18 of the most violent TV shows ever – ranked

BBC One's new historical epic Troy: Fall of a City is promising "full-on" battle scenes – "mayhem and carnage and death" with "nothing held back".

But how will the series measure up to some of television's most grisly and gruesome offerings to date? The following shows all deal in graphic, no-holds-barred violence. We're not talking occasional moments of violence, we're talking consistent, reliable levels of grue. Viscera are a must, and no cutaways. You'll need a strong stomach for this one.