7 Miniseries So Grim, They Make Breaking Bad Look Light-Hearted

Over the five years of its existence, the narrative of Breaking Bad gradually evolved from a dynamic crime drama with elements of action and some comic relief to a dark and tragic parable about the decline of morality, the consequences of one's actions, and a corrupt system that condones criminal activity and extremism.

Surprisingly, one of AMC's most popular shows is far from the darkest series out there. There are many miniseries that offer even bleaker, grimmer narratives.

7. True Detective (2014, 3 independent seasons)

True Detective is not a limited series, but each season follows an independent story, offering a truly chilling, edge-of-your-seat, and thought-provoking experience. The first two seasons are particularly noteworthy: Season 1 explores themes of escapism, philosophical pessimism, and decadence, while the second focuses on police and political corruption, as well as misanthropy.

6. Chernobyl (2019)

HBO's historical disaster drama, Chernobyl, is an incredibly dark show that guarantees a sense of creeping dread. As the title suggests, the series chronicles one of the most tragic disasters of the late 20th century, the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant incident.

5. The Jinx (2015)

The Jinx delves into the moral decay and sense of entitlement of the wealthy, leading to gruesome consequences. The docuseries follows the story of Robert Durst, the son of a New York real estate magnate, who was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of at least three people.

4. Black Bird (2022)

Based on the autobiographical novel In with the Devil, the story follows Jimmy Keene, a convict sentenced to 10 years without parole, who agrees to cooperate with the FBI. His task is to infiltrate a maximum-security prison to get a confession from a serial killer.

3. Mare of Easttown (2021)

Set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, this incredibly grim crime drama follows Detective Sergeant Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) as she investigates a series of murders while navigating her crumbling personal life and dealing with the growing discontent of the town's residents.

2. Bodies (2023)

If you liked Netflix's Dark, you'll definitely enjoy this new sci-fi thriller. The gripping plot follows four unrelated detectives living in different historical periods in London, yet investigating the same murder.

1. The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

Rounding out our list is Mike Flanagan's new project, inspired by the writings of gothic horror maestro Edgar Allan Poe. An eerie, mystical satire on the powerful individuals who poison the lives of millions, the series follows the mysterious sequential deaths of the children of pharmaceutical conglomerate CEO Roderick Usher.