Shonda Rhimes’ Best TV Shows Ranked Best to Worst

Since its debut in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy became a massive hit, propelling Shonda Rhimes and her production company, Shondaland, led by Rhimes and her producing partner Betsy Beers, to great success. Over the last two decades, they’ve created some of the most beloved TV shows. Now, with recent Netflix releases like Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and Inventing Anna, Rhimes has also conquered the world of streaming.

Rhimes’ shows cover a wide range of themes, including addiction, love triangles, workplace romance, interracial relationships, loss, ambition, and mental health. Despite dealing with complex topics, her storytelling remains relatable and captivating, a difficult task in today’s TV landscape.

Instead of listing all of Rhimes’ shows, let’s take a look at her journey to becoming a renowned screenwriter, producer, and author.
 

Who is Shonda Rhimes?

Shonda Rhimes was born in Chicago in 1970. She attended Dartmouth for her undergrad and USC’s School of Cinematic Arts for her MFA. After that, she interned at Denzel Washington’s production company and worked various jobs like office management and counseling. Despite her odd jobs, she always found time for creative writing.

Her big break came when she sold a script to New Line Cinema, leading to co-writing the HBO movie Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, which was a huge success. She wrote several screenplays, including Crossroads and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

In 2003, Rhimes drew from her hospital volunteer days in high school to create “Grey’s Anatomy,” which quickly became a massive hit, attracting 20 million viewers weekly by the end of its first season.

In 2017, Rhimes made a groundbreaking move by signing a jaw-dropping $100 million deal with Netflix, leaving ABC/Disney behind. Some believe that ABC’s refusal to grant her a one-day all-access pass to Disneyland might have played a part in her decision to leave.

Shonda Rhimes and her production company, Shondaland, have created many amazing TV shows. Here’s a list of all her shows ranked.

 

1. Still Star-Crossed

• Genre: Historical drama
• Star Cast: Grant Bowler, Wade Briggs, Torrance Coombs
• Director: Heather Mitchell
• Writer: Heather Mitchell
• Seasons: 1 season
• Year of release: 2017
• OTT Platform: NA
• IMDb rating: 6/10

Still Star-Crossed is a period drama series based on Melissa Taub’s book. It stars Grant Bowler, Wade Briggs, Torrance Coombs, Dan Hildebrand, and Lashana Lynch.

The show follows Rosaline Capulet and Benvolio Montague, who are forced into marriage to strengthen their families’ positions. It ran for one season with seven episodes in 2017. While some found the writing lacking, it earned a nomination for an Outstanding Created Environment award.

Despite its flaws, Still Star-Crossed laid the groundwork for the much-loved Bridgerton series. Bridgerton, which came later, built upon the multicultural and multiracial setting of the period piece, adding romance and political intrigue.

 

2. Off the Map

• Genre: Drama
• Star Cast: Jonathan Castellanos, Valerie Cruz, Caroline Dhavernas
• Director: Jenna Bans
• Writer: Jenna Bans
• Season: 1 season
• Year of release: 2011
• OTT Platform: NA
• IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Off the Map was a medical drama created by Rhimes. It followed seven doctors who left big cities for different reasons and set up a basic clinic in a remote Amazon village. Rhimes often casts actors she trusts, like Jason George, known for playing Dr. Ben Warren on Grey’s Anatomy and Dr. Otis Cole on Off the Map. The cast also included Martin Henderson, Valerie Cruz, and Caroline Dhavernas.

Despite the interesting premise, the show didn’t do well. Rhimes had a lot on her plate at the time, with Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and developing Scandal. So, Off the Map only ran for 13 episodes from January to April 2011 and got a nomination for Best Primetime Television Program.

 

3. For the People

• Genre: Legal drama
• Star Cast: Hope Davis, Ben Shenkman, Jasmin Savoy Brown
• Director: Paul William Davies
• Writer: Paul William Davies
• Season: 2 seasons
• Year of release: 2018
• OTT Platform: NA
• IMDb rating: 7.3/10

For the People aired on ABC for two seasons from March 2018 to May 2019. The show was a courtroom drama set in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Federal Court. It followed the attorneys handling high-profile cases on both the prosecution and defense sides. The main cast included Hope Davis, Ben Shenkman, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Susannah Flood, Wesam Keesh, and Regé-Jean Page.

The series had well-developed characters, but it didn’t have any unique twists that made it stand out from other legal dramas. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform as well as expected, and it marked one of Shonda Rhimes’ last projects for network television after a decline in viewership.

 

4. The Catch

• Genre: Crime
• Star Cast: Jason Watkins, Aneurin Barnard, Poppy Gilbert, Cathy Belton, Ian Pirie
• Director: Kate Atkinson, Helen Gregory, Jennifer Schuur
• Writer: Kate Atkinson, Helen Gregory, Jennifer Schuur
• Season: 2 seasons
• Year of release: 2016
• OTT Platform: NA
• IMDb rating: 7.1/10

The Catch aired on ABC for two short seasons from March 2016 to May 2017, with a total of 20 episodes. The show follows private investigator Alice Vaughan, who’s determined to find her ex-fiancé, Benjamin Jones, after he defrauds her. However, she discovers he’s part of a high-stakes crime group, and the FBI is after him. To seek revenge, Alice teams up with the FBI.

The series had a unique and enjoyable premise, infused with humor. Still, some viewers felt that the casting didn’t quite hit the mark. The plot got complicated with numerous twists, and unfortunately, The Catch marked the beginning of Rhimes’ decline in network television. It was the first of three back-to-back shows that got canceled quickly and have since been forgotten.

 

5. Inventing Anna

• Genre: Drama
• Star Cast: Anna Chlumsky, Julia Garner, Arian Moayed, Katie Lowes
• Director: Shonda Rhimes
• Writer: Shonda Rhimes
• Season: 1 season
• Year of release: 2022
• OTT Platform: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 6.8/10

In June 2019, Shonda Rhimes and her company Shondaland teamed up with Netflix, acquiring the rights to the captivating life story of legendary Anna Sorokin. She had fooled NYC’s high society into believing she was a wealthy German heiress. The New York Magazine article by Jessica Pressler, titled “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People,” served as the inspiration for their limited, nine-episode series called “Inventing Anna.”

Premiering on February 11, 2022, the show swiftly soared to the top spot worldwide on Netflix. Starring the mesmerizing Julia Garner (known from Ozark) as Anna Sorokin, the character’s unlikable nature was portrayed disturbingly well. Equally impressive was Anna Chlumsky’s performance as the investigative journalist who unraveled the con.

 

6. How to Get Away with Murder

• Genre: Drama
• Star Cast: Viola Davis, Billy Brown, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King, Matt McGorry, Charlie Weber, Liza Weil, Conrad Ricamora.
• Director: Peter Nowalk
• Writer: Peter Nowalk
• Season: 6 seasons
• Year of release: 2018
• OTT Platform: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 8.1/10

“How to Get Away with Murder” was a hugely successful series by Shondaland. It starred Viola Davis as Annalise Keating, a lawyer and law school professor. The show ran for six seasons, from September 2014 to May 2020. It followed Annalise and her group of five students as they got involved in solving a real murder.

The series aired on Thursday nights on ABC, along with other Shonda Rhimes shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal. Shonda Rhimes had become so famous that a whole night of primetime TV was dedicated to her production company. Viola Davis made history by being the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Annalise Keating. She also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Image Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

 

7. Station 19

• Genre: Thriller/Action
• Star Cast: Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jason George, Grey Damon, Barrett Doss, Jay Hayden
• Director: Stacy McKee
• Writer: Stacy McKee
• Season: 6 seasons
• Year of release: 2018
• OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
• IMDb rating: 7/10

Station 19 is a dramatic TV series, the second spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy (after Private Practice). It happens in a fire station called Station 19, just three blocks from Grace Sloan Memorial Hospital in Grey’s Anatomy. The show often has crossover events with its sister show, and it’s made easier by having Dr. Ben Warren (played by Jason George), who is Miranda Bailey’s husband, as part of the cast. Station 19 follows the lives of firefighters and paramedics from Seattle Fire Department’s Station 19. It combines the intensity of a medical drama with the setting of a fire department.

 

8. Private Practice

• Genre: Drama
• Star Cast: Kate Walsh, Paul Adelstein, KaDee Strickland, Taye Diggs
• Director: Shonda Rhimes
• Writer: Shonda Rhimes
• Season: 6 seasons
• Year of release: 2007
• OTT Platform: NA
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

“Private Practice” is a spinoff from “Grey’s Anatomy.” It ran for six seasons, from 2007 to 2013. The show follows Dr. Addison Montgomery, who leaves Seattle to join a private practice in Los Angeles. The series also explores the lives of other employees at the Seaside Health & Wellness Center. The cast includes Tim Daly, Taye Diggs, Audra McDonald, Paul Adelstein, and Amy Brenneman. Caterina Scorsone from “Grey’s Anatomy” joined as a recurring character in season three and became a regular in later seasons.

The show won two BMI TV Music awards and Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series at the NAACP Image Awards.

 

9. Bridgerton

• Genre: Romance
• Star Cast: Nicola Coughlan, Julie Andrews, Luke Newton
• Director: Chris Van Dusen
• Writer: Chris Van Dusen
• Season: 2 seasons
• Year of release: 2020
• OTT Platform: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Bridgerton, a steamy series set in Regency-era London, premiered on Netflix on December 25, 2020, amid COVID-19 lockdowns. It quickly became a hit, captivating 82 million households in its first month and topping Netflix rankings in 76 countries. Based on Julia Quinn’s books, the show blends diverse high society and modern pop hits with classical music. Lady Whistledown, voiced by Julie Andrews, scandalizes society with her revealing newsletter. The story follows the Bridgerton siblings’ quest for love. Regé-Jean Page gained fame but didn’t return for later seasons. The talented cast, including Phoebe Dynevor and Jonathan Bailey, brings great chemistry to the show.

 

10. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

• Genre: Historical drama
• Star Cast: India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Michelle Fairley, Ruth Gemmell
• Director: Shonda Rhimes
• Writer: Shonda Rhimes
• Season: 1 season
• Year of release: 2023
• OTT Platform: Netflix
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a spin-off miniseries that premiered on Netflix on May 4, 2023. It follows two timelines. The first one begins in 1761, showcasing the budding romance between the young Queen Charlotte, played by India Amarteifio, and the young King George III, played by Corey Mylchreest. It also explores the King’s first signs of mental illness and the Queen’s rise to power.

The second timeline starts in 1817 with the death of the heir princess, and it delves into the Queen’s concerns about the royal line. The show spans six episodes and is praised by fans for its focus on storylines from the lower class, as well as featuring the franchise’s first gay couple, and exploring the intriguing past of Lady Danbury, portrayed by Arsema Thomas. It also humanizes the young King and depicts the Queen’s interactions with her many children.

According to The Guardian, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is a delightful prequel filled with romance and humor, making it a must-watch for fans of the Bridgerton series.

 

11. Grey’s Anatomy

• Genre: Thriller/Action
• Star Cast: Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers
• Director: Shonda Rhimes
• Writer: Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff, Marti Noxon
• Season: 19 seasons
• Year of release: 2005
• OTT Platform: Hotstar
• IMDb rating: 7.6/10

Grey’s Anatomy premiered in spring 2005 as a mid-season replacement and became a cultural icon. The show revolves around Dr. Meredith Grey and her team of interns, doctors, and nurses, facing various tragedies together. Many beloved characters met unfortunate ends, and Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, endured numerous hardships. She earned an impressive $20 million per season ($550,000 per episode) for her leading role but left after Season 19.

The series has received the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama and numerous Emmy Award nominations throughout its run.

 

12. Scandal

• Genre: Drama
• Star Cast: Kerry Washington, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes
• Director: Shonda Rhimes
• Writer: Shonda Rhimes
• Season: 7 seasons
• Year of release: 2012
• OTT Platform: NA
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10

From 2012 to 2018, millions watched ABC’s Scandal, a thrilling show about Olivia Pope and her team handling scandals in Washington D.C. Kerry Washington starred as Olivia, known for her stylish coats. The series mixed political drama, legal conflicts, and romance. President Fitzgerald Grant III and the White House employees added to the intrigue. Created by Shonda Rhimes, Scandal was a hit, capturing water cooler discussions before streaming became dominant. Its compelling characters and gripping plots made it one of Shondaland’s best productions. Overall, Scandal remains a sexy and entertaining must-see TV series.

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