All good things must come to an end. A number of long-running series are wrapping up their final seasons this year; these 10 have a shot at bidding us adieu by taking home Emmys gold.
“Black-ish”
ABC/Richard Cartwright
This year, we said goodbye to the Johnson family after eight seasons of watching them tackle complex topics with humor. Led by regular Emmy nominees Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, it’s been a joy to watch the Johnson family’s (literal) growth onscreen as they’ve continued to connect with audiences over eight seasons.
“Better Call Saul”
Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television
After the smashing success of Vince Gilligan’s “Breaking Bad,” its spinoff prequel series “Better Call Saul” was always going to be a risk. But as it reaches its rousing conclusion, the Bob Odenkirk–starring drama has proven to be as great as, if not better than, its predecessor. From the nuanced writing to the direction, the series sits comfortably among prestige projects that will stand the test of time.
“Better Things”
Suzanne Tenner/FX
Pamela Adlon is one of the greatest multihyphenates around. The creator, producer, and star of FX’s “Better Things” directed nearly every episode of its five-season run and went out on the highest note possible. The series excelled at portraying empathetic characters and covering complex themes of motherhood. Adlon deserves her flowers for all the love she put into this semi-autobiographical half-hour comedy.
“Claws”
Courtesy TNT
Considering that it follows five women who launder money for pill mills out of their nail salon, it’s no surprise that “Claws” became a sensation for TNT. Led by three-time Emmy nominee Niecy Nash, it’s been a thrill watching this cast go deeper into their characters—and the world of crime. The manicurists at Nail Artisan of Manatee County will be missed.
“Insecure”
Merie Wallace/HBO
Co-creator and star Issa Rae always knew the story she wanted to tell with “Insecure.” Over the course of 44 episodes, we’ve come to love the characters played by the series’ incredible ensemble, watching them as they experience both triumphs and struggles. By the end, it’s easy to feel that Issa, Molly, and Lawrence are real-life friends—which made saying farewell to them even more bittersweet.
“Killing Eve”
Anika Molnar/BBCA
When it premiered in 2018 on BBC America, “Killing Eve” reinvigorated the cat-and-mouse thriller thanks to Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer’s magnetic chemistry. The fourth season delivered a bold series finale that will linger in the minds of viewers for a long time to come.
“Ozark”
Tina Rowden/Netflix
Right up until the finale, there was no telling how this addictive crime series would play out. Starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, the Netflix project maintained an anxiety-inducing pace with fresh character arcs and plot twists that left viewers on the edge of their seats all the way to the closing scene.
“Search Party”
Jon Pack/ HBO Max
Over five seasons, this hit TBS-turned–HBO Max project established itself as one of today’s most unabashedly creative series, pivoting between genres each season, from comedy to mystery to drama to horror. There’s no denying that creators Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter took us on an insane—and rewarding—journey.
“This Is Us”
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
Grab those tissues, because “This Is Us” has come to an end. (The good news is that you’ll save some money on your Kleenex budget!) We’d gladly watch another six seasons unpacking the Pearson family’s emotional baggage. An intricate narrative and passionate performances from an all-star cast, including Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, and Sterling K. Brown, made this a top-tier family drama.
“The Walking Dead”
Jace Downs/AMC
The longest-running show on this list, AMC’s “The Walking Dead” will finally reach its conclusion later this year. The zombie-infested horror series has brought us some of TV’s most exciting and terrifying moments over its epic 11-season run—with a few more to come.
This story originally appeared in the June 16 issue of Backstage Magazine.