#5: The New Edition Story
One of the best made-for-television music-based biopics , “The New Edition Story” covers a lot of ground in three hour-long episodes. The miniseries premiered on BET in January of 2017, and it didn’t take long for it to become the toast of young adults raised in the ‘80s. It starts in Boston with a prepubescent Bobby Brown tanking at a talent show but later bragging about it, not knowing that his friends (Ricky Bell and Mike Bivens) were there to see it. After realizing that he can’t make it on his own, he commissions the help of Bell and Bivens, along with a karate-practicing Ralph Tresvant and later, Ronnie DeVoe. As the band forms with the help of manager Brook Payne, they gain some steam. Then the group drops “Candy Girl,” and the ride begins. Throughout the series, members come and go, and each storyline takes on a life of its own. It’s beautifully acted by a huge cast, and it’s directed well by Chris Robinson. It’s a must-see if you grew up in the ‘80s or are a fan of New Edition, Bell Biv DeVoe or Bobby Brown. – Rusty Odom
#4: Making a Murderer
#3: Wu Tang: Of Mics and Men
From becoming the first rap act to ever perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville (we were there, it was great) to being the focus of a full-blown dramatic series on HULU (which is also amazing and just got renewed for season two), Wu Tang Clan were everywhere over the tail end of the decade. Best of all of this, however, is the Showtime docu-series that features each member of the Clan reminiscing of days gone by. It examines the ups and downs of the group from its unlikely beginnings to the future and it does so with innovative production and style. Oh, and the music is ridiculous. – Rusty Odom
#2: Chernobyl
Is “Chernobyl” the best mini-series ever? If the critic reception is any indication with the highest IMDB user rating of all time, then there’s no question. HBO is certainly in a league of its own when it comes to such mini-series. The network brought us “Band of Brothers” and “Generation Kill” to name a couple, but HBO really hit all the marks with “Chernobyl.”
A dramatization of the 1986 nuclear accident and subsequent cover up that follows takes viewers on an uneasy journey of the aftermath all with a steady uneasiness throughout. The stories of the people who caused the disaster along with those in charge of response and clean up depicts little known details of firefighters and miners who risked their lives trying to contain the disaster. With so many heinous details it’s truly hard to decipher the worst aspects of reactor meltdown. Weather it’s the crew responsible for exterminating the dogs and cats in the contaminated zone or plant workers sludging through flooded shafts full of contamination all for the sake of mother Russia, Chernobyl is a gripping tale of the horrors of living in the nuclear age with distrusting governments. – Johnny Flannagan
#1: The Night Of
The product of Richard Price (The Wire) and Steve Zaillian’s (Schindler’s List) brilliant adaptation of the British series, “Criminal Justice,” is easily one of the most instantly consuming of its era.
In “The Night Of,” Nasir “Naz” Khan (Riz Ahmed) is a naive Pakistani-American college student charged with the murder of a young woman, exploring the complications of the criminal justice system and being a Muslim in America. John Turturro, in a role previously filled by James Gandolfini, and after his death, Robert De Niro, makes a strong case for his name to be just as common. Turturro delivers a career performance with contagious emotion that is truly what sets the series apart. The show excels most in the ability to tell a story, with a genuine cast, about real issues, in a way that consumes the viewer both emotionally and intelligently. The simple, yet carefully constructed emotional connection to each character is instant. Many shows try to do this, but this one makes it look easy. With an incredible story, magnificent acting and stunning cinematography, The Night Of is easily our favorite limited series of the decade. – Matt Miller
