The best gangster TV shows of all time have a perfect blend of vivid characters, thrilling action sequences, and high-stakes scenarios that are just as much about the social and political context as they are about the individuals onscreen. While all of these series are masterpieces that are worth watching from beginning to end, it’s in the first few moments of the story that viewers get a clear sense of how good these projects are.
Featuring some of the best gangster characters in TV shows, these projects all distinguish themselves from the beginning, letting the audience in on the style and tone of the series. Pilot episodes are difficult to get right, but these works waste no time in communicating the central tension of the narrative and the power plays and manipulative games that are so essential to the genre.
Many gangster series draw inspiration from real-life mobsters, or are set against the backdrop of tumultuous time periods in famous cities that most audiences will connect with. This is because organized crime is such a critical piece of history, and is rife with drama for shows to bring to life. However, contemporary shows are just as compelling, instantly holding a mirror up to the modern age.
The Penguin (2024)
Oz and Sofia looking off-screen in The Penguin
While audiences are used to crime dramas taking place in reality, The Penguin feels just as intense and interrogative as any true-to-life gangster series. Starring Cristin Milioti and Colin Farrell as Sofia and The Penguin, the show follows the pair as they struggle for control over the criminal underground of Gotham City. The series takes place in the continuity of the 2022 film, The Batman.
The Penguin isn’t Milioti’s only claim to fame within the gangster genre, as Cristin Milioti is also in The Sopranos, demonstrating her early ability to handle these complex roles. Her performance has been highlighted as one of the best parts of The Penguin, and her chemistry with Farrell, as well as his commitment to the project, are what help The Penguin succeed from the jump.
Sons Of Anarchy (2008–2014)
A more modern take on the gangster genre, Sons of Anarchy follows Charlie Hunnam as Jax Teller, the leader of a motorcycle club with ties to organized crime in central California. The show grapples with many viscerally real social and cultural issues, seeing Jax grapple with his position as a decision-maker in the organization, his struggle for power, and his desire to have a fulfilling personal life and family.
Loosely inspired by the real motorcycle club, the Hell’s Angels, Sons of Anarchy puts a lot of stock in the connection between the members of the club and their bond. While dramas with rival clubs and political leaders within the community spark tension throughout the seasons, it’s the relationships between Jax, his closest allies, and bitter enemies that draw us into the world of Sons of Anarchy.
Jason Bateman and Laura Linney give some of the best performances of their careers in the four seasons of one of Netflix’s most underrated crime drama TV shows. Ozark does a great job of highlighting the differences between the seemingly idyllic lives of the central family and their connections to the underground drug world. The series sees Marty (Bateman) and Wendy (Linney) navigate local criminals in the Ozarks and the cartel they’re working for.
As the seasons progress, Ozark only grows more complex, with Marty and Wendy becoming more enmeshed in the life of crime that they’ve chosen. However, it’s early in the pilot that the appeal of Ozark becomes clear, since Marty is forced to grapple with the fallout of getting involved with the cartel. His ability to play their game and think on his feet sets the stage for what’s to come in Ozark.
Godfather Of Harlem (2019–Present)
Forest Whittaker as Bumpy in Godfather of Harlem, giving orders
The real-life mobster, Bumpy Johnson, is brought vividly to life in Godfather of Harlem, which stars Forest Whitaker as the iconic crime boss. The series takes place in Harlem and sees Bumpy return to his neighborhood to find that things have changed while he was in prison. As New York City enters the intense changes that the 1960s heralded, Bumpy reenters the organized crime scene, asserting himself as a player.
The juxtaposition of Bumpy as a dangerous, powerful man with his position as part of the social justice movements of the 1960s is one of the most interesting parts of Godfather of Harlem. More audiences should be watching the timely series, as Whitaker is a force of nature, and the show doesn’t shy away from its connection to the modern era.
Peaky Blinders (2013–2022)
Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders season 3, episode 1
Cillian Murphy is one of the biggest stars to come out of Netflix’s period drama, Peaky Blinders, but the series has no shortage of amazing actors who help transport the audience into the gritty world of organized crime in Birmingham. In many gangster series, the audience is thrown into the action when the characters are already at the top, but Peaky Blinders sees our antiheroes claw their way there.
Audiences become invested in Tommy’s (Murphy) ambition right away, as we’re immersed in the nuances of his social world and the way Peaky Blinders infuses the political context of the period, post World War I, into the heart of the story. Tommy Shelby’s best quotes in Peaky Blinders are eternally memorable, as Peaky Blinders isn’t afraid to lean into the melodrama and let Tommy shine as the most troubled of the Shelbys.
Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014)
Michael K. Williams in Boardwalk Empire
It’s always fun when a TV show blends genres, and Boardwalk Empire brings the world of 1920s organized crime to life while touching upon the political and social changes occurring during this period. With a stellar ensemble cast including Steve Buscemi, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Kelly Macdonald, Boardwalk Empire has a clear visual style and tone that grounds the narrative in reality.
Loosely based on the real history of Atlantic City, the show’s setting, Boardwalk Empire, walks the line between historical accuracy and fictionalized drama, appealing to audiences of all kinds. Though Prohibition has been explored many times in film and television, Boardwalk Empire sets itself apart in the first few moments of the series by focusing on Nucky’s (Buscemi) position as a political figure.
The Wire (2002–2008)
Jimmy, Lester, and Kima in The Wire season 5
Though The Wire is widely considered one of the best crime shows of the 21st century, of all the prestige dramas coming out in the early 2000s, it’s still one of the most overlooked. However, anyone who’s started watching The Wire knows that once you’ve started, the tension of the story grabs hold. The Wire‘s ability to reinvent itself will continue to surprise and delight the audience.
A holistic look at how corruption and systemic injustice worm their way into the hearts of U.S. cities, The Wire is a complex, nuanced investigation of many governmental and justice institutions in Baltimore. In the pilot episode, The Wire instantly shows the audience what kind of series it’s going to be, setting the stage for the shocking events to come, and introducing the story’s major players.
The Sopranos (1999–2007)
Tony and Meadow walk across a college campus in The Sopranos
It’s impossible to talk about the gangster genre without touching upon The Sopranos, as not only is it the best TV show about organized crime of all time, but its longevity and impact are obvious from the beginning. James Gandolfini is a large part of what makes The Sopranos so good. His performance as Tony Soprano is the beating heart of the series.
Gandolfini sets the tone from his first appearance onscreen, but it’s the entire ensemble and their embodiment of the time, place, and social rules of the show that take The Sopranos to the next level. Since so many of The Sopranos‘ best episodes are considered masterpieces, it’s amazing to look back on the pilot and witness how clear the vision was so early on.
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