Prolific director Steven Soderbergh has no beef with Adam Driver. The Oscar-winning director, who found success with the Ocean’s trilogy, was working on a movie featuring Ben Solo, a character who played a prominent role in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. Although the character supposedly died at the end of 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker,” the actor had an idea to bring the character back. After initially getting approval from Lucasfilm, the idea was scrapped by Disney heads, and the project is, according to Soderbergh, officially dead.

Steven Soderbergh Clears The Air

While promoting his new movie, “The Christophers,” Variety couldn’t pass up a chance to ask him about his canceled “Star Wars” film. When they asked him what he learned from trying to get the movie made, he replied, “That there’s no such thing as wasted time.”

“It was great to work on that with Adam Driver and [writers] Rebecca Blunt and Scott Burns,” he continued. “Sometimes that’s just the way things go. I know what we came up with was good. I think it would have excited audiences. Working with smart people, trying to solve sh-t, is how you get better.”

Steven Soderbergh Claims Adam Driver ‘Felt Bad’

In the interview, Soderbergh revealed that Driver “felt bad” about involving him, only to see the project end up on the cutting-room floor.

“Adam felt bad for having gotten me into it. I think he felt like he wasted my time, and I made it clear to him, ‘Dude, that was not wasted time.’ It’s a problem-solving experience that will get applied to everything I do going forward,” Soderbergh said.

“I’m not upset. I feel positive about everything that we did together,” he added.

‘If It Was Gonna Happen, It Would Have Happened’

In a separate interview with The Playlist, Soderbergh confirmed that the movie was dead, saying, “Look, if it was gonna happen, it would have happened.” He also reiterated that he didn’t feel that the project wasted his time.

“I don’t regret one minute of the time we spent working on that,” he explained. “I felt the work was good. It’s just good for you to be in that room and working on it. It’s like CrossFit – it’s good for you. It’ll have a residual effect that will be unexpected at some point.”

“As soon as it became apparent, OK, not gonna happen, I sat down and started writing [something else],” Soderbergh said. “It’s like, ‘OK, new scenario, let’s get cracking.’ At a certain point, it’s like complaining about the weather. You just gotta keep moving.”

Soderbergh Says The Story Idea Was Adam Driver’s Idea

Although it isn’t clear exactly what the movie would have been about, Soderbergh revealed that the idea for the movie actually came from the actor.

“It was strictly Adam saying, ‘I think there’s still somewhere to go with this character.’ That’s how it started,” Soderbergh revealed. “Otherwise, I never in a million years would have found myself in that universe again.”

But when asked if he would ever return to the project again, Soderbergh gave a very simple: “Nope.”

Steven Soderbergh Is ‘Frustrated’ Over The Film’s Cancellation

This isn’t the first time that Soderbergh has addressed the film’s cancellation. In a February 2026 interview with BK Mag, the director said they were “all frustrated” that the film was scrapped before they could even discuss a budget.

“You know, that was two and a half years of free work for me and Adam and [writer] Rebecca Blunt,” he explained. “When Adam and I discussed him talking about it publicly, I said, ‘Look, do not editorialize or speculate about the why. Just say what happened, because all we know is what happened.’ The stated reason was, ‘We don’t think Ben Solo could be alive.’ And that was all we were told. And so there’s nothing to do about it, you know, except move on.”

“I’d kind of made the movie in my head, and just felt bad that nobody else was going to get to see it,” he continued. “I thought the conversation was strictly going to be a practical one—where they go, what is this going to cost? And I had a really good answer for that. But it never even got to that point. It’s insane. We’re all very disappointed.”

Tom Cruise has a career packed with plenty of science fiction films. Edge of Tomorrow survived a turbulent production and became a surprise success. Oblivion may not have been as successful, but it led to Cruise working with Joseph Kosinski, and the two eventually reunited for Top Gun: Maverick. One could even argue that the technology used by Cruise’s Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise borders on the edge of science fiction. But there’s one science fiction movie that Cruise never managed to become a part of, despite his desire to play the lead role, and that’s John Carter.

Based on the John Carter of Mars novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the John Carter movie was shaping up to be truly epic. Andrew Stanton, the mastermind behind Pixar hits Finding Nemo and WALL-E, was making his live-action debut with the film. Michael Chabon, an accomplished novelist who helped contribute to the Spider-Man 2 screenplay, co-wrote the script. The cast was talented, including Bryan Cranston, Willem Dafoe, and Mark Strong among them. However, John Carter ran into a number of roadblocks that led to it being one of the biggest box office bombs in history — yet it’s far from a horrible movie.

Taylor Kitsch Beat Tom Cruise for the Lead Role in ‘John Carter’

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

In an oral history conducted by TheWrap, Stanton admitted that casting John Carter himself was a tough process, especially since the list of potential candidates was apparently a very long one. Taylor Kitsch would land the role, but Tom Cruise was determined to get it first. Stanton had his mind set on casting Kitsch, though:

“I had Taylor already in mind by the time Tom made his interest known. Tom had a long history with the material, so it wasn’t too surprising to discover he still had interest in it. He was a consummate professional in his discussions with me about the role, and beyond respectful to the fact I was already on an audition path with Taylor,” he said.

This wasn’t the first time Cruise had been attached to a John Carter film. Back in 1990, Disney was flirting with the idea of adapting the material with Cruise as Carter and Julia Roberts as the Princess of Mars, Deja Thoris. The team behind the scenes was just as impressive: John McTiernan was approached to direct following the success of Predator and Die Hard, with Back to the Future screenwriter Bob Gale tapped to flesh out the script. Things stalled out when McTiernan decided to direct Last Action Hero (which ironically turned out to be another box office bomb), but it’s not surprising that Cruise wanted to join Stanton’s version.

‘John Carter’ Is a Good Movie That Was Let Down by Its Marketing

Looking back at John Carter, it’s a film that was ahead of its time. Most of the political intrigue and worldbuilding rivals anything displayed in Dune or Game of Thrones, and Stanton’s work with Pixar makes many of the computer-generated characters — including Dafoe’s Tars Tarkas, leader of the Green Martians — feel like actual flesh and blood. Stanton and Chabon also manage to distill the essence of A Princess of Mars into an action-packed adventure that also has a fair amount of humor and heart. So what exactly led to its box office misfortunes?

The answer lies in the marketing campaign which saw Stanton making a number of baffling choices. He chose not to advertise his work with Pixar in the trailers, when that could have drawn newcomers to the theater. Instead of going with A Princess of Mars as the title, the choice was made to simply call the film John Carter, without considering that some audience members might not know about the books. The cherry on top was the fact that Disney’s marketing team at the time was led by someone who had no experience in movies, and therefore didn’t really know how to sell the film. “This is one of the worst marketing campaigns in the history of movies,” a Disney exec told Vulture. “It’s almost as if they went out of their way to not make us care.”

The Failure of ‘John Carter’ Marked a Turning Point for Disney

John Carter might have been yet another example of Disney fumbling a potential sci-fi franchise, but it would also mark a turning point for Disney. A few months after John Carter‘s failure, The Avengers would take the box office by storm and Disney would also acquire Lucasfilm. With the Marvel Cinematic Universe proving to be a moneymaker and the Star Wars franchise under its belt, Disney would slowly rely on those two properties for sci-fi stories.

John Carter is a simple case of execution failing to meet intent. While Andrew Stanton intended to deliver a cosmic epic that matched Edgar Rice Burroughs’ books, he didn’t take marketing into account. But the film’s reappraisal in later years proves that it had the glimmers of something special — and it didn’t need Tom Cruise to pull it off.

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John Carter

Release Date

March 9, 2012

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Runtime

132 minutes

Director

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Andrew Stanton

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No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont shared a personal update on social media, revealing his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis ahead of the band’s upcoming Las Vegas residency. He talked candidly about his health, offering insight into his journey while reassuring fans as No Doubt prepares to take the stage in one of entertainment’s biggest hubs.

Tom Dumont Has Early-Onset Parkinson’s Disease

On April 11, Tom Dumont took to Instagram to share an update on his health. According to the 58-year-old guitarist, he had been experiencing symptoms in the past years, which prompted him to visit a neurologist and undergo a series of tests to find out the underlying cause of his issues.

“I was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. It’s been a struggle. It’s a struggle every day. And I’ll make another video with details about what Parkinson’s entails,” Dumont said.

Parkinson’s disease, per the Mayo Clinic, is a degenerative neurological disorder with symptoms that may include tremors, rigid muscles, poor balance, and speech changes. While the disease has no cure, patients are given medication or may undergo rehabilitation to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. According to statistics, more than 1.1 million Americans are affected by Parkinson’s, with about 90,000 people diagnosed every year.

The Guitarist Shared His Story To Raise Awareness

Pete Davidson’s entire world shifted after he became a girl dad — though some aspects of his life as a father were admittedly more surprising than others.

“I haven’t done stand-up in 5 months because I just had a baby; it’s a lot of fun,” Davidson, 32, said during his Saturday, April 11, comedy show at Las Vegas’ The Fontainebleau, per footage obtained by Us Weekly. “[I] got a little girl. It’s weird having a little girl. It’s hard to watch porn … in front of her.”

Nevertheless, Davidson said that he persisted.

“I still did. I power through,” the comedian quipped, reiterating that fatherhood “is great.”

Davidson’s girlfriend, Elise Hewitt, gave birth to the couple’s first baby, daughter Scottie Rose, in December 2025. Davidson and Hewitt, 29, named their baby after the Saturday Night Live alum’s late father. (Pete’s dad, Scott Davidson, was a firefighter who died in the line of duty while responding to the deadly September 2001 terrorist attacks.)

“The best thing I’ve been telling people is [that Scottie is] the biggest gift,” Davidson exclusively told Us Weekly in January of life as a father. “Nothing else matters as much or intensely, like career, activities, hanging out with people [or] what do people think of me, that sort of s***. I still want to do cool stuff, but it’s like, ‘Well, how long do I have to be away?’ Or ‘Is this worth being away?’”

Pete further gushed that it had been “f***ing awesome” watching Hewitt effortlessly step into her role as a mom.

“The whole time I was very sure and knew that she would be great at being a mom. She’s very caring and, almost to a fault, puts everybody else’s needs first,” Pete told Us of Hewitt, whom he started dating in early 2025. “So, it’s really just sweet to see how on top of things she is, and … if [Scottie is] crying, [Elsie] knows exactly what to do. She has, like, little tricks that get her to relax or calm down, and all that stuff is really f***ing cool to watch and see.”

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Pete added at the time, “She definitely will wake up every three, four hours just to check the Nanit [baby monitor] like, no matter what, the Nanit app is open on Elsie’s phone. She’s always making sure that the baby’s all set. … She genuinely enjoys it, which is great, and we both do.”

Pete and Hewitt also have aspirations of expanding their family further.

“We want her to have a friend, for sure. We love the idea of her being a big sister,” Pete told Us weeks later in January. “I didn’t think I would already think about having another one. The idea of that sounds absolutely insane right now. … The process of giving birth is so insane, but so empowering once it happens. Just having this little thing, I really can’t explain how incredible the whole thing is.”

Chappell Roan is back in the spotlight. The “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl” singer was spotted at Coachella this weekend, marking her first public appearance since a controversy involving a security guard in Brazil made headlines last month. Chappell Roan stepped out at the star-studded Indio, California, festival despite not being part of the official lineup, drawing attention as she returned to the public eye following weeks of intense scrutiny.

Chappell Roan Looks Unrecognizable At Coachella

Known for her bold glam and larger-than-life stage presence, Roan appeared noticeably more toned down during her Coachella outing.

The 28-year-old was nearly unrecognizable, opting for a flatter hairstyle and more subdued makeup compared to her usual aesthetic. Still, she leaned into festival fashion, wearing a pirate-inspired outfit complete with gold fringe epaulets.

She was later spotted with Manon during Sabrina Carpenter‘s show.

Security Guard Breaks Silence On Roan Controversy

The drama stems from an incident in São Paulo involving Pascal Duvier, a security professional who was accused of “aggressively” confronting Jude Law’s 11-year-old daughter, Ava, and her mother while they were dining at the same hotel as Roan.

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Duvier later addressed the situation publicly, denying any connection to Roan’s team. “I take full responsibility for the interactions on March 21st,” he said. “I was at the hotel on behalf of another individual, and I was not part of the personal security team of Chappell Roan.”

“The actions I took were not on behalf of Chappell Roan, her personal security team, her management, or any other individuals,” Duvier clarified. “I made a judgment call based on information we obtained from the hotel, events I had witnessed in the days prior and the heightened overall security risk of our location.”

He concluded, “My sole interaction with the mother was calm and with good intentions, and the outcome of the encounter is regretful.”

Chappell Roan Denies Involvement In Security Incident

Roan has also distanced herself from the situation, maintaining she had no knowledge of the interaction. “’She did not direct her personal security or anyone on her team to interact with them,” Roan’s spokesperson has said.

Despite those claims, the incident sparked backlash, especially after reports that Ava was left visibly shaken following the confrontation.

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Mom Blasts Security After Daughter Was Left ‘Shaken’

Ava’s mother, Catherine Harding, addressed the situation publicly, questioning how the incident unfolded.

“Look, I would like to hope not, but at the same time, I think that you have a responsibility when you are a celebrity to make sure, I guess, that the people who work for you and that act on your behalf are acting on your behalf,” she said. “Would he do that if he didn’t have her authority to do so? I don’t know. If he does, then, obviously, that’s a big problem because then he’s representing her in a way that she doesn’t want to be represented.”

According to Harding, the encounter had a significant emotional impact. “For me, I feel like if she [Roan] really didn’t send him, [the security guard] overstepped a boundary because he is quite an intimidating [man],” she added. “If it wasn’t her, I hope she learns to maybe not allow the people who work for her to treat people like this.”

She also claimed the incident “ruined” her daughter’s birthday celebration.

The controversy has continued to follow Roan, with reports that she has since been banned from performing at a major festival in Rio de Janeiro following the incident.

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Chappell Roan Slams ‘Invasive’ Fan Behavior

Since rising to fame in 2024, Roan hasn’t shied away from speaking out about the darker side of celebrity, rejecting the notion that she should accept unwanted attention. Her relationship with fans has at times been strained, with the singer previously labeling certain behavior as “creepy” and “invasive.”

“I don’t care that abuse and harassment, stalking, whatever, is a normal thing to do to people who are famous or a little famous, whatever. I don’t care that it’s normal,” she said in a video shared to social media last summer, adding that “this crazy type of behavior” from fans “does not make it OK” to do.”

“That doesn’t make it normal. That doesn’t mean I want it, doesn’t mean that I like it. I don’t want whatever the f-ck you think you’re supposed to be entitled to whenever you see a celebrity,” she said. “I don’t give a f-ck if you think it’s selfish of me to say no for a photo or for your time or for a hug, that’s not normal, that’s weird!”

Love on the Spectrum’s Georgie Harris is revealing her new boyfriend after splitting from fan-favorite Connor Tomlinson.

“Luke and I have been waiting for a little time after the series came out to tell you guys about him,” Georgie wrote via Instagram on Sunday, April 12. “We have been dating for a while. The series takes about a year to film then they have to decide what are the best scenes to have in LOTS.”

She continued, “Luke has Williams Syndrome was my friend for 3 years prior and matches my energy I would like you to say Hello to Luke. These pictures are mostly from Valentines Day this year and Prom Possible.”

Alongside the announcement, Georgie shared a compilation of photos featuring the pair dressed in their best. In one black-and-white photo, Georgie placed her arm around Luke’s shoulder as the couple smiled for the camera. Connor and his mom, Lise Menard Smith, both “liked” Georgie’s public announcement.

Connor and Georgie’s romance had been chronicled on Netflix’s hit reality dating show Love on the Spectrum, which chronicles people on the autism spectrum as they attempt to find love. Connor, a notable favorite of the series, starred in during seasons 2-4, at which point he memorably met Georgie. The pair, however, called it quits during the fourth season.

“It was my decision to end things,” Connor exclusively told Us Weekly ahead of the show’s premiere earlier this month. “Georgie and I … this season was the longest time we spent with each other. The more we did, the more we came to realize we’re just two different people. Good people, yes, but not each other’s people.”

He continued, “What she wanted, I couldn’t give her. What I wanted, she couldn’t give me. We both decided it was for the best.”

Since going their separate ways, Connor and Georgie have remained on good terms. “She wanted to wish me a happy early birthday. I told her, ‘Thank you,’” Connor told Us.

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While Connor continues to look for The One, he announced his exit from Love on the Spectrum ahead of season 5.

“It is with humility and a heavy heart that I share I will not be partaking in season 5,” Connor told Variety earlier this month, after the outlet confirmed the series had been renewed for another season. “I feel like three seasons is enough to tell my story and find love on my own time.”

He continued, “I’ve chosen to pass the torch to the next person who can make it as big as me. Don’t worry about me: I’m still going to be in the acting business, especially voice work. I’ve always been a huge fan of animation and would love to be involved with a TV show.”

The husband of one of Eric Swalwell’s accusers has threatened legal action if the congressman “disparages” his wife, Ally Sammarco, amid multiple sexual assault and harassment allegations against the politician.

“I wish the best for his family, and I hope he gets the help he needs,” former DNC field director Adam Parkhomenko wrote via X early on Sunday, April 12. “If Eric Swalwell or his attorney makes a single statement that disparages my wife, I will be filing a lawsuit against him.”

Sammarco is among the four women who have accused Swalwell, 45, of sexual misconduct and sexual harassment — including a former staffer who claims the gubernatorial hopeful raped her.

Sammarco claimed in a Friday, April 10, CNN investigation that the politician previously offered to “share her resume” with other congressional offices before sending “very inappropriate” messages via Snapchat. (Sammarco claimed that Swalwell’s messages insinuated that the pair should “get together and hook up.”)

Related: What to Know About Eric Swalwell’s Misconduct Scandal and Investigation

Congressman Eric Swalwell is facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women, a Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation and calls from top Democrats to end his campaign for California governor. Four women — including a former staffer who claims the politician raped her — accused Swalwell in April 2026 of sexual misconduct and harassment. Swalwell has categorically […]

“I’ve already made clear that if he believes anything I’ve said is untrue, he should sue me immediately,” Parkhomenko added on Sunday. “As he considers his next steps in the coming days, he should be very careful about what he chooses to say. He should also resign immediately.”

Us Weekly has reached out to Swalwell’s communications director for comment.

Swalwell, who was elected to represent California’s 14th district in the House of Representatives in 2023, is currently the frontrunner in the state’s race for governor. He has vehemently denied the accusations.

“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen,” Swalwell said in a Friday social media video, addressing the accusations. “They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.”

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Related: Nancy Pelosi and More Democrats React to Eric Swalwell Abuse Allegations

Nancy Pelosi, Hakeem Jeffries and more prominent Democrats are reacting to claims Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman representing California’s 14th congressional district, sexually assaulted and harassed multiple women. “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi said in a statement in response to the allegations. “As I discussed with […]

He continued, “They also come on the eve of an election, where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor of California. I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint — I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”

Swalwell has been married to Brittany Watts, with whom he shares three children, since 2016. Watts has not publicly addressed the scandal.

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Parkhomenko, meanwhile, slammed Swalwell’s denial video after it was uploaded to social media.

“My wife’s name is Ally Sammarco. Obviously you know that, but she’s not named anonymous,” he tweeted on Friday. “She also went on the record with CNN, so that hopefully this does not happen to other women and maybe it would help other women come forward. … I’ve been very supportive of you over the years but even I learned a lot today. And she has my full support.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Ever since television entered its golden age in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the medium has been in a state of constant evolution as new sensations have continuously shifted the paradigm of what audiences want to see. This landscape of change, innovation, and influence has been particularly pronounced over the past decade, with the nature of the medium changing substantially with the onset of streaming entertainment and the progressive increase in the funding of small-screen drama allowing for bigger and bolder stories to be told.

From dramas that have reset the status quo with their unique tonal approaches to age-old genre tropes to comedies that have defied the rampant cynicism of the times with warmth and wonder, and even to science-fiction series that have inspired a wave of nostalgia, these 10 titles have made a lasting impact already. Some of these series have even gone beyond influencing the state of television to have an immediate real-world impact on everything from fashion and reality TV to political debates surrounding issues of nuclear energy.

10

‘The White Lotus’ (2021–Present)

Image via HBO

The White Lotus is a fascinating series to analyze from the viewpoint of its impact on satirical storytelling and society. Each of The White Lotus‘ three seasons released thus far has focused on a different branch of the White Lotus luxury resort hotel, with narratives employing biting, acidic, and absurd comedy to lampoon the morality of wealth and elitism as they revolve around the intersecting personal drama of the guests and staff alike.

While the series’ integral idea of making a mockery of power and luxury is far from original, the lengths it is willing to go to do so are certainly unprecedented. Featuring everything from shock comedy and obscene dialogue to abrupt, stupefying nudity, The White Lotus has made boundary-pushing bravado a spectacle in itself. The fact that this wicked humor combines so well with the series’ enrapturing interest in dissecting class disparity and elitism through its litany of incredibly flawed characters, tackling additional themes of gender politics and familial dysfunction, and doing so in such idyllic locations makes The White Lotus one of the most decadently addictive series of the past decade, one that illuminates television’s growing budgetary strength in the streaming age as well as society’s mounting interest in issues of power and class.

9

‘Ted Lasso’ (2020–Present)

Image via Apple TV

The past 10 years have certainly been an interesting time to live in, with everything from the lunacy of international politics and economic crises to disturbing societal trends dominating the headlines and coating the world in a sense of gloom. Many of the biggest TV shows of the last decade, even comedies, have sought to explore these issues and, as such, have embraced an air of pessimism in the process. Ted Lasso has emerged as a refreshing departure from this, flaunting a warmth and hopefulness that has taken television lovers by storm.

Jason Sudeikis stars as the titular Ted Lasso, an American college football coach hired as the manager of an EPL soccer team as an act of sabotage, only for his unwavering compassion, kindness, and belief to be the very thing the club needs to soar to unlikely new heights, both on the field and off it. Its positivity is infectious, feeling like a warm hug in a time of global anxiety. Its success has already seen some series follow suit, pivoting away from the moral ambiguity of anti-heroes in favor of sincere, empathetic characters who offer comfort at a time when it is most needed.

8

‘The Bear’ (2022–Present)

Image via FX

A defining hit series of the 2020s so far, The Bear has garnered a significant following off the back of its ability to blend grounded and moving drama with outbursts of chaotic comedy as it follows the tumultuous life and career of young chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White). After inheriting a sandwich shop in the aftermath of his brother’s suicide, Carmy returns home to Chicago to manage the restaurant, but his hopes of fulfilling his dream of becoming a successful haute cuisine chef are jeopardized by his dysfunctional family dynamic, the crushing responsibilities of operating a small business, and even the unruly staff who work under him.

Executed with an uncompromising appetite for authenticity, The Bear is an immersive look at the high-octane life of hospitality and the pressures of running a fine-dining establishment. Over the course of its four-season run thus far, it has become a true phenomenon of modern television, with cries of “yes, Chef!” reverberating around kitchens the world over. Far more than just a social fad, however, The Bear is certain to impact television with its masterful ability to juggle raw realism with powerful character drama and eruptions of outrageous dark comedy. The Bear‘s fifth and final season will premiere later in 2026.

7

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Image via Apple TV

Science fiction has been growing in stature on the small screen in recent years, especially through a lens of grounded dystopian landscapes that aren’t too far detached from reality. Severance is something of a defining title in this regard, with the Apple TV+ original series following Mark Scout (Adam Scott), a Lumon Industries employee who, like his team, has undergone a procedure to create a divide between his work experiences and personal memories in his brain. After a bizarre encounter with a former colleague in the real world, Mark embarks on a quest to figure out the true nature of the company he works for.

The series has had a massive social impact since the release of its second season, with its compelling story of high-stakes sci-fi and corporate amorality striking viewers with its meditations on the imbalance of modern professional/personal schedules and the cold sterility of the workplace. Severance excels at delivering an original and unique high-concept story in a manner that is bleakly relatable. Its endeavor to marry surreal, genre-heavy narrative with cutting analysis of real-world issues that millions of people face is sure to be a relevant idea for future films and TV shows as well.

6

‘Fleabag’ (2016–2019)

Image via BBC

Heralded by many as being among the greatest comedy series of all time, especially in more recent years, Fleabag thrives as both a brilliant sitcom and a masterful re-wiring of the genre’s design. Written, directed by, and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the tragi-comedy series follows a woman—referred to only as “Fleabag”—as she navigates the pitfalls of love and life in London with nothing but her acidic wit and no-filter crudeness, all while struggling to overcome the grief and anger she feels about the recent death of her best friend.

Based on Waller-Bridge’s own one-woman stage play, Fleabag juggles debilitating drama and uproarious, completely absurd comedy with expert precision, employing everything from incredibly fluid fourth-wall-breaking monologues to subversive ideals on the “messy woman” archetype with such brilliance that it has become an enduring television triumph. While its style hasn’t been truly replicated, Fleabag has been influential in its ability to normalize and even inspire more female-led series that deal with real-life issues from a feminine perspective with sincerity, depth, and an acceptance of faults and flaws. It empowers with its earnestness, and it opened a door to a television landscape more encouraging of such stories.

5

‘Mindhunter’ (2017–2019)

Image via Netflix

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Crime drama has always been a centerpiece of television entertainment, but the recent onset of the true crime phenomenon has introduced new possibilities to the medium that no series has realized as sharply and masterfully as Mindhunter. While short-lived, the Netflix original series became an instant sensation with its unique spin on serial killer mystery, mixing fantastically with David Fincher’s penchant for slow-burn suspense and rich cinematic imagery, as well as its intriguing period setting.

Pivoting to focus on the minds of violent criminals, the series follows the early stages of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit—consisting of two agents and a psychologist—as they travel around America interviewing detained serial killers to gain insights into their motivations, patterns, and upbringings with the hope that their findings can be applied to active cases. Imbued with a psychological tension that prioritizes simmering dread and disconcerting intimacy over blood and gore, Mindhunter compels as a new spin on crime television. Its success helped popularize slow and meticulous crime thrillers on the small screen while setting a new standard for realism and cerebral depth in the medium.

4

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

Image via HBO

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Another sharp perfection of prestigious tragicomedy, Succession is a cutting and callous skewering of corporate politics and elitism. Its consistently fantastic four-season run marks one of the defining series of its era, with its story—following the internal feuding, rivalries, and shambolic dysfunction of the Roy family as three siblings strive to position themselves to succeed their aging father as the head of the global multimedia conglomerate, Waystar Royco—operating with such cutthroat tenacity that it became infectiously entertaining in the most wicked and wretched way possible.

Its surgical satirical edge definitely made an impression on the medium, but so too did its clever pivot on the anti-hero trope television has embraced for over 20 years now, with the Roy family depicted less as likable though amoral people, and more as spoiled, malignant, and absurd figures viewers learn to understand rather than admire. Furthermore, Succession has had a remarkable impact on how society views issues of elitism and immense wealth, reducing it from its enigmatic and lavish air of depravity and power to make it a profanity-laden punchline of obscenity and human behavior. Also influencing fashion trends—such as the rise of the minimalist “stealth wealth” style—and reconfiguring how people view the modern media landscape, its indelible imprint expands far beyond the small screen, making it one of the most prominent and important TV titles in recent years.

3

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

Image via HBO

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A comprehensive and captivating dramatization of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster of 1986 that examines everything from the experiences of the first responders, the intensive efforts to contain the fallout, the systemic corruption of the Soviet Union that tried to cover up the extent of the crisis, and the eventual political aftermath, Chernobyl is an awe-inspiring masterpiece of television drama. Proving itself to be so much more than just an incredible drama, the five-part miniseries has had an enormous impact on both the medium and global discussions concerning the safety of nuclear energy.

Focusing purely on the mark it has made on television productions, Chernobyl has set a new benchmark for historical drama with the astounding quality of its production, writing, and performances, as well as its attention to detail, thematic conviction, and unflinching endeavor to depict the true horror of the catastrophe. On a more societal note, its harrowing tone and immense scope re-ignited debate about the viability of nuclear power, the self-serving interests of political figures, and the importance of reporting the truth when such disasters occur.

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‘Squid Game’ (2021–2025)

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Given the pop-culture phenomenon it has become, there is a peculiar irony that series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk spent in excess of 10 years toiling to bring Squid Game to life. The struggle worked out for the best, however, with the hit South Korean series proving to be perfectly timed with its premiere in 2021, with its ability to marry high-stakes survival thrills, piercing observations on capitalist desperation, and its unique, quirky aesthetic resonating with viewers all over the world.

Therein lies the series’ greatest impact. Squid Game’s soaring success dismantled language barriers in small-screen drama, effectively ushering in an age of international prestige drama—particularly from South Korea—that has been a defining force of 2020s television. Looking beyond television, it has had a tremendous effect on pop culture at large, whether it is its eerie yet impressionable visual style influencing fashion, its thematic ideas inspiring widespread discussion about societal norms and structures, or even—somewhat disturbingly—its competitive premise launching spin-off reality series. Its first season remains Netflix’s most-watched original project, thus further cementing the streaming platform as a juggernaut of modern entertainment.

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‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

Image via Netflix

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Following the release of House of Cards, which started in 2013, Stranger Things was the series that truly cemented Netflix as a major force in producing prestige television drama, thus igniting streaming as a commanding power of the medium. Set in the 1980s, it takes place in the small town of Hawkins as the case of a missing child reveals a sinister scientific experiment and a doorway between our reality and a nightmarish mirror universe full of supernatural forces and monsters.

The hit sci-fi series birthed a new wave of ’80s nostalgia, a phenomenon that has touched everything from mainstream film and television productions to modern fashion, pop-culture interests, and even music trends. The nature of its release schedule was instrumental in pioneering the binge-watch experience as it steered away from week-by-week releases. It could even be argued that the immense success of Stranger Things paved the way for the resurgence of high-quality horror in film and television as well. From its very first season right through to the release of its finale late in 2025, the Netflix original series has been a trailblazing triumph for streaming that has had a distinct impact on society as well.

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Stranger Things

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Release Date

2016 – 2025-00-00

Network

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Netflix

Directors

Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz

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