Hey everyone! I thought I would take a break from my copious reviews and wishlists to share another "top ten" with you all! In the aftermath of the return of my favourite tv show, (see #1 on this list!) I thought it appropriate to tell you all about my favourite tv shows of all time. As the days get shorter and darker, there's nothing I enjoy doing more on an autumn evening, then curling up with a blanket and catching a few episodes of a show. These shows are all binge-worthy, dramatic, exciting and guaranteed to have you hooked from the first episode. 

DISCLAIMER: It was really hard to cut this list down to ten, so I've added some honourable mentions at the end you should also check out!

1. THE WALKING DEAD

Based on Robert Kirkman's graphic novels, The Walking Dead first hit our screens in 2010 and revived the flagging zombie genre of the 2000s. Set during the outbreak of the zombie apocalypse, the show follows a group of survivors who, not only struggle to retain what little of their own humanity they have left, but who also struggle to fight alongside what's left of humanity as a whole. As the show has progressed over six, nearly seven seasons, it has become so much more than just a group of people trying to make it in a world filled with "walkers". TWD has heart, grit and isn't afraid to shock by killing off main characters (trust me, at LEAST one of your favourites will die, and it will bum you out eternally), and makes us as the audience question our own sense of morality and the concept of right / wrong. 

Season one is a six episode piece of television artistry, throwing us, and the central character into an unfamiliar and dangerous world. As you continue to watch the show, you'll begin to realise that the zombies are the least of the characters worries, it's not just the undead that put up a fight. The pace of the show varies, and it isn't always action-packed, high-paced gory killing (Season Two Episodes 1-6 anyone??), and if that's the kind of show that you're looking for, TWD isn't for you. But if you want a show that's dark, psychologically challenging, and full of characters that you'll love, hate, cry over and laugh with, then you should download Season One right now and keep going. 


2. ADVENTURE TIME




What's a cartoon doing on this list, you may ask? Well, let me tell you.
Another post-apocalyptic show, Adventure Time follows Finn, the last remaining human in the land of Ooo, and his magical dog, and brother, Jake, as the go on adventures, getting into mischief and saving the day. It all sounds light and fluffy, right? Well you're kind of right. Pendelton Ward's brightly coloured, aesthetically pleasing magically world is filled with intensely interesting characters, the script, filled with slapstick humour and fart jokes. 

But if you're willing to scratch below the show's rainbow-coloured surface, you'll find that the story line is dark, intense and the characters are full of emotional depth in a world constantly threatened by all manner of creatures and evil dooers. From season four onward, the show becomes less filler episodes and more hard-hitting with its stories: from the Ice King's heart-breaking descent into madness, the complicated romantic history between Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen, the looming threat of the evil Litch, and Finn's struggle to find himself in a world where he is the only human (SPOILER ALERT: until he discovers his dad, who harbours a criminal past and is a number one A-hole). There's something for everyone in this show that's so endearingly "adult", should it even really be called a cartoon?


3. TRUE BLOOD




With arguably the sexiest opening, theme song and cast of any tv show ever, True Blood is one hot series, filled with sex, blood and every episode named after a country song. Based on Charlaine Harris' "Southern Vampire Mysteries" novels (which are considerably better than the show), the series follows Sookie Stackhouse, a young human waitress who is plunged into the world of the supernatural when the vampire Bill (yes, Bill) walks into the bar she works in. 
The show is a clusterfuck of magic, sex, blood and redneck characters that make you want to scream. But it's also filled with humour, tackles issues such as the representation of the LGBT community in the deep south, through the character of Lafayette, and lots of attractive characters you'll become invested in.

With multiple story arcs at any one time, there's something for everyone to enjoy, and at least one story line you'll wish would just hurry up and finish. It does get a little confusing by season five, and most would give up by then. If you did, I wouldn't blame you, but I would strongly encourage you to carry on through until the final season. The series concludes beautifully, bringing seven years of horror to a satisfying close. Trust me, it's worth the very confusing supernatural events that occur (always have Wikipedia open when watching). This was the first show I ever fully invested myself into, and I will never regret that. 


4. EMPIRE




Confession: I love hip-hop music. Everything from rap, to RnB, blues and soul. Music is at the heart of this show, that follows a family of hip-hop royalty. But it's not just about the music. Empire explores family issues, racial prejudice, homophobia within the music world; this show is not afraid to be political. In the most recent series, references have been made to social issues such as Black Lives Matter, gun violence, Hands Up Don't Shoot, and police brutality. Mental health issues such as bipolar disorder and PTSD are portrayed in a way that does not make a mockery or dramatisation of them, yet it shows them accurately and how they affect the sufferer and the people around them. 

Taraji P. Henson is incredible as the matriarchal Cookie Lyon, who provides the comedy, drama and sense of family and heart to the show. The cast does not only include some of the biggest names in acting, but also famous faces in the world of music such as Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, and Rita Ora. 

Not a lot of people seem to follow this show, which is sad because it's not just a drama. Empire is educational, humorous, and even if you don't like the type of music it follows (even though the soundtrack is an undeniable bop), you will at least be able to relate to the characters and their struggles. 


5. SLASHER




My dad and I stumbled upon this show by complete accident, finding it randomly amongst the various boxsets on our Sky Planner and decided to give it a go. As the name suggests, this brutal murder-mystery drama revives my favourite 90s horror genre. Reminiscent of classic movies such as Scream and Silence of the Lambs, the series follows a young woman whose parents were brutally murdered. As she returns to her childhood home, an evil masked figure begins to kill residents of the town, reenacting the Seven Deadly Sins and their punishments. She enlists the help of her parents murderer to help her catch the killer. 
Slasher is full of twists, turns, tricks, humour and very creative deaths. "Bad" characters have their sordid pasts revealed, and get their comeuppance in such a satisfying way. This is the perfect show to begin in the run-up to Halloween.


6. RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE




Ladies, (and gentlemen) start your engines and prepare to witness the greatest reality competition show since America's Next Top Model; but with drag queens instead of models. RuPaul's Drag Race has become a mainstream TV show as of late, thanks to it's huge production, entertainment value, and loveable cast of queens, all of whom have one goal in mind - to become America's Next Drag Superstar. 

At it's core. RPDR is a competition. There's fights, there's villains, there are queens who will make you want to knock your television over into millions of tiny pieces. But the show is full of wit, humour, fashion and emotions. It teaches us life lessons, and it has given the LGBT community a platform and a voice. The queens are role models for each and every one of us. Drag is an art form, a lifestyle and has become synonymous with the show. It's hard not to become attached to these girls, and watch as the standard of drag becomes higher and higher with every season. Season 9 will be premiering sometime next year, so now is a good time to start from season one and become addicted. (don't forget All Stars 1 and 2!) Everybody say love!


7. THAT 70'S SHOW




I'm not usually a fan of American "sitcom" type shows, however That 70s Show (and Freaks and Geeks) are the exception. Set in the 70's, the show is aesthetically retro, awkwardly funny and a stereotypical teen drama / comedy. The cast is incredible, featuring a young Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Laura Prepon, providing lots of laughs and antics to follow along with. Dream sequences, circle scenes and running jokes really make you feel like you're a part of this group, or like you have someone similar in your own circle of friends! If you're looking for something light, funny and easy to watch whenever you're feeling down and crappy, this is the show for you.


8. STRANGER THINGS



If you're a bit unsure about starting everyone's favourite binge-watch series, then let me try and convince you. This supernatural thriller has more twists and turns than the end of the Sixth Sense, as a group of children investigate the mysterious circumstances that surround the disappearance of their friend Will, and they discover the dark world of the Upside Down. 

The young cast of incredibly talented child actors have such great chemistry, and they bring a lot of humour and heart to an otherwise dark, and sometimes terrifying show. Set in the 80s, the show has an incredible soundtrack and references a lot of popular culture from the era (so if you're a bit confused, just ask your parents), accompanied by a fast-paced story line that will have your hooked from the very first episode. However, it will leave you with questions, a lot of them, but have no fear! Season Two will air in 2017, so you won't have long to wait.


9. GAME OF THRONES

I know that a lot of people who've never seen Game of Thrones before, are usually a bit hesitant to give it a go (I know I was!). Whether it's because you think period dramas aren't your thing, or because you think it's all just tits and dragons (please note, there are tits and dragons, but they're only a little part of the show), I can understand why you may be reluctant to enter this fictitious, fantasy world. But let me try to convince you.

Based on George R.R Martin's epic novel series, GoT follows various powerful families throughout Westeros and beyond, as they war with each other and vie for the Iron Throne. Aesthetically, this show is incredible. They shoot in the most beautiful locations in the world, the costumes are absolutely stunning and the production is incredible. There are a lot of different characters, families and story lines that run throughout the show, so there's something for everyone to get involved with and enjoy. It's creative, it's different, and it's definitely not your typical run of the mill "medieval knights and swords" type crap that you're probably imagining it to be. It will shock you, make you laugh and cry, and probably gross you out a little too, but with some grotesque and downright evil characters, that's totally understandable.


10. THE X FILES

Probably one of, if not the greatest, sci-fi programmes ever, The X Files is a show that everyone has to watch at least once before they die. This 90s drama follows FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they investigate mysterious, unsolved and sometimes supernatural cases, known as X files. Mulder is a mad, conspiracy theorist, who always looks to the unknown  for answers, especially when it comes to the disappearance of his sister. His belief in the unidentified, and distrust of the government they work for, is juxtaposed to his partner Scully's belief in the scientific. She always looks for the rational explanation and uses her background in medicine to hunt for it. 

What I love the most about this show is that every episode is different from the last. While there is an overarching story line that runs parallel to the rest of the episodes, each case these two work on is unique. Drawing inspiration from real life paranormal legends and myths from every culture imaginable, genuine medical conditions and even personal experiences, the writing for this show is incredible. It combines science, the supernatural and a great sense of humour into one great show. The X Files isn't just entertaining, you could also say it's quite educational!


HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Wayward Pines - another great supernatural series about the last town in the world / Outcast - based on Robert Kirkman's other graphic novel series, this show follows a young man with the power of exorcism/ The Strain - vampire series with the most unique vampires you will ever see, super gross and super bloody / Grimm - based on the fairy tales of the same name, this show follows Nick Burkehart as he fights evil mythical creatures known as wesen / Digimon - my favourite childhood show, similar to Pokemon but with scarier monsters, a linear storyline and great animation / The Get Down - Netflix miniseries that centres around a group of teenagers with lots of musical talent who struggle to escape their environment to find fame. 

I hope you've enjoyed checking out this list and have found some new shows to watch this season! What's your favourite show? I'd love to hear some recommendations from you all.

Rachel