That one I would probably place somewhat lower, in my top 10, or 15, though I loved it too (especially the Elizabethan season).

Spooks would definitely be among the best five.

If I'm being completely honest, I have to place The Simpsons really high too.

At number one I must show my age and say Twin Peaks was the show that really stood out the most for me. I don't enjoy so much rewatching it, but the first time around as it played on TV I was totally immersed in it.

Another British oldies I adored at the time: House of Cards and its sequels. Hilarious, cynical show.

Others I'd place high would be non American, non British local shows few here have heard about.

My next favourite American show would probably be Lost.

Alias doesn't really belong there, quality-wise (it varied way too much over the seasons), but I really had fun watching it, especially the season with Lena Olin.

If this was an US-shows only list, several HBO shows would crop up in there like The Wire, Deadwood, Rome, Six Feet Under and so on. They're all great dramas, very high quality, just not as captivating to me as some of the others I've named.

24 is another show that marked me, but only season 1. I don't list it high as to go down as a one of a kind classic, they needed to have the wisdom to stop after one season. Instead they went one, rapidly showed themselves as a one trick pony and ruined all that.