‘Breaking Bad’ has taken the top spot on The New York Times’ list of the best television shows of the 21st century so far.
The acclaimed crime drama, created by Vince Gilligan and led by Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, ran from 2008 to 2013. It was selected through a poll involving 516 television industry professionals.
Actors, writers, producers, showrunners, executives and other industry figures were asked to name up to 10 shows that premiered from 1 January 2000 onwards.
‘The Wire’ placed second, while ‘Mad Men’, ‘Succession’ and ‘Fleabag’ followed. The remaining spots in the top 10 went to ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Veep’, ’30 Rock’, ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ and ‘Atlanta’.
The series centres on Walter White, a high-school chemistry teacher who enters the methamphetamine trade after learning he has cancer. Cranston played Walter, with Paul starring as Jesse Pinkman, his former student and business partner.
The New York Times said its selection included a wide range of television, covering scripted dramas and comedies alongside reality programmes, documentaries, talk shows, game shows and YouTube series.
