Quarter-centuries are strange creatures. They prompt us to pause, reflect, and—often prematurely—judge the things we’ve lived through. we’ve revisited the greatest films of the 21st century. So why not turn our attention to television? Over the past 25 years, we’ve lived through the golden age of TV, the streaming peak, and now the contraction known as “mid TV.” Some series never left us. Others changed us. And some, particularly from Africa, are only now being recognized. Here’s our tribute to the series that defined a generation—and a call to discover those you may have missed.
TV as the Mirror of Our Times
Once upon a time, TV meant waiting a week between episodes. Then came cable, binge-watching, Netflix, and the algorithmic flood. From the 2000s to the 2020s, we’ve experienced the rise of “peak TV” where each year brought its own masterpiece—The Wire, Breaking Bad, Fleabag, The Crown. By the early 2020s, saturation set in, budgets tightened, and attention spans scattered.
But one thing stayed the same: great series tell us who we are. And who we want to become.
The West’s Cultural Beacons
Some shows have simply defined the medium:
- The Wire (2002) went far beyond the police genre, dissecting American institutions with literary precision.
- Mad Men (2007) reinvented the anti-hero and offered a stylish, cutting critique of the American Dream.
- Fleabag (2016) broke the fourth wall—and with it, a thousand taboos on female sexuality, grief, and emotional messiness.
- Succession (2018) brought Shakespearean drama into the age of corporate empires and toxic dynasties.
These series didn’t just entertain. They expanded the boundaries of what television could say—and how.
Africa Enters the Frame
Far from the prestige circles of HBO and AMC, a quieter revolution was underway on the African continent.
In 2005, Shuga burst onto the scene. Produced by MTV Base Africa with support from the Gates Foundation, it tackled issues like HIV, gender-based violence, and youth sexuality with raw honesty and cinematic flair. Set first in Kenya, then Nigeria, it paved the way for a new generation of African storytellers.
Since then, a wave of African series has arrived—complex, ambitious, and unapologetically local:
- Castle & Castle (2018), Nigeria’s first legal drama, showed that courtroom stories could be as gripping in Lagos as in Los Angeles.
- Blood Sisters (2022), a Netflix original, stunned audiences with its production value and unflinching portrayal of domestic violence.
- Aníkúlápó (2023), a mystical period piece, blurred the line between folklore and cinema, winning critical acclaim across continents.
- Volume (2024), a bold Cameroonian production, stood out with its gritty realism and beautiful cinematography, highlighting urban youth in Douala.
Streaming, Global Reach, and New Power Centers
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Showmax, and Canal+ have redrawn the global TV map. Thanks to these platforms, shows from South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, and Côte d’Ivoire now reach audiences well beyond their national borders.
This access brings both opportunity and pressure: the temptation to homogenize stories for global appeal, budget constraints, and the risk of losing cultural nuance. Yet for many African creators, this is the moment to claim narrative power—on their own terms.
And audiences are paying attention.
A New Golden Age Ahead?
As Hollywood streamers scale back, cancel more, and prioritize profit over prestige, some declare the golden age of TV over. But another story might be just beginning.
Africa, with its youthful energy, untold stories, and rapidly evolving industry, may be the next frontier in global storytelling. If the past 25 years laid the foundation, the next 25 could belong to voices once overlooked.
10 Must-Watch Series of the Past 25 Years
Whether you’re rewatching favorites or discovering global gems, here’s a curated list to guide your next binge:
- The Wire (HBO)
- Fleabag (BBC/Amazon)
- Insecure (HBO)
- Shuga (MTV Base Africa)
- Blood Sisters (Netflix Nigeria)
- Osmosis (Netflix France)
- Volume (Canal+ Afrique)
- The Bureau (Le Bureau des Légendes, Canal+)
- Aníkúlápó (Netflix Nigeria)
- Black Earth Rising (BBC/Netflix)
TV has never been “just” entertainment. It’s where culture is made and remade. Where silence is broken, myths are challenged, and empathy is expanded. Looking back at these 25 years, one thing is clear: the small screen told some of our biggest stories. And it’s only getting started.