Only one Canadian show ranks among New York Times' 100 best TV shows of 21st century

The New York Times recently released its list of the 100 best television shows of the 21st century so far, and the internet has wasted no time weighing in. Breaking Bad ranks first, followed by The Wire in second place and Mad Men in third — a top three that has drawn particular scrutiny on social media.

For Canada, the list offers a single representative: Schitt's Creek at number 34. The sitcom, created by Toronto-born Dan Levy alongside his father Eugene Levy, formerly of SCTV, ran for six seasons from 2015 to 2020. The show followed the uber-wealthy Rose family as they lost everything and were forced to rebuild their lives in a small, quirky town.

Throughout its run on CBC in Canada and Pop TV in the U.S., Schitt's Creek accumulated more than 30 Canadian Screen Awards, two Critics' Choice Television Awards, nine Emmys, and two Golden Globes — including Best Television Series and Best Actress in a Leading Role for Catherine O'Hara, who passed away earlier this year.

Social media users have raised questions about notable omissions. The Sopranos, which premiered in January 1999, was excluded because it technically belongs to the 20th century. Others have criticized the list's racial composition: only Atlanta and The Wire rank among the highest-rated series prominently featuring or written and produced by people of colour.

Several Canadian-adjacent shows appear elsewhere on the list. Nathan For You, starring Vancouver-born comedian Nathan Fielding, ranks at number 56, though it was filmed primarily in Los Angeles and aired on Comedy Central. The Handmaid's Tale, an adaptation of Margaret Atwood's novel, lands at number 67 and was filmed entirely in Ontario; its six-season run concluded in May 2025. Station Eleven, adapted from Emily St. John Mandel's novel and primarily set in Chicago, ranks number 93 and features Canadian actor Mackenzie Davis in a lead role.