10 brutal TV shows about real men

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Selfless heroes and charismatic bad guys - these images delight women and command respect from men. Lifehacker has compiled a selection of TV shows with bright male characters who do not lose their composure in difficult situations.

Peaky Blinders

• Drama, crime, history.
• UK, 2013.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 8.

Returning to Birmingham after World War I, the Shelby brothers take over the streets of their hometown. The war dulled their fear and taught them how to solve problems with pistols and bats. Under the leadership of Tommy, the intelligent and ambitious leader of the family, the Shelby are becoming one of the most influential British gangs. But the further his ambition gets him, the higher the risk of losing everything.

Black sails

• Drama, action, history.
• South Africa, USA, 2014.
• Duration: 4 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

During the Golden Age of piracy, New Providence became a port for the most notorious sea thugs. Among them is the legend, Captain James Flint. Once a British officer, he became disillusioned with the values of the Empire and fell victim to political intrigue. The beast awakened in him will challenge the entire civilized world and will go to any lengths to take revenge.

"Black Sails" is an adult backstory to the famous teenage novel "Treasure Island".

Narco

• Drama, action, crime.
• USA, 2015.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Welcome to 1980s Medellin, a slum jumble in Colombia's mountain valley. The local drug empire reaches a colossal scale, which leads to a gang war. Participants include drug cartels, political radicals, Colombian soldiers, and even the United States. In this criminal hell, intelligence agents selflessly hunt for the main face of the conflict - Pablo Escobar.

The series is based on real events from the life of this Colombian drug lord, who is called one of the most influential criminals of the 20th century.

Vikings

• Drama, action, history.
• Ireland, Canada, 2013.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The harsh climate and poor soil made robbery the main tradition of northerners in the Middle Ages. Scandinavians exist at the expense of neighbors who are more fortunate with the land, and cannot imagine life without murder and robbery. But the wise and visionary Viking Ragnar Lothbrok has different views on this matter. He dreams of changing the future of his people.

True detective

• Detective, drama, crime.
• USA, 2014.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 9, 1.

The series comes out in an anthology format: each season tells a separate story with its own characters. In the first, two detectives are investigating a series of ritual murders, and in the second, a group of police officers are fighting organized crime. Mortal danger and severe stress are the usual companions of the main characters.

Marco Polo

• Drama, action, history.
• USA, 2014.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Middle Ages. The young Italian merchant Marco Polo sets off on a journey to the East, where he becomes a hostage of the Mongol khan. Very soon, the merchant is drawn into a terrible war between the Mongols and the Chinese Song Empire. Polo uses all his willpower and sharpness of mind to survive in a foreign oriental world.

Sons of Anarchy

• Thriller, drama, crime.
• USA, 2008.
• Duration: 7 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

Bikers from the SAMCRO club control a small American town. They oppose the drug trade and protect the streets from outsiders, but they themselves don't get along well with the law. SAMCRO's future depends on biker leader Jackson Teller. He must make a lot of difficult decisions and still stay alive.

Boardwalk Empire

• Drama, crime, history.
• USA, 2010.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

USA, 1920. Prohibition is being introduced in the country, and crime boss Enoch Thompson plans to make money on it. But he is not the only one who wants to take this chance: several other powerful and dangerous people organize an underground alcohol trade. A war begins between gangsters for a new source of income, in which the interests of many desperate guys will clash.

Spartacus

• Action, drama, history.
• USA, 2010.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

The Romans take prisoner one of the leaders of the barbarian tribes, separating him from his beloved woman. Thus begins the path of a gladiator named Spartacus, who will face a deadly struggle. The series "Spartacus" is a legendary story of love, courage, will to live and perseverance.

"Spartacus" has a prequel called "Gods of the Arena", released in the format of a mini-series.

Pacific Ocean

• Drama, action, history.
• USA, Australia, 2010.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The series is based on the memories of the Second World War by the American Marines. The plot covers the main battles that took place in the Pacific waters. The events are shown from the point of view of ordinary soldiers who heroically opposed the armies of the Nazi bloc.