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In the past decade, miniseries have evolved into television's most focused storytelling medium.
Spanning genres from historical drama to crime thriller and western, the following 10 productions represent a cross-section of the form, available across major streaming and cable platforms.
'Chernobyl' (2019)
What it's about
The series dramatizes the April 1986 nuclear disaster in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the cleanup efforts that followed.
It covers the human cost of the catastrophe drawing in part from Belarusian Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich's book "Voices from Chernobyl."
Written by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck, "Chernobyl" stars Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard and Emily Watson, and won the Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series as well as the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film.
'The Night Of' (2016)
What it's about
The series follows a Pakistani-American college student who becomes the prime suspect in a New York City murder after a night he cannot fully account for.
It examines the criminal justice system—from arrest and legal representation to the psychological toll of incarceration.
Written by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian and based on the British series "Criminal Justice," "The Night Of" earned 14 Emmy nominations, winning five, including Outstanding Lead Actor for Riz Ahmed.
'When They See Us' (2019)
What it's about
Based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case, the series follows five Black and Latino male juveniles who were falsely accused, prosecuted and convicted in connection with the assault of a woman in Manhattan.
It examines wrongful conviction, racial bias in the justice system and the long-term impact on the five individuals and their families.
Created, written and directed by Ava DuVernay, the series won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Jharrel Jerome and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Limited Series.
'Watchmen' (2019)
What it's about
Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the series explores systemic racism, vigilante justice and the legacy of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.
It follows a detective navigating competing conspiracies in a world where police conceal their identities to avoid targeted violence from a white supremacist group.
Created by Damon Lindelof as a sequel to the 1986 DC Comics series, "Watchmen" received 11 awards at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards — the most of any show that year.
'Sharp Objects' (2018)
What it's about
The series follows a crime reporter with a history of self-harm who returns to her small Missouri hometown to cover the murders of two young girls.
It explores trauma, family dysfunction and the psychology of small-town social dynamics.
Based on Gillian Flynn's 2006 novel and directed by Jean-Marc Vallee, the series stars Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson.
Clarkson won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, and the series received eight Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series.
'Unbelievable' (2019)
What it's about
Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation, the series follows a young woman charged with filing a false report after recanting her account of being assaulted, while two detectives independently pursue a serial rapist across Washington state and Colorado.
It received a Peabody Award and nominations at the Critics' Choice, Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy awards.
11.22.63' (2016)
What it's about
The series follows a recently divorced English teacher who travels back in time to 1960 in an attempt to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963.
It examines the consequences of altering history and the tension between personal attachment and the demands of the mission.
Based on Stephen King's 2011 novel and developed by Bridget Carpenter, the series stars James Franco. Executive producers include J.J. Abrams and King.
'Unorthodox' (2020)
What it's about
Inspired by Deborah Feldman's 2012 autobiography, the series follows a 19-year-old woman who leaves an arranged marriage within an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn to build a secular life in Berlin, while her husband travels to find her.
A German production created by Anna Winger and Alexa Karolinski, "Unorthodox" was the first Netflix series to be filmed primarily in Yiddish.
Director Maria Schrader won the Emmy for Outstanding Directing—the first ever awarded to a German production.
'Godless' (2017)
What it's about
Set in 1884 New Mexico, the series follows a young outlaw on the run from his former mentor, a ruthless criminal hunting him across the frontier.
Written and directed by Scott Frank, "Godless" was named one of the year's 10 best productions by the Washington Post and Vanity Fair.
'Defending Jacob' (2020)
What it's about
The series follows an assistant district attorney and his wife as they confront the accusation that their 14-year-old son may be responsible for a classmate's murder.
Based on William Landay's 2012 novel and written by Mark Bomback, the series stars Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery and Jaeden Martell.
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