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 Sony TV shows. Through entities like Sony Pictures Television and its predecessors (Columbia Pictures Television, TriStar Television), Sony 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 Sony TV shows means cutting through the sheer volume of content to uncover the series that define high-level craft in episodic storytelling. We’ve scoured the Sony Pictures Television archives to find 10 high-craft picks that we have **never mentioned** in any of our previous 40+ blogs—no repeats of classics like Breaking Bad, The Boys, Cobra Kai, or Seinfeld. 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 Sony studio series and critically acclaimed dramas/comedies that offer elite writing, surgical pacing, and visionary showrunning across multiple seasons.
Common cinephile pain points this list solves: Wasting time on “committee-led” narratives / Inconsistent writing quality / Unearned character arcs / Poor season pacing / Not knowing which Sony Pictures masterpieces actually offer a compelling, sustained vision.
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 Sony Pictures Television series, pay attention to the **Narrative Economy.** Great Sony shows use their budget and runtime to make every episode, every plot point, and every character beat count—look for how showrunners develop arcs over seasons, how visual continuity is maintained, and how sound design builds a consistent world. Notice the **character blocking** and how it evolves, deepening relationships and power dynamics across the run. This attention to detail is the hallmark of high-quality television.
10 best Sony TV shows
1. The Crown (2016-2023) 🇬🇧
Creator/Showrunner: Peter Morgan
Plot: Follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a classic: Produced by Left Bank Pictures for Netflix, with worldwide distribution by Sony Pictures Television, The Crown is a masterclass in prestige period drama. Its lavish production design and surgical casting create a tactile sense of history, while Morgan’s **script economy** elegantly distills decades of complex political and personal drama into compelling episodic arcs. The visual storytelling maintains a consistent, regal aesthetic that never falters.
2. For All Mankind (2019-Present) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Ronald D. Moore, Matt Wolpert, Ben Nedivi
Plot: Explores an alternate history where the global space race never ended, and the Soviet Union beats the United States to the moon, leading to a prolonged and intensified competition.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to Watch: Apple TV+
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television production for Apple TV+ offers unparalleled alternate history world-building. The series demonstrates incredible **narrative ambition**, evolving its characters and their motivations over decades with remarkable consistency. Its **visual intentionality** — from period-accurate technology to breathtaking space sequences – combined with a surgical long-form plot structure, makes every season feel like a meticulously crafted saga.
3. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Amy Sherman-Palladino
Plot: In 1950s New York, a woman’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a hidden talent for stand-up comedy after her husband leaves her.
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Where to Watch: Prime Video
Why it’s a classic: A jewel from Sony Pictures Television, this series is a triumph of rhythmic dialogue and vibrant period design. Sherman-Palladino’s signature rapid-fire **script economy** and snappy exchanges are matched by the show’s visually authored cinematography, which uses bold colors and elaborate tracking shots to bring 1950s New York to life. The ensemble blocking and meticulous pacing make every episode a delightful, high-energy experience.
4. Justified (2010-2015) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Graham Yost (Developed by)
Plot: A U.S. Marshal, carrying his own brand of justice, is reassigned to his rural Kentucky hometown, where he confronts criminals, family, and a complex past.
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Where to Watch: Hulu / Prime Video (Rent/Buy)
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television production is a masterclass in character-driven neo-western storytelling. Led by a **surgical script economy** and razor-sharp dialogue, Justified excels in developing a rich tapestry of morally ambiguous characters and a deeply lived-in setting. The **episodic precision** ensures that both standalone plots and overarching season arcs are meticulously crafted, delivering consistent tension and payoff.
5. The Shield (2002-2008) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Shawn Ryan
Plot: Follows the experimental anti-gang unit of the Los Angeles Police Department and its morally ambiguous leader, Vic Mackey, as they attempt to reduce crime and maintain peace in a fictional district.
IMDb Rating: 8.7/10
Where to Watch: Hulu
Why it’s a classic: A groundbreaking Sony Pictures Television series that redefined the police procedural with its unflinching look at corruption and moral compromise. The Shield is a triumph of **gritty realism** and **sustained character development**, as its protagonists navigate increasingly complex ethical dilemmas. Its **tactile visual style** and **relentless narrative drive** maintained a brutal yet compelling intensity throughout its run, influencing countless shows that followed.
6. Damages (2007-2012) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman
Plot: A brilliant, ruthless lawyer takes a young protégé under her wing, leading to high-stakes legal battles filled with corporate conspiracies, betrayals, and ethical quandaries.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Hulu (FX seasons) / Amazon Prime (Audience Network seasons) (Availability varies)
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television legal thriller is a masterclass in **non-linear storytelling** and **psychological tension**. Its **surgical editing** and innovative flashback structure keep viewers constantly on edge, slowly piecing together complex mysteries. The show’s strength lies in its **dialogue-driven pressure** and the intense, nuanced performances that elevate the intricate plot twists, making every season a compelling mental workout.
7. Community (2009-2015) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Dan Harmon
Plot: A suspended lawyer enrolls in a quirky community college and forms a study group, leading to bizarre and hilarious adventures with his fellow students.
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Where to Watch: Netflix / Hulu
Why it’s a classic: A highly inventive comedy from Sony Pictures Television, Community is renowned for its **meta-narrative brilliance** and **visual playfulness**. Harmon’s **surgical script economy** delivers rapid-fire jokes, pop culture references, and surprisingly deep character development, all wrapped in constantly evolving, genre-bending episodes. The show’s **visual intentionality** — from its distinct opening credits to its elaborate theme episodes – makes it a unique and endlessly rewatchable cult favorite.
8. Outlander (2014-Present) 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Developer/Showrunner: Ronald D. Moore
Plot: A married WWII nurse is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743 Scotland, where she falls in love with a chivalrous Highlander warrior.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Starz / Netflix
Why it’s a classic: Co-produced by Sony Pictures Television, this epic series is a testament to **grand-scale romantic drama** and **immersive historical world-building**. The **visually authored cinematography** captures the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands and later colonial America, while the **long-form narrative economy** masterfully develops complex relationships and high-stakes historical events. Its tactile production values and powerful emotional performances make for a truly absorbing viewing experience.
9. Power (2014-2020) 🇺🇸
Creator/Showrunner: Courtney A. Kemp
Plot: James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a wealthy nightclub owner, struggles to leave his life as a notorious drug kingpin behind to pursue legitimate business and political aspirations.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Where to Watch: Starz
Why it’s a classic: Produced by Sony Pictures Television, *Power* is a gripping crime drama defined by its **relentless narrative momentum** and **complex character webs**. The show’s **surgical pacing** creates constant tension and high stakes, while its **tactile world-building** of New York’s criminal underworld feels authentic and dangerous. The show excels at exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and ambition through its well-developed, morally ambiguous ensemble.
10. Preacher (2016-2019) 🇺🇸
Creators/Showrunners: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Sam Catlin
Plot: A small-town Texas preacher, possessed by a mysterious entity that gives him the power to make anyone do what he says, embarks on a journey to find God, literally. IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Hulu
Why it’s a classic: This Sony Pictures Television adaptation of the cult comic book is a visually audacious and darkly humorous ride. Preacher showcases a **bold visual intentionality** with its stylized action, creative gore, and unique character designs. Its **episodic innovation** fearlessly tackles complex theological and philosophical themes, while the **rhythmic sound design** and eclectic soundtrack enhance its distinct, often bizarre, atmosphere. It’s a show that constantly surprises with its pro-level inventiveness.
What to watch next
Next category: Mind-Bending Movies That Play with Reality (because once you’ve cleared the best Sony TV shows, you’ll want a high-concept film that challenges your perceptions and matches that serialized-level craft).