The 25 Best Showtime Original Series, Ranked (2025)

Showtime deserves more credit. Since 1982, the premium cable channel has producedoriginal series across a spectrum of genres from science fiction, to horror, geopolitical thrillers, historical dramas, and more. The last ten years in particular have witnessedthe networkdialingin to the rising demands of the mediamarket and creatingsome of the best shows on TV. FromDextertoStargate SG-1 and fromWeedsto Homeland, Showtimehas gone toe-to-toe for quality with their longtime rival, Home Box Office.

While ranking HBO's original series proveda competitivetask, the top spots on Showtime's roster are equallyhard to place.

There's Penny Dreadful,one of the best horror series in recent memory, andShameless, the enduringstory of a truly dysfunctional family. And lest we forget, there'sthe complex romance,The Affair,and thatlusty show about Henry VIII,The Tudors.Where do we begin?

Here are the Top 25 Showtime Original Series, Ranked:

25. Roadies

While ithas yet to fully mature, Cameron Crowe'sRoadiesis primed for television greatness. By showing the"unsung heroes of rock 'n' roll,"Roadieslets usexplore the thankless jobs of the the lighting crews, the set designers, and the stage managers that make mortal musicians become demigods. Led by Luke Wilson and Carla Gugino, with Imogen Poots at the heart of the story,Roadiesinfuses your favorite Cameron Crowe qualitiesintothe televisionformat. Though certain scenes may not quite gelin early episodes, the same can be said about mostany program in its infancy.

If you likedSay Anything, Jerry Maguire,and especiallyAlmost Famous, Roadieswill reliably give you those small doses of hyper-reality that only Cameron Crowe can produce. The characters are likable and the subject matter is fairly light, especially compared to the rest of Showtime's heavy offerings. If exploring the backstagehappenings of big-time productions strikes your fancy,Roadieswillcertainly be worth the trip.

24. Huff

You may not remember this Bob Lowry-created show, but Huff once had a heavily investedfan following. Call it a more comedic take on HBO’s In Treatment:thisHank Azaria-led show follows the tumultuous life of psychiatrist Dr. Craig “Huff” Huffstodt. Eternally devoted to his patients, Huff approaches his work with panacheuntil a teenage client commits suicide in his own office. The fallout sends Huff spiraling out of control, relying on his doting wife, Beth (Paget Brewster), and his best friend, Russell Tupper (Oliver Platt), to lift him out of the doldrums.

Though the series only lasted two seasons and twenty-six episodes, Huff makes for good entertainment thanks to its excellent writing and cast. A young Anton Yelchin plays Huff’s son, while, as the psychiatrist's flighty mother, Blythe Danner, took home the Supporting Actress Emmy in back-to-back years. Additional guest stars include Robert Forster, Faith Prince, Sharon Stone, and Anjelica Huston to round out the veterancast.

23. Dice

Comedians dominate theentertainment industry more than ever. Jerry Seinfeld hasComedians in Cars Getting Coffee, Louis C.K. hasLouie, Bill Burr hasF is For Family, and now Andrew Dice Clay has joined the fray. It must be said that he is not your usual Comedy Central stand-up funnyman, nor a carbon copy of the politically-correct cabal. Hetells it like it is and if you get your feelings hurt along the way, then that’s just too bad. InDice, we followthe comedian'slife up close as he travels to stand-up gigs in the sordid streets of Las Vegas. That’s where Clay made his name, of course, and while he has been a fixture of the industry for decades, it’s great funto watch him back in the town that made him.Dice currently has justsix episodes to its name,butataroundtwenty minutes each, they’re worth the small investment.

22. Web Therapy

Lisa Kudrow may be best knownfor playing Phoebe onFriends, butWeb Therapy showcases the actress at the top of her game. The Showtime original series pioneers the concept of Skype-psychiatry, ortherapy sessions condensedfrom their usual 50-minute run time. Though the concept is relativelysimple, Web Therapy excelsthanks to its fully committed approach toimprovisation. While each episode has a particular story to tell, most of Web Therapy is made entirely from the magic of the moment.

There's a lot at stake forFiona Wallice (Kudrow), whose repressedsecrets slowly unravel throughoutWeb Therapy'sfour season arc. Asan ambitious therapist, Fionahopes her Internet-friendly concept willrevolutionize the industry and help make her a household name. Thanks to an endless train oftop-tier celebrity guest stars, from David Schwimmer to Matt LeBlanc, and Conan O’Brien to Jon Hamm,Web Therapy ranksamong the bestimprov shows on the market.

21. Episodes

Former sitcom stars don't always have the best reputation. Just look at Bojack Horseman, the Netflix original show that parodies the self-indulgence of washed-up stars. In Episodes, show-runners David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik thrust former Friends cast member, Matt LeBlanc, into the middle of their industry-set maelstrom. Playing a fictionalized version of himself, LeBlanc becomes a Hollywood caricature: sex-obsessed, driven by money, and enamored of his own reflection.

When he accepts the lead role in an American remake of a hit British show, personalities clash and chaos ensues. While it has been a fun and fairly innocuousshow, Episodes will air its fifth and final season in 2017. Now that LeBlanc’s commitments have shifted to Top Gear, it’s no surprise he’ll be moving on. Still, Episodes garnered the actor a Golden Globe award in 2012, along with repeated nominations in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series ever since.

20.Brotherhood

As HBO’s The Wire grew in prominence, Showtime needed to answer the call. The demand for layered dramas was rampant and while the streets of Baltimore had already found their voice, New England had yet to be spoken for. Enter creator Blake Masters, a native of the north-east with a particularly keen eye for the political and criminal happenings in Providence, Rhode Island. With Brotherhood, Masters expertly crafted a story that followed both sides of the law.

Through Michael Caffee (Jason Isaacs), viewersinfiltratethe intricacies of the Irish mob and through his politically-engaged brother, Tommy Caffee (Jason Clarke), we encounter the duplicity of high office. With the true story of Whitey and Billy Bulger as the series' inspiration, Brotherhood shows the duality of lifestyles and the complexity within families. Isaacs and Clarke both deliver incisiveperformances throughout the series and, while they may not belikable, they're alwayscompelling.

19. The Big C

Most networks would kill to have Laura Linney lead their show. With The Big C, Showtime got their wish, but they attached her to a project that had her character destined to die. Indeed, the accomplished Laura Linney elevated thisdire cancer drama well beyond its source material. In the pilot episode, we meetCathy Jamison (Linney)shortly after being diagnosed with stage IV melanoma, the cancer that scares other cancers. This is the calm before the storm.

Upon hearing the news, Cathy's state of shock send her searching for life in the face of death: she buys herself a luxury car, engages inan extramarital affair, and kicks her husband (Oliver Platt) out of the house.Despite the darkness,The Big Cis worlds awayaway from the soap-operatoneof shows like Grey’s Anatomy. By balancingits dread with a bitingwit, watchingThe Big C often feels like laughing at a funeral.

18. Queer as Folk

While there have long been sexually ambiguous characters in film and television, Queer as Folk was the first dramatic TV show to focus directly on the gay community. Created by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, Queer as Folk skyrocketed to the top of Showtime’s original series lineup. Though based on the more raw British show that preceded it, Queer as Folk bent the rules in America and introduced audiences to subjects seldom explored on network television. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Queer as Folk followed five gay men and a lesbian couple through their urban and unpredictable lives, along with the family members closest to them. Controversial and complex story lines vaulted the show to popularity and kept it in the public eyefor all five seasons and eighty-three episodes of its tenure. Though often more serious than comedic, Queer as Folk paved the way for a new generation of shows including HBO’s Looking.

17. Masters of Sex

Unfettered bythe constraints of the FCC, premium cable networks know how to maximize their freedom. WithMasters of Sex, the whole spectrum of reproduction and pleasure are quite literally on the table. Created by Michelle Ashford, this mid-centurydrama follows real-life doctors, William Masters and Virginia Johnson (Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan), in their dedicated study of human sexuality. Though on the surface the show may look and feel like a naughtierMad Men,Masters of Sex distinguishes itself from Matt Weiner’s show by exploring the era’s true naivete.

Masters and Virginia weren't just curious adults, they were pioneers oftheir respective industry. While Sheen’s William Masters has more than a bit of Don Draper in him, his subjects often display a great deal of innocence indicative of the times.While the taboo has since become tame, this Showtime series continues to improve as its timelines shifts into the 1970’s.

16. The United States of Tara

You might not expect Steven Spielberg to create a show about a housewifesuffering from dissociativeidentity disorder. Thanks to his pioneering vision, however,The United States of Tarabecame a reality. By teaming up with Diablo Cody, the mind behindJunoandYoung Adult,Spielberg helped create one of the most interesting concepts to gracethe small screen. In the town of Overland Park, Kansas, Tara Gregson's (Toni Collette) unrestrained tension manifests in multiple personalities.

From her 1950's era housewife, Alice, to "T," her rambunctious sexpot teenager, and Buck, her beer-swilling Vietnam vet, Tarafluctuates identities like an actor in a one-man play. For Toni Collette, the transition between personalities is a feat to behold, a performance that netted her both an Emmy and Golden Globe award in back-to-back years. The supporting cast more than matches her talent, as the likes of Brie Larson, John Corbett, and Rosemarie Dewitt will attest.

15. Secret Diary of a Call Girl

While Starz has more recently mounted Steven Soderbergh'sThe Girlfriend Experience,Showtime first entered the courtesan arena withSecret Diary of a Call Girl.Rather than telling the story of a rags-to-riches woman seeking stability,Secret Diary of a Call Girlfollows Hannah Baxter, the middle-class and seemingly prototypical Londoner who dives down the prostitution rabbit hole for quick cash and faster thrills.

Hannah, who goes by the name "Belle" with her clients, is portrayed by the perennially sultry Billie Piper. As the high-class call girl, Belle breaks the fourth walllike her profession breaks hearts. She stares at the audience as if we are her customer, and while the experience can certainly feel voyeuristic, it is always engaging. Though Secret Diary of a Call Girlmay not sit well with prudes, its sarcastictoneborrows fromSex and the Cityand gives the show a welcome taste of humor.

14. Billions

Since the housing market collapsed in 2007, Wall Street has become public enemy #1 of Hollywood and the media.Margin Call, The Wolf of Wall Street,andThe Big Shortall capitalized on portraying the fascinating lives of those on both sides of the finance world.Billionstakes that Jordan Belfort flair and retrofits it on the small screen in Brian Koppelman's (Rounders, Ocean's 13)new show.

The casting is on point, with Damian Lewis as thecutthroathedge fund manager, Bobby Axelrod, and Paul Giamatti as Chuck Rhoades, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Together, the pair function like Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner, with Rhoades looking for loopholes to bring down Axe Capital and purify the Wall Street system. Though their scenes in the first season were tantalizingly rare, Giamatti and Lewis both bring their A-game toBillions, liftingthe occasionally trite material to something David Mamet might once have made.

13. House of Lies

What's in a name?For Marty Kaan (Don Cheadle)inHouse of Lies,his says it all. As the founder of his consultancy firm, Kaan & Associates, Marty issimply acon man in a ten-thousand dollar suit. He lives for the art of the deal, his tolerance for criticism and resistance is high, and he'llclose clients at any cost. Though the concept may sound abrasive,House of Lieshas been one of the funniest shows on the air since it premiered in 2012.

While its caustic sense of humor certainly won't gel with everyone, and the show hasleft critics split in their support,House of Liesasks for a little and delivers a lot. Each half-hour episode packs in rapid-fire dialogue from a whip-smart cast that includes Kristen Bell, Ben Schwartz, Josh Lawson, and Dawn Olivieri. Inspired by the book written by a former Booz Allen Hamilton consultant,House of Liesmay be closer to the truth than any of us would like to admit.

12. Stargate SG-1

Roland Emmerich's 1994 movie,Stargate,was just a drop in the bucket. Once Showtime expounded upon Dean Devlin's original story and customized it for a TV series,Stargate SG-1was ready for ascension. Indeed,though the show-runners only expected the series to last two seasons,Stargate SG-1withstooda lack of critical praise tobecome the longest running sci-fi show of all time, secondonly to the British juggernaut,Doctor Who.

Having previously explored deep space with their mid-1990's show,The Outer Limits, Showtime embraced the Stargateproperty and developed it with Richard Dean Anderson (formerMacGyverstar) in the lead. Byembracing the wants and needs of true science fiction fans,Stargate SG-1accrued an impressive viewership that was rarely deterred by the show's occasionally histrionic acting and modest production values. With 214 episodes,Stargate SG-1became Showtime's most reliableshow and led to additional spin-offs likeStargate Atlantis.

11. The Borgias

While HBO'sThe Sopranosexplored the modern Italian mob, Showtime attempted to eclipse their competitor by rewinding the clocks tothe greatest crime family of all: House Borgia, the rulers of the Renaissance. Though cancelled before reaching its climax,The Borgiaswas a towering achievement for Showtime that managed to condense the rich history ofthe family's political and religious power.

By bringingone of the most storied chapters in Italian history to bear,The Borgias proved asequally an equally impressive featasHBO's ambitiousRome. Thoughit failed to fulfill creator Neil Jordan's planned fourth season anddownfall of the family,The Borgiaslasted three seasons with Jeremy Irons in the lead as Rodrigo Borgia (and later, Pope Alexander VI). Some critics may have complained of the show's plodding pace and raised eyebrows at specious depictions of history, butThe Borgiasremains one of the most elaborate shows to air on any network.

10. Ray Donovan

Ray Donovanisnot your usual fixer. While commissioned by dominant lawfirm, Goldman & Drexler, Ray (Liev Schreiber) helps absolve the sins of celebrities and corporate power players throughout Los Angeles.Though parallels can be made to Tony Gilroy's excellentMichael Clayton,this Showtime series dives headlong into the muck. From covering for the indiscretions of Hollywood stars, to avoiding the FBI and protecting his family from his unrulyfather, Mickey (Jon Voight), Ray rarely has a moment of peace.

Indeed, Liev Schreiber's interpretation of the eponymous character remainsthe primary strength of the show. He is a man filled with contradictions and guilt, but his demanding job allows for the perfect sublimation of those repressed emotions. While the rest of the cast punches their weight, especially when Jon Voight, James Woods, and Ian McShane are on the screen,Ray Donovansucceeds because Liev Schreiber gets the job done.

9. Californication

Barring the show's lackluster conclusion,Californicationdeservea spot in our top 10. Thanks to David Duchovny's irresistible performance as Hank Moody, the alcoholic man-child who struggles to ever say "no,"Showtime tookCalifornicationfor a seven-season run from2007 to 2013. For such an unassuming concept and relativelystraightforwardexecution, that's quite a feat. With Natasha McElhone, Evan Handler, Pamela Adlon, and Madeleine Martin in the supporting cast, Showtime could do no wrong.

For all of the vicarious pleasure we received from watching Hank's wanton lifestyle, however, showrunner Tom Kapinos always ensured that the storyand character development remained in motion. Where shows likeEntouragestruggledin depicting theircharacters' transition from debauchery into discipline,Californicationexcelled. To be fair, it doesn't hurt that the beautiful women, the rock star cameos, and the Hollywood lifestyle were all on display in each half-hour episode. It may not be Shakespeare, butCalifornicationis fun while it lasts.

8. The Tudors

Henry VIII and his six wiveswerea slice of history the worldwon'tsoonforget. Though his portraits depict astoutman with aprotruding belly,The Tudorssexedup the life of Henry VIII byfocusing onhis glory days. In Showtime's original series, the fiery Jonathan Rhys Meyers takes on England's most notorious king andThe Tudorswastes no timeindulging inHenry's insatiable appetite for the ladies of the court.

Aidedbyhis designated wing-man, Charles Brandon (a pre-Superman Henry Cavill),the Kingbetrays hismarriage to Katherine of Aragon andpursues the beautifulAnne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer). Before she took on the role ofMargaery Tyrell inGame of Thrones,Dormer proved her acting worth by portraying the most famous of Henry's wives.While the show undoubtedly takes many historical liberties in its writing,The Tudorscrafteda fascinatinghistorical drama that lasted four seasons and vaulted Showtime to a higher echelon in television production.

7. Nurse Jackie

In the closing line oftheNurse Jackiepilot, the likable antihero beseeches her maker, "Make me good, God, but not yet."This close paraphrasing of St. Augustine frames the entire series about a woman plaguedbyinner demons who still manages to act like an angel. As a nurse, Jackie Peyton (Edie Falco)bends the rules of thered-tape bureaucracy and goes out of her way to help her patients survive.

If only she were so thoughtful towardsherself. Beneath the surface of her altruistic caretaker is an opiate-addicted and lying, cheating head-case whobetraysher family asshe struggles with her debilitating addiction. Though shehops on and off the proverbial wagon throughout the show's eight seasons,Nurse Jackieoften serves as asobering reminder to eliminateour habits before they do the same to us. Edie Falco's deliciouslyduplicitousperformancefueled the show right through to its unforgettable conclusion.

6. Penny Dreadful

For the last fifteen years, writer John Logan has been the man behind the man. He's the writer ofGladiator, TheAviator,andSkyfall,and in his first foray into television, he usedhis immense literary background to forge the Gothic fantasy,Penny Dreadful.The title refers to thefin de sièclestories and comics that cost a mere penny to read andLogan appropriately usesit to blend the best horror tales of all time into one properly aligned universe.

Frankenstein meets Dorian Gray, Van Helsing meets Dr. Jekyll, and Dracula meets the Wolf Man. It's the mash-up that Bram Stoker and Mary Shelleymay have neverimagined, but it works without a hitch. Led by Josh Hartnett, Eva Green, and Timothy Dalton,Penny Dreadfuldoes an impressive job at creating the lurid world of the 19th Century world. The fog rolls in on little cat's feet andthe plot gets progressively more devious across each of its three seasons.