The 1990s produced a lot of the best TV shows of all time.
Classics like The X-Files, Twin Peaks, Seinfeld and many more top-notch shows are still fondly watched and rewatched to this day.
But what about the great TV shows that too many people have forgotten about?
There are plenty of great dramas in particular that have fallen off people’s radars, so Watch With Us is here to jog your memory — and let you know where to watch them right now.
Our selections include Babylon 5, My So-Called Life and more.
‘My So-Called Life’ (1994) — Prime Video
In the fictional Pittsburgh suburb of Three Rivers, fifteen-year-old Angela Chase (Claire Danes) lives with her mom Patty (Bess Armstrong), dad Graham (Tom Irwin) and little sister Danielle (Lisa Wilhoit). Each episode of My So-Called Life is narrated by the angsty Angela as she navigates the many ups and downs of high school, which includes friends, family and, of course, sex, drugs and boys. In particular, Angela harbors a crush on local heartthrob Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto).
My So-Called Life was canceled after one season despite glowing critical reviews and awards prestige, which included a Golden Globe Award for Danes’ performance — in fact, the online fan campaign that started to save the show was actually the first of its kind. Ultimately, the series has persevered as a beloved cult classic, a hugely influential work in the teen drama space that realistically portrayed the struggles of adolescent life with care and nuance.
‘New York Undercover’ (1994-1999) — Hulu
Detective J.C. Williams (Malik Yoba) and Detective Eddie Torres (Michael DeLorenzo) are two undercover New York City cops assigned to investigate gang-related crimes. In addition to each episode’s main storyline, New York Undercover also explores the private lives of its characters, such as Williams struggle to raise his young son, while Torres must deal with his HIV-positive and drug addicted father. Patti D’Arbanville-Quinn also stars as their superior, Lt. Cooper, and Lauren Vélez joins in season 2 as a new detective and Torres’ love interest.
New York Undercover is a lesser-appreciated show from Law & Order mastermind Dick Wolf, but it is no less riveting, offering an authentic look at Black and Latino urban life. The series also marked the first American police drama to star two actors of color in the lead roles. The fast-paced action and darker tone helped the show stand apart from other police drama offerings, and the compelling personal drama is well written and complex.
‘Touched by an Angel’ (1994-2003) — Pluto TV
Monica (Roma Downey) is an Angel who has recently been promoted and now works under the guidance of Tess (Della Reese), a surrogate mother figure for Monica. Each episode of Touched by an Angel generally revolves around different “cases” that Monica must assist with, involving one person or a group of people who are at a difficult crossroads and in need of guidance. Together, Tess and Monica give these people hope and messages from God. But Tess sometimes assigns Andrew (John Dye), the Angel of Death, as well, to teach a crucial lesson.
While critics derided Touched by an Angel for its overly saccharine nature, audiences couldn’t get enough of this faith-based series. The show offered viewers a wholesome, comfort-watch experience, a tone that was considered refreshing against a glut of more cynical ’90s television. Touched by an Angel is great escapist TV that shows difficult situations tackled with uplifting resolutions.
‘Homicide: Life on the Street’ (1993-1999) — Peacock
In inner-city Baltimore, detectives investigate a variety of difficult cases in the homicide division. The series is adapted from the nonfiction book Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by reporter David Simon, who is also credited as a consultant and writer for the series. Key characters include Detective Franke Pembleton (Andre Braugher), Detective Beau Felton (Daniel Baldwin) and Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer) — whose character would live on in the Law & Order franchise.
Homicide: Life of the Street is partly notable for providing the breakout role for Braugher, whose career would see further resurgence as Captain Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Despite Homicide’s plethora of awards recognition and inclusion on many “Best of…” lists, the show is a more forgotten police procedural offering. The show can be credited as leading the early charge on prestige television, bringing gritty, documentary-style realism and complex characters to the police drama genre.
‘Babylon 5’ (1994-1998) — Prime Video
This ambitious science fiction series charts the humans and aliens aboard the space station Babylon 5, created as a neutral ground for galactic diplomacy in the aftermath of several inter-species wars. The main story arc takes place between the years of 2257 and 2262, depicting an Earth with a unified, cross-continental government. From season 1 to season 5, the show encompasses five years of the lives of the inhabitants of Babylon 5, where personal drama intermingles with looming military conflict.
While many have forgotten Babylon 5 in favor of the many Star Trek series, the show was highly lauded at the time and received a number of Emmy Awards and nominations. The series isn’t brainless sci-fi action (though the show did boast some particularly groundbreaking special effects), but a well-written, high-stakes space opera with deep character development and knotty political themes.
