These days, the focus of TV shows has shifted from a single character to a variety of characters. By doing so, TV series increase their characters' chances of relatability and acceptance. Recently, television shows with ensemble casts have taken the lead in the industry. Be it a group of six friends, like in Friends, or a town searching for a lost child, like in Stranger Things, TV shows with ensemble casts have found ardent fans.
With a wide range of genres from comedy and action to period dramas and crime, TV shows with many characters have risen to the top of viewers' watchlists and with the release of epic fantasy shows like House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, this trend of successful shows with plenty of characters seems to be continuing.
Updated on October 23, 2022 by Cole Kennedy: Comedies like Arrested Development showcase the ridiculous daily struggles of the Bluth family while ensemble shows like Lost delved deep into their characters' backstories, motivations, and moral struggles. Some of the best TV series of all time, like Game of Thrones and The West Wing, feature large casts with fantastic actors all working together to add depth and weight to their stories.
10 Arrested Development Features Bluth Family's Grievances
Five Seasons (2003-2019)
Arrested Development is a sitcom that enjoys a massive cult following. Arrested Development follows the Bluth family in the aftermath of George Bluth Sr.'s arrest for embezzling money. A cunning, controlling, and manipulative man, George Sr. was also a terrible father.
- Michael Bluth played by Jason Bateman
- George Michael Bluth played by Michael Cera
- Lucille Bluth played by Jessica Walter
Michael, George's son, takes up the responsibility of putting the family back on track. A classic tale of riches to rag, Arrested Development follows the various members of the Bluth family and their desperate attempts to reinstate some semblance of normalcy in their lives.
9 Generations Of Buttons Still Inhabit The Button House In Ghosts
Four Series (2019-Present)
Not all haunted houses are dark and creaky with wisps of smoke drifting by. BBC's Ghosts is about one such house. The Button house is inherited by Allison Cooper, a distant relative of the last owner. Allison and her husband, Mike, are in for a surprise when they find out that their new home is haunted.
- Alison Cooper played by Charlotte Ritchie
- Mike Cooper played by Kiell Smith-Bynoe
- Kitty played by Lolly Adefope
Ghosts introduces generations of Buttons, their eccentricities and stories, and their relationships with each other. Along with adjusting to Allison and Mike's presence, the ghosts face their pasts after decades of running from them.
8 Vikings Showcases The Norse Heroes' Saga
Six Seasons (2013-2020)
Michael Hirst's Vikings is inspired by the legend of Viking Ragnar Lothbrok. Although Vikings is not completely accurate in terms of history and chronology, it aptly dramatizes the notorious free spirit of the Vikings. Vikings follows Ragnar and a motley crew of individuals who defy their chieftain and sail where no one else has before.
- Ragnar Lothbrok played by Travis Fimmel
- Lagertha played by Katheryn Winnick
- Rollo played by Clive Standen
As Ragnar leaves his comfort zone, he risks not only his life but the lives of all those who join him on his dangerous expedition. His crew consists of people with varied personalities and a mostly loyal disposition.
7 The West Wing Presents Daily Shenanigans In The Oval Office
Seven Seasons (1999-2006)
Created by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing is a seven-season drama about the fictitious President Bartlet and his administration operating out of the White House. Exploring several arcs of varying lengths throughout the series, The West Wing deals with themes of legislative and political intricacies of the Presidency.
- President Jed Bartlet played by Martin Sheen
- Josh Lyman played by Bradley Whitford
- C.J. Cregg played by Allison Janney
The West Wing pans in and out of the lives of several characters, main and secondary, giving the show more depth and contour. Both personal and professional issues of the President and his staff are brought to the forefront.
6 The Crown Portrays Queen Elizabeth's Administration
Four Seasons (2016-Present)
Beginning from her marriage to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in 1947 through to the 21st century, The Crown is an American period drama revolving around the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Following the major events of her life, The Crown also depicts the overall effects these events have on the people in her life.
- Queen Elizabeth II played by Claire Foy and Olivia Colman
- Prince Philip played by Matt Smith and Tobias Menzies
- Princess Margaret played by Vanessa Kirby and Helena Bonham Carter
An extensive cast portraying various historical personalities allows viewers to form a better picture of the events that conspired in the late 20th century. Although criticized for certain historical inaccuracies, The Crown has won hearts globally.
5 Lost Has Characters Surviving In The Middle Of Nowhere
Six Seasons (2004-2010)
Right out of William Golding's Lord Of The Flies, Lost is a survival drama. Following the passengers of a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles in the aftermath of a horrendous crash, Lost exposes the innate psyche and nature of humans where survival dominates all other instincts.
- Jack Shephard played by Matthew Fox
- Jin-Soo Kwon played by Daniel Dae Kim
- Kate Austen played by Evangeline Lilly
Lost uses various devices, like flashbacks and flash-forwards, to give viewers an insight into who the characters really are and the motivations for their actions and behavior. Although the finale has fans divided, Lost has a huge following.
4 Yellowjackets Begins In The Wild And Doesn't End There
One Season (2021-Present)
Set 25 years after a traumatic plane crash in the northern wilderness, Yellowjackets follows the lives of immensely talented high school soccer players. A survival epic with significant themes of coming-of-age and psychological horror, Yellowjackets premiered in November 2021 and got picked up for a second season the following month.
- Sammi Hanratty played by Christina Ricci
- Sophie Nélisse played by Melanie Lynskey
- Jasmin Savoy Brown played by Tawny Cypress
Faced with the consequences of their actions a quarter-century ago and now leaders of savage clans, these girls try to piece their previous lives together. The characters all must realize that what began 25 years ago in the wilderness hasn't been put to rest.
3 An Aristocratic Family Avoids Bankruptcy In Downton Abbey
Six Seasons (2010-2015)
An English period drama set in the early 20th century, Downton Abbey follows the Crawley family and their biggest concern of keeping their fortune. As residents and owners of the Downton estate, they employ many servants whose lives are intertwined with theirs, despite the stark class distinction.
- Violet Crawley played by Maggie Smith
- Lady Mary Crawley played by Michelle Dockery
- Robert Crawley played by Hugh Bonneville
An all-inclusive series of scandal, romance, politics, and more, Downton Abbey provides an insight into the inner workings of all the characters. As the world progresses, they struggle to maintain the estate.
2 Game Of Thrones Presents Fantastic Fantasy Politics
Eight Seasons (2011-2019)
Adapted from George R. R. Martin's novel series A Song of Ice and Fire, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama. Although it disappoints most fans in the final season due to its hasty writing and rushed tying up of loose ends, Game of Thrones still has a huge fan following.
- Cersei Lannister played by Lena Headey
- Daenerys Targaryen played by Emilia Clarke
- Jon Snow played by Kit Harington
Following a variety of arcs and many characters, Game of Thrones is set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, where the royal families of the seven kingdoms have their eyes set on the Iron Throne.
1 Grey's Anatomy Doctors Do More Than Just Save Lives
19 Seasons (2005-Present)
Shonda Rhimes' Grey's Anatomy is one of the longest-running dramas of this decade. A drama with heartwarming friendships, devastating accidents and deaths, and cutthroat competition, Grey's Anatomy has been a fan-favorite for a very long time.
- Meredith Grey played by Ellen Pompeo
- Cristina Yang played by Sandra Oh
- Richard Webber played by James Pickens Jr.
Following Dr. Meredith Grey from her first day as an intern through her entire career, Grey's Anatomy has fans hooked for better or worse. As the various interns, residents, and staff go about their lives, they try to maintain their personal and professional relationships, which end up chaotic more often than not.