If any writer-producer is worthy of being named diamond of the first water, it would be Shonda Rhimes. Since the premiere of Britney Spears’ breakout film Crossroads and genre-defining medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, the Shondaland CEO has spent her career crafting tales that are as enviable as they are obsession-worthy. Whether her characters are sipping lemonade and spilling gossip in Bridgerton (with Season 4 now streaming and Season 5 in production), solving captivating mysteries in The Residence, or strutting through the halls of power in Scandal, they lead big, fabulous, and complicated lives. Their wins are iconic, their tragedies are heartbreaking, and their romances are so swoony you’ll need a fainting couch. 

Ready to fall even deeper in love with Rhimes’ work? We’ve got seven TV shows and movies that reveal exactly why she deserves the title of Queen Shonda. 

Grey's Anatomy

The show that began Rhimes’ television dynasty. When Grey’s Anatomy debuted in the spring of 2005, the writer was best known for penning films like The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and Britney Spears’ hit Crossroads (more on that one in a bit). But, Grey’s Anatomy changed all of that, eventually making Rhimes a bona fide superproducer and TV maven. 

The medical drama began as an introduction to the sexy, soapy life of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), a surgical resident with a twisty family history. In the ensuing two decades and across 21 seasons and counting, Grey’s Anatomy has become so much more than just Meredith’s story. It’s an interconnected web that traces the relationships and tragedies of the many doctors, patients, and interns that pass through the halls of one Seattle hospital. If the words “LVAD wire” or “dance it out” don’t elicit strong feelings in you, just wait until you dive into Grey’s Anatomy.

Grey's Anatomy

21 Seasons   TV-14   2005

My List

Watch

Inventing Anna

This addictive drama, created by Rhimes, is inspired by the real-life media frenzy surrounding “fake heiress” Anna Delvey and subsequent New York magazine article by Jessica Pressler.  

Emmy winner Julia Garner leads the limited series as Anna, an inscrutable young woman with big dreams and Instagram infamy. Is she an unrepentant scammer who stole from the upper echelons of New York high society for her own gain? Or, is she simply the new portrait of the American dream? Is Anna someone fueled by greed or unimaginable artistic vision? Journalist Vivian Kent (Anna Chlumsky) spends Inventing Anna trying to answer those questions, all while forming an unlikely bond with her jailed subject.  

Inventing Anna will whisk you from the well-heeled offices and parties of New York to sumptuous Morocco and glitzy Los Angeles — along with one memorable trip to Germany. 

Inventing Anna

Limited Series   TV-MA   2022

My List

Watch

Explore

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Bridgerton scene-stealer Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) can’t help but catch your eye with her ceiling-dusting wigs and cutting ballroom commentary. But, in Season 2 of the flagship series, we also glimpse a softer side of the formidable regent when her husband King George (James Fleet) appears. It’s immediately evident that this royal couple — like any Bridgerton — possess their own complicated love story. 

Emmy-winning Queen Charlotte tells that tale. The prequel limited series, penned by Rhimes herself, follows two timelines: one during the Georgian era, when young Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and young King George (Corey Mylchreest) are first wed, and the other during the Regency era of Bridgerton (specifically between Seasons 2 and 3). The show is achingly romantic as it explores the challenges of young passions, as well as the high emotions of mature, decades-long love. 

Fans of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) and Violet will find themselves just as smitten with Queen Charlotte; the drama also reveals their surprising origin stories. 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

6 Episodes   TV-MA   2023

My List

Watch

Explore

Bridgerton

If you haven’t fallen in love with the worldwide phenomenon that is Bridgerton, you must — to quote one of its most beloved characters — make haste. The Regency-era drama centers on the prolific (and aristocratic) Bridgerton family, a charming brood of four perfectly handsome sons, four perfectly beautiful daughters, and one doting widowed mother. Unlike the other high society mamas, Viscountess Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) desires love matches for her progeny.   

Each Bridgerton season — executive produced by Rhimes — follows the love story of one Bridgerton sibling. Season 1 transfixed audiences with the regal fake-dating-to-very-real “I burn for you” romance of eldest daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor) and Duke Simon (Regé-Jean Page). Season 2 is a love letter to all the enemies-to-lovers fans, as Viscount Anthony (Emmy nominee Jonathan Bailey) and Kate (Simone Ashley) come to understand their fiery passion may be driven by deep love more than hate. Season 3 takes viewers on one unforgettable friends-to-lovers ride, as Colin (Luke Newton) realizes his feelings for neighbor Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) are far too consuming to be platonic. 

Now, with Season 4 streaming in its entirety, you can revel in the fairy-tale romance of artistic second son Benedict (Luke Thompson) and the resourceful Sophie Bridgerton (Yerin Ha). And, keep an eye out for Bridgerton Season 5, which has entered production with Francesca Stirling (Hannah Dodd) and Michaela Stirling (Michaela Baduza) in the lead roles. 

Bridgerton

4 Seasons   TV-MA   2020

My List

Watch

Explore

The Residence

A mystery is afoot in this dramedy, executive produced by Rhimes and her creative partner Betsy Beers. Uzo Aduba leads The Residence (created by Scandal writer Paul William Davies) as Cordelia Cupp, the greatest detective in the world. Cordelia is drawn to the White House when a murder befalls the mansion during a particularly catastrophic state dinner. Cordelia is soon paired with FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) on a mission to solve the twisty case. 

The Residence unravels a whole new way of looking at one of the most famous buildings in the world, as Cordelia explores the upstairs-downstairs tensions of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on her journey to the truth. There’s the White House staff, the first family, and the first family’s political staff — all of whom have their own motives and secrets to hide. Prepare to meet a colorful cast of characters including assistant usher Jasmine Haney (Susan Kelechi Watson), presidential advisor Harry Hollinger (Ken Marino), first mother-in-law Nan Cox (Jane Curtin), and many more quirky DC denizens.  

This screwball comedy will surprise you at every turn — and then have you ready for a rewatch to notice each tantalizing clue hiding in plain sight. 

The Residence

8 Episodes   TV-MA   2025

My List

Watch

Explore

Scandal

Grab your nearest goblet of red wine and a bowl of popcorn — it’s time to suit up, Gladiators. While The Residence introduces you to the tireless White House staff, Scandal opens the door on the DC power players constantly leaving messes in their wake. At the center of the chaos is Olivia Pope (Emmy nominee Kerry Washington), a political fixer as stylish as she is ruthless. Olivia prizes results over everything, and will do anything to get her clients a win. 

Olivia leans on her crack team of legal eagles, hackers, and, eventually, government agents to make problems go away. Sometimes that means she’s protecting a beloved veteran accused of murder. Other times, Olivia holds the very fate of the nation in her well-manicured hands as she handles her complicated relationship with President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn). 

Over Scandal’s seven seasons, friends become enemies, enemies become heroes, and spies lurk around every corner. All the while, Olivia and her friends toil away to save the day. After Scandal you’ll never look at a white trench coast — or jar of Vermont jam — the same way again. 

Scandal

7 Seasons   TV-MA   2012

My List

Watch

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

There’s more to Shonda Rhimes than just must-see TV series. You can also enjoy Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, an inspiring documentary she executive produced. The film follows award-winning entertainer Debbie Allen and her annual Hot Chocolate Nutcracker production. 

The ballet is Allen’s reimagining of the classic Nutcracker, performed by her talented Debbie Allen Dance Academy students. Viewers get an intimate look at all the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into the dance extravaganza. Expect a peek at the grueling rehearsals necessary to create the unique performance, along with in-depth interviews with Allen, her family, her dance instructors, and her dazzling pupils. The doc also offers never-before-seen insights into Allen’s career — which spans over 50 years — and personal journey. If you’re looking for an uplifting holiday watch, this will warm you right up. 

Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker

1h 20m   TV-PG   2020

My List

Watch

Black Barbie

Barbiemania swept the globe in 2023. And, in 2024, the Shondaland team kept the conversation going with the documentary Black Barbie, executive produced by Rhimes. The film celebrates the impact of three Black women at Mattel. One of those women is Beulah Mae Mitchell, the great-aunt of Black Barbie director Lagueria Davis. Mitchell was a star Mattel employee who had the bravery to ask company co-founder Ruth Handler, “Why don’t we make a Barbie that looks like me?” — and set off a series of events that would forever change the way girls saw themselves.

Black Barbie explores not only the creation of the first Black Barbie doll, but also its impact on civil rights, Black businesses and culture, and representation for kids everywhere. You’ll hear from political luminaries like boundary-breaking congresswoman Maxine Waters as well as familiar Netflix stars, including Gentefied’s Julissa Calderon, Dear White People’s Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins, and BoJack Horseman voice actor Gabourey Sidibe. Rhimes — who is a Barbie in her own right — even shows up as a talking head. 

Black Barbie

1h 34m   TV-14   2024

My List

Watch

Explore

Watch Bridgerton Season 3 Promo and Press Day Footage That Didn't Make the Cut