10 TV Shows That Got Better With Each Season

Some of the best TV shows are the ones that get better with each season. Though it may seem like a given, creating a television show that progressively gets better, with little to no dips in quality, isn’t an easy accomplishment. Many TV shows are beloved by audiences and reviewed well by critics but have a season or two that isn’t as strong as the rest. However, series like Breaking Bad and Cobra Kai have shown to get better with each additional season.

The other shows that accomplish a similar feat have consistently built upon previous storylines while remaining authentic to the series they started as. Nothing appears too sudden or unlikely for the series’ respective characters, which leaves fans with a sour taste. Instead, the storylines are realistic regarding what’s already been established, and the series moves forward without losing engagement with the audience. Never once does a storyline feel dragged out or unnecessary, but the energy remains on a high until the end.

Related

10 Great TV Shows With Bad First Seasons

A surprising amount of critically acclaimed television shows didn’t have a successful first season but made it over the hurdle to deliver TV gold.

10 Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

Masterfully shows how Jimmy becomes Breaking Bad’s Saul Goodman

Acting as a prequel series, Better Call Saul follows one of the best characters in the Breaking Bad franchise, Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk). Set before the events of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul sees the journey of how its titular character became an unprincipled lawyer. As other additions in the Breaking Bad franchise do, the story of Better Call Saul is carefully crafted.

Though there are seasons with a few consecutive episodes that are slower and are full of exposition, it’s purposefully done as it introduces new characters and events for Jimmy to process. However, each season is strongly capped off with intense finales that entice audiences to come back for more. Like Walter White, the journey that Jimmy goes on is captivating to witness and is pulled off thanks to the series’ writers and Odenkirk’s performance.

9 Ghosts (2021-Present)

An adaptation that manages to feel fresh

Based on the BBC version of the same name, Ghosts has managed to improve its comedic tone throughout its first three seasons. Ghosts has been renewed for season 4 and while there’s no way to know if future seasons will continue this pattern, it seems they likely will. So far, each season has built upon Ghosts‘ unique premise and heartfelt storylines where Sam (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) have a mutual relationship with the ghosts living in their inherited home.

As much heart as there is in Ghosts, there are also plenty of supernatural jokes and bits. The ghost characters in Ghosts are from different eras, making for an entertaining ensemble that puts themselves and their living friends in shenanigans. Each additional season of Ghosts is sharply written and proves to be more fun than the previous season.

8 The Expanse (2015-2022)

Considered one of the best sci-fi shows in recent years

Showing human life in the Solar System, The Expanse is a thrilling drama that explores planetary conflict. The Expanse is based on the series of books under the same name and ran for three seasons on Syfy before being canceled and picked up for another three seasons by Amazon. The way The Expanse handles the move from one platform to another shows the strength of the series’ characters and story.

From the start, The Expanse season 1 made the series’ stakes clear by killing off characters that appeared to be important. Such stakes and character dynamics only grew as The Expanse became more focused when moving forward. Throughout much of The Expanse, masterful uses of action sequences were put on full display, never feeling overused or tiresome. Despite The Expanse season 6 being the shortest of the series, the final season satisfyingly concluded the character’s storylines while leaving room for a potential seventh season later down the line.

7 BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)

Grew in emotional depth each season while remaining funny at times

Following its titular character, a once-famous sitcom actor seeking revived relevancy, BoJack Horseman found its footing after its first season and continued on a path of greatness. Upon first viewing of BoJack Horseman season 1, it appears the series is another adult-animated comedy that differs very little from those that came before it. However, season 2, and those that followed, used humor alongside darker subjects the series would continue to face until the end.

Creatively speaking, BoJack Horseman is distinct from other animated TV shows for adults as multiple episodes find creative ways to explore the emotional weight its characters carry in their lives. As seen in some of BoJack Horseman‘s saddest quotes, humor was never allowed to overshadow the core of the series’ message. Additionally, BoJack Horseman impressed audiences with its fleshed-out and deep characters.

6 Cobra Kai (2021-Present)

A series founded on nostalgia, but became its own thing

As a sequel to the original The Karate Kid films, Cobra Kai had to ensure it was not just another reboot made for purely nostalgia’s sake and, thankfully, it did. Cobra Kai does lean into nostalgia — the most notable being Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprising their roles from the franchise’s films — but the series still stands on its own. This is largely due to the exploration of Daniel and Johnny and the introduction of other characters.

As Cobra Kai continues, audiences have been treated to a gradual progression of Daniel and Johnny’s rivalry. Each season adds more stakes and characters that ultimately bring the two men to form a shared respect for one another. This is a common outcome of the other rivalries in Cobra Kai as the series doesn’t allow its conflicts to drag on for too long, resulting in a neatly paced five seasons. With season 6 on the way, Cobra Kai‘s final season has the potential to end the series strongly, and information teased about the concluding season suggests it’ll do just that.

Related

Cobra Kai Season 6 Trailer Teases An Epic Moment We’ve Waited 40 Years To See

Cobra Kai season 6 finally has a trailer, and it teases an epic battle that should officially settle the score started in 1984 in The Karate Kid.

5 Veep (2012-2019)

A political satire that settled into greatness after Season 1

Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Vice President Selina Meyer, Veep gradually became a compelling political satire. Following the political adventures of Selina, Veep didn’t quite hone in on its comedic voice in season 1 and differentiated very little from other politically focused TV shows. However, with each new season, Veep improved in writing, allowing the series to be packed full of satire and thought-out characters.

Veep‘s clever writing allowed for spot-on political scenarios whose absurdity can be easily found in real life. For Selina, she begins the series disregarded by other political figures of higher power, but makes a natural transition as she begins to understand the world of politics, growing in confidence. Just like other shows with short final seasons, Veep season 7 sends its characters off on a strong note.

4 Succession (2018-2023)

Familial and business conflicts increase with each season

Up at the top among other all-time greats in TV, Succession managed to remain exciting and increasingly compelling with every additional season. Understanding the off-putting makeup of the series’ characters, Succession needed to take time within its first season to allow audiences to become familiar with what would be three more seasons of excellence. The Roy siblings understand the promising future of power in store for them and, combined with preexisting complicated familial dynamics, stakes rise as Succession moves forward.

Every season builds upon each sibling’s motives, which culminates in the powerful and esteemed final fourth season. Early on, Succession season 4 throws the audience and its siblings in for a surprise in episode 3, “Connor’s Wedding.” It’s from there that audiences wait in anticipation to see who will gain the titular role. Succession ends on an emotional high that leaves the siblings in a state that feels equally devastating as it does right.

3 The Americans (2013-2018)

Sensible stakes were added, allowing the audience to be invested

Two KGB intelligence officers pose as an average American couple in The Americans. Throughout its six seasons, The Americans strikes the ideal balance between the action that comes with the lead couples’ job and a slow burn that allows for characters to be properly developed. However, The Americans doesn’t lose focus and delivers equally entertaining drama each season.

The Americans implement increased believable stakes as the series goes on, which leaves audiences becoming heavily invested in the journey of the Jennings family. Another aspect of The Americans that helps with this is the family-driven storylines that set it apart from other spy series. Similarly to other TV shows that get better with each season, The Americans season 6, its final season, is its best. The ten-episode season led to a bittersweet, satisfying ending for its lead characters that perfectly encapsulated the series’ growing understanding of drama.

2 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Walter’s journey became increasingly gripping with each season

Considered to be one of the best TV shows of all time, Breaking Bad only gets better as the series moves forward. Following a chemistry teacher, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), as he establishes himself in the world of drugs, Breaking Bad never failed when it came to pacing and having a clear path for their characters. It’s possible this wouldn’t have been the case if the Writers Guild of America strike hadn’t occurred during Breaking Bad season 1. Vince Gilligan, the series creator, said the strike slowed down the creative team and allowed them to rethink the series’ direction and pacing.

As a result, Breaking Bad formed into a beloved series that managed to balance darkness and intensity with tasteful bits of comedy. However, as well-handled as the series’ tone and character arcs were, the most fascinating part of Breaking Bad was following Walter White’s villainous journey. The smooth progression of Breaking Bad saw Walter get himself into more trouble and gain one enemy after another as he became further entrenched in the drug trade, which led to a strong and emotional ending for the character.

1 The Sopranos (1999-2007) 


A consistent output of seasons that left a mark on television

Years after its series finale, The Sopranos is still fondly reflected on and seen as being one of the most influential TV shows of all time. Telling the story of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) as he finds a way to balance his commitments to his family and the criminal world, The Sopranos changed the way television was viewed as a medium, earning a lot of respect. This continued acclaim couldn’t have been possible had The Sopranos not had prominent writing, direction, and performances from its cast. From the beginning until its controversial final episode, The Sopranos successfully built upon the conflict in Tony’s life.

Understanding the importance of world-building and character development, The Sopranos did slow down in pace during season 4, but the quality remained. The time taken to explore other Sopranos characters and Tony’s marriage to Carmela (Edie Falco) grounded the series and made the characters feel genuine. Despite the series finale that sparked debates about Tony’s fate, the final set of episodes in season 6 were loaded with escalated conflict that guaranteed the end of The Sopranos would be memorable.