10 TV Shows That Were Defined By Their Cities

It takes more than just a few establishing shots to make a city come alive on TV; it takes time, effort, and a determination to make the setting as much a part of the story as the human characters. Some of the most memorable TV series in recent history were defined by their cities in a huge way. A good way to tell how big a role a given city plays in a TV show is to imagine the story taking place somewhere else; if the move seems impossible or even just weird, or if it would fundamentally change the nature of the stories, chances are the show is one that was totally married to its location. Some of the cities aren’t even real, but they’re still woven into the identity of their series. These 10 TV shows are by no means an exhaustive round-up of those types of series (or cities, for that matter, since New York gets recycled a few times), but they are some of the best examples of how to mix story and setting to create something unique.