‘Breaking Bad’ named best TV show of the 21st century

Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad has been named the best television series of the 21st century in a New York Times poll featuring more than 500 television experts, cultural critics and TV makers.

The poll asked respondents to name their 10 best television series that premiered since January 2000. The Sopranos was not eligible because it debuted on HBO in 1999.

The respondents included actors Elisabeth Moss, Adam Scott, Bryan Cranston, Rose Byrne, Colman Domingo and Jason Bateman, along with showrunners such as Damon Lindelof, Lena Dunham, Lena Waithe and Noah Hawley.

Breaking Bad, which aired on AMC from 2008 to 2013, topped the final 100-show list. The series follows Walter White, a chemistry teacher who turns to drug dealing to secure his family’s financial future after being diagnosed with cancer.

Bryan Cranston played Walter White, while Aaron Paul starred as his protégé Jesse Pinkman. The series ran for five seasons and later spawned the film El Camino and the spin-off Better Call Saul, which focuses on Bob Odenkirk’s lawyer character from Breaking Bad. Better Call Saul ranked 27th on the New York Times list.

The top 10 shows on the list were Breaking Bad, The Wire, Mad Men, Succession, Fleabag, Game of Thrones, Veep, 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Atlanta.

Several other notable titles also made the top 100. The Office ranked 11th, while the UK version of The Office came in at 16th. Andor ranked 32nd, Watchmen 39th and Twin Peaks: The Return 47th.

The New York Times published the full top 100 list as part of its survey of the best television shows of the 21st century.