Watch Mad Men

Mad Men is a critically acclaimed American television drama that originally aired on AMC from 2007 to 2015. Set in the 1960s, the show follows the lives of the employees at Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency in New York City. Headed by creative director Don Draper - played by Jon Hamm - the agency is tasked with creating compelling ad campaigns for some of the biggest names in the industry, all while navigating the changing social and cultural landscape of the era.

The show is renowned for its stunning sets, costumes and attention to detail. The sets accurately depict an era in constant motion and change, with the characters beautifully styled in the fashion and hairstyles of the time. The cinematography creates a dreamlike atmosphere, with the show's signature slow dissolves showcasing the transitions between scenes and creating a lyrical flow.

At the center of the show is Don Draper. A creative genius, he is a self-made man with a mysterious past. Despite his success, he struggles with inner demons and is always questioning who he really is. His relationships with his colleagues, his wives and his children are always tumultuous and sometimes heart-wrenching. Elisabeth Moss and Vincent Kartheiser play Peggy Olson and Pete Campbell, two ambitious junior executives who both aspire to make it to the top of the advertising world. While they clash on occasion, their professional and personal relationship becomes one of the show's most intriguing dynamics.

January Jones and Christina Hendricks portray Betty Draper and Joan Holloway, two women whose glamorous appearances contrast sharply with the constraints of their social and professional expectations. Betty is Don's wife, a former model turned housewife who is deeply unhappy with her life, while Joan is the agency's office manager, a sharp-tongued and fiercely independent woman who becomes a mentor to Peggy.

The supporting cast is equally superb, with Aaron Staton as the charming accounts executive Ken Cosgrove, Rich Sommer as the lovable copywriter Harry Crane and John Slattery as the rakish and charismatic Roger Sterling. Kiernan Shipka portrays Sally Draper, Don's daughter, whose coming-of-age story is both engaging and poignant. Robert Morse plays the aging founder of the agency, Bert Cooper, while Michael Gladis, Christopher Stanley, Bryan Batt and Jared Harris round out the talented ensemble cast.

The show is also known for its use of real-life events, giving the characters a sense of place and time within the rapidly-changing era. From the assassination of John F. Kennedy to the rise of second-wave feminism, the characters react to and participate in the major historical events of the 1960s. Alongside these historical events, Mad Men explores the societal changes of the time, including race relations, women's roles in the workplace and the growing counterculture movement.

Mad Men is a series that explores the American Dream and its relevance, both then and now. It is a masterclass in character development and storytelling, with its nuanced exploration of complex themes and memorable characters becoming an instant classic of American television. The show won numerous awards throughout its run, including four consecutive Outstanding Drama Series Emmy awards from 2008 to 2011. It was praised for its writing, acting, directing and cinematography, and was consistently regarded as one of the best shows on television. If you haven't watched it yet, it's a must-see for anyone interested in character-driven dramas and the turbulent history of the 1960s.

Mad Men is a series that is currently running and has 7 seasons (92 episodes). The series first aired on July 19, 2007.