7 Short TV Seasons That Surprisingly Worked Well

Today, one of the biggest complaints about the era of streaming television is how short every season of a TV show is. However, there are certain series that prove this isn’t always a bad thing. Many TV shows have short final seasons that work out because there wasn’t as much needed to wrap up the final installment of the series.

Conversely, a show might have a concrete single storyline or set of events it wants to cover, and extending the narrative beyond this would only undermine the quality of the project. Unlike the miniseries that are so good you’ll want to watch them more than once, these series weren’t required to have a limited number of episodes, but purposefully chose to make the most of them.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024–Present)

Season 1

Without Donald Glover and Maya Erskine’s incredible performances in Prime’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it’s true that the series might not be as electric. However, every aspect of the project comes together to ensure that the romantic thriller series makes the most of its eight-episode run, which sees the protagonists taken on a shocking journey.

Thrown together as a pair of spies who must go undercover as a married couple, Mr. & Mrs. Smith thrives on the fact that the relationship between John and Jane must move as quickly as the pace of the story. In this way, it makes sense that the series would have a limited number of episodes, as the lead couple’s dynamic progresses much faster than a typical relationship would.

Though Mr. & Mrs. Smith season 2 is indefinitely delayed, this doesn’t mean that audiences shouldn’t dive into the action-packed first season (via Variety). There’s a lot to enjoy about the show, from the actors’ chemistry to the brilliantly choreographed action sequences, and all of this comes in a neat package that audiences can watch in a weekend.

Pantheon (2022–2023)

Season 1

The genre-bending sci-fi animated series Pantheon is one of the most underrated recent additions to the genre that more audiences should be aware of. Pantheon seasons 1 and 2 only ran for eight episodes each, but the series accomplishes a lot in this short span of time, letting the viewer in on the world of the characters and the more sinister elements of the plot.

Deeply in conversation with humanity’s emerging relationship with the lightning-fast development of new technology and the ethical questions that accompany this, Pantheon is an interrogative project. Like many adult animated series, Pantheon shouldn’t be underestimated because of its medium. If anything, the art style only makes the project more impactful.

The young protagonist of the series, Maddie, is easy for the viewer to see themselves in, as she’s grappling with growing up as well as intense grief that drives many of her choices throughout the show. Pantheon‘s ability to touch upon so many of life’s biggest themes speaks to the quality and equity of the writing, drawing the audience deeper into the narrative with every line.

Fleabag (2016–2019)

Season 2

Though it was the fast-paced Fleabag season 1 that first captured our attention, the razor-sharp comedy’s second season is what has cemented the show as a one-of-a-kind project. Created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag wasn’t originally meant to have a second outing, and the first season’s short run made sense since the show was adapted from the play by Waller-Bridge.

However, the way that the story seamlessly lends itself to another outing is part of why Fleabag is a show that deserves its masterpiece status. Adding Andrew Scott to the cast was a stroke of genius for Fleabag, as his turn as the Hot Priest is exactly what the series needed to add an element of both romance and larger reflection to the atmosphere of the story.

In just six short episodes, Fleabag takes its title character on an unforgettable odyssey, transforming her into someone almost entirely new by the final moments of the series. Though we wish there were more seasons of Fleabag, it’s impressive that Waller-Bridge knew Fleabag had reached the end of her journey by the time she says goodbye to the audience.

Game Of Thrones (2011–2019)

Season 7

Like most streaming TV shows, Game of Thrones never received a full order of 22 episodes for any of its seasons, but that didn’t stop the series from becoming one of the most popular fantasy shows of the 21st century. While most seasons of GOT hovered around 10 episodes per installment, things were slowing down by the final two seasons, and season 7 only ran for seven episodes.

However, unlike the controversial final season of GOT, which only had six installments, season 7 had a strong narrative arc and is considered a great part of the series. Though it’s difficult to hold a candle to GOT‘s early years when the fantasy series was at its height, the shortened season worked in the show’s favor in the penultimate season.

With many epic battle sequences and plotlines that come to fruition that were years in the making, Game of Thrones season 7 is a satisfying addition to the canon, despite its dark moments. Digging into the lore of the world beyond the Wall is one of the most fun parts of the story, and season 7 takes advantage of this fact.

The Expanse (2015–2022)

Season 6

The Expanse didn’t have the easiest time finding its place in the television landscape, as the series was initially canceled by Syfy after season 3. However, luckily for fans of the show, The Expanse was brought back by Prime Video for seasons 4 through 6, culminating in the six-episode final season that will stay with viewers for years to come.

Though there are some harsh realities of rewatching The Expanse, and some of us are still holding out hope that the hit sci-fi series will return for another season, the final installment of the show demonstrates why it’s so popular. There are still some unanswered questions, but this serves to keep the world of The Expanse alive.

The Expanse is frequently compared to heavyweights of the speculative fiction genre like Game of Thrones for the way it balances its otherworldly elements with complex political and social intrigue that are essential to the story. Earlier seasons of the show had between 10 and 13 episodes, but the tightly packed story of season 6 was a strong note to end on.

Derry Girls (2018–2022)

Season 1

Following the lives and misadventures of a group of Irish teenagers living in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, Derry Girls might have a serious social and political context, but the series couldn’t be more hilarious. Each installment of Derry Girls is less than eight episodes long, but from the pilot, it’s clear that the show isn’t going to waste a moment.

The ensemble cast is a large part of what makes Derry Girls work, as each performer is fully committed to their offbeat, quirky characters, immersing the audience in the world from the beginning. Every episode of the show is memorable, and audiences should watch the series from beginning to end, but Derry Girls season 1 is doubtlessly something special.

Derry Girls season 1 was clearly crafted with the intention of crafting a full story in case the show was canceled before its time. While Derry Girls didn’t have as many seasons as other sitcoms, this hasn’t stopped the series from being considered one of the most innovative comedies of the past few years, and the shorter seasons helped make this possible, as each episode is a knockout.

Broadchurch (2013–2017)

Season 1

British TV thrillers are some of the best additions to the genre, and Broadchurch is widely regarded as one of the greatest to come out in recent years. Starring Olivia Colman and David Tennant as two detectives who investigate the murder of a young boy that wracks a small town, throwing everyone and their beliefs into chaos.

It’s a twisting mystery with many misdirects and red herrings, making it hard to believe that Broadchurch will be able to answer all of our questions in just eight episodes. However, the series moves at a brisk pace without ever sacrificing character development or leaving any aspect of the narrative unexplored. This makes the reveal at the end of the season all the more satisfying and devastating.

Two of Olivia Colman and David Tennant’s best TV characters are Ellie and Alec, as the veteran actors give some of the most memorable performances of their careers. The additional seasons of Broadchurch are no less engaging or emotionally fraught, but the first installment of the show will always be notable for all it achieves in its runtime.