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.

#

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

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 (2020–2024)
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 (2019–2020)
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

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 (2016–2023)
Crusade (1999)

D

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 (2016–2019)
Desperate Housewives (2004–2012)
The Deuce (2017–2019)
Devs (2020)
Dexter (2006–2013)^[3]
Dirt (2007–2008)
Dirty John (2018–2020)
Dirty Sexy Money (2007 - 2009)
Dispatches from Elsewhere (2020)
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, 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 (2018–2021)
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 (2019–2022)
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)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019–present)
Living with Yourself (2019)
Locke & Key (2020–2022)
Loki (2021–2023)
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 (2017–2023)
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 (2017–2019)
Misfits (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)
Narcos: Mexico (2018–2021)
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 (2017–2022)

P

Q

R

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
Space: Above and Beyond
Spartacus
The Spy
Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024)
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)
Superman & Lois (2021–present)
Swamp Thing (2019)

T

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

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 (2013–2020)
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)

References

^ "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.

[1] "Complex TV: The Poetics of Contemporary Television Storytelling by Jason Mittell". Media Commons Press. Retrieved April 11, 2015.

[2] "TV Drama Structure: Why TV is the Future, and How to Write For It". Script Magazine. September 10, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2015.

[3] "At Midseason, Serial Dramas Serve Up Big Twists". www.npr.org. Retrieved February 27, 2015.

[4] "Does Mad Men deserve to be in the Smithsonian?". The Guardian. February 19, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.

[5] "Serial TV: Mad Men, True Detective, and the Miseducation of the TV Fan". New Republic. Retrieved March 26, 2015.

[6] Wickham, Phil (2000). "BFI TV 100 - 25: Our Friends in the North". Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2015.

[7] "The Greatest TV Drama of the Past 25 Years, Round One: The Sopranos vs. Six Feet Under". Retrieved February 4, 2015.

[8] "The Wire: HBO Serial Television Drama, Created by David Simon". Retrieved February 4, 2015.

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