If you want to find the television series that balanced high-gloss Hollywood production with actual directorial and showrunner vision, you have to look at the best Paramount TV shows. Through its storied production arms like Paramount Television (and its various iterations, including CBS Studios) and its premium networks like Showtime, Paramount Global has spent decades funding series that champion the “Pro Toolkit”: intricate narrative arcs, nuanced character development, and immersive world-building that rewards long-form commitment. These are the shows that still feel like they were crafted by human beings with a specific storytelling point of view, delivering consistency and innovation across seasons.
Finding the best Paramount TV shows means cutting through the sheer volume of content to uncover the series that define high-level craft in episodic storytelling but also offer immediate hooks and satisfying payoffs. We’ve scoured the Paramount Pictures Television and Showtime Networks archives to find 10 high-craft picks that we have **never mentioned** in any of our previous 40+ blogs—no repeats of well-known hits like Yellowstone, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Cheers, Frasier, Deadwood, Twin Peaks: The Return, The Good Fight, Yellowjackets, Dexter, Penny Dreadful, Billions, Homeland, Evil, or The Odd Couple. These are fresh, pro-level essentials that every TV aficionado needs to see if they care about the evolution of serialized narratives. Let’s get into the high-confidence winners.
Best for: TV aficionados looking for Paramount studio series and critically acclaimed dramas/comedies that offer elite writing, surgical pacing, and visionary showrunning across multiple seasons, but with easy entry points.
Common cinephile pain points this list solves: Overly complex plots / Slow burns that don’t pay off / Inconsistent quality between episodes / Difficulty recommending shows to friends/family / Just needing a good “jump-in” series.
Related Lists: The Best Binge-Worthy Series / TV Shows That Set the Standards in Episodic Cinema / Editor’s Picks: Top TV Series / Handpicked Series Worth Watching
What to watch for
When you jump into these Paramount Television series, pay attention to the **Episode Economy.** Great Paramount shows use their budget and runtime to make every episode, every plot point, and every character beat count—look for how showrunners develop clear arcs, how visual continuity is maintained, and how sound design builds a consistent world. Notice the **immediate narrative hooks**; these series win by offering a compelling premise or character introduction early on, making them truly “worth starting.” This attention to detail is the hallmark of high-quality television.
10 best Paramount TV shows
1. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-Present) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet
Plot: Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise explore new worlds throughout the galaxy during the decade before Captain Kirk takes command.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: This Paramount+ original (produced by CBS Studios) is designed for immediate engagement. It recaptures the **classic episodic format** of original *Star Trek*, offering exciting, largely self-contained adventures each week. The **strong ensemble blocking** and clear character introductions ensure new viewers can easily jump aboard, while its **visually authored cinematography** and high production values make every new planet and alien species feel tangible and exciting.
2. 1883 (2021-2022) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Taylor Sheridan
Plot: Follows the Dutton family’s perilous journey west through the Great Plains to establish the Yellowstone Ranch in Montana, facing harsh realities and dangerous encounters.
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: A powerful limited series from the Paramount Global ecosystem, *1883* delivers a complete, self-contained story that’s easy to commit to. Its **tactile world-building** of the unforgiving American frontier is immediate and visceral, supported by **visually authored cinematography** that makes every landscape feel epic. The **surgical script economy** and compelling character arcs are instantly gripping, offering a definitive beginning, middle, and end, perfect for new viewers.
3. Ray Donovan (2013-2020) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Ann Biderman
Plot: A professional “fixer” for the rich and famous in Los Angeles navigates the criminal underworld and his own dysfunctional family, often blurring the lines between the two.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Where to Watch: Showtime / Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: This Showtime original (produced by Showtime Networks) grabs you from the first episode with its **strong lead character** and a clear, high-stakes premise. Each episode features new “fixer” cases that are often self-contained, allowing for easy entry, while the overarching family drama provides a compelling reason to stay. The **surgical pacing** and **gritty, tactile world-building** of LA’s underbelly make for an intense and consistently engaging watch.
4. The Affair (2014-2019) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Sarah Treem, Hagai Levi
Plot: Explores the emotional and psychological effects of an extramarital relationship between a married writer and a local waitress in the Hamptons.
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Showtime / Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: A truly unique Showtime drama (produced by Showtime Networks) that hooks viewers with its **innovative dual-perspective narrative**. From the outset, the show presents events from different points of view, creating immediate intrigue and a clear storytelling device that makes it easy to follow. The **surgical character blocking** and nuanced performances beautifully convey the complexities of human relationships and infidelity, making for a compelling and intimate series.
5. Taxi (1978-1983) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis, Ed Weinberger
Plot: Follows the everyday lives of a group of taxi drivers working for the Sunshine Cab Company in New York City, each with their own dreams and eccentricities.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: This classic sitcom from Paramount Television is the definition of “easy to start.” Its **ensemble blocking** creates immediate chemistry among a cast of iconic characters, and its **episodic structure** means each episode offers a complete, often heartwarming or hilarious, story. The **surgical comedic timing** and sharp **script economy** ensure constant entertainment, making it a timeless and effortlessly enjoyable series to jump into at any point.
6. Mayor of Kingstown (2021-Present) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon
Plot: The McLusky family are power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the only thriving industry is incarceration. They navigate a brutal world of politics, crime, and justice.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 Where to Watch: Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: Produced for Paramount+, this gritty drama from Taylor Sheridan has an **immediate, compelling premise** and a strong lead performance from Jeremy Renner. Its **tactile world-building** of a city dominated by prisons is vivid and raw, drawing viewers in from the first scene. The **surgical pacing** and high stakes of each episode, combined with clear character motivations, ensure that this series is relentlessly engaging and easy to get invested in.
7. Halo (2022-Present) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Kyle Killen, Steven Kane (Developers)
Plot: In the 26th century, humanity is embroiled in an interstellar war with an alien threat known as the Covenant, led by supersoldier Master Chief.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: This big-budget Paramount+ original (produced by 343 Industries and Amblin Television) offers a **clear, high-concept sci-fi premise** that’s instantly appealing. Its **visually authored cinematography** delivers stunning action sequences and impressive alien worlds, making it a feast for the eyes. The **strong character introductions** and straightforward mission-based narrative mean that even newcomers to the *Halo* universe can quickly understand the stakes and enjoy the ride.
8. Madam Secretary (2014-2019) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Barbara Hall
Plot: A former CIA analyst turned college professor is unexpectedly appointed U.S. Secretary of State, navigating international diplomacy and domestic politics while juggling her family life.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+ / Netflix
Why it’s a classic: This CBS/Paramount Television Studios production is a prime example of an accessible political drama. Its **episodic structure** often focuses on a new global crisis each week, making it easy to jump in and understand the immediate challenges. The **strong lead character** and **clear narrative economy** ensure that even complex diplomatic issues are presented engagingly, offering a satisfying blend of political intrigue and personal drama without requiring deep prior knowledge.
9. Happy Days (1974-1984) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Garry Marshall
Plot: A wholesome look at American life in the 1950s and 60s, focusing on teenager Richie Cunningham, his family, and his greaser friend Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+ / Pluto TV
Why it’s a classic: This iconic sitcom from Paramount Television is universally recognized and incredibly easy to enjoy. Its **episodic, feel-good narratives** and **classic multi-camera blocking** create an immediate sense of comfort and familiarity. The **surgical comedic timing** and memorable characters make every episode a delightful watch, perfect for casual viewing or an easy binge, proving its enduring appeal through sheer accessibility and charm.
10. Your Honor (2020-2023) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Peter Moffat (Developer)
Plot: A respected New Orleans judge is forced to confront his deepest convictions when his son is involved in a hit-and-run that embroils his family in a high-stakes game of lies, deceit, and impossible choices.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Showtime / Paramount+
Why it’s a classic: This intense Showtime limited series (produced by Showtime Networks) offers an **immediate, gripping premise** with incredibly high stakes. The presence of Bryan Cranston in the lead role is an instant draw, and the **surgical pacing** of the first season is relentlessly tense. Its clear narrative arc and limited episode count make it a perfect series to jump into and experience a complete, powerful story without a long-term commitment, full of **dialogue pressure** and moral complexity.
What to watch next
Next category: Action-Packed Movies with Great Hand-to-Hand Combat (because once you’ve cleared the best Paramount series worth starting, you’ll want high-energy films that match that immediate engagement and excitement).