List of serial drama television series
This is a list of serial drama television series. A serial is a television show which has a continuous plot that unfolds in sequential episode-by-episode fashion. Serials are, more often than not, shows that possess narrative complexity.[1] They typically follow many story arcs that span entire television seasons, or even in some cases, the entire run of the series.
#
[edit]- 3% (2016–2020)
- 12 Monkeys (2015–2018)
- 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)
- 24 (2001–2010, 2014)
- 24: Legacy (2017)
- The 100 (2014–2020)
- 666 Park Avenue (2012–2013)
- 2000 Malibu Road (1992)
- The 4400 (2004–2007)
- 90210 (2008–2013)
A
[edit]- The Act (2019)
- The Affair (2014–2019)
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2013–2020)
- Akame ga Kill! (2014)
- Alcatraz (2012)
- Alex Rider (2020–present)
- Alias (2001–2006)
- The Alienist (2018–2020)
- Almost Human (2013–2014)
- Altered Carbon (2018–2020)
- American Crime Story (2016–present)
- American Gods (2017–2021)
- American Horror Story (2011–present)
- American Soul (2019–present)
- The Americans (2013–2018)
- American Vandal (2017–2018)
- Andromeda (2000 — 2005)
- Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (2011)
- Another Life (2019–2021)
- Aquarius (2015–2016)
- Arcane (2021–present)
- Arrow (2012–2020)
- Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)
- Attack on Titan (2013–2023)
- Awake (2012)
B
[edit]- Babylon (2014)
- Babylon 5 (1993–1998)
- Babylon Berlin (2017–present)
- Baccano! (2007)
- Band of Brothers (2001)
- Banshee (2013–2016)
- Barry (2018–2023)
- Bates Motel (2013–2017)
- Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009)
- Berserk (1997–1998)
- Better Call Saul (2015–2022)
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000)
- The Big C (2010–2013)
- Big Little Lies (2017–2019)
- Big Love (2006–2011)
- Billions (2016–2023)
- The Black Donnellys (2007)
- The Blacklist (2013–2023)
- Black Monday (2019–2021)
- Black Sails (2014–2019)
- Blindspot (2015–2020)
- Blood+ (2005–2006)
- Bloodline (2015–2017)
- Blood of Zeus (2020–present)
- Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014)
- The Borgias (2011–2013)
- Bosch (2014–2021)
- Boss (2011–2012)
- The Boys (2019–present)
- BrainDead (2016)
- Breaking Bad (2008–2013)[2]
- The Bridge (2013–2014)
- Bridgerton (2021–present)
- Broadchurch (2013–2017)
- Brotherhood (2006–2008)
- Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
C
[edit]- Canaan (2009)
- Cane (2007)
- Caprica (2010)
- Carnival Row (2019–2023)
- Carnivàle (2003–2005)
- Castle Rock (2018–2019)
- Castlevania (2017–2021)
- Catch-22 (2019)
- Catherine the Great (2015)
- Central Park West (1995–1996)
- Chained Soldier (2024–present)
- Chernobyl (2019)
- Classroom of the Elite (2017–present)
- Claymore (2007)
- The Client (1995–1996)
- Cobra Kai (2018–present)
- Code Geass (2006–2008)
- Code of a Killer (2015)
- Colony (2016 - 2018)
- The Comeback (2014)
- Continuum (2012–2015)
- Counterpart (2017–2019)
- Courthouse (1995)
- Cowboy Bebop (1998–1999)
- Crash (2008–2009)
- Crime Story (1986–1988)
- Cross Ange (2014–2015)
- The Crossing (2018)
- The Crown (2016–present)
- Crusade (1999)
D
[edit]- Dallas (1978–1991)
- Dallas (2012–2014)
- Damages (2007–2012)
- Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School (2016)
- Danganronpa: The Animation (2013)
- Daredevil (2015–2018)
- Dark (2017–2020)
- The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
- Dark Matter (2015 - 2017)
- Das Boot (2018–present)
- Dawson's Creek (1998–2003)
- Daybreak (2019)
- Deadwood (2004–2006)
- The Dead Zone (2002–2007)
- Death Note (2006–2007)
- Deep State (2018–present)
- Defying Gravity (2009)
- Designated Survivor (2016–present)
- Desperate Housewives (2004–2012)
- The Deuce (2017–2019)
- Devs (2020)
- Dexter (2006–2013)[3]
- Dirt (2007–2008)
- Dirty John (2018–present)
- Dirty Sexy Money (2007 - 2009)
- Dispatches from Elsewhere (2020–present)
- Dollhouse (2009–2010)
- Dominion (2014–2015)
- Downton Abbey (2010–2015)
- Dracula (2020)
- Dynasty (1981–1989)
- Dynasty (2017–2022)
E
[edit]- Catherine (2014–present)
- el Chapo (TV series) (2017 - 2018)
- Eli Stone (2008–2009)
- Elite (2018–present)
- Emergence (2019–2020)
- Empire (2015–2020)
- The End of the F***ing World (2017–2019)
- Euphoria (2019–present)
- The Event (2010–2011)
- Everwood (2002–2006)
- Evil (2019–present)
- The Exorcist (2016–2017)
- The Expanse (2015–2022)
- Extant (2014–2015)
F
[edit]- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
- Falcon Crest (1981–1990)
- Falling Skies (2011–2015)
- Fallout (2024–present)
- Fargo (2014–present)
- Farscape (1999 - 2003)
- Fear the Walking Dead (2015–2023)
- Feud (2017)
- FlashForward (2009–2010)
- The Following (2013–2015)
- For All Mankind (2019–present)
- Foundation (2021–present)
- Frequency (2016–2017)
- Friday Night Lights (2006–2011)
- Fringe (2008–2013)
- The Future Is Wild (2007–2008)
G
[edit]- Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
- Gavin & Stacey (2007–2010, 2019, 2024)
- Gen V (2023–present)
- Gilmore Girls (2000 - 2007)
- The Girl from Tomorrow (1991 - 1993)
- GLOW (2017–2019)
- Godless (2017)
- Goliath (2016–present)
- Good Girls (2018–present)
- Good Omens (2019)
- The Good Wife (2009–2016)
- Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
- Grey's Anatomy (2005–present)
- Gurren Lagann (2007)
H
[edit]- Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017)
- The Handmaid's Tale (2017–present)
- Hannibal (2013–2015)
- Harlots (2017–2019)
- Harper's Island (2009)
- Heartland (2007–present)
- Helix (2014–2015)
- Hell on Wheels (2011–2016)
- Heroes (2006–2010)
- Heroes Reborn (2015–2016)
- Highschool of the Dead (2010)
- High Seas (2019–present)
- His Dark Materials (2019–present)
- Homeland (2011–2020)
- Hope Street (2021–present)
- Hostages (2013–2014)
- House of Cards (2013–2018)
- House of the Dragon (2022–present)
- How to Get Away with Murder (2014–2020)
- Humans (2015–2018)
- Hunters (2020–2023)
- Hyperion Bay (1998–1999)
I
[edit]- The I-Land (2019)
- The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2010–2016)
- Into the Badlands (2015–2019)
- In Treatment (2008–2010)
- Inuyasha (2000–2004, 2009–2010)
- Invasion (2005–2006)
- Invincible (2021–present)
J
[edit]- Jack Ryan (2018–2023)
- Jericho (2006–2008)
- Jessica Jones (2015–2019)
- Joan of Arcadia (2003–2005)
- Justified (2010–2015)
K
[edit]- Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (2016–2019)
- Kidding (2018–2020)
- Kidnapped (2006–2007)
- The Killing (2011–2014)
- Killing Eve (2018–2022)
- Killjoys (2015–2019)
- Kill la Kill (2013–2014)
- Kings (2009)
- The Knick (2014–2015)
- Knightfall (2017–2019)
- Knight Rider (1982 TV series) (1982–1986)
- Knots Landing (1979–1993)
- Krypton (2018–2019)
- Kyle XY (2006–2009)
L
[edit]- Last Exile (2003–2011)
- The Last Kingdom (2015–2022)
- The Last of Us (2023–present)
- Last Resort (2012–2013)
- The Last Ship (2014–2018)
- The Leftovers (2014–2017)
- The Legend of Korra (2012–2014)
- Legion (2017–2019)
- Lexx (1997–2002)
- Life on Mars (U.K.) (2006–2007)
- Life on Mars (U.S.) (2008–2009)
- Lilyhammer (2012–2014)
- Line of Duty (2012–2021)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019–present)
- Living with Yourself (2019)
- Locke & Key (2020–2022)
- Loki (2021–present)
- The Looming Tower (2018)
- Lost (2004–2010)
- The Lottery (2014)
- Lovecraft Country (2020)
- Luck (2011–2012)
- The L Word (2004–2009)
M
[edit]- Mad Men (2007–2015)[4][5]
- The Magicians (2015–2020)
- Manhattan (2014–2015)
- Manhunt (2017–present)
- Maniac (2018)
- Manifest (2018–2023)
- The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019)
- Marianne (2019)
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–present)
- Masters of Sex (2013–2016)
- Masters of the Universe: Revelation (2021)
- Mayans M.C. (2018–present)
- Medici (2016–2019)
- Melrose Place (2009–2010)
- Melrose Place (1992–1999)
- The Messengers (2015)
- Millennium (1996–1999)
- Mindhunter (2017–present)
- Misfits (TV series) (2009 - 2013)
- The Mist (2017)
- Monster (2004–2005)
- The Morning Show (2019–present)
- Mr. Robot (2015–2019)
- Mrs. Fletcher (2019)
- Murder One (1995–1997)
N
[edit]- The Name of the Rose (2019)
- Narcos (2015–2017)
- Narcos: Mexico (2018–present)
- Nashville (2012–2018)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995–1996)
- The Newsroom (2012–2014)
- The Night Of (2016)
- Nikita (2010–2013)
- The Nine (2006–2007)
- Nip/Tuck (2003–2010)
- Noir (2001)
- Nowhere Man (1995–1996)
- Nurse Jackie (2009–2015)
O
[edit]- The O.C. (2003–2007)
- The OA (2016–2019)
- On Becoming a God in Central Florida (2019)
- Once Upon a Time (2011–2018)
- Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (2013–2014)
- One Tree Hill (2003–2012)
- Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019)
- Origin (2018)
- The Originals (2013–2018)
- Orphan Black (2013–2017)
- Our Friends in the North (1996)[6]
- Outlander (2014–present)
- The Outsider (2020)
- Oz (1997–2003)
- Ozark (2017–present)
P
[edit]- Parenthood
- Party of Five
- Peaky Blinders
- Penguindrum
- Penny Dreadful
- Pennyworth
- Person of Interest
- Persons Unknown
- Picnic at Hanging Rock
- The Playboy Club
- Point Pleasant
- Poldark
- The Politician
- Power
- Preacher
- Pretty Little Liars
- Primal
- Prison Break
- Profit
- Project Blue Book
- Psycho-Pass
- Puella Magi Madoka Magica
- The Punisher (2017–2019)
- The Purge
Q
[edit]- Queer as Folk (US) (2000–2005)
- Queer as Folk (UK) (1999–2000)
- The Queen's Gambit (miniseries)
R
[edit]- The Rain
- Ratched
- Ravenswood
- Ray Donovan
- Rectify
- Reign
- Rescue Me
- Resurrection
- The Returned
- Reunion
- Revenge
- Revolution
- The Riches
- Ringer
- Ripper Street
- The River
- Riverdale
- Rome
- Roswell
- Roswell, New Mexico
- The Royals
- Rubicon
- Russian Doll
S
[edit]- Salem
- Salvation (2017–2018)
- Scandal (2012–2018)
- Scream Queens (2015–2016)
- Secret Diary of a Call Girl
- The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008–2013)
- Secrets & Lies
- See (2019–2022)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events
- Seven Seconds
- Shadowhunters (2016–2019)
- Sharp Objects (2018)
- The Shield (2002–2008)
- Show Me a Hero
- Silo (2023–present)
- The Sinner
- Six Feet Under (2001–2005)
- The Slap (Australia)
- The Slap (U.S.)
- Sleeper Cell
- The Society (2019)
- Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014)
- The Sopranos (1999–2007)[7]
- Soul Food
- Space: Above and Beyond
- Spartacus
- The Spy
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017–present)
- Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008–2020)
- The Strain
- Strange Angel (2018–2019)
- Stranger Things (2016–present)
- Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
- Succession (2018–2023)
- Swamp Thing (2019)
T
[edit]- Taken
- Teen Wolf (2011–2017)
- Ten Days in the Valley
- Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008–2009)
- Terra Nova (2011)
- Terriers
- The Terror
- That's Life
- This Is Us (2016–2022)
- Threshold
- Titans (2018–2023)
- Todd McFarlane's Spawn
- Tokyo Ghoul
- Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
- Top of the Lake
- Treadstone (2019)
- Treme
- Triumph Over Evil
- True Blood (2008–2014)
- True Detective (2014–present)
- The Tudors
- Twin Peaks
- Twisted (2013–2014)
- Tyrant
U
[edit]- Unbelievable (2019)
- Underground (2016–2017)
- Under the Dome (2013–2015)
- Undone (2019–present)
V
[edit]- V (2009–2011)
- Valvrave the Liberator (2013)
- The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)
- Vanished (2006)
- Veronica Mars (2004–2019)
- Victoria (2016–2019)
- Vikings (2013–present)
- Vinland Saga (2019–2023)
- V Wars (2019)
W
[edit]- Waco (2018)
- The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
- WandaVision (2021)
- Warehouse 13 (2009–2014)
- Watchmen (2019)
- Wayward Pines (2015–2016)
- Weeds (2005–2012)
- The West Wing (1999–2006)
- Westworld (2016–2022)
- The Whispers (2015)
- The White Princess (2017)
- The White Queen (2013)
- The Widow (2019)
- Wild Palms (1993)
- The Wire (2002–2008)[8]
- The Witcher (2019–present)
- Wolf Creek (2016–2017)
- Wolf Hall (2015)
- Wynonna Earp (2016–2021)
Y
[edit]- Years and Years (2019)
- Yellow Peppers (2010–2014)
- Yellowstone (2018–present)
- You (2018–present)
- The Young Pope (2016)
- The Young Warriors (2006)
Z
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Complex TV: The Poetics of Contemporary Television Storytelling by Jason Mittell". Media Commons Press. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
- ^ "TV Drama Structure: Why TV is the Future, and How to Write For It". Script Magazine. September 10, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "At Midseason, Serial Dramas Serve Up Big Twists". www.npr.org. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
- ^ "Does Mad Men deserve to be in the Smithsonian?". The Guardian. February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "Serial TV: Mad Men, True Detective, and the Miseducation of the TV Fan". New Republic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ Wickham, Phil (2000). "BFI TV 100 - 25: Our Friends in the North". Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ "The Greatest TV Drama of the Past 25 Years, Round One: The Sopranos vs. Six Feet Under". Retrieved February 4, 2015.
- ^ "The Wire: HBO Serial Television Drama, Created by David Simon". Retrieved February 4, 2015.