Guide to the Best Must-Watch TV Miniseries

Television miniseries were at the height of their popularity in the 1980's I remember watching The Thorn Birds (1983) with my grandma and waiting impatiently to find out what happened to the characters. I was also lucky to have watched V (1983 and 1984) as well as North and South (1986) on the good ole boob tube as a kid. There was something special about finding the day a miniseries would air from the TV guide and making sure you were at the television set on time so you wouldn't miss a thing. It was a time when you couldn't record a show, you couldn't download it, and if you missed anything you would never know what happened because you couldn't rewind. It was serious business watching a miniseries and nothing would stop us viewers from watching.

I love the miniseries format because there is almost always epic storytelling happening with a slew of uber talented actors in the mix. I am a sucker for good writing with a blend of action, drama, romance, and intrigue. The cherry on top of a miniseries for me is if it is a period piece like Flambards (1979), Queenie (1987), and Pride and Prejudice (1995). 

I have watching twenty-two of the miniseries I have listed here for you so I can attest that they are good. Many are reflective of the times so you might find a lot of cheesy 80's stuff but I love cheese so I was happy watching these. Some are a little more serious like Roots (1977), Shōgun (1980, and Brideshead Revisted (1981). There is nothing more enthralled that watching a sweeping epic story being told on the small screen. Have you watched any of these?