Outside The TV Box

Black Mirror (2011)

One of the hardest things to greenlight in the current TV market is an anthology TV series: one that presents standalone stories with different sets of characters per episode or season, but that follows the same genre or theme. The reasons are simple: people don't feel compelled to binge-watch independent episodes. Plus, budgets can be much higher when you have to produce multiple settings and hire different actors per season.

Mirror

That being said, an anthology series that succeeds can become big. That's how "Black Mirror" has just renewed for a seventh season (more info on Variety). The futuristic series has spent an average of U$6 MM per episode – which is impressive if we compare it with, let's say, Squid Games (2021), a shy U$2,3 MM. 

Modern

Another big anthological hit is the series based on the weekly column "Modern Love", from The New York Times. With an A-list cast for its first season (Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey, Dev Patel, Julia Garner, Andy García), it did receive mixed reviews from the press (check The Guardian & Variety). Nevertheless, it sold its remake rights to India (Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai), Tokyo and Amsterdam.

Season

When an anthology series is seasonal, binging becomes easier, and the audience builds momentum. Famous cases are "The White Lotus" (3rd season announced), "True Detective" (4 seasons), "American Horror Story" (12 seasons), and "Fargo" (5th season is here, read in Collider). 

"Fargo", by the way, is a fascinating example of a franchise that spun from its original 1996 feature film. Instead of focusing on the same characters, it went on a minor subplot tangent to originate the first season. After which it became an anthology of independent seasons, although always maintaining the theme and several references that link them all together. I recommend this THRinterview with creator and director Noah Hawley. 

Evolving

TV Series have been completely restructured in the past years, and it is most likely to keep evolving. We are here to help our clients identify which is the best format for their content.

Click here to get a FREE TV Series lexicon from us. 

Cheers,

Laura