10 of the most impressive North American TV series of 2016

Metacritic lists "Game of Thrones," "Stranger Things," "Westworld," and "Narcos" as some of the works that have been well-received by both critics and the public.

Game of Thrones (season 6)

Season 6 reveals many events preparing for the conclusion of the R-rated series, including the true identity of the main character, Jon Snow. He is not a descendant of Eddard Stark but the illegitimate son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, Eddard's sister. The plot gradually moves towards an alliance between Jon Snow and his aunt, Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, who is leading her army to Westeros.

According to statistics from TV Series Finale, this season achieved the highest viewership in the series, averaging 7.69 million viewers per episode.Historically, the entire six-season series received 23 nominations and won in 12 categories, including:It won the prestigious award for "Outstanding Drama Series". The fact that season 7 will premiere in summer 2017, instead of April as usual, has made viewers even more excited.

Stranger Things

Launched in mid-July, the Netflix series became a sensation thanks to its suspenseful and surprising plot. A young boy named Will Byers suddenly disappears overnight, causing panic throughout the town. On their quest to find Byers, his three friends witness many mysterious supernatural phenomena, including a girl with superpowers who claims to know his whereabouts. The series draws inspiration from classics of the 1980s such as ET and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, while the content is also inspired by Stephen King's novels.

The performances of the child actors and Winona Ryder (as Will's mother) were all highly praised. Critic Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker also lauded the show's skillful storytelling, saying that "eight hours fly by." According to Symphony Technology Group, Stranger Things attracted 14.7 million viewers in its first 35 days – the third highest among Netflix-produced series.

Mr. Robot (Season 2)

Mr. Robot is a phenomenon in American television, unveiling the mysterious world of tech heroes. The story revolves around Elliot, a security guard by day and a genius hacker by night. He feels alienated from society, disgusted by mass-market products, and joins a battle against a powerful corporation. Thanks to his extensive research, producer Sam Esmail gained a multifaceted and realistic perspective on the world of hackers. Rami Malek's outstanding performance in the lead role was also honored with an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series."

Westworld (season 1)

Launched on October 2nd, Westworld is a major HBO project with the ambition to replace Game of Thrones in the future. According to Hollywood Reporter, the series has a budget of $100 million, with $20 million allocated to the first episode alone. The plot revolves around a giant amusement park simulating the Wild West, where visitors can freely shoot, kill, and have sex with robots. The first season concludes with a bloody party, marking the beginning of a robot rebellion to overthrow humanity.

The series' quality was confirmed by three Golden Globe nominations, including the prestigious "Best Drama Series" award, and two acting nominations for stars Evan Rachel Wood and Thandie Newton.Entertainment WeeklyThey said the series will last at least five more seasons.

The People v. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story

At this year's Emmy Awards, The People v. OJ Simpson unexpectedly won nine awards, three times more than the hugely popular series Game of Thrones. The series revolves around the sensational 1994 case in which star OJ Simpson was accused of murdering his ex-wife and a friend. Beyond simply recounting the events, the show creates suspense and reveals little-known details.

Metacritic rated the series with a score of 90. Both lead actors, Courtney B. Vance and Sarah Paulson, were honored with Emmy Awards.

The Americans (season 4)

The series offers a unique perspective on the Cold War through the lives of two KGB agents posing as husband and wife in America. The Russians in The Americans are not the cold-blooded enemies often portrayed in Hollywood. Instead, they are depicted with more empathy, grappling with many very real-life struggles.

The show's producer, former CIA agent Joe Weisberg, delivers many thrilling and intriguing details about intelligence operations. The series received five Emmy nominations this year, but only won one award for guest actress Margo Martindale.

Black Mirror (season 3)

After its first two seasons aired on Channel 4 in the UK, the third season of Black Mirror is being produced by Netflix. The series is presented in an anthology format, with each episode being a separate story. All episodes reflect the overarching theme of the unpredictable consequences of rapid technological advancement.

The first episode of season 3 depicts a futuristic society where people are so dependent on social media that they lose their ability to communicate traditionally. Another story portrays the threat posed by hackers capable of disrupting entire systems. Critic Jeff Korbelik of The Lincoln Journal Star praised the stories in season three as even more dramatic than the previous two seasons.

Narcos (season 2)

The Netflix television series is based on the true story of drug lord Pablo Escobar. Born in 1949, Escobar rose to prominence in the 1980s and manipulated a massive drug trafficking network. He was killed by Colombian intelligence in 1993.

The second season of Narcos is more captivating than the first, depicting Escobar's double life. On the surface, he's a philanthropist who donates to the public, but inside, he's a ruthless killer who kills without hesitation to protect his empire. Wagner Moura's outstanding performance helps recreate the image of the powerful crime boss he once was.

Better Call Saul (season 2)

Better Call Saul is a prequel to the classic series Breaking Bad, focusing on the past of lawyer Saul Goodman. Compared to Breaking Bad, the new series is funnier and more satirical. Both seasons of Better Call Saul have received a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In Slant Magazine, writer Chuck Bowen gave the show a perfect score and praised it, saying: "Every moment of the show is concise, leading to the next plot point with unpredictable precision and sharp execution."

The Crown

The Crown tells the story of the early years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. The series was considered a television blockbuster with a budget of £100 million. Netflix even hired Peter Morgan – the screenwriter of the hit series The Queen (2006) – to write the script for the new series.

Released this November, The Crown lived up to fans' expectations with its coherent storyline, skillfully interwoven historical events, and superb performances from its cast. The series received a Golden Globe nomination for "Best Drama Series," competing with major rivals like Game of Thrones and Westworld. Furthermore, actors Claire Foy (as Queen Elizabeth) and John Lithgow (as Winston Churchill) also had a chance to compete.

According to VNE