5 must-watch TV drama series for aspiring screenwriters
BY Maya Fernandes
17th Apr 2025
If you're an aspiring screenwriter looking for some inspiration, we've got you covered! We've rounded up some of the best TV dramas you should check out this Easter.
The last few months have been huge for television, with the return of fan-favourites including Severance and The White Lotus, as well as exciting new releases like Netflix’s Adolescence.
When analysing these programmes, it’s important to go beyond simply watching the show. Consider how each episode has been put together. Break down how individual episodes tell their own stories while contributing to the broader narrative. Pay close attention to the screenwriters’ choices around structure, pacing and character arcs. What decisions shaped the storyline? How might you have approached things differently? Analysing these choices can give you a real sense of how screenwriting works behind the scenes.
Here are five TV dramas that should be on every aspiring screenwriter’s watchlist this spring:
Adolescence
This gripping four-part limited series has quickly become one of the most talked-about shows on Netflix. It tells the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a teenage girl. What sets this series apart is its unflinching narrative style – each episode is filmed in one continuous shot, forcing viewers to be fully immersed in the psychological depth of the story. Pay close attention to how this distinctive filming style heightens tension and influences pacing.
Severance (S2)
Apple TV’s darkly satirical take on the modern workplace follows employees who have undergone a procedure to ‘sever’ their brains, creating a divide between their work and personal lives. Season 2 picks up where the first left off, exploring the divide between the ‘innies’ and the ‘outies’ with explosive twists and turns. Notice how the series subverts traditional office settings, flipping familiar tropes such as 'the office romance' and 'water cooler chat' and turning them into something uncanny bizarre.
Rivals
Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved Rivals series has been brought to life with a highly anticipated TV adaptation. Set in the 1980s, Rivals follows the rivalries between aristocrats, politicians and media moguls, with a steamy storyline set against the idyllic Cotswolds backdrop. The series delves into the competitive world of TV and politics with sharp dialogue and intrigue. Watch closely for its handling of dramatic tension, how the characters' motivations are revealed through subtle nuances and the way dialogue drives character development forward.
The Handmaid's Tale (S6)
After six emotionally charged seasons, The Handmaid’s Tale is finally drawing to a close. Elisabeth Moss returns as June Osborne, who, at the end of Season 5, was escaping Canada with her daughter Nicole and a group of fellow refugees. As a screenwriter, take note of how the series builds its oppressive atmosphere and how its characters evolve over time in this dystopian landscape.
The White Lotus (S3)
The much-awaited third season of The White Lotus has finally arrived, and it’s as sharp and witty as ever. This dark comedy-drama series follows a group of wealthy vacationers holidaying in exotic locations. As always, The White Lotus brilliantly navigates satirical social commentary. For aspiring screenwriters, this series is a goldmine for creating multi-dimensional characters, learning how to intertwine multiple storylines into one narrative and balancing humour with dark undertones.
We hope these TV shows will inspire you to develop your own TV pilot.
Interested in learning more? Our London-based Writing TV Drama – Three Months course starts next month!
If you’re looking for help putting together your application, be sure to read our blog full of screenwriting tips.