If there is one thing that TV does better than anything else, it is showing us that nobody’s family is perfect, and the best dysfunctional TV dramas highlight this to perfection. Whether they’re hiding secrets from each other or fighting their way up to power and status, these families unravel in ways that are equally messy and mesmerizing. And judging by their critical acclaim and devoted fan bases, there is something strangely entertaining about watching chaos unfold in someone else’s household.
From wealthy empires to homes simmering with quiet resentment, these TV shows peel back the layers of what it means to belong, betray, but still come back to the same table. So raise a toast (and grab your popcorn) in celebration of all the messy and complicated families who have glued us to the screens throughout.
10
‘Empire’ (2015–2020)
Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong
This FOX series, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, delivers what it promises: a high-octane soap opera set in the cutthroat world of hip-hop music, where the Lyon family’s power plays and betrayals are as intriguing as their chart-topping songs. At its center are Terrence Howard as ruthless founder Lucious Lyon and Taraji P. Henson as his ex-wife Cookie, whose return from prison commands every scene.
Perfect for those intrigued by over-the-top family sagas that thrive in excess, Empire offers an undeniably engaging take on the dysfunctional family trope. Not only that, it has been critically praised for its bold storytelling, exploration of race, class, and sexuality, becoming a pop culture phenomenon with climbing ratings and a Golden Globe win for Henson.
Empire
- Release Date
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2015 – 2019
- Network
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FOX
9
‘The White Lotus’ (2021–)
Created by Mike White
Following the intertwined lives of guests and staff at luxury resorts in Hawaii, Sicily, and Thailand, Mike White‘s The White Lotus has understandably rapidly become a staple in the “eat-the-rich” social commentary genre on TV. While not exclusively about traditional families, each season explores the corrosive effects of wealth, privilege, and familial dysfunction with a satisfying dark comedy touch.
Dysfunction is a central part of The White Lotus, with both families and guests grappling with betrayal, resentment, and power imbalances, and providing a great dose of entertainment for this reason, too. Overall, Mike White’s fan-favorite series is a must-watch summer treat. On top of offering biting satire, it also has high production values and standout performances from a talented ensemble cast, including Emmy winners Jennifer Coolidge and Murray Bartlett.
The White Lotus
- Release Date
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2021 – 2024
- Network
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HBO
-
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Natasha Rothwell
Belinda Lindsey
8
‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)
Created by Dan Fogelman
Image via NBC
Another quintessential family drama series, This Is Us is a sprawling, multi-generational saga following the Pearson family through decades of love, heartbreak, and loss. At its heart are Milo Ventimiglia as Jack and Mandy Moore as Rebecca. Sterling K. Brown stars as the brilliant but anxious Randall, Chrissy Metz as the insecure Kate, and Justin Hartley as the charming but searching Kevin.
This Is Us is an incredible showcase of emotional storytelling done right, set apart by its refusal to sugarcoat dysfunction and fully showcasing a family struggling with addiction, mental illness, grief, racism, and the heartbreaking decline of memory. With its unique structure that intertwines the past, present, and future (plus over 60 awards under its belt), this must-see drama proves that the most captivating stories are often the ones closest to home.
This Is Us
- Release Date
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2016 – 2022-00-00
- Network
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NBC
7
‘Shameless’ (2011–2021)
Created by Paul Abbott and John Wells
If dysfunction were an Olympic sport, Shameless would take home the gold medal. Created by Paul Abbott and John Wells, the American show depicts a wild, raucous, but surprisingly tender portrait of a family that’s always one bad decision away from disaster. At the throne is absent, struggling addict patriarch Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy). With their mother (Chloe Webb) struggling with her own addictions and mental health, the Gallagher siblings—including Emmy Rossum and Jeremy Allen White pre The Bear—are left to fend for themselves.
Shameless never backs off from diving into taboo topics and portraying family dysfunction in an unflinching light, and that’s what makes it moving. While the family struggles with plenty of different issues, they’re also incredibly resilient and loyal. Add that to its incredible acting efforts and gripping narrative, and it’s not hard to grasp why Shameless has become a cult favorite in the genre.
Shameless
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David Threlfall
Frank Gallagher
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Rebecca Atkinson
Karen Maguire
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Alice Barry
Lillian Tyler
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Nicky Evans
Shane Maguire
6
‘Big Little Lies’ (2017–2026)
Created by David E. Kelley
The kind of series that proves even the prettiest picture frames can hide the ugliest truths, David E. Kelley‘s Big Little Lies is set in the seemingly perfect enclave of Monterey, California, and follows five women—wonderfully played by an ensemble cast consisting of Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz—whose lives intertwine in a whirlwind of marital strife and schoolyard politics, with a murder that unravels their meticulously constructed lives.
Big Little Lies is the ultimate masterclass in the dysfunctional family genre, with its sharp dissection of how privilege, trauma, and motherhood can push people to their limits. Although it explores the secrets we keep from others, it is also about the lies we tell ourselves at the end of the day. With its award-winning performances, stylish direction, and hooking storytelling, it’s not hard to grasp why fans of messy and riveting family drama are drawn to this captivating show. What’s more? A new season of Big Little Lies is finally on the way.
5
‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)
Created by Alan Ball
Created by Alan Ball, fresh off his Oscar for American Beauty, this Max masterpiece follows the Fishers, a family who runs a funeral home. The clan includes Nate (Peter Krause), the prodigal son who returns home after his father’s death; David (Michael C. Hall), the repressed middle child; Ruth (Frances Conroy), their emotionally stunted mother; and Claire (Lauren Ambrose), the artistic teenage sister.
If you’re on the lookout for a series that truly explores dysfunction, Ball’s R-rated TV show may be your pick. The Fishers are messy, flawed, and real, struggling with everything ranging from grief to sexuality, addiction, and mental health. The fact that Six Feet Under has received widespread praise for its fearless storytelling and resonance makes it a must-see, and its legacy is a reminder that the best dramas go beyond merely entertaining.
4
‘The Bear’ (2022–)
Created by Christopher Storer
Hulu’s dramedy, which can be easily interpreted as just a drama, is the kind of show that throws viewers headfirst into the restaurant industry and all its chaos. Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy, a Michelin-starred chef who returns to Chicago to save his late brother’s (Jon Bernthal) struggling sandwich shop with the help of Michael’s old team.
Not only does The Bear illustrate dysfunctional blood ties, it embraces the concept of a found family; Carmy’s clan extends his bloodline—messy enough in their own right—to the kitchen. The series explores how complicated the love that binds people together can be, and how that connection never fades despite driving each of them wild. Considering its authentic depiction of restaurant life, an electric central performance, and the universal themes it tackles, it’s not surprising that critics and audiences alike have eagerly devoured (pun intended) The Bear.
The Bear
- Release Date
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June 23, 2022
- Network
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Hulu
3
‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)
Created by David Chase
David Chase is the mind behind one of the most iconic TV drama shows of all time. This Max juggernaut centers on Tony (the late, talented James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mob boss whose panic attacks send him to the couch of psychiatrist Dr. Melfi (Lorrain Bracco), with whom he confides his personal and familial struggles.
From Tony’s tempestuous marriage to his kids’ struggles with identity and morality, The Sopranos‘ family dysfunction is fully distilled in this undeniably entertaining series, making The Sopranos one of the gold standards for dysfunctional family dramas. The game-changer has won over 21 Emmys, a handful of Golden Globes, and continues to appeal to a broad audience thanks to its incredible writing and unforgettable performances.
2
‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)
Created by Vince Gilligan
Anchored by Bryan Cranston in an unforgettable lead role, Breaking Bad centers on a mild-mannered Albuquerque high school chemistry teacher who, after a devastating lung cancer diagnosis, turns to a desperate plan to secure his family’s future: manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul).
Considered a masterclass in television storytelling, the AMC series is as much a family drama as it is a crime saga, especially as Walter’s wife (Anna Gunn) and son (RJ Mitte) are drawn into the chaos of Walter’s double life. At its core, Breaking Bad explores the devastating effects of Walter’s choices on those he claims to love, and delivers a heartbreaking, honest portrayal of a family under extreme stress, raising profound questions about morality and the cost of desperation.
1
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
Created by Jesse Armstrong
The blueprint for family dysfunction TV shows, Succession turns boardroom battles into high-stakes family warfare. The award-winning Jesse Armstrong series follows the Roy siblings (Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, and Alan Ruck), billionaire owners of the global media empire Waystar RoyCo as they conspire for control of the company amid patriarch Logan Roy’s (Brian Cox) declining health.
In Succession, every family dinner is a negotiation, every day is a war, and (almost) every act of manipulation is masked with love. What makes the series so interesting is its brutal depiction of the ruthless, rich, and deeply damaged family at its center. Whether it’s the explosive performances, dark humor, and satire, or flawlessly crafted dialogue, the Max series has risen to become one of the TV giants of recent times, surely cementing its place in this niche genre.
Succession
- Release Date
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2018 – 2023
- Network
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HBO Max