Top 10 TV shows from 2014 – in pictures

True Detective (HBO). A ghoulish 1995 murder was investigated and solved by a pair of Louisiana State Police detectives. Or was it? Pressed by investigators in 2012, the by-then-former partners are forced to relive the case, as well as their stormy relationship, amid growing doubt that the right man had been charged years before. ­Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were masterful in their bifurcated portrayals, while the consuming tale was as dark as pitch. Michele K Short / AP photo

Jane the Virgin (CW). Jane Villanueva, a young Miami woman who is focused only on professional success and has no interest in romance or marriage, finds her plans upended after she’s mistakenly impregnated at a clinic with a specimen that was meant for someone else. After that, the show is as ­unpredictable as Jane’s life, and as big-hearted as she is. Based on a Venezuelan telenovela, it stars the effervescent Gina Rodriguez in a multicultural world that feels genuine, yet buoyed with wonder. Tyler Golden / AP photo / The CW

Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (Bravo). Fact may be stranger than fiction, but sometimes fiction is more true-to-life than the truth. Exhibit A: this fine new comedy drama, the first scripted series on a network identified with reality fare such as the Real Housewives franchise and Millionaire Matchmaker. Lisa Edelstein stars as a how-to author dispensing radiant advice for a successful family life while her own marriage is falling apart. You might call it a variation of Sex and the City, full of mature emotions and challenges (divorce isn’t for sissies), but also spiced up with grown-up fun. Courtesy Bravo

Fargo (FX). This deliciously deranged series channelled the spirit of 1996 crime classic, and had plenty of clever references to the film’s events, while setting off in fresh new tracks of its own across the Minnesota Tundra. Its brand-new crop of oddball characters was led by Billy Bob Thornton as Lorne Malvo, a soft-spoken psycho on a Byzantine trail of deadly mischief. However, Allison Tolman stole the show as the loveable and deceptively smart sheriff’s deputy Molly Solverson. Black comedy never shone so bright. Chris Large / AP Photo / FX

Outlander (Starz). Based on the popular series of novels by Diana Gabaldon. Many doubted that the sci-fi-tinged historical romance would translate to the small screen, not least the passionate fans of the books. They needn’t have worried. Caitriona Balfe makes for a fiesty heroine, Claire, an English nurse from the 1940s who is transported back to 1743 Scotland by a mysterious ring of standing stones. Sam Heughan is suitably charming as the hunky rogue who steals her heart, while Tobias Menzies is great in the dual role of Claire’s 1940s loving husband and 1740s evil villain. It’s filmed on location in Scotland and the wonderful Highland scenery helps to bring the romance of the novels to life beautifully. Ed Miller / Starz Entertainment / Reuters

From the extraordinary miniseries The Honorable Woman, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, on Sundance TV to Syfy's goofy Sharknado 2: The Second One, TV delivered plenty of memorable moments in 2014 – whether streaming, on cable or over the air.

Showtime's Homeland roared back to form after last year's muddle with a season of white-knuckled suspense.

CBS's The Good Wife killed off one of the main characters, which gave the show a new lease of life.

FX's Sons of Anarchy ended its seven-season run with a bang, while HBO's Boardwalk Empire wrapped up its saga with a ­fascinating season that juggled three phases in the life of the Atlantic City gangster Nucky Thompson.

AMC's Mad Men teed audiences up satisfyingly for its final batch of episodes next year, and Showtime's The Affair gave viewers fair warning about the potential results of cheating on your spouse, while nonetheless making such a misdeed seem irresistible.

And ABC's Scandal was wackier than ever.

Consider them winning programmes, one and all. But here, in no particular order, are the top 10 that get a special nod.