9 Years Later, 94%-Rated Crime Drama With 'Severance' Star Blew up HBO's Top 5

Nine years after its premiere, The Night Of has unexpectedly returned to the top five most-watched HBO projects.

Created by Oscar winner Steven Zaillian, this legal thriller starring Riz Ahmed and John Turturro proves that true masterpieces remain relevant even after all these years.

What Is 'The Night Of' About?

The story begins on a fateful night for Naz, a quiet student from a family of Pakistani immigrants. After deciding to attend a party, he meets a girl who invites him to her place.

Naz awakens next to her body the next morning, having no memory of what happened. All the evidence points to Naz, and eccentric lawyer John Stone becomes his only hope.

Their battle with the justice system becomes a tense exploration of human nature and how one wrong decision can change a life forever.

'The Night Of' Is a Masterclass in Crime Storytelling That Feels More Relevant Than Ever

The Night Of is more than just a detective story – it's a hypnotic exploration of the legal system. Filmed in muted, nearly monochromatic tones, the series evokes the atmosphere of classic film noir, with its paranoia and despair.

Every character, from Naz's taxi-driving father to the cynical detective and prison warden, is written with incredible detail.

Originally conceived for James Gandolfini, the story is perfectly realized through the chemistry between Ahmed and Turturro, who form one of the most memorable TV duos in history.

Why Does 'The Night Of' Deserve Your Attention in 2025?

The Night Of is a minimalist yet emotionally powerful statement about how prejudice and bureaucracy can ruin an innocent life.

Riz Ahmed gives a triumphant performance, transforming from a shy student into a hardened prison inmate, while John Turturro delivers perhaps the best performance of his career.

The Night Of sets the standard for television – it is an intelligent and socially significant project.

'The Night Of' Was the Last Project for James Gandolfini

The pilot episode of The Night Of was filmed four years before its premiere, with James Gandolfini playing the lawyer. While awaiting a verdict from HBO, the series' creators received the sudden news of The Sopranos star's death, leaving the project's fate even more uncertain.

Robert De Niro was later cast, but then found a more attractive offer. John Turturro only came on board after that. Turturro was a friend of Gandolfini's and initially thought it would be strange to replace him.

However, Turturro performed brilliantly, and Gandolfini's involvement in the project wasn't forgotten – he is listed in the credits as an executive producer.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Night Of'?

• The Night Of has 94% from critics and 93% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the miniseries has a score of 8.4/10.