Top Netflix Series with Extensive Season Count Worth Immediate Marathon Viewing
In the realm of streaming services, Netflix has become a powerhouse, offering a vast array of original content. Amongst these, a select few stand out for their length (minimum six seasons) and notable character development. Here are five recommendations for viewers seeking shows with rich character evolution and a substantial number of seasons.
Grace and Frankie
This seven-season comedy-drama is Netflix's longest-running original series to date, praised for its nuanced portrayal of female friendships and aging. Jane Fonda plays Grace Hanson, a sharp-tongued cosmetics mogul, and Lily Tomlin portrays Frankie Bergstein, a quirky artist. The series follows the unlikely friendship that forms between these two characters after their husbands reveal they are in love with each other and plan to get married. Over 94 half-hour episodes, the characters hilariously and heartwarmingly get through major changes in their family dynamics, becoming family for each other in the process.
Orange Is the New Black
Running for seven seasons from 2013 to 2019, this prison-set drama was pivotal to Netflix's early original content success. Piper Chapman, a clean-cut public relations executive, is the audience's proxy, having been sentenced to 15 months in prison for her past drug-running activities. Over more than 91 episodes, we witness Chapman adjusting to life behind bars and interacting with the eccentric, sometimes violent, and always interesting convicts at Litchfield Penitentiary. The series is acclaimed for its large ensemble cast and deep character arcs.
Arrowverse Shows
The Arrowverse, a popular universe of superhero shows on TV, includes two series that have at least six seasons: Arrow and The Flash. Both shows launched on Netflix and developed complex character progression over their runs. Arrow, with eight seasons, was the first to debut, launching the Arrowverse universe on TV. The Flash, with nine seasons, followed suit, combining superhero action with evolving character storylines across its lengthy run.
While other popular Netflix series like "You" have multiple seasons, they do not meet the six-season minimum criterion. Shows like "Stranger Things" or "Bridgerton" currently have fewer than six seasons available.
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Lastly, it's worth mentioning another noteworthy Netflix show, "Peaky Blinders," a BBC drama series initially aired and later added to Netflix's library in 2014. Cillian Murphy plays Tommy Shelby, the leader of a notorious street gang in post-WWI Birmingham. The series has six seasons and 36 episodes in total, involving Tommy Shelby dealing with the Italian mafia, corrupt Catholic priests, Russian aristocrats, dastardly Irish cops, lingering wartime PTSD, and more. However, as no prior context was provided, we encourage viewers to explore this series on their own.
Movies-and-TV entertainment options like 'Grace and Frankie' and 'Orange Is the New Black' stand out on Netflix for their length (minimum six seasons) and notable character development. 'Grace and Frankie', a seven-season comedy-drama, highlights the unlikely friendship between two women after their husbands reveal their secret romantic relationship, while 'Orange Is the New Black', a prison-set drama, follows the life of Piper Chapman as she adjusts to life behind bars. The Arrowverse shows, 'Arrow' and 'The Flash', are also on Netflix with at least six seasons each, offering superhero action and complex character progression.
