TV gold! 9 unrivalled noughties dramas to watch now on the BBC, Netflix, Channel 4 and more

The noughties gave us a lot of things – iPods, Facebook and Beyoncé’s first solo album – but one thing we’re especially grateful for is the generous stream of glorious TV dramas the decade brought with it. We are talking about the Golden Age of TV, after all.

From The West Wing to Lost, we were gifted with some of the greatest TV shows of all time and, lucky for you, we’ve been busy making our way through to them to bring you the very best of the best. So, cancel your plans and get ready to binge these 9 unrivalled noughties shows on the BBC, Netflix, Channel 4 and more.

Lost

Binge-worthy is an understatement when it comes to this series, which probably has something to do with Lost's 127,546 twists and turns. Over the course of 121 episodes, we follow the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, along with the other “inhabitants” of the island they end up on. There's also a brilliant Jack/Kate/Sawyer love triangle at the heart of it, because where better to see a love contest play out than on a desert island? Ultimately, it’s a show that will keep you guessing right up until the very end and, while we don’t want to spoil it for anyone who hasn’t yet seen it yet, we will say that the finale is truly mind-blowing. Available to watch on Netflix.

Grey’s Anatomy

If you’re interested in watching one of the best medical dramas of all time, here it is. The fictional Seattle Grace Hospital (later named the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital) firmly etched itself into our lives – and minds – when the show first arrived on our screens in 2005 and, two decades later, it’s still going strong. While the drama initially revolved around Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), it’s since morphed into more of an ensemble series - but with no less professional or personal drama. Oh, and who could forget the joy surgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) aka “McDreamy” brought us for 11 genius series? Tune in if you don't believe us... Available to watch on Disney+.

Prison Break

In 2005, we first met Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) and Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell), two brothers-turned-inmates at a maximum security prison. Michael has in fact faked a bank robbery in order to land himself there. Why? To try and save his brother, who’s on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. Their mission is, of course, to break free from prison - but it will require one hell of a master plan. For edge-of-your seat viewing, nothing beats it. Available to watch on Netflix.

Desperate Housewives

It’s the beloved suburban housewife drama that won multiple Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards – and it deserved single every one of them. If you’re yet to experience the joy of Desperate Housewives (oh, how we envy you), Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross), Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria) and Lynette Scavo (Felicity Huffman) are among the homemakers who live on Wisteria Lane, which is a seemingly blissful neighbourhood. Only beneath its pristine exterior, lies a bucketload of secrets and crimes. Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Ugly Betty

When not-so-stylish Betty Suarez walked through the doors of fashion magazine, Mode, in 2006’s first ever episode of Ugly Betty, it was the start of something truly exceptional. As for her oh-so-glamorous yet entirely unapologetic boss Wilhelmina Slater, she's got to be one of the best cast roles out there. When the series came to an end after four rounds of fashion world drama, we did some serious mourning, so are there plans for a reboot? Sadly, not yet, but Ferrera and co-star Michael Urie, who played Marc St. James, have both said they’d be thrilled to return. Here’s hoping. Available to watch on Channel 4.

Spooks

Could it be the best British spy series ever made? Possibly (sorry Slow Horses). Over the course of 10 series, which follow the activities of the intelligence officers of Section D in MI5, Spooks delivers some serious thrills. The acting is sublime, with Peter Firth playing Harry Pearce, who oversees the team and deals with the often dirty politics of the spy game, and his subordinates including the likes of Matthew Macfadyen as Tom Quinn and Keeley Hawes as Zoe Reynolds. Fun fact: the show is actually where Matthew and Keeley, who are now husband and wife, first met! Available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The West Wing

Aaron Sorkin’s award-winning political drama has received praised from everyone from political science professors to former White House staffers – and we’re not surprised. The series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House office, during the fictional two-term Democratic administration of President Jed Barlet (Martin Sheen). Among his aides are loyal chief of staff Leo McGarry (John Spencer), press secretary CJ Cregg (Allison Janney), fixer Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), and his deputy Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), who each struggle to balance their personal lives with the responsibilities that come with running the country. Unlike a lot of political dramas, The West Wing is far from dry – quite the opposite – and gives us a taste of the hopeful, optimistic politics we see rarely see on screen, or in real life. Available to watch on Channel 4.

Breaking Bad

Chances are, you’ve already been told how good Breaking Bad is – but here we are, telling you again because honestly, it's brilliant. Bryan Cranston is nothing short of remarkable in his role as Walter White, the mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher who's been diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Realising he has nothing but debt to leave to his family when he dies, he turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine with a former student. It's a fantastic premise that's perfectly executed. Available to watch on Netflix.

24

The format of 24 is genius enough alone, with each episode covering a single hour in the life of Counter Terrorism Agent Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland), who spends his days saving his nation from disaster. Across nine series, there are assassination attempts, nuclear attacks, torture, traitors – and just about everything in between. The plot lines, the characters and the relationships are all spectacular, but be warned: the race-against-the-clock element makes for extremely addictive viewing! Available to watch on Disney+.