List of serial drama television series explained

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.

• 3% (2016–2020)
• 12 Monkeys (2015–2018)
• 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020)
• 24 (2001–2010, 2014)
• (2017)
• The 100 (2014–2020)
• 666 Park Avenue (2012–2013)
• 2000 Malibu Road (1992)
• The 4400 (2004–2007)
• 90210 (2008–2013)

A

• 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)
• (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

• 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

• 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

• Dallas (1978–1991)
• Dallas (2012–2014)
• Damages (2007–2012)
• (2016)
• (2013)
• Daredevil (2015–2018)
• Dark (2017–2020)
• (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

• 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

• 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

• Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
• Gavin & Stacey (2007–2010, 2019)
• 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

• 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

• 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

• Jack Ryan (2018–2023)
• Jericho (2006–2008)
• Jessica Jones (2015–2019)
• Joan of Arcadia (2003–2005)
• Justified (2010–2015)

K

• 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

• 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)
• (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

• 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)
• (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

• The Name of the Rose (2019)
• Narcos (2015–2017)
• (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

• 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

• 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

• Queer as Folk (US) (2000–2005)
• Queer as Folk (UK) (1999–2000)
• The Queen's Gambit (miniseries)

R

• 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

• 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
• Spartacus
• The Spy
• (2017–present)
• (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

• Taken
• Teen Wolf (2011–2017)
• Ten Days in the Valley
• (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

• Unbelievable (2019)
• Underground (2016–2017)
• Under the Dome (2013–2015)
• Undone (2019–present)

V

• 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

• 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

• Years and Years (2019)
• Yellow Peppers (2010–2014)
• Yellowstone (2018–present)
• You (2018–present)
• The Young Pope (2016)
• The Young Warriors (2006)

Z

• Z Nation (2014–2018)
• Zero Hour (2013)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Complex TV: The Poetics of Contemporary Television Storytelling by Jason Mittell . April 11, 2015 . Media Commons Press.
2. Web site: September 10, 2013 . TV Drama Structure: Why TV is the Future, and How to Write For It . March 26, 2015 . Script Magazine.
3. Web site: At Midseason, Serial Dramas Serve Up Big Twists . February 27, 2015 . www.npr.org.
4. Web site: February 19, 2015 . Does Mad Men deserve to be in the Smithsonian? . March 26, 2015 . The Guardian.
5. Web site: Serial TV: Mad Men, True Detective, and the Miseducation of the TV Fan . March 26, 2015 . New Republic.
6. Web site: Wickham . Phil . 2000 . BFI TV 100 - 25: Our Friends in the North . https://web.archive.org/web/20120321071033/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/tv/100/list/prog.php?id=25 . March 21, 2012 . January 31, 2015.
7. Web site: The Greatest TV Drama of the Past 25 Years, Round One: The Sopranos vs. Six Feet Under . February 4, 2015.
8. Web site: The Wire: HBO Serial Television Drama, Created by David Simon . February 4, 2015.