Mad Men

Set in New York between 1960 and 1970, Mad Men tracks the high-pressure world of a Madison Avenue ad agency through the eyes of its most gifted and troubled creatives. The central figure is Don Draper, a charismatic but secretive creative director whose professional polish hides a complicated private life. Around him, colleagues compete for account wins, promotions and respect, while younger staff like Peggy Olson push against rigid workplace roles. The show balances pitch meetings and cocktail parties with domestic scenes, showing how ambition, desire, loyalty and betrayal play out in boardrooms and bedrooms without spoiling major turns.

The series premiered in 2007 on AMC, created by Matthew Weiner and Jonathan Igla. It became known for exacting period detail in sets, costumes and props, and for shooting that emphasized mood over spectacle.

Mad Men earned broad industry recognition, picking up multiple Emmys and Golden Globes during its run, with awards and nominations spanning writing, acting and production design. Critics and peers noted its technical craftsmanship and consistent quality across seasons.

Its cultural impact reached beyond TV fandom. The show helped revive interest in mid-century modern design and 1960s fashion, shaped how people imagine the advertising industry of that era, and influenced later prestige dramas that favor mood, style and long-form character work. References to its aesthetic and characters turned up in popular culture, design blogs and retail trends.

Critically, Mad Men has been highly regarded, reflected in a Vote Average of 8.1/10 from viewers. Reviewers highlighted strong performances, especially from Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss, and the series' patient storytelling. Major themes include identity and reinvention, shifting gender and power dynamics, and the intersections of commerce and desire. It's deliberate in pace, focused on character development, and often more interested in atmosphere and moral complexity than quick plot payoff.