Shonda Rhimes is a powerhouse producer that knows no bounds. After bursting onto the television scene with medical mega-hit Grey's Anatomy, Rhimes has proven time and time again that she knows exactly the right ingredients to keep an audience hooked. Over the years, she has crafted expert characters in popular series such as Bridgerton, to develop an array of sexy, soapy dramas that viewers couldn't get enough of with Scandal.
As Shonda Rhimes continues to add more intriguing series to her ever-growing line-up, there's never been a better time to find a Shondaland series that'll have you hooked until the very last episode.
11) 'Still Star-Crossed'
Rhimes' first foray into the period drama world, Still Star-Crossed was a misfire that left a lot more to-be-desired. Based on the book of the same name, the series followed Rosaline Capulet (Lashana Lynch) and her soon-to-be husband Benvolio Montague (Wade Briggs) as they attempted to end their forced betrothal in the aftermath of Romeo and Juliet's death.
While all the makings of a good Shonda Rhimes series are present, Still Star-Crossed was overwrought with dialogue issues, uninteresting characters, and an inflating budget that saw the series burned off during the summer.
10) 'For the People'
Shondaland's second series to join the legal drama ranks, For the People, takes a courtroom-based approach to the genre, the results of which are mixed. Britt Robertson and Jasmin Savoy-Brown star as Sandra Bell and Alison Adams, two close friends, and lawyers working within the Southern District of New York Federal Court.
Following a recast of the two leads that caused a delay in filming, significant rewrites of the first season hindered the series' tone and in turn, caused an uneven series that wasn't quite sure of itself. Although For the People found its footing during the second season, it was too little too late for the burgeoning drama, and it was swiftly removed from the court.
9) 'Off the Map'
Exploring the world of medical dramas, Off the Map set its sights on a small community of doctors working at a hospital within a small South American village. Starring Grey's Anatomy veteran Martin Henderson, the series explored medicine in remote areas of the world.
While not as sexy as other shows in Rhimes' arsenal, Off the Map has a subtle charm that makes it stand out from the rest. Its ability to incorporate fresh, compelling stories within the medical drama field was admirable. However, the series never had the chance to dig deeper into the richness of its setting and was canceled after one season.
8) 'The Catch'
The lightest comedy-drama in the Shondaland family, The Catch was a pulpy, fun time that made it perfect escapist television. The series follows Los Angeles-based private investigator, Alice Vaughn (Mireille Enos) as she tracks down the con artist that stole her heart (and her money).
Although the series wasn't as action-packed as her sisters, The Catch had a heart that made it stand out. Unfortunately, after a lackluster pilot episode, the series was retooled. However, The Catch still struggled to define its characters outside its two leads and was subsequently canceled.
7) 'Station 19'
The second spin-off series in the Grey's Anatomy universe, Station 19 pivoted focus onto a crew of firefighters in Seattle. Known for its frequent crossovers with its parent series, Station 19 takes an action-packed approach to its storytelling, as the firefighters frequently battle out of control blazes, sinkholes, and building collapses across the city.
The series brought a whole new high-octane energy to the Shondaland universe as it expanded genres and themes explored within the roster. While Station 19 is a commendable addition led by an incredible performance by Jaina Lee Ortiz, the series dynamic pales compared to the series that have come before, leaving this fiery drama out in the cold.
6) 'Inventing Anna'
Based on a New York article, Inventing Anna is the first series created and run by Shonda Rhimes since her hot and steamy series Scandal. The sudsy dramedy starring Julia Garner and Anna Chlumsky delves into the life of Anna Delvey aka Anna Sorokin, a thought-to-be German heiress revealed real-life con-artist whose smarts and style enticed (and robbed) the socialites of New York City.
Inventing Anna lures viewers with a world of sex, scandal, and deception to effect. However, where the limited-run series fails is its ability to deconstruct the world outside the leading con-artist. Though the series is an uneven watch, Inventing Anna makes light of its limitations for an easy-breezy afternoon binge-watch.
5) 'Private Practice'
The first of two successful spinoff series in the Grey's Anatomy universe, Private Practice saw fan-favorite surgeon Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) trade-in the rain of Seattle for the sunshine of Los Angeles. While featuring an endless series of crossovers that connected the two series, Private Practice often attempted to diverge from its predecessor by imploring a darker tone that worked to mixed effect.
Though it wasn't entirely perfect, Private Practice managed to expertly flesh out Addison's world, while adding new characters such as Amelia Shepherd, to the Grey's universe. There was never a dull moment with the staff of Oceanside Wellness Centre.
4) 'Bridgerton'
Shondaland's first series to debut on Netflix, Bridgerton burst onto the scene as a period drama full of sudsy romance, quirky characters, and beautiful visuals. Based on Julia Quinn's novels, the series follows the lives of the Bridgerton siblings as they explore life and love in Regency-era London.
Featuring star-making turns from Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page in the lead roles of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, each episode delivered fleshed-out relationship drama and top-notch chemistry. While some characters in the series are yet to be fully developed, each season pivoting to a new characters' perspective will allow each character a moment in the sun. Bridgerton is sure to remain ahead of the period drama curb.
3) 'Scandal'
There isn't anything Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) can't handle and Scandal proved that there's nothing that Shonda Rhimes can't handle either. Delving into the world of D.C. politics, Scandal is a series that never dared to shy away from the dark side of the political landscape. As Olivia Pope and Associates tackled the most salacious stories before they saw the light of day, Olivia dealt with her scandalous feelings for the President of the United States (Tony Goldwyn).
Unlike other Rhimes series, Scandal is unhinged in the best way possible. Living up to its name, the series features the most shocking moments in the Shondaland catalog, making Rhimes' most unforgettable series.
2) 'How to Get Away with Murder'
Full of twists and turns that kept viewers on the edge of their seats, How to Get Away with Murder is a masterclass in salacious writing and exciting revelations. Following law professor Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) as she helps five of her students cover up a murder, the series utilized an altered structure to unfurl each season's mystery.
As the deeply flawed Annalise, Davis brought an energy to her performance that made it hard not to root for the character even as her actions were questionable at best. The series never shies away from using simple reveals to turn the whole world upside down, making it hard to trust anyone on screen. There's no other series that can throw curveballs like How to Get Away with Murder.
1) 'Grey's Anatomy'
The series that built Shondaland into the popular production house it is, Grey's Anatomy will always be number one. From the moment Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) entered the halls of Grey Sloane Memorial Hospital, the long-running series cemented itself in the hearts of viewers all over the world.
Crafting a franchise that includes sister series Private Practice and Station 19, Grey's Anatomy created a universe that expertly merged sexy and soapy storytelling with fascinating medical mysteries to dynamic effect. The series has survived behind-the-scenes drama, the deaths of fan-favorite characters, and countless disaster episodes, to still be going strong eighteen seasons in. Grey's Anatomy is a series that reinvented the medical drama wheel and there's no slowing down in sight.