TVLine has released a ranking of the top 15 miniseries from the 2020s to date, celebrating the format's rise in delivering compact, high-impact stories. The selection spans genres like drama, horror, and comedy, featuring performances from stars such as Kate Winslet and Elizabeth Olsen. These limited series highlight why the miniseries has become a key draw for talent seeking finite commitments.
Miniseries have gained prominence in the 2020s by bridging the gap between lengthy TV seasons and feature films, often attracting major actors for their contained narratives. TVLine's list focuses on those that completed their planned runs, excluding extensions like the successful "Shōgun."
The ranking culminates with "Midnight Mass," a Netflix horror entry from Mike Flanagan that builds dread in an isolated community after the arrival of Father Paul, played by Hamish Linklater. It delves into faith's complexities, avoiding simplistic views of religion while delivering terror through supernatural elements and introspective monologues.
Preceding it is "WandaVision," Disney+'s pioneering Marvel series, where Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda and Paul Bettany's Vision inhabit a retro sitcom world post-major MCU events. The show innovates by mimicking classic comedy formats before revealing deeper tensions, sparking fan engagement through weekly reveals.
"Dopesick" earns praise for exposing the opioid epidemic's origins, tracking Purdue Pharma's OxyContin push via composite characters like Michael Keaton's cautious doctor and Kaitlyn Dever's pained miner. Dever reflected on her role: "I had to pull everything that I possibly could into this role because the people behind the show put their trust in me. I felt so grateful to even be sent a project like this."
Earlier picks include "Fleishman Is in Trouble," a Hulu adaptation of Taffy Brodesser-Akner's novel starring Jesse Eisenberg as a divorcing doctor and Claire Danes as his vanishing ex-wife, offering sharp insights into affluent New York lives. "The Queen's Gambit" showcases Anya Taylor-Joy as a chess prodigy overcoming personal demons in stylish 1950s-60s settings across seven episodes.
"Mare of Easttown" impresses with Kate Winslet's command of a regional Pennsylvania accent in a teen murder probe, blending mystery with character backstories. "Swarm," co-created by Donald Glover, follows Dominique Fishback's fan descending into violence for a pop idol, blending dark humor and horror to critique online obsession.
Other highlights: "The Penguin" with Colin Farrell's villainous Gotham power grab; Netflix's one-take "Adolescence" on youth and online influences; Margaret Qualley's gritty "Maid" on escaping abuse; Richard Gadd's real-life-inspired "Baby Reindeer"; Michaela Coel's assault-recovery tale "I May Destroy You"; the evolving romance of "Normal People" via Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones; and the animated existentialism of "Carol & the End of the World."
"The Dropout" rounds out early entries, with Amanda Seyfried capturing Elizabeth Holmes' fraudulent tech ascent. This compilation underscores miniseries' versatility in tackling timely issues with bold storytelling.