Top 5 Television Series of 2016

So as a screenwriter myself I'm often asked what films and TV shows I'm in to and so as 2016 (finally) nears an end, I thought I'd take a look back on what has been a phenomenal year for television and share with you all my Top 5 Television Series of 2016.

​Click the "Read More" button below to reveal the list and don't forget to sound off your thoughts in the comments!
-Ben

5.) Game of Thrones [Season 6] (HBO, USA)

Some people would argue that ​Game of Thrones​ is quite possibly one of the greatest TV shows ever made and it's totally understandable why they'd feel this way. Season 6 of HBO's smash hit certainly did not disappoint. As the show finally overtakes George R. R. Martin's novels, the ending is finally beginning to feel within sight. As per usual there are plenty of shocking twists and several major character deaths (one of which had me in tears), Storylines are intertwining more than ever and there are satisfying pay-offs a plenty. The season also featured notable guest stars Max Von Sydow (The Three-Eyed Raven), Richard E. Grant (Izembaro the Theatre Manager) and Ian McShane (Septon Ray). Lena Headey continued to shine as Cersei Lannister, now firmly cementing her as the show's greatest villain. However most impressively the show delivered quite possibly its greatest episodes ever in the form of the last two episodes of the season "​Battle of the Bastards" and "​The Winds of Winter". With only two seasons and a total of thirteen episodes remaining, the grand saga of Westeros is almost at an end.

4.) National Treasure (Channel 4, UK)

The last couple of years, especially here in the UK, has exposed a lot of historical crimes from prolific people working in the entertainment industry. Very much inspired by events such as the Jimmy Saville historical child abuse case and Operation Yewtree, Channel 4 presented us with bold four-part drama National Treasure​. With an all star cast including Harry Potter stars Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters, National Treasure ​tells the story of Paul Finchley (Coltrane), one half of a celebrated comedy duo, who finds himself accused of historical sexual abuse. Thanks to Coltrane's superb performance and an phenomenally written screenplay from Jack Thorne, your opinion on Finchley constantly changes, making the viewer constantly second-guess themself whilst trying to determine whether he is guilty or not. However, what makes the show truly special is how it also examines how the case affects those closest to Finchley. His wife Marie (Walters) vows to remain by her husband's side but begins to doubt his innocence, whilst his wayward drug-addicted daughter Dee (Andrea Riseborough) fights her own demons and begins to look at the past (and her relationship with her father) very differently). In terms of both acting and the quality of the script, ​National Treasure​ is of the highest callibre, and when the sentence is delivered and the truth revealed at the end of the four episodes you will find yourself deep in contemplation. The show truly is a rollercoaster of emotions but well worth the watch.

3.) The People v. O.J. Simpon: American Crime Story
​(FX, USA)

Who would have thought that one of the year's biggest surprise hits would come in the form of a dramatic retelling of the O.J Simpson case, produced by American Horror Story ​co-creator Ryan Murphy? We all know the story of the OJ trial so I won't spend time talking about the plot but what I will say is that the episodes are written perfectly, showing how the trial took its toll on both Simpson and both legal teams involved in the court case. The pacing was also spot on with a perfect mix of drama, tension and tenderness. The cast is also phenomenal (each actor really does look the part) and of a high-calibre. The real highlight of the show was Sarah Paulson as head prosecutor Marcia Clark, Clark was portrayed as a flawed but sympathetic figure, hardworking prosecutor and often-working single mother, who felt like she was fighting an uphill battle against Simpson and his rich, notorious, all-male defense team. John Travolta and Courtney B Vance truly shone as Robert Shapirpo and Johnnie Cochran, part of the afformentioned defense team. Their arrogance and lust for power and notoriety were played brilliantly. There were also many tender moments in the show too from characters such as Marcia Clark, her colleague Christopher Darden (Sterling K Brown) and OJ's doubt-filled friend and lawyer, the late Robert Kardashian (David Schwimmer). Cuba Gooding Jr also excelled as OJ himself. He portrayed the shamed sportsman's charm and his eraticness with precision.
​Not only did the show present us a thrillling courtroom drama that presented us with the games played and strategies made by both sides in order to win the case, but also it offered us a commentary on issues such as gender bias and race that still feel just as relevant today as they did back in the early 90's,

2.) American Horror Story: Roanoke (FX, USA)

It's been a great year for Ryan Murphy as this year he and fellow executive producer Brad Fulchuck brought us another exciting season of American Horror Story​. Now the show's sixth season "​Roanoke" seems to have somewhat divided fans, with many either loving or hating it. For me personally, ​Roanoke​ was a thrilling ride from start to finish that had me desperate for the next episode each week. What I truly enjoyed about this season is that it delivered something fresh that was very much against the norm of what you would expect from ​AHS. ​The season's theme was kept secret right up to the premiere and even after the first episode it wasn't entirely clear. This year the show drew its inspiration from the lost colony of Roanoke as well as horror movies such as ​The Blair Witch Project​ and paranormal reality shows such as ​Ghost Adventures​. I'm not going to discuss the plot too much as for those who haven't seen it and are considering checking it out, I would say the less you know going in the better. The season is split in to three very distinctive parts and a mid-season twist changed the tone and style of the show, turning everything on its head.
​Kathy Bates (deservedly) received top billing this year with a tremendous performance as the villainous ​​Butcher. Lily Rabe returned to AHS once more, this time playing leading lady Shelby whilst AHS legend Sarah Paulson crafted a new fan-favourite character in the form of Audrey Tindall. Other AHS​ legends such as Evan Peters and Dennis O'Hare didn't have as much to do this year, however to make up for this we had new cast members such as Cuba Gooding Jr (Dominic Banks) and Adina Porter (Lee Harris) who truly excelled, with Poter especially stealing every scene she was in. American Horror Story: Roanoke​ featured many horror tropes, supernatural scares and a ​LOT​ of gore this season. Again, the pacing of the season was perfect (due to the season being reduced to 10 episodes) as was the cinematography. There are also plenty of easter eggs for hardcore ​AHS ​fans as well as a fan-favourite character from a previous season returning for the season finale. Roll on season 7!

1.) Stranger Things (Netflix)

Every year there is a television series that gets everyone talking and this year it was the eight-part Netflix series Stranger Things​. I must start by saying that all the hype surrounding Stranger Things​ is well deserved. It truly IS​ the best televison series of the year, hands down.
​The Duffer Brothers have a crafted a heartwarming yet scary, 80's-set science-fiction drama that offeres something appealing to everyone. Taking inspiration from the works of Steven Spielberg and Stephen King, ​Stranger Things ​begins when a young boy disappears. His mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to try and find out the truth about what happened to him. At the same time however, a young girl with unusual abilities known only as ​​Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown) arrives in the town of Hawkins. The show's cast is truly it's greatest asset. When young Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) goes missing and Eleven arrives it is up to his friends Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) to find out what connects to the two events. Now for some, a show with children as leads can be off-putting but it's got to be said that every single child in this show delivers stellar pefromances. Whilst Gaten Matarzzo's Dustin has become a fan-favourite, for me Finn Wolfhard and Millie Bobby Brown truly shine as Mike and Eleven. Their blossiming friendship is a joy to watch. We also have to be thankful for Stranger Things​ for bringing Winona Ryder back to our screens. As Joyce Byers, mother of missing Will, Ryder delivers such an emotionally evocative performance, with her grief and anguish truly tugging on the viewer's hearstrings. The script for the show is solid too, with nods to many 80's classics and, most importantly, a highly intriguing mystery at the core of the show. The cinematography is very Spielberg-ian and the amazing score (by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein) and 80's soundtrack (including a haunting cover of David Bowie's Heroes​) helps set the tone for the show (as does the incredible opening title sequence). Full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing what happened to Will and who exactly Eleven is​​, ​Stranger Things​ will make you feel every single emotion and chances are you'll end up binge-watching the series in one go. With a cast of characters you can't help but love (Seriosuly, every single character is likeable), an enthralling mystery, scenes that are both hearwarming and terrifying and a side of 80's nostalgia, Stranger Things​ is, without a doubt, the best telveison series of 2016.

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