The Rise of Complex Storytelling: Why Gen Z Prefers Dark, Multifaceted TV Shows

By Stella Violet

Why do we constantly feel the need to feel grief, even in the media we consume? 

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I find myself talking amongst classmates, people my age at bars, or random strangers on the internet about the most devastating shows I’ve ever seen in my life. 

I can name off at least ten and always find one that a fellow Gen Z has not only seen, but loved. 

But why is my generation so drawn to complication, dysfunction and heartbreak when it comes to the shows we choose to watch in our spare time. 

While our older counterparts might have gravitated toward feel-good sitcoms or mindless reality television, Gen Z is drawn to something far more complicated—dysfunctional families, morally ambiguous characters, and existential crises. 

Shows like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Shameless, Succession, and Severance have found an audience in this generation, and the reasons are quite unlike any other generation.

At the core, these shows show a deeply flawed protagonist, a willingness to embrace ambiguity, and a window into worlds where power, control, and chaos collide. 

Let’s break down why these television shows have become such cultural touchstones for Gen Z.

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One of the standout features of these beloved shows is the complexity of their characters. They aren’t the traditional heroes or villains; they exist in the grey areas. 

Breaking Bad’s Walter White, once a mild-mannered high school teacher, spirals into the world of drug manufacturing to provide for his family—yet his decisions become increasingly dangerous and egotistical. 

The Sopranos’ Tony Soprano, a mob boss, is equally fascinating in his role as both a loving father and ruthless criminal mastermind. 

Gen Z, more attuned to the nuances of the modern world, sees themselves in characters that are multi-faceted and, often, flawed. In a world that often demands people to be perfect, the morally complex characters in these shows provide an authentic reflection of human life.

For a generation that is growing up amidst social, economic, and political upheaval, these characters’ struggles mirror their own.

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Gen Z also gravitates toward stories that don’t spoon-feed answers or define right and wrong in black-and-white terms. 

Shows like Succession and Severance dive deep into the psyche of their characters, revealing that the people at the top aren’t just power-hungry—they’re often broken and flawed. 

It’s this complexity that speaks to Gen Z’s desire for authenticity in storytelling.

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Whether it’s the Soprano family’s criminal empire, the broken Gallagher clan in Shameless, or the Roy family’s battle for control in Succession, these shows all feature families that are deeply dysfunctional. 

But what is it about this dysfunction that has such an appeal for Gen Z?

Part of it lies in how these families are portrayed. 

Rather than simply being “tragic,” their chaos feels real. For Gen Z’s like myself, raised in an era where traditional family dynamics have often been disrupted, these shows reflect a kind of messy reality that feels closer to their own experiences. 

The showrunners of these series know that family doesn’t have to be perfect to be compelling. In fact, the messier the better.

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Shameless is particularly notable for its portrayal of a chaotic, poverty-stricken family that somehow manages to function. 

Each sibling in the Gallagher family has to find their own way through a world full of bad choices and crumbling support systems. I often see myself in each character, the good and the bad. 

And, for Gen Z, many of whom have grown up in uncertain economic times, the Gallaghers represent survival in a world where stability is often out of reach. 

Showing the audience a portrayal of real life while letting the audience know that life could indeed be worse. 

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Succession offers a different kind of dysfunction—one centered on extreme wealth, power, and corporate maneuvering. 

The Roy family’s greed and manipulation are a reflection of the harsh realities of modern capitalism. Gen Z, facing their own economic challenges, might find catharsis in seeing the Roys’ downfall—especially when their unchecked ambition leads to personal destruction.

Perhaps more than any other generation, Gen Z has been forced to confront issues like mental health, climate change, and the future of the world they’re inheriting. In this context, shows that engage with existential themes are especially relevant. 

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Severance, a sci-fi thriller about employees who undergo a procedure to sever their work and personal lives, taps into this sense of disconnection from one’s purpose and identity. It speaks to the overwhelming feeling many Gen Zers have about being trapped in a system that demands they sacrifice their individuality for the sake of productivity.

Similarly, The Sopranos explores the tension between outward success and internal turmoil. Tony Soprano’s struggles with depression and his quest for meaning in a violent, immoral world resonate with a generation that is grappling with feelings of nihilism and uncertainty about the future. 

The show’s balance of dark humor and existential exploration makes it particularly appealing to Gen Z, who are more likely to seek out media that acknowledges life’s inherent absurdity.

In Breaking Bad, Walter White’s descent into the criminal underworld is driven by his desire for control over his life—something that resonates with a generation feeling increasingly powerless in a world where systemic issues seem insurmountable. 

His transformation into Heisenberg becomes both an act of empowerment and a tragic commentary on what it costs to hold onto control in a chaotic world.

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Another common thread in these shows is the exploration of power and its corrupting influence. Gen Z is growing up in an era marked by growing inequality, political polarization, and environmental crises. 

It’s no wonder that we are fascinated by stories of characters who navigate or challenge these systems of power.

Succession is the quintessential example of this. The show follows the Roy family as they fight for control of their global media empire. 

The battles are cutthroat, and the characters are driven by egos, ambition, and a thirst for dominance. For Gen Z, who are trying to navigate a world where the wealthy and powerful seem more entrenched than ever, watching the Roys implode provides a sense of catharsis.

In Severance, power is wielded by the corporation in a way that dehumanizes its workers. The concept of “work-life balance” is literally and figuratively fractured, and the employees’ fight to regain control of their lives feels like a parallel to the struggle many Gen Zers face as they try to carve out meaningful careers in a gig economy.

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Many of these shows, while dark, also feature biting humor that brings levity to their weighty themes. 

The Sopranos balances moments of violence with wit, and Succession is filled with sharp one-liners that deliver both humor and discomfort. This blend of darkness and humor is a key reason Gen Z connects with these shows as it mirrors their coping mechanisms in a world that often feels uncertain.

Shameless uses humor to highlight the absurdity of the Gallaghers’ lives, making their struggles more relatable and human. It’s a way for Gen Z to laugh at life’s challenges rather than be weighed down by them.

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Ultimately, Gen Z’s love for shows like The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Shameless, Succession, and Severance stems from their exploration of complexity—both in characters and in the world around them. 

These shows offer more than just entertainment; they provide a lens through which Gen Z can better understand their own struggles with identity, power, family, and mental health.

As this generation continues to carve out their place in an increasingly complicated world, the characters in these shows—often messy, often flawed—serve as a reminder that it’s okay to not have all the answers. It’s okay to embrace the chaos, find humor in the darkness, and navigate a world that isn’t perfect, but still worth engaging with.

And that, perhaps, is the greatest draw of all.