Many renowned shows fall underShonda Rhimes' Shondaland production company, but, for obvious reasons, some of them easily rank above others in terms of quality and overall production. Television producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes started her career in television in 1995, and, since then, she has risen in the ranks to become one of the most accomplished figures in the entertainment space. Although she has achieved many feats since the beginning of her career, one of her most impressive accomplishments is that she became the first woman to create three shows that reached the 100-episode mark.
Shonda Rhimes also has five Primetime Emmy Award nominations under her belt and has won a Golden Globe. Owing to this, it is not surprising that all the shows that come under her production company, Shondaland, are always held to a high standard of quality and excellence. However, whileall Shondaland charactersare fun to watch and the shows they appear in are captivating, some are far more memorable and gripping than others.
2011
Off the Map
Off the Map is a medical drama series set in a remote South American village, where a group of doctors work in a barely equipped clinic. Led by Dr. Ben Keeton, the team includes young physicians grappling with personal and professional challenges. Created by Jenna Bans, the show explores themes of redemption, resilience, and the complexities of providing healthcare in a foreign environment.
Off The Mapis another medical drama on the Shondaland roster that centers on the lives of seven doctors in a remote South American village. In its 13-episode runtime, the show explores how all seven characters ponder over the driving factors that led them to pursue a career in medicine. Created by Jenna Bans, one of the producers and writers ofGrey’s Anatomy,Off The Mapcould not even come close to lasting as long as other ABC medical dramas and was canceled after its first season.With an underwhelming Rotten Tomatoes score of 18%,Off the Mapis undoubtedly not among Shondaland’s better TV shows.
2017
Still Star-Crossed
Still Star-Crossed is a historical drama series that continues the story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Set in the aftermath of the young lovers' tragic deaths, the show explores the power struggles and political intrigue between the Montague and Capulet families. Starring Lashana Lynch and Wade Briggs, this series presents a fresh take on Verona’s feuding households and the turbulent events that ensue.
Produced by Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland and ABC Studios,Still Star-Crossedadapts Melinda Taub’s novel of the same name. The show’s story attempts to expand the lore of William Shakespeare’sRomeo & Julietteby taking the classic play’s ending as its starting point and building on the 16th-century feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Despite having an intriguing timeline and concept,Still Star-Crossedfails to live up to the high standards set by its parent narrative. However, it has its moments of charm and intrigue, particularly with costume designs, settings, and romantic subplots.
2022
Inventing Anna
In Inventing Anna, a journalist with much to prove investigates the case of Anna Delvey, the Instagram-legendary German heiress who stole the hearts of New York’s social scene and their money. But is Anna New York’s most prominent con woman, or is she simply the new portrait of the American dream? Anna and the reporter form a dark, funny, love-hate bond as Anna awaits trial, and the reporter digs deep to find the true identity of “Anna.” The series is inspired by the New York Magazine article “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People” by Jessica Pressler.
Inspired by Jessica Pressler’s “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People,” Netflix’sInventing Annaloosely follows the true-story of Russian-born con artist, Anna Sorokin, who infiltrated New York’s high society and scammed millions of dollars out of them. With the talented Emmy-winning Julia Garner as its lead and Shonda Rhimes as its showrunner,Inventing Annahad immense potential. However, the show failed to leave its mark because of muddled ideas surrounding the moral and ethical implications of its main character’s actions.
Inventing Anna Cast & Character Guide
Netflix’s salacious new series Inventing Anna draws inspiration from a true story and includes at least one scandalous real-life character.
The show also focuses a little too much on the media frenzy surrounding Anna’s crimes instead of highlighting her perspective and motives. Owing to this, the series falls short of achieving what it was truly capable of. However, like most Shondaland shows, it still has many redeeming elements that make it a decent one-time watch.
2018-2019
For The People
“For The People” is a legal drama that shines a light on the lives of young lawyers working on opposite sides - the defenders and the prosecutors - within the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, also known as “The Mother Court.” This series offers a unique glimpse into the personal and professional lives of these lawyers as they handle high-stakes federal cases, balancing their ambitions, convictions, and the quest for justice in America’s most prestigious trial court.
For the Peoplebrings even more diversity to the Shondaland storytelling landscape by following the prosecutors and federal public defenders who work in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) Federal Court. Although it is a legal drama,For the Peoplefeatures the same storytelling formula asGrey’s Anatomy,Station 19, and several other Shondaland shows by focusing on the professional lives of several different characters. It may not be as enthralling asGrey’s Anatomy, but it still does a decent job of combining courtroom thrills with poignant human narratives.
2007-2013
Private Practice
A spin-off Grey’s Anatomy, the medical drama Private Practice stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery, as she leaves her former job at Seattle Grace Hospital in order to join a private practice in Los Angeles. The series aired on ABC for six seasons from 2007-2013.
Serving as another spin-off toGrey’s Anatomy,Private Practice, like many Shondaland series,crossed the 100-episode milestone with an impressive six-season run. The show primarily unfolds at Seaside Health & Wellness Center, where Dr. Addison Montgomery leaves her job at Seattle Grace Hospital to work at a private practice. Similar toGrey’s Anatomy, it not only focuses on Montgomery and her colleagues' work as medical practitioners but also highlights the troubles they face in their personal lives.
Compared toGrey’s Anatomy,Private Practiceis often considered a relatively subpar take on the medical drama genre. Across all seasons, it has also received mixed reviews from viewers and critics, but it still manages to keep one engaged with its diverse legal cases and character relationships. It may not be the best medical drama, but viewers looking forward toGrey’s Anatomy’s future installments can certainly check it out.
2025-Present
The Residence
Based on the novel by Kate Andersen Brower, The Residence is a drama-mystery series created by Paul William Davies. The series follows a detective named Cordelia Cupp, who is brought in to solve a strange murder that occurs during a White House state dinner, causing the staff to begin to question one another as to who could have committed the crime.
Based on Kate Andersen Brower’sThe Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, Netflix’sThe Residenceunfolds like a typical murder mystery thriller. It begins with the mysterious death of the White House’s chief usher, AB Wynter, which leads to Detective Cordelia Cupp arriving at the crime scene to unfold the truth. Touting herself as the world’s best detective, Cupp compares herself to the likes of Benoit Blanc and even backs her claims with her brilliant crime-solving abilities.
The Residence Season 1 Ending Explained: Why THAT Character Killed AB Wynter
The Residence season 1 followed Detective Cordelia Cupp through a whodunit set at the White House. After 8 episodes, the true killer was revealed.
Despite having a familiar setup,The Residencefascinates viewers with the strong performances of its cast and comedic twists and turns. Among the vast array of detectives that have glazed the big and small screens,Detective Cupp also manages to etch her own identity by adopting unique crime-solving methods and traversing her knack for bird-watching into her profession.The Residencewaits until its final moments before revealing the truth about its central crime but features enough gripping story beats along the way to make viewers stick around till the end.
2018-2024
Station 19
Station 19 is a spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy that premiered in 2018 on ABC. The series follows the professional and personal lives of the firefighters at Seattle Fire Station 19. Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 sometimes have crossover episodes in which a storyline is depicted on one night throughout both shows.
Grey’s Anatomy’s success has led to the development of many extensions of its universe.Station 19is one of these extensions, following the lives of the people who work at Seattle Fire Station 19. When it comes to critical ratings,Station 19has not been able to maintain its parent series' consistencyand has experienced a few ups and downs in overall reception. However, almost all the seasons of the show have been commended for their ability to keep viewers invested with their character chemistry and heightened melodrama.
AlthoughStation 19can be fairly predictable at times, viewers who have enjoyed the usual fare of long-running Shondaland shows will embrace its corny and often convoluted storytelling. With a 105-episode run,Station 19also promises to keep viewers satiated by delivering a steady stream of action, drama, and character-driven storytelling. It never breaks new ground with its soapy drama, but also rarely leaves a dull moment.
2005-Present
Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
Following the lives of the surgical staff at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, Grey’s Anatomy was the first series that put Shonda Rhimes on the maps. After being fascinated by the medical world for a long time and obsessing over surgery channels, Rhimes directed her passion toward writing a medical drama that combined everything she knew about healthcare workers and human relationships. After she pitched it to ABC Entertainment, the studio, too, gave her the green light.
Although, arguably, it is not the best Shondaland series, it is easily the one with the most cultural impact and longevity.
Over two decades after the release of its pilot,Grey’s Anatomyis still going strong and showing no signs of slowing down. Although, arguably, it is not the best Shondaland series, it is easily the one with the most cultural impact and longevity. It has become a television staple and its influence will only grow from strength to strength as more time passes.
2023
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is the first spinoff series in the Bridgerton franchise from Netflix. The limited series was created by Shonda Rhimes and focuses on a 17-year-old Queen Charlotte as she rises to power and marries King George. India Ria Amarteifio plays the young Queen Charlotte, who was originally played by Golda Rosheuvel in Bridgerton.
Serving as the firstspin-off to Netflix’sBridgertonfranchise,Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storyis a limited series that presents an alternate take on Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz’s 18th century. In its 6-episode runtime, the series walks through everything from Queen Charlotte’s rise to power to her struggles with mental illness.
Even thoughQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Storywas initially touted as a limited series, there have been rumors and speculations about its potential sequel.
Although the prequel spin-off series is not as acclaimed and well-known as its parent show, it still carries the franchise’s charm and features many intriguing historical references. It also presents the franchise’s first major LGBTQ+ representation, which further adds to its appeal.
2014-2020
How to Get Away With Murder
A new part of the Shonda Rhimes Shondaland productions, How to Get Away With Murder is a crime drama series created for ABC and starring Viola Davis. When law professor Annalise Keating’s (Davis) interns become involved with a murder that shakes the university and firm, the group will find themselves in an ever-spiraling saga of lies, deceit, and intrigue. The show’s format focuses on slowly unearthing the truth behind murders, all while complicated clients and cases arrive for the law firm to handle.
Created by Peter Nowalk and produced by Shonda Rhimes and ABC Studios,How to Get Away With Murder, as its name suggests, is a legal thriller.Starring Viola Davisas its lead, the series follows Annalise Keating, a defense attorney and law professor, who finds herself embroiled in a complex murder plot with five of her students from Philadelphia University. AlthoughHow to Get Away With Murderhas a lot to offer,its primary appeal comes from Viola Davis' brilliant performance as the main character.
1
84%
2
93%
3
90%
4
100%
5
86%
6
80%
Like most legal thrillers,How to Get Away With Murderis not bereft of the familiar tropes and storytelling devices that are often found in several other murder-mystery crime dramas. At the same time, in its six-season run, the show also ends up having a fair share of narrative inconsistencies and plot holes. However, what keeps it engaging across all seasons is its quick pacing, well-written character beats, unforeseeable twists, and talented cast.
