The Best 1960s TV Dramas, Ranked

Ranker TV
Updated June 2, 2024 34 items
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Drama series that aired on television during the 1960s

Pioneering unforgettable stories on the small screen, 1960s drama shows offered compelling themes, captivating characters, and thought-provoking storylines. With groundbreaking storytelling, unforgettable characters, and avant-garde storylines, the best 1960s drama shows not only entertained viewers but also left a lasting impact on the industry as a whole. From exploring new frontiers to unraveling intricate mysteries, these exceptional TV series from the 60s reflected the zeitgeist of the era.

Showcasing creativity and innovation, these classic 1960s TV shows mesmerized viewers with their compelling themes, distinctive ideologies, and impeccably crafted narratives. Featuring complex characters who embodied various aspects of human nature and faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, these timeless dramas captured the hearts and minds of millions. These standout TV series provided an immersive experience that connected with audiences on multiple levels while offering an unparalleled escape into captivating worlds. 

Some exemplary titles from this era include Star Trek: The Original Series, a science fiction show that captivated imaginations by boldly going where no man had gone before; The Fugitive, which kept viewers at the edge of their seats as Dr. Richard Kimble tirelessly pursued both justice and his freedom; and Columbo, whose unassuming yet brilliant detective Peter Falk deftly unraveled even the most tangled web of deception. 

These best 1960s drama shows defined an era marked by profound change and turmoil. By pushing boundaries and sparking thought-provoking conversations through unforgettable tales filled with spine-chilling suspense or hair-raising adventures, these TV series in the 60s helped pave the way for future generations of groundbreaking television. 

  • The Defenders
    31

    The Defenders

    Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall
    41 votes

    Watch This Show If You Love: Perry Mason, Matlock, L.A. Law, Boston Legal, JAG
    Why Should I Stream? Delve into riveting courtroom battles with The Defenders—a critically acclaimed legal drama starring E.G. Marshall and Robert Reed as father-and-son attorneys striving for justice amidst society's shifting moral landscape during the turbulent 1960s period. Praised for its intelligent writing exploring timely issues such as civil rights, capital punishment, immigration—this groundbreaking series offers viewers compelling insights into human nature along with high-stakes emotional drama wrapped around suspenseful legal intrigue. Don't miss out on this socially conscious masterpiece that remains relevant today.

    The Defenders is an American courtroom drama series that ran on CBS from 1961-1965. It starred E. G. Marshall and Robert Reed as father-and-son defense attorneys who specialized in legally complex cases, with defendants such as neo-Nazis, conscientious objectors, civil rights demonstrators, a schoolteacher fired for being an atheist.
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  • Peyton Place
    32

    Peyton Place

    Mia Farrow, Leslie Nielsen, Ryan O'Neal
    38 votes

    Watch This Show If You Love: Dallas, Knots Landing, Falcon Crest, Dynasty, Desperate Housewives
    Why Should I Stream? Uncover the scandalous secrets lurking beneath a quaint New England town's picturesque surface with Peyton Place—an iconic soap opera that revolutionized television by tackling taboo subjects like adultery, abortion, and incest during America's conservative 1960s era. Based on Grace Metalious' controversial novel, this addictive drama offers an insider’s view into hidden lives brimming with passion, betrayal, heartbreak—making it a must-watch for fans of juicy melodrama.

    Peyton Place is an American prime-time soap opera which aired on ABC in half-hour episodes from September 15, 1964 to June 2, 1969. Based upon the 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious, the series was preceded by a 1957 film adaptation. A total of 514 episodes were broadcast, in black-and-white from 1964 to 1966 and in color from 1966 to 1969. At the show's peak, ABC ran three new episodes a week. Produced by 20th Century Fox Television. A number of guest stars appeared in the series for extended periods, among them Dan Duryea, Susan Oliver, Leslie Nielsen, Gena Rowlands, and Lee Grant, who won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Drama for her role of tough-as-nails Stella Chernak. The series served as the springboard for such performers as Mia Farrow, Ryan O'Neal, Barbara Parkins, Chris Connelly, David Canary, Mariette Hartley, and Lana Wood.
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  • Branded
    33

    Branded

    Chuck Connors, Chuck Hamilton, William Bryant
    35 votes

    Watch This Show If You Love: Bonanza, Rawhide, Have Gun-Will Travel, The Rifleman, Wanted: Dead or Alive
    Why Should I Stream? Experience the trials and tribulations of a man seeking redemption in Branded—an engrossing western drama featuring Chuck Connors as a falsely accused Army officer stripped of his rank, who embarks on a lonely journey to clear his name and restore his honor. With its gripping character-driven plots exploring themes like courage, forgiveness, and loyalty—this underrated series offers viewers an emotional roller coaster ride through the Wild West's unforgiving terrain where heroes face adversity with undaunted resolve.

    Branded is an American Western series which aired on NBC from 1965 through 1966, sponsored by Procter & Gamble in its Sunday night 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time period, and starred Chuck Connors as Jason McCord, a United States Army Cavalry captain who had been drummed out of the service following an unjust accusation of cowardice.
  • Ben Casey
    34

    Ben Casey

    Vince Edwards, Sam Jaffe, Jeanne Bates
    34 votes

    Watch This Show If You Love: Marcus Welby, M.D., Dr. Kildare, E.R., Chicago Hope, St Elsewhere
    Why Should I Stream? Enter the compelling world of medicine with Ben Casey, an intense medical drama that revolutionized television by offering unflinching insights into doctors' lives both inside and outside the hospital during a transformative era in healthcare practices. Starring Vince Edwards as the eponymous physician grappling with ethical dilemmas amid personal struggles—this influential show provides viewers with gripping storytelling infused with thought-provoking explorations of human nature in all its complexities. Scrub up for this fascinating trip into a profession where life and death hang in the balance at every turn.

    Ben Casey is an American medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, ✳, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe intoned, "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity." Neurosurgeon Joseph Ransohoff was a medical consultant for the show and may have influenced the personality of the title character.
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