'The Great' & 4 Other TV Series With the Most Striking Visuals, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
These projects transform each episode into an unforgettable visual journey.
Some TV projects elevate visual aesthetics to the level of high art. In these series, every frame is a carefully crafted narrative, and the overall style becomes as important as the plot and dialogue.
These series, from historical reenactments to neon-lit noir cities, prove that television can rival cinema in visual power and inventiveness.
5. 'Too Old to Die Young', 2019
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%
In Nicolas Winding Refn's 2019 show, a police officer finds himself embroiled in a conflict with the city's most dangerous gangsters after losing his partner.
The plot, full of violent scenes, provoked a mixed reaction – some noted that the series was too dark, while others emphasized that the project benefited from the director and screenwriters' unconventional approach.
One thing everyone who watched the series agreed on, however, was Refn's impeccable visuals.
4. 'Hollywood', 2020
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
The 1950s are the golden age of Hollywood. Everyone dreams of joining the Dream Factory and getting their moment of fame. Jack is no exception – he moves to Los Angeles with his wife and children, hoping to become a big star.
However, this proves more difficult than expected, and he is forced to take a job as a gas station attendant. He soon realizes that the station isn't just about filling cars with gas – it's also about fulfilling customers' sexual desires.
3. 'The Young Pope', 2016
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
The 10-episode series The Young Pope, created by Paolo Sorrentino and starring Jude Law and Diane Keaton, tells the story of Lenny Belardo, an Italian-American who is elected Pope Pius XIII.
With its intrigues, eccentric style, and portrayal of the realities of a closed world, the show has become one of the most talked-about projects in its genre and has received widespread praise.
The series' stunning sets, costumes, and cinematography have also earned acclaim, making the visuals a highlight of The Young Pope.
2. 'Hannibal', 2013-2015
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
The plot centers on the relationship between Hannibal Lecter, a psychiatrist, and Will Graham, a criminal profiler. Graham's unique talent allows him to understand the emotions and motivations of criminals.
Although Hannibal is a television series, it's safe to say that it's more visually impressive than the Oscar-winning original, The Silence of the Lambs.
Each episode is saturated with dark imagery that is definitely not for the squeamish or the easily impressed – the highlight of the series is a totem pole made of dead bodies.
1. 'The Great', 2020-2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
The series is set in 1744. Anticipating a bright future, Princess Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst boards a carriage bound for Russia, where she is to marry Peter III.
Much to her disappointment, her future husband proves to be a narcissistic fool who is more interested in games and entertainment than caring for the state.
The Great is perhaps one of the most beautiful period dramas ever made for TV, but what else would you expect from a series developed by Tony McNamara, the screenwriter of the controversial, Oscar-winning The Favourite?
