Shonda Rhimes is a definite powerhouse when it comes to TV series and streaming channels. Rhimes started with ABC Network and then made the exclusive move to Netflix, known for its romance shows amongst others, and together the two have proven to be the queens of love and drama.
With so many choices out there to watch or stream, let's talk about the best of Shondaland till now, given there is plenty more to come. Strong female leads, tons of twisty plot bends, and a lot of inner drama make Shondaland shows a great hit with the audience and critics alike (think Bridgerton and its catchy lines). With plenty of accolades and awards, here are the best shows of Shondaland for you to watch and vote on. So which of these catches your fancy?
- 140 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 20 seasons and still running, over 425 episodes.
What It's About: Grey's Anatomy is a differently-spelled allusion to the classic human anatomy book Gray's Anatomy, and as the name suggests, it is a medical drama. It focuses on the personal and professional trials and triumphs of attending and surgical staff of the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, later named the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Fans know why.
The Shonda Factor: With nine billed stars to start with, namely Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, T. R. Knight, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Isaiah Washington, and Patrick Dempsey, the chemistry of the ensemble cast remains phenomenal. Of course, actors have joined and left, and Rhimes seems to have had fun writing them out in near-violent and tragic ways.
Bingeability: With an 84% Tomatometer score, this is one of the best Shondaland shows with plenty of light moments and enough cathartic cries as well. Since each episode closes a medical drama, it's binge-worthy for both casual viewers who like to pop in and out without delving too deep into character storylines, and for die-hard fans who know everything there is to know about everyone in the show.
Standout Episode: Given the 425 episodes of the show, and counting, it's a tough cookie to pick a favorite episode. But audiences and critics alike love the season 6 finale. A two-part episode, “Sanctuary” shows a gunman holding the hospital hostage, and in part two, “Death and All its Friends,” there are some deaths and a lot of joyful reunions. Without giving the plotline away, it's a bittersweet set of episodes that bring home the fact that in the end, doctors are just as blood-and-bone humans as their patients. Plus, it calls American gun laws and control into question.
A team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial in Seattle. - 244 VOTESPhoto: Netflix
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 2 seasons (16 episodes) out and one in the pipeline (another 8 episodes.)
What It's About: Bridgerton is based on romance novels by Julia Quinn and follows the love stories, trials, and travails of the Bridgerton clan: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth. Season 1 focuses on Daphne while season 2 is about Anthony. The much-awaited season 3 is all about Colin.
The Shonda Factor: Bridgerton takes you back to the Regency Era, with a Shondaland twist. Instead of the all-white characters in the original series of books, the series has people of all genders, ethnicities, and sizes, which gives it a wonderful modern flavor. From a mixed ethnicity hero in the first series (Regé-Jean Page as Simon) to an Indian heroine in the second season (Simone Ashley as Kate), and finally, curvy Penelope Featherington in season 3 (Nicola Coughlan) - the protagonists of this series will be close to the hearts of a global audience.
Bingeability: If you like a good love story with laughter, tears, and steamy make-out scenes all mixed in, peppered with a dash of prim-and-proper principles, Bridgerton makes an excellent watch. Since these are eight-episode seasons, you will have to watch a season in its entirety to follow the love birds and the drama in their lives. You can watch the seasons out of sync if you like but we recommend going about it in the proper order. It scores 82% on the Tomatometer, so rest assured, the critics approve. Do give the books a read after, or before, given Julia Quinn is pure romance magic.
Standout Episode: “A Bee in your Bonnet” is episode 3 of season 2, and focuses on Anthony's panic at finding that Kate has been stung by a bee. He reacts so because his father had died of a bee sting, which is what fuels his mortality fears, and so Kate levels with him, calming him down - and it's also when she starts to like him as a person, other than the sparks that keep flying.
Bridgerton siblings strive to find love during England's Regency era. - 327 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 7 seasons and 124 episodes.
What It's About: A peek into the dark side of American politics, this fast-paced show focuses on Olivia Pope and her crisis management firm. Pope is partially modeled after former George H. W. Bush administration press aide Judy Smith. Smith came on board as a co-executive producer. As the firm cleans up the lives of its clients, Pope and her employees' lives keep getting murkier.
The Shonda Factor: Shonda Rhimes seems to love strong women, and Pope is shown to be completely formidable, in a good way. As always, Rhimes keeps the cast multi-cultural and the characters have depths. Unless they are bad because then, instead of depths they tend to have the crazies. Watch it for election rigging, presidential assassination attempts, White House coups, and more, all done soap opera-style.
Bingeability: If you believe politics is a dirty game, then Scandal is a great show to watch. Kerry Washington shines through even though we don't quite know what she and her firm actually do. That said, if you watch it now and then, you may lose the plotline, so this is a show best watched in the right order. Given it has a 93% Tomatometer score, you are in good company,
Standout Episode: Episode 8 of season 2, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" focuses on Pope's primary love interest, the President of the United States, Fitzgerald Grant, getting shot on his 50th birthday. It was a hit with the audience, given the Internet was flooded with the #WhoShotFitz hashtag soon after. Besides weaving in flashbacks of Pope and Fitz's steamy relationship, it also delves a little into the Defiance conspiracy.
In the realm of political drama, Scandal stands out with its intense portrayal of power struggles and moral dilemmas. The show features Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), a crisis management expert, who navigates the murky waters of Washington D.C.'s elite, often putting her own ethics to the test. A recipient of numerous awards and nominations, Scandal has been praised for its gripping storylines and stellar performances, especially that of Washington, who brings depth and vulnerability to her character. As the series unfolds, viewers are drawn into a world of intrigue, betrayal, and redemption, offering a thrilling exploration of the human psyche under pressure. - 429 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 6 seasons and 90 episodes
What It's About: How to Get Away with Murder is a legal thriller that tells the story of Annalise Keating (played by the award-winning Viola Davis), a defense attorney and law professor in Philadelphia. While she helps clients, representing them in tough murder cases, she also helps her students get away with murder, since they killed her cheating husband.
The Shonda Factor: Led by a strong Black woman with tons of humor, a bit of unexpected drama, and multiple twists and turns, How to Get Away with Murder is the perfect Shondaland offering. Viola Davis also became the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy for best actress in a drama for her performance as Keating, which proves that Shonda Rhimes empowers her lead cast. The more you watch the series, the more you realize how the plotline is delightfully twisted.
Bingeability: Watching it in order of seasons and episodes is your best bet if you truly want to understand how the legal cases presented are deftly interwoven with dark and twisted personal drama in every character's life. Miss an episode and you are likely to miss an unpredictable drama that's key to something bigger. Be it justice or self-preservation, this series is hard to switch off once you put it on, and the critics agree with an 88% Tomatometer score.
Standout Episode: While the show is chockablock with twists and turns, episode 9 of season 2, “What Did We Do?” turned out to be a game-changer. A night of murder is revealed as yet another diabolical cover-up by Keating, even as she was shot in the stomach by Wes, at her instigation.
Law professor Annalise Keating and her students get mixed up in a murder plot. - 515 VOTES
Station 19
Photo: ABCNumber Of Seasons / Episodes: 7 seasons and still running, over 100 episodes.
What It's About: Since this is a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy, it's based in Seattle and focuses on firefighters, who are also trained EMTs as per state requirements. Think of it as an intense action series with lots of personal and medical drama woven in, along with all the required emotional entanglements you have come to expect from anything out of Shondaland.
The Shonda Factor: The common thread between all of Shonda Rhimes's shows comes to the forefront for Station 19 as well, so you get the emotional plotlines, human connection, high-stakes settings, and finally, strong and empowered women, sometimes backing up strong and empowered men.
Bingeability: While understanding the interpersonal and inter-personnel drama might require you to be a consistent viewer, you can still manage to have fun with all the guest characters and plotlines that come on an episode-to-episode basis. It's a fast-paced show, given fighting fires is a fast-paced business, and there's plenty of rescue and medical drama as well, making it a great watch on days you just want to be a couch potato. It also gets a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Standout Episode: In episode 12 of season 3, “I'll Be Seeing You,” it is fun to see Dr. Jackson Avery from Grey Sloan (Grey's Anatomy) work with old pal Ben Warren (remember Dr. Bailey's husband who gave up his scalpel for a hose…) The Grey's Anatomy chemistry still works but this episode also hints at an impending loss within the team.
The personal and professional lives of a group of firefighters at the Seattle Fire Department. - 614 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 6 seasons and 111 episodes.
What It's About: Another Grey's Anatomy spin-off, Private Practice focuses on Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) and her story as she leaves Seattle and starts her private practice in Los Angeles. With a fresh ensemble cast and new drama, it runs parallel to Grey's Anatomy with several expected crossovers.
The Shonda Factor: Initially, the series received mixed reviews from the critics, showing Addison running away from her life and loves (remember the dysfunctional love triangle?) to join her newly divorced friends at their clinic. The show grows on you, given Addison had always been a somewhat loveable character on Grey's Anatomy and Rhimes is successful in portraying yet another strong female lead.
Bingeability: Like its inspiration and sister series, Private Practice can be watched as standalone episodes if you only want the medical drama. But to know and understand what makes the lead characters tick, it's best to settle down comfortably for a long watch because personal drama (and secrets) are addictive. The audience agrees with an 81% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Standout Episode: While there is buzz of a revival, the finale of the show was especially touching, even if everything was neatly tied up with a bow. In season 6, episode 13, "In Which We Say Goodbye," Addison finally ties the knot, while there is an unexpected reconciliation as well. The seas seem calmer for all, but if this show comes back on, perhaps it was the calm before the storm.
In the bustling world of medical professionals, Private Practice offers a refreshing perspective on the lives and relationships of doctors at Oceanside Wellness Group. This drama series, a spin-off from the critically acclaimed Grey's Anatomy, features a talented ensemble cast, including the dedicated Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) and compassionate Dr. Sam Bennett (Taye Diggs). Navigating the complexities of both personal and professional challenges, the show delves into the intricacies of various medical cases while maintaining a strong focus on character development. Garnering multiple award nominations throughout its six-season run, Private Practice has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the television landscape. - 711 VOTESPhoto: Netflix
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: Single-season miniseries with 9 episodes.
What It's About: Inventing Anna is an American drama television miniseries, inspired by the true story of trickster Anna Sorokin/Delvey. Produced by Shondaland, it is based on the New York magazine article "Maybe She Had So Much Money She Just Lost Track of It" by Jessica Pressler.
The Shonda Factor: Unlike fictitious scripts and dramas, Inventing Anna takes a leaf from reality and shows a strong, but corrupted lead who is only too happy to play pretend princess and fleece “friends” out of their money. Shonda Rhimes takes Sorokin's character to Gatsby-like heights, and Julia Garner as Anna is the cherry on top with her somewhat daffy accent. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 64% score, with critics panning the changes in the script, painting one of the main accusers as the villain instead.
Bingeability: With only nine episodes in total, this Shondaland-made miniseries will hook you from the first episode as you delve into what makes a woman like Anna tick and do what she does. Intelligent and sharp, ultimately Anna is nothing more than a charlatan, but it's the villains who make the best protagonists.
Standout Episode: The final episode, “Dangerously Close,” is noteworthy. While Anna is in prison and her trial is about to begin, all she seems to be concerned about is what she's going to wear and what her “trial style” is going to be like.
Inventing Anna explores the fascinating yet complex world of high society con artistry, as it follows the story of Anna Sorokin (portrayed by Julia Garner), a Russian-born woman who poses as a wealthy New York socialite. The show masterfully delves into the intricate web of lies and deception that Anna weaves to maintain her lavish lifestyle, while managing to keep audiences intrigued with its well-paced plot and stellar performances. Garner's portrayal of Anna has earned her critical acclaim, truly bringing to life the enigmatic character at the center of this thrilling drama. Based on true events, Inventing Anna is a captivating watch that highlights the power of perception and the lengths some will go to chase their dreams. - 82 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 1 season only with 13 episodes.
What It's About: Off The Map takes viewers to a remote South American village where a set of doctors practice medicine in challenging conditions while delving into the reasons why they started practicing medicine in the first place.
The Shonda Factor: Despite a strong ensemble cast and several personal dramas and histories, this is not one of Shondaland's best efforts. The series ended up with mixed reviews and critics felt Rhimes had tried to be too earnest with the characters, although the new set-up and adventures are worth a one-time watch.
Bingeability: The series was canceled after one season so if you are okay with a somewhat unfinished plotline when it comes to the characters, it makes a fun watch. Instead of well-lit and sprung hospitals, the ambiance is more of a cabin-in-the-jungle and doctors are hot and sweaty. The audience seemed to like it with a 67% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Standout Episode: The penultimate episode, “Hold on Tight” shows a shifting relationship between Ben, Ryan, and his comatose wife, and it seems Ryan is finally showing her true, strong colors. As she emerges a strong woman, Ben slips into the world of grey. The interpersonal drama makes this episode a good watch, along with the general mayhem of practicing in remote areas.
Young doctors go to a South American jungle to work at an understaffed medical clinic. - 93 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 2 seasons and 20 episodes.
What It's About: A comedy-drama series with plenty of sniggers, The Catch focuses on top-notch investigator Alice Vaughn (Mireille Enos), who has been defrauded by her fiancée Benjamin Jones (Peter Krause). She decides to track him down to avoid career suicide while working and solving everyday cases.
The Shonda Factor: A strong female lead hellbent on getting revenge on her conman of a fiancée, Enos shines in the role that Rhimes puts her in. With her usual fare of bendy plot twists, Rhimes adds in several fun cases for Vaughn and makes for a series that's light and fun to watch, with some high-stakes romance thrown in.
Bingeability: New cases and guest stars add variety to The Catch, while Enos shines so bright in her role as a private investigator, it almost hurts your eyes. The series is grippy and there is enough drama interlaid with humor to make it a great weekend watch. It rings in a 74% Tomatometer average.
Standout Episode: The season 2 and series finale, “Mockingbird” gets a high rating from viewers as the plot twists faster than you can follow it, and for a while, you don't really know who is going to end up doing what. Less laughs and more thrills define the last of this series, with plenty of action thrown in as Ben and Alice finally say their goodbyes in relative peace.
- 104 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 2 seasons and 20 episodes.
What It's About: A legal drama set in New York's federal court system, For the People focuses on young lawyers, both from the prosecution and the public defender's office, as they handle high-profile cases while battling their personal lives and dramas.
The Shonda Factor: Shonda Rhimes brings clever dialogues and nifty plot twists to an otherwise repetitive storyline. The fresh ensemble cast carries their duties well, and it's fun to see Regé-Jean Page step out of his Bridgerton finery as Leonard Knox, though this series preceded the latter.
Bingeability: If you enjoy courthouse dramas with stylish dialogues and lawyers that come through for their clients, come what may, then this series makes a great watch. You can watch it just for the cases or revel in the lives of these new lawyers and what makes them tick. The series scores 69% on the Tomatometer.
Standout Episode: Episode 5 of season 2, “One Big Happy Family,” shines through the rest as it questions the American legal system. As one judge is accused of sentencing young children for profit, another has to testify in the same case, and beliefs are shaken. Plus, there is some high interpersonal drama in this episode.
New lawyers handle the country's most high-profile and high-stakes federal cases. - 114 VOTESPhoto: ABC
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 1 season only with 7 episodes
What It's About: A period romance drama, Still Star-Crossed is a reimagining of Romeo and Juliet's tragic tale and takes off from their deaths. It focuses on Juliet's cousin, Rosaline, who is forcefully betrothed to Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, although she and Prince Escalus have had a prior relationship and still have feelings for each other.
The Shonda Factor: Still Star-Crossed is what happens when you take Shakespeare out of the picture and have Melissa Taub write a sequel, which is then turned into a series by Shonda Rhimes. Jump scare plot twists, steamy romance, and modern dialogues and ideas make it a fun if melodramatic watch.
Bingeability: Watch it if you like your romance to come with plenty of insurmountable hindrances with a past tragedy overshadowing it all, despite the 52% Tomatometer score. That said, don't expect a Shakespearean touch as this is all Shondaland.
Standout Episode: While Still Star-Crossed has a propensity to muddle, it starts well so it's the very first episode that makes the best watch. The plotline takes off from Romeo and Juliet's suicide and this time, instead of keeping a couple apart, the warring Montague and Capulet families are forced to announce the betrothal of Rosaline with Benvolio despite them having other love interests. Meanwhile, the city erupts in riots.
Still Star-Crossed (ABC, 2017) is a period drama television series produced by Shonda Rhimes' ShondaLand, based on the book with same name by Melinda Taub. Still Star-Crossed is sequel for William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It follows Rosaline (Lashana Lynch) who is Juliets cousin in 16th century Verona, and who once rejected Romeo as a suitor. She and Benvolio of Montague are betrothed against their will by Prince Escalus, in order to end the feud between the two families. Both resolve to find a way to end the violence without having the union. - 121 VOTESPhoto: Netflix
Number Of Seasons / Episodes: 1 season and 6 episodes.
What It's About: This prequel spin-off to Bridgerton delves into the life of Queen Charlotte and her marriage to King George and his mental health issues that cause obstructions in their relationship. That said, this is Shondaland and love conquers all.
The Shonda Factor: From showing a young Queen Charlotte to a young Lady Danbury, Shonda Rhimes creates a magical period drama that shows how the leading matriarchs of Bridgerton had to strive to reach the positions of power they now have. It delves into their love lives with plenty of drama and steamy scenes, bringing forth plenty of emotions. The men are strong but the women are stronger and only make you fall in love with them more.
Bingeability: With only six episodes at an hour each, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is the perfect weekend watch, especially if you have a romance-addicted partner in hand. Perfect for some “Netflix & Chill" as is evident from the 95% Tomatometer score.
Standout Episode: The first episode makes a stunning watch as you see the young Queen Charlotte try to run away from her impending wedding, only to be thwarted by King George himself, who is shown to be a charming man. Sparks fly and the scene is set, making the audience thirsty for more as Charlotte and George reveal their vulnerable sides.
The young queen's marriage to King George ushers in an epic love story and transforms high society.
