'Masterpiece' drama series that's 'better than Sopranos, The Wire and Breaking Bad'

A classic drama series is hailed by fans as a "masterpiece" with one suggesting it's superior to the most widely acclaimed shows in TV history. Six Feet Under first hit the screen in 2021, and follows the Fisher family who run a Los Angeles funeral home. Peter Krause stars as Nate Fisher, who is bequeathed ownership of the business alongside his brother David (Michael C. Hall) by their late father.

It features an ensemble cast including other members of the Fisher clan, their mother and the matriarch of the family Ruth (Frances Conroy) and younger sister Claire (Lauren Ambrose). Among the other regulars are mortician Federico Diaz (Freddy Rodriguez), Brenda Chenowith (Rachel Griffiths) with whom Nate has a tumultuous relationship, and Keith Charles (Mathew St. Patrick) David's long-term boyfriend.

The dark comedy explores complex familial and romantic relationships, death and grief. Almost every episode begins with a death that inspires drives narrative and theme of the episode.

And while fans are often left dissapointed by how their favourite shows end, Six Feet Under's finale was critically praised and hit fans hard.

One fan took to IMDb to shower the series with praise, writing: "I just rewatched it after years, and was reminded of its beauty. I dare anyone to watch it and not cry on the last episode closing. It's truly a masterpiece that tackles life, death and everything in between."

Another wrote: "I've seen alot of shows in the past. Most of HBOs legendary vault when we actually bought DVD sets. And comparing Six Feet to all the trash released on Netflix, makes it even bigger.

"It's perfect casting, specially the uptight Michael C. Hall as the family business chief, after the family father dies. It's one of these rare gems that makes you roar with laughter, feel miserable and wanna bawl out tears."

A third gave it a 10/10 and suggested its better than shows widely regarded as the best every made. "Yes, Six Feet Under is the best show I've ever seen. Better than Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos, Game Of Thrones and the other top contenders," they wrote.

"The truth is that with only an 8.8 on IMDb I expected it to be entertaining, but I was blown away by this show."

A fourth called it their "all-time favourite show", saying: "It's utterly depressing yet extremely funny at the same time.

"Each episode was incredibly well acted and written, and my favourite character was always Claire. No matter who directed, the episodes always looked great visually too.

"The cinematography was in fact often on par with the quality of a feature film," they added.

The episodes all have 15 or 18 certificates the series contains things like violence, suicide, and hard drug use, so may not be for everyone.

Six Feet Under is streaming now on NowTV with an Entertainment membership. Episodes and series are also available to rent or buy on other platforms.

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