The Ultimate List of TV Shows that Ended Perfectly

Summary

TV shows can sometimes lose their brilliance and disappoint fans when they continue beyond their peaks, diminishing their legacies.

However, there are shows like The Leftovers, Six Feet Under, and Parks and Recreation that ended at the perfect moment, ensuring that their excellence and quality remained intact.

Breaking Bad is often hailed as one of the greatest TV shows ever, thanks to its impeccably designed series finale. Unlike other shows that continued beyond their prime solely for ratings or financial motives, Breaking Bad knew when to end, preserving its legacy. This is in stark contrast to renowned shows like The Office and Dexter, which overstayed their welcome and consequently tarnished their once sterling reputations.

Although it's understandable that creators of critically acclaimed television shows would want to extend their runs as much as possible, some of these efforts to preserve the essence of numerous shows have actually compromised their lasting impact. TV series that overstayed their welcome run the risk of spoiling the cherished memories they have left on their devoted fans. While their favorite show coming to an end may bring sadness, witnessing a once-great show deteriorate is an even more disheartening experience. Here, we present ten TV shows that skillfully avoided this fate by concluding at precisely the right time.

10 The Leftovers (2014 - 2017)

The Leftovers aired for three seasons and only had 28 episodes from 2014 to 2017. This HBO drama garnered critical acclaim thanks to its captivating and unique concept, which kept audiences engaged until its powerful and carefully crafted conclusion. Show creator Damon Lindelof, lead actor Justin Theroux, and an exceptional supporting cast demonstrated a deep understanding of the story, leading to an extraordinary ending that is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV finales of all time.

9 Six Feet Under (2001 - 2005)

8 Parks And Recreation (2009 - 2015)

Six Feet Under is a remarkable example of an HBO series that gracefully ended its run. The captivating show, led by the talented Michael C. Hall and Peter Krause, aired for a total of five seasons and 63 episodes. Throughout its duration, Six Feet Under maintained its impressive and addictive quality, defying the common challenges faced by long-running series. This success can be attributed to its dedicated writing and excellent acting. Additionally, the series skillfully explores various aspects of life, blending multiple genres and delving into numerous themes before culminating in a timely and poetic conclusion.

Parks and Recreation was fortunate enough to avoid suffering the same fate as its predecessor The Office, thanks to its timely conclusion that preserved its original brilliance. Despite a commendable run of seven seasons and 124 episodes, during which it consistently maintained its quality, any further prolongation would have risked undermining the six strong years of groundwork. The decision to end Parks and Recreation was primarily driven by the creators and core cast sensing that it was the opportune moment, resulting in a final, condensed seventh season.

7 The Wire (2002 - 2008)

It appears that HBO has a remarkable knack for knowing when to bring some of its most beloved series to a close. The Wire, a superb crime drama, captivated audiences with its gripping storyline and ran for a total of 60 episodes across five intense seasons. The show's creator and showrunner, David Simon, believed that The Wire had reached its natural conclusion, which explains why there was never a sixth season. With its thought-provoking social critiques on politics, crime, and various facets of society, this remarkable series concluded on a high note, ensuring that its messages did not become redundant or lose their impact.

6 The Good Place (2016 - 2020)

The Good Place, a highly-original and surprisingly profound network sitcom, aired for 50 episodes spanning across 4 seasons. As with many exceptional shows that decided to conclude at their peak, The Good Place wrapped up after season 4 to uphold the series' integrity and quality. Although the show received widespread acclaim and garnered a large following, the occasionally perplexing timeline of The Good Place occasionally led to uncertainty. Hence, it was a wise decision for the show to conclude while it was still ahead.

5 Schitt’s Creek (2015 - 2020)

4 Fleabag (2016 - 2019)

Despite not receiving significant critical acclaim or attention until its final two seasons, Schitt's Creek's sudden end after its sudden rise to fame is especially intriguing. While the show had the potential to continue capitalizing on its status as a cultural phenomenon, the creative team prioritized giving the series a deserving conclusion rather than prolonging its success as one of the most buzzed about shows in 2019.

With just two seasons and 12 30-minute episodes, Fleabag is surprisingly short. Yet, this limited run was enough for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator and star, to earn six Emmy awards for her passionate project. Although Fleabag could have continued into a third season and beyond, Waller-Bridge found herself ready to move on after the immense success propelled her into Hollywood's elite creative circle. As she ventured into other projects and endeavors, fans of Fleabag were left with a series that may have been short, but undeniably sweet.

3 Succession (2018 - 2023)

Many were taken aback to learn that Succession would conclude with its fourth season, considering its status as a significant part of HBO's recent lineup. Creator Jesse Armstrong firmly believed that the show needed to culminate with a swift and impactful resolution that lived up to the promise conveyed by its title. Any events that could have transpired between seasons 3 and 4 would have only prolonged the inevitable conclusion of Succession, potentially compromising the unparalleled caliber of the series, which ultimately would have been counterproductive to its own success.

2 Atlanta (2016 - 2022)

Atlanta successfully upheld its standard of groundbreaking and boundary-pushing content throughout its four seasons, and could have easily continued beyond its 41 episodes. The show served as a platform for Brian Tyree Henry, Lakieth Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz, amplifying their flourishing acting careers. Donald Glover's extensive involvement in various music and film & television projects may have posed challenges in consistently prioritizing Atlanta over the course of its six-year run. Nevertheless, Atlanta not only maintained its excellence but even improved with each subsequent season.

1 Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)

Breaking Bad boasts an exceptional series finale, placing it among the most brilliantly crafted television shows ever. The transformation of Walter White, a chemistry teacher turned ruthless methamphetamine scientist known as Heisenberg, represents a monumental character analysis unparalleled in the realms of film and television. The concluding moments were so meticulously and meticulously thought out that it is doubtful any future production will surpass its splendor. While fans undoubtedly yearned for a continuation beyond season 5, creator Vince Gilligan possessed the profound insight to conclude Breaking Bad precisely when it needed to, cementing its status as the ultimate television masterpiece.