7 Must-Watch Drama Shows on HBO and Max Right Now (May 2025)

The Pitt is HBO’s first medical procedural that’s already one of the breakout TV hits of 2025. ER alum Noah Wyle returns to the onscreen hospital in this pulse-pounding drama, which mimics 24 with its storytelling style. Each episode coincides with one hour out of a 15-hour shift in the emergency room at Pittsburgh Trauma Hospital, meaning that literally every second counts.

The Pitt also stands out for its medical accuracy, which real ER doctors have praised, and for the powerful performances from Wyle (who plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a wonderfully flawed and vulnerable character) and the rest of the cast. This series, which was renewed for a second season almost immediately after it began airing, is perfect for fans of Grey’s Anatomy who wish for a little less soap and a little more grit. 

The Last of Us is a sci-fi show based on a video game, but don’t let that description mislead you. It’s a far cry from Super Mario or Call of Duty. Instead, it’s an intensely emotional, gripping drama about a broken man named Joel (Pedro Pascal) and an unusual girl named Ellie (Bella Ramsey) who venture across the country in hopes of helping to cure the terrifying mushroom parasite that has turned millions of people into vicious “infected.” While Joel and Ellie both have walls up, they form a father-daughter bond on their journey that comes at a terrifying cost. 

Season 2 of the critically acclaimed series is out now, and it’s just as shocking, innovative and entertaining as season 1. With mind-blowing special effects and gut-wrenching performances, The Last of Us redefines what we expect from genre storytelling.

When you watch the first episode of The Sopranos, it’s easy to see how the mafia drama blew people’s minds and changed television forever. The story of mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) made people understand that television can be an art form on the same level of feature films with its emotional complexity, gripping storylines and nuanced performances.

As Tony begins attending therapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco) to try and stop his panic attacks and anxiety, his self-analysis leads the story into themes of identity, legacy, and morality. Created by David Chase, the series is not only a deep exploration of a mobster’s psyche but also a dissection of American family dynamics and the existential struggles faced by its characters.

The series boasts a talented ensemble cast that brings the world of New Jersey crime to life. Edie Falco is a force to be reckoned with as Carmela Soprano, Tony’s strong-willed and complicated wife; Michael Imperioli bristles with chaotic energy as Christopher Moltisanti, Tony’s impulsive protégé; and Dominic Chianese is intimidating as Corrado “Junior” Soprano, Tony’s uncle and a rival within the family business. The Sopranos has left an indelible impact on the landscape of modern television, setting a benchmark for character-driven narratives in the crime genre.

When Logan Roy (Brian Cox), the CEO of a major media conglomerate, suffers a major health scare, his four children and several of his employees begin scrambling for the title of CEO. Unfortunately for them, the Roy siblings, as Logan eventually says, are “not serious people,” having all been alternately spoiled, coddled and abused by their wealthy family. Connor (Alan Ruck) Kendall (Jeremy Strong), Siobhan (Sarah Snook) and Roman (Kieran Culkin) will constantly shock you with their ability to backstab and lie, even to themselves.

Yet despite the high-stakes drama, the writing on Succession is some of the most darkly funny material you’ll ever hear. Siobhan’s husband Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) and the ever-scheming Cousin Greg (Nicholas Braun) are as slimy as they are duplicitous. It’s endlessly entertaining to watch these maladapted children squabble over billions, with little thought to the real-world consequences of their behavior. 

Succession took home multiple Emmys during its run and with good reason. The twists are thrilling, the performances are great and the insights into the lives of the privileged class are perceptive and shocking. 

Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) oversaw this sequel/redo of the 1986 comic book series of the same name by Alan Moore. But if you never read that series, don’t worry — the show does a good job filling in the gaps, and a quick glance at the Wikipedia page for the original Watchmen will answer any questions you may have. 

Regina King stars as Angela Abar, a police officer in a world where law enforcement takes on costumed identities to avoid being targeted by terrorist groups. Angela fights crime in Tulsa, Oklahoma, under the name “Sister Night,” but when her boss Judd Crawford (Don Johnson) is murdered, she begins to uncover a conspiracy around crimefighting that reaches far back into history — starting with the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. 

Watchmen won eleven Emmys for its one and only season (so far). Between the compelling performances, stellar writing and shocking twists, it deserved every one of them.

Game of Thrones bears the unfortunate legacy of having an ending that almost nobody liked. And even a few years after the 2019 finale, it’s still easy to see that showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss kind of bungled it. But in the early seasons, it was one of the most exciting, well-written and moving shows on television, and the awe-inspiring moments are worth the so-so ending. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire novels, Game of Thrones tells the story of Westeros, a magical land where seasons can last decades and dragons once roamed the earth.

Leading the cast are Sean Bean as the honorable Eddard “Ned” Stark, Peter Dinklage as the cunning and sharp-witted Tyrion Lannister, and Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen, whose journey from exile to power is central to the series. Other notable cast members include Kit Harington as Jon Snow, Lena Headey as the ambitious Cersei Lannister, Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark, and Maisie Williams as Arya Stark. The intricate plot spotlights more characters and storylines than we can name, but they all have themes of loyalty, betrayal, revenge and family. 

David Simon‘s critically acclaimed Baltimore crime drama series dives deep into the different facets of the city’s ecosystem with a complex narrative that tackles the intricate relationship between institutions and individuals. The show was lauded for its focus on the operational challenges faced by working-class citizens as well as police officers and drug dealers. 

The Wire launched the careers of many talented actors, most notably Dominic West as Detective Jimmy McNulty and Idris Elba as Stringer Bell. The stories of these complex characters infuse social commentary into gripping storytelling with authenticity and depth, provoking nuanced conversations about the issues that plague urban society. It’s a must-watch for drama fans, especially those who appreciate gritty, grounded series.