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In the middle of the XNUMXs, there was a demand for series in the West, where the central characters were not positive characters pursuing exclusively noble goals in their actions, but dubious personalities who, with their behavior, challenged the stereotypes prevailing on television. These heroes were not very conscientious, and sometimes showed unprecedented cynicism.
The first bright cynical TV series hero was the legendary Dr. House, who turned the idea that had developed over the years about on-screen doctors – kind and sensitive, holding the patient’s hand until the last breath. It was this character who proved that a sociopath with dark sarcasm, drug addiction and obvious impatience with patients can become a favorite of the public.
Of course, such popularity of “Doctor House” could not but inspire TV producers to create serials with cynical main characters. And oddly enough, they turned out to be right – many of these projects have been very successful.
10 My name is Earl | 2005-2009
The main character of the series is Earl. This is a professional rogue who every now and then tries to catch the bird of luck by the tail and fails every time.
And as soon as he wins an astronomical amount in the lottery, he is hit by a car, and the lucky ticket with the winning number is lost. Lying in a hospital bed, Earl realizes that the reason for his failures is bad karma, because of which he himself becomes the cause of bad luck for all his loved ones.
After this insight, the main character decides to radically change his life. He wants to make up for all the mistakes he’s made since elementary school. To do this, he makes a detailed list of all his bad deeds and decides to find everyone he has ever harmed in any way and try to atone for his guilt at any cost.
9. Type of happiness | 2015
As you know, young and energetic people have their whole lives ahead of them, and our future is in their hands.
But what do you order a person who is a little over forty years old to do? He is not yet old and quite energetic, but his prospects for building a bright future are no longer so encouraging.
These questions are put at the forefront by the protagonist of the series – Tom. As a middle-aged man, he struggles to find his place in a rapidly evolving reality.
8. Dead like me | 2003-2004
Young Georgia lives an ordinary life – she dropped out of college, tried to find a job, spat on her younger sister and quarreled with her parents.
But everything suddenly changed when the girl … died. Georgia soon learned that after the death of the physical shell, the life of the soul does not end. She was taken under his wing by Rub Sofer, the leader of a group of grim reapers whose mission is to help people leave their bodies without pain…
7. Skins | 2007-2013
The series tells about the lives of several teenagers from Bristol. Each episode focuses on a different issue that relates to one of the characters.
Every two seasons, the cast of the television series undergoes dramatic changes. The film brings to the surface the most acute problems that concern modern teenagers: destructive relationships with parents, psychological and mental disorders, sexual identification and attitudes towards death.
6. House of cards | 2013–2018
Prominent congressman Frank Underwood is a major contributor to presidential candidate Garrett Walker. Of course, such a favor is not done out of altruistic motives – Walker promised to make Frank Secretary of State if he wins the election.
But, contrary to the expectations of the latter, after the election, another person is appointed to the post of Secretary of State. Discouraged by the dastardly deceit, Frank is ready to risk everything to get revenge on the newly-minted head of state…
5. Dope | 2005-2012
The creators of the series were not going to dedicate it to the fight against drugs or tell viewers about the dangers of drugs. Here is a view from a completely different angle.
Nancy lives in the suburbs, where each inhabitant has their own secrets that they do not want to share with their neighbors. She is a widow and mother of two wonderful children. The eldest son is an intellectually developed boy, with chronic failures in his personal life, the youngest son constantly asks his mother for horse doses of antidepressants.
And then one day, Nancy finds nothing better than to start selling marijuana. Neighbors buy drugs from her – all very decent-looking people …
4. Garbage | 2009-2013
Five violators of law and order, fulfilling their misdeeds in public works, are struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.
After this incident, each of them realizes that they have supernatural abilities that reveal their most problematic character traits. Therefore, instead of the joy of the possibility of possessing an unprecedented superpower, the heroes begin to experience new difficulties …
3. Preacher | 2016-2018
The clergyman Jesse Custer, due to circumstances, became the bearer of an unearthly being called Genesis. This is a “product” of the fusion of an angel and a demon, so it simultaneously contains features of perfection and absolute evil.
Only Genesis can stand on a par with God, and its bearer automatically turns into the most powerful among mortals…
2. On the verge | 2015
The plot of the television series revolves around a geopolitical crisis that has a tremendous impact on the lives of three different people: the US Secretary of State, an official in the diplomatic mission and a US Navy fighter pilot. Only they can stop the chaos unfolding around and prevent a third world war.
1. Californication | 2007–2014
Hank has most recently been a budding writer. He enjoyed the popularity that fell upon him: his novel was filmed, so the demand for his writings increased several times.
But, unexpectedly, Hank had a black streak in his life – a creative crisis, problems in the family, alcohol addiction. All this left a big imprint on his writing abilities.
Having lost his talent, Hank is mired in the abyss of alcohol and drug “fog”. In addition, now he has become very promiscuous in his sexual relationships: due to his natural attractiveness, eloquence and former glory, he manages to easily persuade almost any beauty to intimacy …