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Mad Men

Mad Men is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner for AMC.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mad Men is an American period drama television series created by Matthew Weiner for AMC. Set mainly in the 1960s, it follows the personal and professional lives of advertising executives on Madison Avenue in New York City, especially Don Draper. The series aired from 2007 to 2015 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential television dramas of its era.

Premise

Mad Men is set primarily in the 1960s and follows the work and private lives of staff at a New York advertising agency. The series uses the advertising world as a lens for examining identity, ambition, gender roles, and social change.

Production

The series was created by Matthew Weiner and produced for AMC. It premiered in 2007 and concluded in 2015 after seven seasons.

Reception and awards

Mad Men received strong critical praise and numerous awards. Sources describe it as widely acclaimed for its writing, historical atmosphere, and visual style, and it won Emmy and Golden Globe honours.

Cultural impact

The show is often cited as one of the defining television dramas of the 21st century. It is frequently associated with the so-called Golden Age of Television.

Key facts

  • The series centers on the advertising industry on Madison Avenue in New York City.
  • Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, is the main character.
  • Mad Men ran for seven seasons and 92 episodes.
  • It won multiple major awards, including Emmy and Golden Globe awards.
  • The show is noted for its period detail and depiction of 1960s American social change.
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Canadian context

Mad Men aired in Canada on television and has remained popular with Canadian viewers through broadcast and streaming availability; it is also commonly studied as part of television and media history in Canadian English-language contexts.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mad Men about?
It follows advertising professionals in 1960s New York, especially Don Draper, and explores their work, relationships, and the social changes of the era.
Who created Mad Men?
Mad Men was created by Matthew Weiner.
When did Mad Men air?
It aired from July 19, 2007, to May 17, 2015.
How many episodes does Mad Men have?
The series has 92 episodes across seven seasons.
Who plays Don Draper?
Don Draper is played by Jon Hamm.
Did Mad Men win major awards?
Yes. It won multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, including repeated wins for Outstanding Drama Series.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Men
    Supports: Series creator, premise, run dates, episode count, awards, cultural significance.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Mad-Men
    Supports: Series overview, creator, setting, critical reception, awards.
  3. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mad_Men_episodes
    Supports: Premier date, final date, episode total, season count.
  4. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mad_Men_characters
    Supports: Don Draper character details and role as protagonist.