The next article incorporates spoilers.Ending a tv present comes with an amazing quantity of expectation as a result of loyal viewers wish to make sure that their time has been rewarded. Whereas a comedy present could solely have situational eventualities during which the narrative growth does not lead in direction of a dramatic finale, drama reveals might be judged based mostly on whether or not they’re perceived to have a satisfying finale. There’s no higher instance of this than Sport of Thrones; though it was as soon as thought-about to be among the finest drama reveals of all time, it now has a extra blended legacy on account of its horrible final episode.
The stress to achieve success has grown stronger within the final decade due to the obsessive relationships viewers have with their favourite reveals throughout the streaming period. Listed here are one of the best drama tv finales of the final ten years, ranked.
10
“Prisoners of Struggle” (Season 8, Episode 12)
‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)
Homeland was an uneven sequence that managed to tug off an amazing finale with “Prisoners of Struggle” as a result of it led to a sensible means. It was by no means attainable for Carrie (Claire Danes) to fully escape from her duties to guard the US from terrorist threats, however “Prisoners of Struggle” no less than put a stable end to her relationship with Saul (Many Patinkin), a personality who was her ally, mentor, and infrequently adversary.
“Prisoners of Struggle” was a cleverly named title as a result of it’s shared with the unique Israeli tv sequence that impressed Homeland. Though “Prisoners of Struggle” indicated that one chapter of Carrie’s story had come to an finish, there’s at all times the likelihood that the sequence may have a revival, particularly provided that it has seen a surge in reputation after being made to stream on Netflix, which resulted in a big uptick in viewership.
9
“Lock and Key” (Season 6, Episode 6)
‘Peaky Blinders’ (2013–2022)
Peaky Blinders is without doubt one of the most satisfying British crime dramas as a result of it was a uncommon present that appeared to get higher with every season. Whereas it started as an underrated BBC sequence with a distinct segment viewership, Peaky Blinders grew to become a phenomenon when it grew to become out there internationally on Netflix, and managed to make an icon out of Cillian Murphy’s Thomas Shelby.
Peaky Blinders ended completely with “Lock and Key” as a result of it resolved the succession of the Shelby household and offered a satisfying finish to every of the characters, together with a intelligent last-minute twist involving Thomas’ future. Whereas it was as nice a conclusion as any loyal fan of the present may have requested for, it isn’t the final word ending, as Murphy and a lot of the authentic forged are returning for the spinoff movie Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man on Netflix.
8
“Jedha, Kyber, Erso” (Season 2, Episode 12)
‘Andor’ (2022–2025)
Andor is one of the best piece of Star Wars storytelling since Return of the Jedi, and the sequence ended on an ideal word that fantastically arrange the occasions of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, during which Cassian (Diego Luna) sacrifices himself to make sure that the Insurgent Alliance good points entry to the Dying Star plans. Whereas grounded throughout the mythology of Star Wars, Andor was praised for its well timed parallels to real-world politics.
Andor ended on the appropriately bittersweet word, because it was at all times going to be considerably miserable that Cassian wouldn’t dwell to see the Empire fall to its knees. Nevertheless, the twist that Bix (Adria Arjona) was pregnant along with his baby was an emotional option to signify that his heritage of heroism would proceed properly into the long run, and that the identify “Andor” could be remembered all through galactic historical past.
7
“Inexperienced Queen” (Season 1, Episode 10)
‘The Curse’ (2023–2024)
The Curse is without doubt one of the weirdest reveals of all time as a result of it mixed the awkward, psychologically unnerving black comedy of Nathan Fielder with the relentless thrills of Benny Safdie. Though The Curse was a sequence that hinted at supernatural parts as a battle that emerged between the white characters and the individuals of shade whom they attempt to “save,” the finale, “Inexperienced Queen,” takes a stunning twist by together with one thing fully fantastical.
The Curse’s capability to take a tough slant into the inexplicable was a daring selection that resulted in an ending that left viewers scratching their heads in a means tv hadn’t seen for the reason that ending of The Sopranos. Maybe the best shock is that Fielder, a comic at coronary heart, was able to giving a profound, dramatic efficiency and proved himself worthy of sharing the display screen with Emma Stone.
6
“The E-book of Nora” (Season 3, Episode 8)
‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)
The Leftovers is one of the best present that Damon Lindelof has ever written, and in some ways makes up for a few of the errors that had been made on Misplaced concerning plot contrivances. The Leftovers could have began as an HBO present that was nearly too bleak for its personal good, but it surely developed right into a surprisingly considerate, transferring expose on the way in which that folks reply to the unexplained aspects of life.
The Leftovers dropped any semblance of spectacle in its finale by reverting to focus singularly on the connection between Nora (Carrie Coon) and Kevin (Justin Theroux), whose romance had been the guiding gentle of the sequence. Whether or not the story that’s advised throughout the closing monologue needs to be believed is a debate that followers of The Leftovers nonetheless have, which is simply additional proof that the finale has an enduring energy.
5
“START” (Season 6, Episode 10)
‘The Individuals’ (2013–2018)
The Individuals is one among one of the best modern dramas as a result of it was each an exciting espionage sequence and a considerate examination of the burdens positioned upon a household. Though there was a risk hanging over Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) from the start that recommended they might ultimately have to decide on between their loyalties to the Soviet Union and their new dwelling in the US, “START” compelled them to confront this query in probably the most dramatic means attainable.
“START” managed to lastly repay the storyline involving the character Stan, performed by Noah Emmerich, in a exceptional efficiency. It’s much more spectacular on reflection to think about how authentically The Individuals was as an outline of what married life is like, particularly since Rhys and Russell grew to become married in actual life after forming a bond whereas taking pictures the sequence collectively.
4
“Hiya, Elliot” (Season 4, Episode 13)
‘Mr. Robotic’ (2015–2019)
Mr. Robotic didn’t have the finale that followers of Sam Esmail’s good hacking drama anticipated as a result of it didn’t middle on a significant showdown between Elliot Alderson (Rami Malek) and Whiterose (BD Wong), who has commanded the cyberterrorist group Darkish Military. As an alternative, the “Hiya, Elliot” unpacked how Elliot’s varied personalities had been born out of his need to flee childhood trauma, and introduced a satisfying conclusion to his relationship with Mr. Robotic (Christian Slater).
Mr. Robotic is an ideal instance of why planning out a present prematurely is an effective factor, as Esmail knew precisely how Elliot’s story would finish from the second he started engaged on it, that means that each one the foreshadowing throughout the earlier seasons paid off completely in “Hiya, Elliot.” It additionally featured a staggering efficiency by Malek, who was in a position to unpack new layers to Elliot after surprising truths had been revealed all through the fourth and best season of the sequence.
3
“Saul Gone” (Season 6, Episode 13)
‘Higher Name Saul’ (2015–2022)
Higher Name Saul ended with a finale that was excellent and appeared to substantiate that it was a masterpiece worthy of Breaking Unhealthy, the sequence during which Bob Odenkirk had first debuted the character of Jimmy McGill, also referred to as “Saul Goodman.”
Higher Name Saul had used a break up narrative machine since its starting to point out the occasions that lead Jimmy down a path of corruption and crime, in addition to what his life appeared like within the aftermath of the Breaking Unhealthy finale, “Felina.” “Saul Gone” not solely accomplished flashing again to the occasions of Breaking Unhealthy and displaying them from Saul’s perspective, however lastly compelled him to face the results of his actions; like Walter White (Bryan Cranston) earlier than him, Saul grew to become a narcissistic anti-hero who was incapable of being redeemed due to his unwillingness to point out any change.
2
“Half 18” (Season 3, Episode 18)
‘Twin Peaks: The Return’ (2017)
Twin Peaks had a rocky street to its finale as a result of David Lynch’s good crime thriller was initially canceled by ABC in 1991, just for him to revive it in 2017 with a 3rd and closing season. Twin Peaks: The Return had trapped Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) within the physique of the infantile character for almost all of its eighteen episodes, however the ending noticed him lastly returning in an try to avoid wasting Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) previously earlier than the homicide that arrange the present.
“Half 18” is among the many bleakest hours of tv ever aired as a result of Cooper sees the misguided notion of making an attempt to vary the previous, which inevitably leads Laura to undergo much more. It’s not solely an ideal ending to Twin Peaks, however a poignant ending to Lynch’s work as an artist, as he didn’t direct another films or reveals earlier than his tragic passing in 2025.
1
“With Open Eyes” (Season 4, Episode 10)
‘Succession’ (2018–2023)
Succession led to the one means it presumably may by lastly going through Kendall (Jeremy Sturdy), Shiv (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin) with the results of aspiring to satisfy the legacy of their late father, Logan (Brian Cox). Though the query of who would take management of Waystar RoyCo had been debated all through the whole present, “With Open Eyes” made a merciless twist; Shiv’s spurned husband, Tom (Matthew Macfadyen), could be positioned as the brand new CEO, although he had offered out the corporate to the invasive investor Matsson (Alexander Skarsgard).
Succession ended on a Shakespearean word that confirmed the tragic fates that every of the characters was doomed to after failing to return collectively to avoid wasting the corporate. Nicholas Britell’s rating has at all times been good, however the musical cues he used throughout the closing moments of “With Open Eyes” could also be his best contribution to the present.
