For a few years now, series about drugs and drug trafficking have had their place on television around the world. Of course, the movies of this theme had already shown that they worked, but now that the series have become a mass phenomenon, the series fans also have a wide catalog to choose from.
If you are looking for series about drug cartels, infiltrated police officers and any other type of approach around this genre, we present this list with the best ones.
In this selection of series on drug trafficking and drugs you will find how you can check different types. Some more police and others more thriller style or even biographical or comedies.
10. Elementary (2012 –
)
In this series we can see an adaptation (yes, another) to the adventures of the iconic Sherlock Holmes but in modern life. The main detective of the story has serious problems with drugs, but Lucy Liu, his faithful companion, will help him to rehabilitate.
An entertaining series that deserved to be among the best.
9. The Lord of the Skies
A series whose namesake was an important boss of the so-called Juarez Cartel.
This drug cartel was one of the most important of the 1990s and was directed by Amado Carrillo Fuentes, who received the nickname for having a huge fleet of planes (obtained through drug trafficking).
If you liked any of the series like Narcos or Pablo Escobar: El patron del mal (as we will see below), we recommend that you also watch this series because it is one of the best series on drug trafficking and drugs in general.
8. Weeds (2005 – 2012)
From a more casual approach , this comedy shows the steps a widowed woman must follow to face life (and raise her two children). The path that she must travel will be none other than selling drugs to meet the payments.
An initially simple bet that ends up developing an increasingly complex plot .
7. The Cleaner (2008 – 2009)
With The Cleaner we find a more original approach to the series about drug traffickers.
This series tells the story of William Banks, who brings together a group of drug addicts with whom they make a promise not to fall back into drugs (after the birth of their daughter).
The living image of how difficult rehabilitation is for any drug addict.
6. The Knick (2014 – 2015)
A remarkably well set series in early 20th century New York.
The place where most of the events take place is in a hospital, played by Dr. John Thackery; role inspired by a famous doctor of the time named William Stewart Halsted.
The series explains the impact that certain scientific and pharmacological advances had on medicine. In addition, the protagonist fights against a strong addiction that will affect his work and personal life.
5. The Wire (2002 – 2008)
Considered one of the best series of all time, it is also a drug series that deserved to appear on this list.
In fact, if it does not appear in higher positions, it is because the series does not pay as much attention to the issue of drugs or drug trafficking, but rather to the relations between the police and the street gangs, and the problems that surround them.
4. Narcos (2015 –
) Of course
, this Netflix series has become one of its flagships, gathering a whole entourage of followers.
A series where the plot revolves around Pablo Escobar and the drug empire he created . One of the best series of drugs and drug trafficking that you will find for sure.
- You may be interested: The 10 best Netflix series of all time.
3. Boardwalk Empire (2010 – 2014)
Series located in Atlantic City. It narrates a series of events that occur around the dry law . For the clueless: The dry law was a law that was approved in the United States that prevented the consumption and distribution of alcohol.
We know that for many, alcohol cannot be considered a drug at the level of heroin or cocaine, but the truth is that it is a drug at a biological level (although it is well seen socially) and it is also the most consumed drug in the world. .
Gangsters, government agents, corruption, illegal traffic and endless Emmys are some of the main features of this series.
- You may be interested: The 10 best HBO series that you must see before you die.
2. Pablo Escobar: The patron of evil (2012 –
)
We place Pablo Escobar: The patron of evil above Narcos , for being more faithful to the real events and closer to the life and work of drug trafficker Pablo Escobar.
Both are excellent productions without a doubt, but this one, despite being in soap opera format, will bring you much closer to the reality of drug trafficking; as long as that’s what you’re looking for and you don’t need a Hollywood style to enjoy a series.
1. Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)
Probably the most famous and acclaimed series on the list in recent years. A series about drugs that has enchanted half the world.
The reason is simple, it tells the story of a family man, with a routine life who is diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer. His hopes are low and the prognosis is not at all flattering
. A series of circumstances end up turning him, thanks to his knowledge as a chemistry teacher, into one of the most powerful methamphetamine “cooks” in the United States. But surely you already knew all this.
- The most complete guide: 15 series on drugs and drug trafficking from worst to best
