Most TV fans recognise what the industry has known for some time now: that we are living in the Golden Age of television. From black and white to cable to streaming, the television industry has changed a lot. These days there’s no need to watch Hollywood movies to see the big names on your screen: Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon appeared in the series Big Little Lies, Matthew McConaghy and Woody Harrelson in True Detective, Kerry Washington in Little Fires Everywhere. As a result of much bigger budgets going into series production, the quality of a big-name TV series (Think Netflix, HBO, or Apple +) has shot through the roof, essentially providing us with film-quality shows that run for a little less than a feature film but in 8-24 installments instead of one.
There are a few shows that linger in the upper echelons of TV, whether they’re still airing in 2026 or have been rewatched time and again since they first came out. These are the shows that have singled out their target audience and given them something they’ve always wanted: a deeper connection to the things they love (be it crime, fantasy, horror, or anything else), and inspiration for fans to keep experiencing and enjoying their favorite entertainment even if it’s not brand new. These shows fit perfectly into that category.
The Walking Dead
Spinoffs: Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Dead City, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
This post-apocalyptic drama focuses on a group of survivors trying to stay one step ahead of a literal zombie apocalypse. After a mysterious outbreak turns regular people into flesh-eating walkers, Rick Grimes (Sheriff Grimes) meets up with a group of survivors and attempts to lead them through a ruined world while searching high and low for safety and a place to call home again. Along the way, the group faces not only the walkers themselves but other human beings who can be just as dangerous, if not more. The series takes viewers on a journey through friendship, leadership, family, survival, and what humanity really means.
Apart from the TV spinoffs that the show has created, its fame and fanbase are so extensive that even an Ontario online casino like BetMGM, which is famous in its own right, features games that feature The Walking Dead characters.
Game of Thrones
Spinoffs: House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
GOT, as it is known colloquially, is possibly the most successful fantasy drama series ever made. Set in the fictional world of Westeros, the show follows both the powerful families that fight for control of the Iron Throne and some of the commoners who just want to survive the bloodshed. The cast is enormous and peppered with actors and actresses of international fame: the characters become embroiled in political and moral conflicts, forge alliances, and weather betrayals. The series is well known for its complex characters and relationships, its twists and turns, epic battle scenes, and, of course…the dragons.
Game of Thrones is another show that has created not only spinoff series but also some casino games, board games, and other forms of entertainment.
Vikings
Spinoffs: Vikings: Valhalla and Bloodaxe.
Initially brought out on the History Channel (its first-ever scripted series), this historically based series is inspired by the legendary, real Norse warrior Ragnar Lothbrok (this loosely translates to Ragnar Hairy Britches), his wife Lagertha, and his clan. Viewers watch as Ragnar rises from a simple but ambitious farmer and warrior to earl and eventually to the position of king. The show follows Ragnar and many other Viking leaders, their warriors and families as they search for new lands to conquer and work to expand the reach and prosperity of the Northmen. Vikings combines action, drama, adventure, ancient Norse culture, and politics in a way that has kept viewers repeat-watching this series and its spinoffs since the day it premiered.
Breaking Bad
Spinoffs: Better Call Saul
Undoubtedly one of the most explosive (literally and metaphorically) TV shows in the history of the game, Breaking Bad follows the life of Walter White, an ex-chemistry teacher who has been diagnosed with cancer. Walter has fallen on hard times and, in a misguided but ultimately heart-in-the-right-place move, he begins to produce illegal drugs (methamphetamine) to see his family through his treatment and potential death, but things get complicated fast. Alter is quickly drawn deep into the dangerous world of drug running and cartels, and his actions become increasingly destructive as the series goes on. The performances by new and known actors are what make this show so special: viewers cannot help but be drawn into the world to sympathise with or feel for the characters no matter how twisted and violent their world becomes.
The Big Bang Theory
Spinoffs: Young Sheldon, Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, Stuart Fails to Save the World.
The Big Bang Theory is the only comedy on our list, but what a comedy it is. The show follows the lives and careers of some incredibly intelligent but very socially awkward research scientists- a group of friends trying to find love and the perfect collector’s figurine (still in their original boxes, of course). The lead characters, Leonard and Sheldon, are housemates whose lives change forever the day Penny, a stunning and somewhat ditzy aspiring actress, moves in across from their apartment. Penny joins their friend group, much to the excitement of Howard and the consternation of Raj, two other research scientists, and the show is a hilarious (and years-long) ride through their personal and professional lives, love lives, and everything else.
Switched On
If you’re stumped for something to do tonight or just looking for a way to take your mind off the everyday, try some of these shows for a little escapism and a whole lot of production value.