4. Game of Thrones
While The Sopranos made HBO a heavy contender in the drama race, Game of Thrones has turned the network into a ratings monster. Based on the massively successful novel series from author George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones enraptures viewers with a huge cast of characters, a ton of conflicts and violence, a smattering of sex and a winning mixture of fantasy and regal politics. And the constant surprise deaths haven’t hurt.
