Last updated March 2024
Looking for acclaimed Best Tv Shows 2013 that live up to expectations? We rounded up 30 sensational, must-see Best Tv Shows 2013 for your viewing pleasure. Backed by stellar reviews from IMDB critics and our own discerning users, these titles are as good as entertainment gets. Help other fans uncover buried treasures by voting for your favorites. We value members who pay it forward with great recommendations!
Attack on Titan (2013)
Plot Summary:
Several hundred years ago, humans were nearly exterminated by Titans. Titans are typically several stories tall, seem to have no intelligence, devour human beings and, worst of all, seem to do it for the pleasure rather than as a food source. A small percentage of humanity survived by walling themselves in a city protected by extremely high walls, even taller than the biggest Titans. Flash forward to the present and the city has not seen a Titan in over 100 years. Teenage boy Eren and his foster sister Mikasa witness something horrific as the city walls are destroyed by a Colossal Titan that appears out of thin air. As the smaller Titans flood the city, the two kids watch in horror as their mother is eaten alive. Eren vows that he will murder every single Titan and take revenge for all of mankind
Duration: 24 min
IMDB Rating: 9.1/10
IMDB Votes: 479000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Country: Japan
Plot tags: giant, giant monster, life turned upside down, tragedy, friendship, transformation, danger, chaos and mayhem, direction and purpose, eaten alive, titan, death, friends, army, military, survival, extinction, rivalry, dystopia, destruction, life is a bitch, threat, against the odds, tragic event, fate of humanity
Rick and Morty (2013)
Plot Summary:
An animated series that follows the exploits of a super scientist and his not-so-bright grandson
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 9.1/10
IMDB Votes: 582000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: mad scientist, time travel, scientist, dark humor, prodigy, graphic violence, relatives, grandfather grandson relationship, family relations, youth, satire, imaginary, adolescence, grandparent and grandchild, social satire, inventor, escapades, monster, disorder, young kid, self involved, nihilism, adult humor, mature, outer space
Mahabharat (2013)
Plot Summary:
Mahabharat is a 2013 drama TV series on Star Plus based on Indian legendary epic of the same name. It has been produced by Swastik Pictures and features actors such as Saurabh Raj Jain as Lord Krishna, Shaheer Sheikh as Arjuna, Pooja Sharma as Draupadi, Aham Sharma as Karna and Arav Chowdhary as Bhishma Pitamah. The producers had creative associations with writer Salim Khan, author Devdutt Pattanaik, designer Bhanu Athaiya, music directors Ajay-Atul and Ismail Darbar, action director Ram Shetty and set designer Omang Kumar. The casting of the show is done by Sahil Ansari, Mahesh Chandra Bhatt, Arun Mitra. It started broadcasting on 16 September 2013
Duration: 20 min
IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: India
Plot tags: mythology, hinduism, king, female warrior, ambition, feud, revenge, betrayal, warrior, emperor, deception, dysfunctional family, vengeance, rivalry, greed, royalty, fight, hate, anger, palace, throne, secret, power struggle, showdown, uninhibited rivalry
Peaky Blinders (2013)
Plot Summary:
A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, England and centered on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby, who means to move up in the world
Duration: 2109 min
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
IMDB Votes: 621000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Plot tags: organized crime, gangster, gang, mafia, gang war, determination, cruelty, mob boss, power struggle, crime boss, rivalry, family relations, society, rise to the top, shooting, business venture, leader, killings, corruption, urban, world war one, brother brother relationship, criminal heroes, gypsy, fighting crime
House of Cards (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set in present day Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood, a ruthless and cunning politician, and his wife Claire who will stop at nothing to conquer everything. This wicked political drama penetrates the shadowy world of greed, sex and corruption in modern D.C. House of Cards is an adaptation of a previous BBC miniseries of the same name, which is based on the novel by Michael Dobbs
Duration: 3804 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 524000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: politics, political intrigue, political corruption, manipulation, state affairs, intrigue, blind ambition, strategy, u.s. president, lobbyist, journalism, journalist, media, media manipulation, breaking the fourth wall, usa politics, ambitious, politician, revenge, u.s. congress, marriage, dishonesty, power relations, husband wife relationship, political conflict
Wentworth (2013)
Plot Summary:
Bea Smith is locked up while awaiting trial for the attempted murder of her husband and must learn how life works in prison. A modern adaptation and sequel of the iconic Prisoner series
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Australia
Plot tags: prison, lesbian, women in prison, prison life, women's prison, power struggle, protest, lesbian relationship, life is a bitch, danger, government facility, survival, sadism, convict, lgbtq, warden, female prisoner, lawyer, lgbt, smuggling, racial issues, anti hero, confined, blood, arrest
Hannibal (2013)
Plot Summary:
Both a gift and a curse, Graham has the extraordinary ability to think like his prey—he sees what they see, feels what they feel. But while Graham is pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford teams him with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminal minded – Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Duration: 1680 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 271000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: serial killer, cannibal, psychopath, mind game, cannibalism, death, murder, psychiatrist, mental patient, graphic violence, fbi, mental health, troubled, blood, killer, murder investigation, manipulation, homoeroticism, profiler, violence, deception, psychiatry, psycho killer, gore, doctor
Vikings (2013)
Plot Summary:
Vikings follows the adventures of Ragnar Lothbrok, the greatest hero of his age. The series tells the sagas of Ragnar's band of Viking brothers and his family, as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes. As well as being a fearless warrior, Ragnar embodies the Norse traditions of devotion to the gods. Legend has it that he was a direct descendant of Odin, the god of war and warriors
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 568000
Genere: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, Romance, War
Country: Ireland, Canada
Plot tags: viking, battles, king, warrior, medieval, sword fight, legends and myths, sword and shield, norse mythology, historical character, war, adventurer, myth, mythology, conflict, heroes, danger, tough heroes, swords and armor, female nudity, leader, intrigue, execution, merciless, rise to the top
Please Like Me (2013)
Plot Summary:
After breaking up with his girlfriend, Josh comes to the realization that he is homosexual. With the support of his now ex girlfriend Claire, and his best friend and house mate Tom, Josh must help his mother with her battle with depression and the rest of his family embrace his new found lifestyle
Duration: 29 min
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Plot tags: gay, roommate, sexuality, friendship, lgbt, depression, homosexual, low self esteem, gay relationship, suicide attempt, dating, self discovery, divorced parents, friends, lgbtq, gays and lesbians, ex boyfriend ex girlfriend relationship, sexual identity, gay lead character, gay interest, mother, lgbtqi, bipolar disorder, psychology, women
Banshee (2013)
Plot Summary:
Banshee is an American drama television series set in a small town in Pennsylvania Amish country and features an enigmatic ex-con posing as a murdered sheriff who imposes his own brand of justice while also cooking up plans that serve his own interests
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 120000
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: ex convict, sheriff, tough heroes, female nudity, organized crime, shooting, cop, sexual activity, small town, thief, gory, social relations, double life, nudity, cons and scams, mysterious past, law enforcement, mob boss, small town life, corruption, machismo, hacker, hidden identity, villain, one man army
The Americans (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set during the Cold War period in the 1980s, The Americans is the story of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and their neighbor, Stan Beeman, an FBI Counterintelligence agent
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: cold war, espionage, spy, undercover, kgb, mole, surveillance, double life, working undercover, investigation, parents and children, double agent, fbi, top secret, family relations, couple relations, government agency, neighbor, secret agent, intrigue, marriage, soviet spy, cold war era, mission, shooting
Broadchurch (2013)
Plot Summary:
The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart
Duration: 48 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 124000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: UK
Plot tags: murder investigation, police investigation, murder, police detective, twists and turns, grief, multiple suspects, small town, legal, reluctant partners, police officer, murderer, uncover truth, courtroom drama, small town life, social relations, under the surface, investigation, whodunit, police, coastal town, parents and children, who done it, loss of child, police procedural
Utopia (2013)
Plot Summary:
The Utopia Experiments is a legendary graphic novel shrouded in mystery. When a group of strangers find themselves in possession of an original manuscript, their lives suddenly and brutally implode
Duration: 50 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 50000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: conspiracy, danger, hidden truth, politician, dishonesty, who to trust, mysterious character, scientist, twists and turns, graphic violence, epidemic, life turned upside down, virus, blackmail, group of strangers, strong violent content, on the run, secret, violence, paranoia, dystopia, violent content, politics, torture, fear
My Mad Fat Diary (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1996 in Lincolnshire, the show tells the tragic and humorous story of a very troubled young girl Rae, who has just left a psychiatric hospital, where she has spent four months after attempting suicide, begins to reconnect with her best friend Chloe and her group, who are unaware of Rae's mental health and body image problems, believing she was in France for the past four months
Duration: 47 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Plot tags: teenager, fat girl, teenage life, youth, loneliness, depression, teenage love, adolescence, high school life, social misfits, unhappy, first love, teenage girl, physical appearance, group of friends, friendship, overweight, best friend, mental health, human relationship, obesity, mentally unstable, social relations, frustration, mental illness
Generation War (2013)
Plot Summary:
Berlin, 1941. Five friends eager to become heroes in an adventure that will change the face of Europe - and that will forever change them as well
Duration: 270 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: Germany
Plot tags: world war two, holocaust, nazism, military, friendship, war, nazi germany, danger, against humanity, eastern front, atrocity, friends, wehrmacht, soldier, group of friends, guilt, anti semitism, enemy, nazi soldier, world war, wartime, nazi, resistance, nurse, military life
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)
Plot Summary:
A single-camera ensemble comedy following the lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
IMDB Votes: 349000
Genere: Comedy, Crime
Country: USA
Plot tags: workplace, police station, cop, workplace situations, police, investigation, workplace humor, sleuth, police captain, sergeant, teamwork, verbal byplay, boss, young man, police detective, gay african american, coworker, coworker relationship, boss and employee, arrest, chief of police, law enforcement, policewoman, police officer, satire
Orphan Black (2013)
Plot Summary:
A streetwise hustler is pulled into a compelling conspiracy after witnessing the suicide of a girl who looks just like her
Duration: 44 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Canada
Plot tags: lesbian, strong female character, female protagonist, shooting, family relations, uncover truth, lesbianism, danger, heroine, suicide, supernatural, killings, lesbian relationship, lgbt, lookalikes, boyfriend, experiment, characters in danger, eugenics, top secret, strong female lead, female assassin, mad scientist, conspiracy, clone
The Originals (2013)
Plot Summary:
A spin-off from The Vampire Diaries and set in New Orleans, The Originals centers on the Mikaelson siblings, otherwise known as the world's original vampires: Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah. Now Klaus must take down his protégé, Marcel, who is now in charge of New Orleans, in order to re-take his city, as he originally built New Orleans. Klaus departed from the city after being chased down by his father Mikael, while it was being constructed and Marcel took charge. As Klaus has returned after many years, his ego has provoked him to become the king of the city. "Every King needs an heir" says Klaus, accepting the unborn child. The child is a first to be born to a hybrid and a werewolf
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 145000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery
Country: USA
Plot tags: vampire, supernatural, witch, werewolf, rivalry, power struggle, immortality, supernatural romance, siblings relations, love and romance, dangerous attraction, magical, uninhibited rivalry, family relations, couples, leadership, imaginary, secret, king, vampire human love, brother brother relationship, surprising revelation, young woman, brother sister relationship, witchcraft
Rectify (2013)
Plot Summary:
After 19 years on Death Row for the rape and murder of his teenage girlfriend, Daniel Holden is going home. His conviction has been vacated due to new DNA evidence. Now he has to return to a world he no longer knows and his reentry into the outside world may be as unforgiving as prison. Daniel is haunted by the past, dogged by the present, and uncertain of the future. As he struggles to adapt to his new life, his homecoming reignites the fears of a small town and threatens to shatter his family’s fragile peace. Daniel’s alleged crime divided a community. Will his freedom tear it in half?
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: ex convict, wrongful conviction, lawyer, starting over, rape, freedom, direction and purpose, innocence, haunted by the past, homecoming, death row, misfit, life is a bitch, society, redemption, social relations, small town, evidence, disgraced, family relations, miscarriage of justice, apocalypse, maniac, distopia, investigation
Ray Donovan (2013)
Plot Summary:
Set in the sprawling mecca of the rich and famous, Ray Donovan does the dirty work for LA's top power players, and makes their problems disappear. His father's unexpected release from prison sets off a chain of events that shakes the Donovan family to its core
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 92000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: identity crisis, hollywood, family secret, nudity, power relations, teamwork, blackmail, relatives, family feud, family problems, trauma, family relations, intrigue, businessman, rivalry, ambition, siblings relations, health situation, expert, fbi, violence, millionaire, violent content, graphic violence, die hard
Shetland (2013)
Plot Summary:
Created from the novels by award winning crime writer Ann Cleeves, Shetland follows DI Jimmy Perez and his team as they investigate crime within the close knit island community. In this isolated and sometimes inhospitable environment, the team have to rely on a uniquely resourceful style of policing
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Country: UK
Plot tags: police, police detective, murder investigation, investigation, murder, police investigation, island, who done it, multiple suspects, british police, detective inspector, law enforcement, social relations, whodunit, murder mystery, adaptation, police procedural, father daughter relationship, team, life philosophy, remote island, police officer, criminal, intrigue, forensic
My Love From Another Star (2013)
Plot Summary:
Do Min Joon is an otherworldly beauty, literally. After crash landing on Earth 400 years ago, Min Joon has diligently observed humans for centuries, ultimately coming to cynical conclusions. On top of being a super babe, Min Joon's got enhanced vision, hearing and agility — all the more reason to believe he's superior to everyone on Earth. That is, until he pursues the beautiful actress Cheon Song Yi for a romance out of this world
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: South Korea
Plot tags: danger, fall in love, love affair, hopes, heroes, love and romance, destiny, supernatural ability, alien, interspecies romance, adaptation, life philosophy, storytelling, twists and turns, immortal, singleness, love, reincarnation, rich and poor, asian, variety show, buddy, asian prostitute, heartwarming, cyberbullying
Steven Universe (2013)
Plot Summary:
A young boy takes his mother's place in a group of gemstone-based beings, and must learn to control his powers
Duration: 11 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Animation, Short, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: supernatural ability, gem, goodhearted, danger, intergalactic, youth, heroes, save the world, supernatural, imaginary, alien, escapades, child protagonist, outer space, beach, training, father son relationship, child, island, boy, single parent, autistic, coming of age, strong female lead, supernatural power
The Fall (2013)
Plot Summary:
When the Police Service of Northern Ireland are unable to close a case after 28 days, Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson of the Metropolitan Police Service is called in to review the case. Under her new leadership, the local detectives must track down and stop a serial killer who is terrorising the city of Belfast
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: UK
Plot tags: serial killer, female detective, forensics, police detective, policewoman, police investigation, victim, evidence, police, violence against women, crime investigation, cop, law enforcement, coworker, killer, police officer, murder mystery, police procedural, misogyny, investigation, strong female lead, female protagonist, psychopath, female warrior, lgbtq
Bates Motel (2013)
Plot Summary:
A "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho, depicting the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in Hitchcock's film, albeit in a different fictional town and in a modern setting. The series begins after the death of Norma's husband, when she purchases a motel located in a coastal Oregon town so she and Norman can start a new life
Duration: 45 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 115000
Genere: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: serial killer, motel, mental disorder, obsession, dysfunctional family, hotel, family problems, insanity, murder, small town, half brother, incestuous desire, danger, mother son relationship, high school, twists and turns, taxidermy, taxidermist, teenage life, small town life, sexual initiation, graphic violence, violent content, psychopath, sexual awakening
The Fosters (2013)
Plot Summary:
Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus. Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie, a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef welcome Callie and her brother, Jude, into their home thinking it's just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found. But life has something else in store for the Fosters
Duration: 60 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Plot tags: lesbian, adoption, teenage life, foster child, foster home, gay, gays and lesbians, troubled teen, siblings relations, teenage girl, lesbian mother, family life, family problems, supportive parent, step siblings, adolescence, blended family, parenthood, mother daughter relationship, lesbian couple, family relations, lgbtq, teenager, high school student, teenage boy
The Goldbergs (2013)
Plot Summary:
Before there were parenting blogs, trophies for showing up, and peanut allergies, there was a simpler time called the '80s. For geeky 11-year old Adam these were his wonder years and he faced them armed with a video camera to capture all the crazy. The Goldbergs are a loving family like any other, just with a lot more yelling
Duration: 22 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 40000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Plot tags: childhood, family life, father daughter relationship, family relations, parents and children, teenage life, overbearing parent, family values, three generations, teenager, brother sister relationship, mother daughter relationship, father son relationship, husband wife relationship, mother son relationship, living together, boat, holiday, high school, young adult, family affairs, child, sibling relationship, youth, age difference
Assassination Classroom (2013)
Plot Summary:
The students of class 3-E have a mission: kill their teacher before graduation. He has already destroyed the moon, and has promised to destroy the Earth if he can not be killed within a year. But how can this class of misfits kill a tentacled monster, capable of reaching Mach 20 speed, who may be the best teacher any of them have ever had?
Duration: 23 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: education, battles, friendship, teacher, monster, murder, school, fate of humanity, underdog, death wish, superhuman, fight, superhuman powers, teacher student relationship, struggle for survival, human versus monster, good versus evil, showdown, assassination, assassin, government agent, working class, alien, alien monster, classroom
Orange Is the New Black (2013)
Plot Summary:
A crime she committed in her youthful past sends Piper Chapman to a women's prison, where she trades her comfortable New York life for one of unexpected camaraderie and conflict in an eccentric group of fellow inmates
Duration: 59 min
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
IMDB Votes: 316000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Plot tags: lesbian, lgbt, strong female character, prison, prison life, lesbian relationship, life turned upside down, lesbian love, women's prison, women in prison, lesbian interest, gender, lesbian romance, confined, suicide, lesbianism, hot and sexy, convict, african american, lesbian sex, lgbtq, first lesbian experience, violence, fish out of water, racial issues
In the Flesh (2013)
Plot Summary:
Thousands of dead people have risen from their graves and nearly destroyed Britain. A cure has been found - but can the treated zombies be rehabilitated back into living society?
Duration: 56 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Horror
Country: UK
Plot tags: epidemic, gay lead character, zombie, suicide, small town, society, infected, undead, gay, family reunited, cemetery, teenager, zombie apocalypse, survival, brother sister relationship, fighting the system, discrimination, family relations, back from the dead, friendship, lgbtq, supernatural, rehabilitation, love, politics