, hostage negotiator, policewoman, race against time, saving a life, danger, team, mission, hi-tech, confined, threat, arrest, cop, police protagonist, dangerous mission, martial arts, investigation, secret service, feminist, fighting crime, armed forces, punishment
Wallander (2008)
Plot Summary:
This drama follows Inspector Kurt Wallander – a middle-aged everyman – as he struggles against a rising tide of violence in the apparently sleepy backwaters in and around Ystad in Skane, southern Sweden. Based on the international best-selling books by Henning Mankell
Duration: 90 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, Sweden, Germany, USA
Plot tags: police detective, murder investigation, police investigation, police, loneliness, whodunit, depression, life is a bitch, small town, drinking problem, police officer, murder mystery, nordic, investigation, who done it, police procedural, hidden truth, cop, father daughter relationship, alzheimer's disease, british, police station, police inspector, tragic hero, murderer
Eli Stone (2008)
Plot Summary:
Eli Stone is an American legal comedy-drama TV series, named for its title character. The series follows Stone, a San Francisco lawyer who begins to have hallucinations, which leads him to two possible conclusions: a potentially fatal brain aneurysm, and the chance that something greater is at work. His visions lead him to accept cases with little monetary gain but a lot of moral goodness
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA
Plot tags: lawyer, legal, courtroom drama, lawyers and clients, trial, family relations, self discovery, siblings relations, dedicated lawyer, power relations, uptight character, good deed, relationships, consciousness, colleague, law, singer, dream, human spirit, hallucination, prophecy, doctors and patients, drinking problem, belief, engaged
Forbidden Love (2008)
Plot Summary:
Having lost his wife eleven years ago, Adnan devoted all his attention to his daughter Nihal and his son Bülent. Adnan, who lives in one of the most prominent mansions along the Bosporus in Istanbul with a relative's son Behlül, and his children's nanny, meets Bihter who is also a socialite couple's daughter she is very elegant and beautiful, everyone who meets her get stunned and jealous of her, and he falls in love with her. While searching for peace, safety and happiness in Adnan's mansion, Bihter meets passion. Behlül and Bihter fall completely into each other and become drowned by their infatuation with each other. Their secret love affair will soon affect every member of the family
Duration: 90 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Turkey
Plot tags: adultery, betrayal, passion, unrequited love, mother daughter relationship, romantic relationship, mansion, father daughter relationship, family drama, family life, rivalry, family relations, loveless marriage, forbidden love, mother daughter conflict, husband wife relationship, revenge, relationships, love and romance, fall in love, in love, love affair, father son relationship, relationship problems, family problems
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008)
Plot Summary:
The series picks up four years after the events of Terminator 2: Judgment Day with John and Sarah Connor trying to stay under-the-radar from the government, as they plot to destroy the computer network, Skynet, in hopes of preventing Armageddon
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: cyborgs, terminator, time travel, female killer, sent to the past, androids and robots, killer robot, female robot, female warrior, kickass women, dystopian future, changing the past or future, nuclear holocaust, escapades, robot vs. robot, post apocalypse, shooting, evil robot, cyberpunk, heroes, destiny, heroine, peril, characters in danger, gain trust
Dead Set (2008)
Plot Summary:
During a fictional series of Big Brother, a zombie outbreak occurs, but the house-mates are unaware of the impending doom outside of the Big Brother House
Duration: 141 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: zombie, zombie apocalypse, group of strangers, gory, supernatural, cannibalism, survival, death, dark humor, apocalypse, danger, confined, society, human nature, brutality, adaptation, post apocalypse, infected, chaos, satire, epidemic, fear, virus, violent, social commentary
Legend of the Seeker (2008)
Plot Summary:
The adventures of woodsman Richard Cypher, who discovers that he was born to fulfill a prophecy of becoming a guardian hero to oppressed people. With the help of a mysterious woman named Kahlan and a wise old wizard named Zedd, he must stop a ruthless and bloodthirsty tyrant from unleashing an ancient evil and enslaving the world
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
Country: USA, New Zealand
Plot tags: imaginary kingdom, good versus evil, witch, wizards and magicians, chosen one, ancient, magical, sword and sorcery, imaginary, witchcraft, save the world, forbidden love, escapades, magic, supernatural power, sorcerer, youth, swords and armor, warrior, bravery, mission, adventure hero, prophecy, sword fight, female warrior
Life on Mars (2008)
Plot Summary:
Life on Mars is a science fiction crime drama television series which originally aired on ABC from October 9, 2008 to April 1, 2009. It is an adaptation of the BAFTA-winning original UK series of the same name produced by the BBC. The series was co-produced by Kudos Film & Television, 20th Century Fox Television and ABC Studios. The series tells the story of New York City police detective Sam Tyler, who, after being struck by a car in 2008, regains consciousness in 1973. Fringing between multiple genres, including thriller, science fiction and police procedural, the series remained ambiguous regarding its central plot, with the character himself unsure about his situation. The series also starred Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Murphy, Michael Imperioli, and Gretchen Mol. Life on Mars garnered critical praise for its premise, acting, and depiction of the 1970s but suffered from a declining viewership after its premiere and a two-month hiatus. ABC announced on March 2, 2009 that it would not be ordering a second season. A DVD set of the complete series was released on September 29, 2009
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: police detective, police investigation, police, law enforcement, fighting crime, disorder, fish out of water, uncover truth, power relations, time travel, danger, police station, partner, police brutality, investigation, cop, whodunit, time loop, criminal, crime investigation, existence paradox, stephen king, magic, paradox, woman with a gun
In Plain Sight (2008)
Plot Summary:
In Plain Sight is an American dramatic television series on USA Network. The series revolves around Mary Shannon, a Deputy United States Marshal attached to the Albuquerque, NM, office of the Federal Witness Security Program, more commonly known as the Federal Witness Protection Program. Shannon must find ways to balance her professional life of protecting witnesses, her professional relationship with her partner, Marshall Mann, and her problematic personal life. The show was filmed on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico. On May 4, 2012, In Plain Sight concluded its fifth and final season
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: policewoman, u.s. marshal, law enforcement, danger, testimony, baseball, parents and children, chases and races, dysfunctional family, partner, workplace, partners against crime, cop witness relations, police officer, police, investigation, criminal, legal, team, occupation, nypd, witness, law and order, courtroom drama, woman with a gun
Lost in Austen (2008)
Plot Summary:
Amanda, an ardent Jane Austen fan, lives in present day London with her boyfriend Michael, until she finds she's swapped places with Austen's fictional creation Elizabeth Bennett
Duration: 180 min
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: UK
Plot tags: time travel, prejudice, eligible bachelor, romanticism, fall in love, parallel world, twists and turns, family relations, imaginary, parents and children, initially antagonists, verbal byplay, traditional versus modern, aristocracy, love, passion, parallel universe, countryside, marriage, british, women, past, in love, makeover, abbey
Sanctuary (2008)
Plot Summary:
The adventures of the beautiful, enigmatic and always surprising Dr. Helen Magnus, a brilliant scientist who holds the secrets of a clandestine population called Abnormals - a group of strange and sometimes terrifying beings that hide among humans. Magnus seeks to protect this threatened phenomena as well as unlock the mysteries behind their existence
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Country: Canada
Plot tags: supernatural, secret organization, werewolf, vampire, experiment, female scientist, research, scientist, team, monster, mutant, transformation, fate of humanity, teleportation, doctor, characters in danger, magic, laboratory, imaginary, investigation, rescue, psychiatrist, jack the ripper, psychic, porn