Between witty, originalcomediesanddramasthat captivated viewers, 2015 was an impactful year fortelevision. A decade later,showsfrom 2015 are still influencing current-day programmingthat models itself after its successful predecessors. In some cases, shows likeChicago Medare still on the air, whileDaredevilis set to make a return.
With some television classics hitting their first double-digit anniversary,now is a perfect time to revisit old favorites or find a great show that was never given a chance.Since shows can’t receive a birthday cake because who would eat it, we’ll do the next best thing and make a list of the best shows turning ten in 2025.
10’Younger' (2015-2021)
Created by Darren Star
Age is just a number to hide and not tell anyone ever in the dramedyYounger.Based on the novel of the same name by Pamela Redmond Satran,Youngerfollows Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a 40-year-old empty nester who lies about her age in order to secure a position at a publishing company. Now in an exciting career, Liza must conceal her age while trying to keep up with co-workers nearly half her age, such asnew office friend Kelsey (Hilary Duff).
Youngerdebuted quietly to a small but mighty audience on the TV Land network, where it stayed for six seasons before moving to Paramount+ for its seventh and final season. Fans responded tothe original premise and charming performance from Fosteras reasons for tuning back in. Younger has found a second life on streaming, where it’s trending at the top of the charts in viewership on Netflix.
9’Chicago Med’ (2015 - Current)
The long-runningChicago Medis still open for patients even though it debuted all the way back in 2015.Chicago Medwas the third in the Chicago series of dramas to premiere on NBC, with previous incarnations,Chicago FireandChicago P.D.,running smoothly with established fanbases. The medical drama follows the doctors and specialists of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center as they treat patients while balancing their personal lives.
Although the series will see the occasional crossover betweenChicago FireandChicago P.D.,Chicago Medhas enough drama to keep viewers tuning in without programming special events. The series has seen numerous doctors and specialists walk through the halls of the Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, with familiar faces likeSteven Weberas Dr. Dean Archer andOliver Plattas Dr. Daniel Charles tirelessly providing care. Now in its tenth season,Chicago Medis considered a staple of the NBC lineup with no sign of flatlining anytime soon.
Chicago Med
8’Man Seeking Woman’ (2015-2017)
Created by Simon Rich
Dating can be hell, but inMan Seeking Woman, it’s a surreal and funny journey into the bizarre. Josh (Jay Baruchel) is forlorn when he and his long-term girlfriend Maggie (Maya Erskine) break up, but his best friend and ladies' man, Mike (Eric Andre), encourages him to use this opportunity to play the field.Man Seeking Womantakes the conventional dating horror stories and interprets them to the literal extreme, with examples likeJosh going on a blind date with an actual troll.
Although the FX series ran for three strong seasons, it didn’t get the attention that it deserved.Man Seeking Womanstuck with Josh for the full run, but there was an anthology aspect to each episode that thoroughly explored a facet of dating or the insecurities of single life to the most far-flung degree. Without going into spoilers,thethird and final season might be its bestas it deconstructs the hurdles of a new relationship brilliantly.
Man Seeking Woman
7’Documentary Now!’ (2015 - Current)
Created by Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, Et al.
Celebrating its 50th fictional year of airing,Documentary Now!is a must-watchfor fans ofBill HaderorFred Armisen. Hosted byHelen Mirren, each episode of the comedic anthology series satirized a different documentary in painstaking detail down to its distinct tone and film quality. With clever takes on classic documentaries likeThe Thin Blue LineandThe War Room,Documentary Now!,every episode is a mini-movie.
Hader and Armisen use their skills developed atSaturday Night Liveto inhabit the many characters inspired by the documentary of the week, finding hilarity in unlikely places. Behind the camera, writers likeSeth Meyersand comedianJohn Mulaneycontributed their writing talents to guarantee every parody was packed with quotable moments. It’s not necessary to have seen the documentaries the episodes are based on, but it might inspire viewers to check out a few entries in the genre they would love.
Documentary Now!
6’Daredevil’ (2015-2018)
Created by Drew Goddard
Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) was only a child when an accident stole his vision but strengthened his four remaining senses to superhuman degrees. As an adult,Matt is committed to justice, working as a lawyer during the day and the vigilante Daredevil at night. While Matt is no stranger to fighting crime, emerging threats like Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), will push the hero to his mental and physical limits.
Based on the popular Marvel comic book character,Daredevilwas the first live-action series of a Marvel comic to premiere on Netflix. The series was praised for its fight choreography and incorporation of popular characters like the violent vigilante The Punisher (Jon Bernthal). AlthoughDaredevilwas unceremoniously canceled after its third season, which introduced fan-favorite villain Bullseye (Wilson Bethel), the series is getting a new life on Disney+.With expectations high for the revival, now is a great time to revisit the underrated hero of Hell‘s Kitchen.
5’Empire’ (2015-2020)
Created by Lee Daniels & Danny Strong
Years beforeSuccessionwould pit family members against one another, an ill patriarch needed to name a successor in the mega-popularEmpire.Empireintroduces media mogul and CEO of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard), as he received an ALS diagnosis that gives him a few years left to live. While coming to terms with his own mortality, Lucious must choose which of his three sons will carry on as head of Empire. Adding to the complications is Luicious’ ex-wife Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), who has recently been released from prison and looking to claim her half of the company.
WhenEmpiredebuted, no one could have predicted what a cultural phenomenon the show would become, quickly rising to the charts as one of the most-watched shows on Fox.Empirehad the addictive elements of a prime-time soap opera with plot twists, double-crosses, and the highest of stakes for the throne of a billion-dollar company.The first season was considered near-perfect television,and even though subsequent seasons would see a slow decline in ratings and interest,Empirewill always be remembered as a show that captured the nation’s attention.
4’Mr. Robot’ (2015-2019)
Created by Sam Esmail
Mr. Robotfollows Elliot (Rami Malek), a quiet and detached loner who struggles to establish human contact or develop meaningful relationships. Elliot immerses himself into his work as a cyber-security engineer during the day, but at night,he becomes a vigilante hacker who serves justice to those he feels are deserving.When Elliot is approached by a mysterious but familiar man who goes by the name Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), he finds himself thrown into a world of sinister organizations that seek to control the world by any means.
Malek had slowly been building a resume with appearances in various movies and television shows, but it was his performance inMr. Robotthat propelled him to the next level. Fans ofDavid Fincherfilms would feel at home watching the moody and atmospheric drama, which had similar themes to theBrad Pitt-starringFight Club.Filled with shocking twists and unpredictable plotlines,Mr. Robotwas an original and thought-provoking drama worth a rewatch.
3’Superstore’ (2015-2021)
Created by Justin Spitzer
Working in retail may not be the passion of anyone who clocks into work at Cloud Nine, but that doesn’t stop them from being one ofthe funniest ensembles in recent memory. Following the employees of the fictional retail chain Cloud Nine,Superstoreexplores politics, religion, and class disparity in a hilarious fashion. It’s common for sitcoms to struggle in the beginning when the cast is still getting to know one another, butSuperstorewas firing on all cylinders early in its first season.
Superstore ran for six consistently funny seasons, with the last incorporating the most unfunny topic, COVID-19, successfully into their scripts. The willingness to tackle the pandemic was typical forSuperstore, asthe sitcom was never afraid to get dark when satirizing its target.CreatorJustin Spitzerhad strong follow-ups with thecriminally canceledAmerican Autoand the hospital mockumentarySt. Denis Medical, so fans of his work should immediately dive into both.
Superstore
2’Schitt’s Creek’ (2015-2020)
Created by Dan Levy & Eugene Levy
The Roses are one of the most wealthy and successful families in the country, but when their financial investor steals their money, the spoiled upper-class clan finds themselves broke overnight. With all of their assets now gone, the roses are forced to live in the one thing they still own, the town ofSchitt’s Creek. Patriarch Johnny (Eugene Levy) is determined to reinstate his family to their former glory, but his actress wife, Moira (Catherine O’Hara), and his two insufferable children, David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy), are not going to make it easy.
While the comedy was originally focused on the Rose’s adjustment to their new life, the series grew along with its characters. The basis of many sitcoms is to maintain the status quo for comfortable laughs, but the strength ofSchitt’s Creekwas the journey of the Rose family to become the best versions of themselves. Featuring a cast of endearingly colorful characters and all-star performances from its four central leads,Schitt’s Creekranks as one of the best comedies of the decade.
Schitt’s Creek
1’Better Call Saul’ (2015-2022)
Created by Vince Gilligan & Peter Gould
Set years before the events ofBreaking Bad,Better Call Sauldives into the early years of Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) before he becomes the ethically allergic ambulance chaser that viewers loved. Before Saul was sucked into Walter White’s (Bryan Cranston) criminal empire, his name was Jimmy McGill, a small-time ex-con trying to escape the shadow of his successful brother, Chuck (Michael McKean).Better Call Saulwas the rare spinoffthat was not only critically praised but also challenged the original in terms of writing and acting.
Each season of the crime drama deepened its examination into the character study of the shortcut-seeking Saul and the people whose lives he impacted with his actions. Odenkirk was already a respected name in comedy with experience as a writer for shows likeSaturday Night Liveand one-half of the HBO comedy sketch showMr. Show, butBetter Call Saulgave him a chance to show his dramatic range.Odenkirk did some of the best work of his career,with support from a cast that includedRhea Seehornas Kim Wexler andJonathan Banksas Mike.
