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Every Shondaland Show, Ranked

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Imagery from Bridgerton, The Residence, and How to get Away With Murder
Custom Image by Dhruv Sharma.

Many renowned shows fall under ' 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, while all Shondaland characters are fun to watch and the shows they appear in are captivating, some are far more memorable and gripping than others.

Off the Map (2011)

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.

Jonathan Castellanos, Valerie Cruz, Caroline Dhavernas, Jason George, Zach Gilford, Mamie Gummer, Martin Henderson, Rachelle Lefevre

Adventure

Jenna Bans

1

Off The Map is 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 of Grey's Anatomy, Off The Map could not even come close to lasting as long as other ABC medical dramas and was canceled after its first season. , Off the Map is undoubtedly not among Shondaland's better TV shows.

Still Star-Crossed 2017 TV Show Poster
Still Star-Crossed

2017 - 2017-00-00

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.

Grant Bowler, Wade Briggs, Torrance Coombs, Dan Hildebrand, Lashana Lynch, Ebonée Noel, Medalion Rahimi, Zuleikha Robinson

Drama

Heather Mitchell

1

Produced by Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland and ABC Studios, Still Star-Crossed adapts Melinda Taub's novel of the same name. The show's story attempts to expand the lore of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliette by 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, . However, it has its moments of charm and intrigue, particularly with costume designs, settings, and romantic subplots.

Inventing Anna TV Poster
Inventing Anna

2022 - 2022-00-00

Netflix

Shonda Rhimes

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.

Anders Holm, laverne cox, Julia Garner, Anna Deavere Smith, Terry Kinney, Arian Moayed, Anna Chlumsky, Jeff Perry, Katie Lowes, Alexis Floyd

David Frankel

Shonda Rhimes

Drama

Shonda Rhimes

1

shonda rhimes

Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Dis, Hulu, AppleTV+

Inspired by Jessica Pressler's "How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People," Netflix's Inventing Anna loosely 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 Anna had 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

Related

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.

For the People TV Show Poster

"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.

Britt Robertson, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Ben Rappaport, Susannah Flood, Wesam Keesh, Regé-Jean Page, Ben Shenkman, Hope Davis, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Anna Deavere Smith

Drama

2

For the People brings 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 People features the same storytelling formula as Grey'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 as Grey's Anatomy, but it still does a decent job of combining courtroom thrills with poignant human narratives.

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.

ABC

Kate Walsh, Kadee Strickland, Paul Adelstein, Taye Diggs, Amy Brenneman, Tim Daly, Brian Benben, Audra McDonald

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes

Drama

Shonda Rhimes

6

Shonda Rhimes

Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video

Serving as another spin-off to Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, like many Shondaland series, . 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 to Grey'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 to Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice is 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 to Grey's Anatomy's future installments can certainly check it out.

The Residence Netflix TV Show Poster

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.

Netflix

Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Susan Kelechi Watson, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Edwina Findley, Randall Park, Al Mitchell, Dan Perrault, Spencer Garrett, Bronson Pinchot, Molly Griggs

Liza Johnson

Paul William Davies

Mystery

Paul William Davies

Irv Samuelson, Sheila Cannon, Cordelia, Rollie Bridgewater, Lilly Schumacher, Jasmine Haney, Tripp Morgan, Harry Hollinger, Colin Trask, Didier Gotthard, Larry Dokes, Marvella, A.B. Wynter, Senator Aaron Filkins, Stephen Roos

Betsy Beers, Shonda Rhimes

1

Based on Kate Andersen Brower's The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House, Netflix's The Residence unfolds 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.

imagery-from-The-Residence-

Related

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 Residence fascinates 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, . The Residence waits 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.

station 19
Station 19
ScreenRant logo

7/10

2018 - 2024-00-00

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.

ABC

Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jason George, Barrett Doss, Jay Hayden, Danielle Savre, Grey Damon, Boris Kodjoe, Okieriete Onaodowan

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes

Drama

7

shonda rhimes

Hulu, Dis

Grey's Anatomy's success has led to the development of many extensions of its universe. Station 19 is one of these extensions, following the lives of the people who work at Seattle Fire Station 19. When it comes to critical ratings, and 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.

Although Station 19 can 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 19 also 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.

Grey's Anatomy Poster
Grey's Anatomy
ScreenRant logo

9/10

March 27, 2005

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.

ABC

Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers, Kevin McKidd, Jesse Williams, Bokhee An, Camilla Luddington, Patrick Dempsey, Sara Ramirez, Jessica Capshaw, Sandra Oh, Caterina Scorsone, Sarah Drew, Kelly McCreary, Kim Raver, Jason George, Eric Dane, Giacomo Gianniotti, Jake Borelli, Katherine Heigl, Jerrika Hinton, Chyler Leigh, Chris Carmack, T.R. Knight, Debbie Allen, Jaicy Elliot, Anthony Hill, Kate Walsh, Greg Germann, Isaiah Washington, Aniela Gumbs, Martin Henderson, Payton Silver, Gaius Charles, Tessa Ferrer, Stefania Spampinato, Alex Landi, Scott Speedman, Mark Saul, Nicole Rubio, Richard Flood, Ryder Goodstadt, Steven W. Bailey, Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., Midori Francis, Niko Terho

Rob Corn, Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-Brown, Jeannot Szwarc, Tony Phelan

Shonda Rhimes, Julie Wong, Jen Klein, Tameson Duffy, Meg Marinis

Drama

Shonda Rhimes, Michelle Lirtzman

Dr. Meredith Grey, Dr. Miranda Bailey, Dr. Richard Webber, Dr. Alex Karev, Dr. Owen Hunt, Dr. Jackson Avery, Nurse Bokhee, Dr. Jo Wilson, Dr. Derek Shepherd, Dr. Callie Torres, Dr. Arizona Robbins, Dr. Cristina Yang, Dr. Amelia Shepherd, Dr. April Kepner, Dr. Maggie Pierce, Dr. Teddy Altman, Dr. Ben Warren, Dr. Mark Sloan, Dr. Andrew DeLuca, Dr. Levi Schmitt, Dr. Izzie Stevens, Dr. Stephanie Edwards, Dr. Lexie Grey, Dr. Atticus Lincoln, Dr. George O'Malley, Dr. Catherine Fox, Dr. Taryn Helm, Dr. Winston Ndugu, Dr. Addison Montgomery, Dr. Thomas Koracick, Dr. Preston Burke, Zola Gray Shepard, Dr. Nathan Riggs, Dr. Knox, Dr. Shane Ross, Dr. Leah Murphy, Dr. Carina DeLuca, Dr. Nico Kim, Dr. Nick Marsh, Intern Steve, Paramedic Nicole, Dr. Cormac Hayes, Derek Bailey Shepherd, Joe, Dr. Jules Millin, Dr. Simone Griffith, Dr. Benson Kwan, Dr. Mika Yasuda, Dr. Lucas Adams

21

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, . 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.

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.

India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Michelle Fairley, Ruth Gemmell, Golda Rosheuvel, Corey Mylchreest

Shonda Rhimes

Tom Verica

Shonda Rhimes, Nicholas Nardini

Bridgerton

1

Julia Quinn, Shonda Rhimes

Netflix

Serving as the first spin-off to Netflix's Bridgerton franchise, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is 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 though Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story was 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.

How to get away with murder tv poster

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.

ABC

Viola Davis, Aja Naomi King, Billy Brown, Jack Falahee

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes

Angela Robinson

6

angela robinson

Netflix, Prime Video

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 Davis as 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. Although How to Get Away With Murder has a lot to offer, .

1

84%

2

93%

3

90%

4

100%

5

86%

6

80%

Like most legal thrillers, How to Get Away With Murder is 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.

Scandal TV Poster
Scandal

2012 - 2018-00-00

ABC

Shonda Rhimes

Created by Shonda Rhimes, Scandal follows Olivia Pope, the head of a crisis management firm in Washington D.C., and her team of associates as they work to mitigate public relations fallouts for some of the biggest names in politics, including the President of the United States. The show stars Kerry Washington as Oliva Pope, with a further ensemble cast that includes Katie Lowes, Darby Stanchfield, Tony Goldwyn, and Bellamy Young. 

In its long seven-season and 124-episode run, Scandal unfolds as a . The show's main character, Olivia Pope, serves as a crisis manager in a firm, Olivia Pope & Associates (OPA), where she and staff must make the necessary provisions on a daily basis to protect their high-profile US clients from public scandals and potential political fall-outs. While walking through Pope and her staff's professional struggles, the show also gives a glimpse of their personal struggles.

Judy Smith also served as the co-executive producer for the series.

Across seven seasons, Scandal consistently maintains an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 93% and none of its installments ever dip below 90%. This alone is a testament to the show's compelling writing and ability to maintain its quality one season after another. Since Scandal season 7 ended the show's run with a satisfying conclusion, viewers who have not watched it have the perfect opportunity to binge it without worrying too much about waiting for its new installments.

Bridgerton Season 3 Poster Showing Penelope Featherington Looking into a Mirror
Bridgerton
ScreenRant logo

7/10

December 25, 2020

From Shondaland and creator Chris Van Dusen, Netflix’s Bridgerton is based on the romance novels of the same name by author Julia Quinn. The series follows the eight Bridgerton siblings, Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth, as they search for love during the social season and navigate life in Regency-era England.

Will Tilston, Rege-Jean Page, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Thompson, Isabella Cortese, Martins Imhangbe, Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, Ruby Stokes, Ruby Barker, Claudia Jessie, Adjoa Andoh, Nicola Coughlan, Golda Rosheuvel, Charithra Chandran, Ben Miller, Jonathan Bailey, Florence Hunt, Polly Walker, Shelley Conn, Joanna Bobin, Luke Newton, Simone Ashley

Tom Verica, Tricia Brock

Julia Quinn, Chris Van Dusen, Jess Brownell, Abby McDonald, Joy C. Mitchell

Chris Van Dusen

3

Chris Van Dusen

Netflix

Easily serving as one of Shondaland's greatest hits, Bridgerton has been as successful critically as it has been commercially. The period romance drama follows Daphne Bridgerton in its early arcs and walks through all the snags and complications of high-society life in Regency-era London she must navigate. With each new season, the series follows a similar Regent romance but keeps things fresh by focusing on a new set of characters.

Despite its risky approach of focusing on new characters with each season, has managed to keep viewers invested with each installment. In terms of critical ratings, the show experienced a minor dip with season 2. However, the Shondaland series made a quick comeback with season 3, proving its intriguing setup can pave the way for many diverse Regency-era romance stories.

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