A Smart TV Shows List Only for Intelligent People

Today, we are in the golden age of Television. There are so many TV shows to binge. For example, if you just want to relax your mind, you can watch comedies like Modern Family and Shameless. And if you prefer watching shows with a convoluted plot and twists and turns, actually there are many smart TV shows to choose. Here are the best shows with the best writing, characters, and storylines that smart people watch. Are you one of the smart people that these TV series target? Get Started.

10. The Young Pope

Sky Atlantic | HBO | Canal+
Genre: Drama
Created by: Paolo Sorrentino
Starring: Jude Law | Diane Keaton | Silvio Orlando
Country: Italy | Spain | France | UK | USA
Original Language: English | Italian
Release date: October 21, 2016
Running Time: 40-60 min
No. of Series: 1
No. of Episodes: 10
The Young Pope stars Jude Law in the lead role as Lenny Belardo, alias Pius XIII, the first American Pope in history. It’s a story with many twists and turns and a lot of character evolution. So if you are tired of the usual crime, violence, or war drama, The Young Pope deserves you to watch.

9. Westworld

HBO
Genre: Science Fiction | Western
Created by: Jonathan Nolan | Lisa Joy
Starring: Evan Rachel Wood | Thandie Newton | Jeffrey Wright | James Marsden
Country: United States
Original Language: English
Release date: October 2, 2016 - present
Running Time: 57-91 min
No. of Series: 2
No. of Episodes: 20
Created by Jonathan Nolan and J.J Abrams as the executive, Westworld was destined for success. It is a science fiction thriller combining with western-style. And the narrative mode and directorial approach of the show is so extraordinary that makes you fully immersed into the story and feel joyful in this brainy TV shows.

8. Hannibal

NBC
Genre: Psychological horror | Psychological thriller | Crime Drama
Executive producer: Bryan Fuller
Starring: Hugh Dancy | Mads Mikkelsen | Caroline Dhavernas
Country: United States
Original Language: English
Release date: April 4, 2013 – August 29, 2015
Running Time: 43 min
No. of Series: 3
No. of Episodes: 39
Hannibal is regarded as one of the best horrors TV shows on American television. This version focuses on the relationship between the renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, and his patient, Will Graham, a young FBI criminal profiler. Not only the gripping storyline but also the brilliant cinematography make this smart TV shows appealing to the audience.

7. Mr. Robot

USA Network
Genre: Drama | Techno thriller | Psychological thriller
Created by: Sam Esmail
Starring: Rami Malek | Carly Chaikin | Portia Doubleday
Country: United States
Original Language: English
Release date: June 24, 2015
Running Time: 41-65 min
No. of Series: 3
No. of Episodes: 32
Starring by the new Oscar winner of 2019, Rami Malek, the show Mr. Robot is about cyberhacking and various societal and psychological issues. One of the keenest pleasures is that some scenes accurately presented the actual computer science. So smart people like you perhaps can learn from this TV show.

6. True Detective

HBO
Genre: Anthology | Crime drama | Detective | Mystery | Neo-noir
Created by: Nic Pizzolatto
Starring: Matthew McConaughey | Woody Harrelson | Michelle Monaghan
Country: United States
Original Language: English
Release date: January 12, 2014
Running Time: 54-87 min
No. of Series: 3
No. of Episodes: 24
True Detective’s first season is really brilliant. Both Mattew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson give their excellent acting performance in this show. And the story of this TV show is filled with undercurrents of menace that keep you on edge.

5. Doctor Who

BBC One
Genre: Science Fiction | Drama
Executive producers: Various (as of 2018, Matt Strevens and Chris Chibnall)
Starring: Various Doctors (as of 2019, Jodie Whittaker)
& Various companions (as of 2019, Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill)
Country: United Kingdom
Original Language: English
Release date: Classic era: November 23, 1963 – December 6, 1989
Film: May 12, 1996
Revived era: March 26, 2005 – present
Running Time: 50 min
No. of Series: 11 (2005-pres.)
Many people grew up watching Doctor Who. It is a household science-fiction television program which influences generations of British television professionals. Even Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest physicist, is a doctor who fans. If you are looking for a classic and intelligent TV show, I really recommend you this fantastic TV show.

4. Sherlock

3. Black Mirror

Netflix
Genre: Science Fiction | Satire | Psychological thriller | Anthology
Created by: Charlie Brooker
Country: United Kingdom
Original Language: English
Release date: December 4, 2011
Running Time: 41-89 min
No. of Series: 4
No. of Episodes: 19
Black Mirror is currently one of the most creative television shows still in running. The seasons of the show consist of a standalone episode. Each of the episodes focuses on people’s dependency on technology. It is a great TV show which brings you a surprise and makes you think.

2. Game of Thrones

HBO
Genre: Fantasy | Serial Drama
Created by: David Benioff | D.B. Weiss
Starring: Peter Dinklage | Lena Headey | Emilia Clarke | Kit Harington
Country: United States
Original Language: English
Release date: April 17, 2011
Running Time: 50-80 min
No. of Series: 7
No. of Episodes: 67
Game of Thrones is an adaptation based on the novels by George R.R. Martin – The Song of Ice and Fire. The series attracts smart people for its intelligently written script, great acting skills of the casts, and outstanding cinematography. Since the 8th and final season is about to be airing, you should never miss this brilliant smart TV show.

1. Fargo

FX
Genre: Anthology | Crime drama | Black comedy
Created by: Noah Hawley
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton | Allison Tolman | Colin Hanks | Martin Freeman
Country: United States
Original Language: English
Release date: April 15, 2014
Running Time: 46-68 min
No. of Series: 3
No. of Episodes: 30
Fargo is an excellent black comedy crime drama that keeps your mind on your toes at all times. The TV show presents the unpredictability of life and how little we are in control. The storyline, the characters, and the cinematography are really incredible. If you loved the movie or the Cohen brothers, you have to watch this series.

From this lists, we can see some of these smart TV shows are about to back on TV. I can’t wait to see the final season of Game of Thrones. Do you find your favorite smart TV show on this list? If not, hope this post can help you find an intelligent TV show to enjoy. And don’t forget to share it with your friends.