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List of nonlinear narrative television series

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nonlinear narrative is a storytelling technique in which the events are depicted, for example, out of chronological order, or in other ways where the narrative does not follow the direct causality pattern of the events featured, such as parallel distinctive plot lines, dream immersions, flashbacks, flashforwards or narrating another story inside the main plot-line.[1]

In television, there are several examples of works that use this kind of narrative, although not all of them use it in the same way. In spite of it being more commonly used on dramas, it can also be found on comedies.

This technique is used for different purposes, such as serving as a narrative hook, to mimic human memory or to explore the past of the story without leaving its present completely aside. In addition, not all television series use this technique in the same extent; some of them use it only in certain episodes, e.g. Fringe, others only in certain seasons, e.g. Breaking Bad, while others do throughout their entire run, e.g. Lost.[2]

1950s

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1959–1963 The Untouchables Crime drama ABC
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1980s

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1989–present The Simpsons Animated sitcom Fox Features flashback and flashforward episodes, dream immersions and scattered narrative. Characters do not age and few things fundamentally change between episodes, although episodes refer to one another's events in complex ways. Continuity is deliberately broken, with minor characters' backstories being revised frequently. [3][4][5]
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1990s

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1990–1991 Twin Peaks Drama ABC Part 8 includes fragmented dream-like sequences. [6][7]
1993–2002, 2016–2018 The X-Files Drama FOX Features nonlinear narrative with several flashback episodes. [8]
1994–2004 Friends Sitcom NBC Features several flashback episodes such as "The One with the Flashback", "The One With The Invitation", and "The One with All the Thanksgivings" [9]
1997–2003 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Supernatural teen drama The WB Features nonlinear narrative particularly from season 2 onwards [10]
1999–2004 Angel Supernatural drama The WB Features flashbacks [11]
1999–2007 The Sopranos Crime drama HBO Features flashbacks in certain episodes, such as "Down Neck" [12]
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2000s

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2002 Firefly Science fiction western Fox Only in episode "Out of Gas" [13]
2000–2006 Malcolm in the Middle Comedy Fox Mainly through the use of flashbacks, especially episodes "Flashback" and "Bowling" [14]
2000–2004 Coupling Comedy BBC Two Some episodes include split‑screen sequences (e.g, "Split"; series 3, episode 1) and scenes replayed from different characters’ perspectives (e.g. "9½ Minutes"; series 4, episode 1, and "The Girl with Two Breasts"; series 1, episode 5.  [15][16]
2002 Boomtown Action-drama NBC The show tells the same events from different characters' perspectives, which makes the story unfold in a non-linear way [8]
2002–2017 Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden Animated
Martial arts
TXN (TV Tokyo) Used numerous flashbacks, filler arcs, and standalone story arcs
2003–2012 One Tree Hill Drama The WB
The CW
Used timejumps in season 5, 7, and 9 [17]
2003–2006
2013–2019
Arrested Development Comedy Fox (season 1-3)
Netflix (season 4-5)
Especially season 4 [18][8]
2004–2010 House Medical drama Fox Features flashbacks in certain episodes, such as "Two Stories", "Three Stories", and "Lockdown". [19]
2004–2010 Lost Drama ABC Features three main storylines; the past, the present and an alternative present [20][8]
2005–present Doctor Who Science fiction drama BBC Features time travel and flashbacks [21][22]
2005–2014 How I Met Your Mother Comedy CBS Features flashbacks, flashforwards and unreliable narrators [23]
2006–2013 30 Rock Comedy NBC Mainly through the use of flashbacks and smash cuts. [8]
2006–2010 Heroes Drama NBC Disjointed, parallel plotlines that jump across space and time, using frequent flashbacks, flash-forwards, and the fragmentation of a large ensemble cast to slowly reveal a single, interconnected fate [24]
2007–2009 Transformers Animated Animated Superhero Cartoon Network Through the use of flashbacks
2007–2012 Damages Drama FX Some episodes “disrupts linearity and chronology through constant flashbacks and flashforwards” [25]
2008–2013 Breaking Bad Drama AMC Only "Pilot", season 2 and season 5 [26][27][28]
2009–2011 Ezel Crime drama Show TV
ATV
Particularly season 1, and selected episodes of season 2. Features extensive flashbacks. [29]
2009–2010 FlashForward Drama ABC Global flashforward premise [30][31]
2009–2017 The Vampire Diaries Fantasy drama The CW Features flashbacks and flashforwards [32][33]
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2010s

2010

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2010–2014 Boardwalk Empire Period drama HBO Only episode "Under God's Power She Flourishes" and season 5 [34][35][36]
2010 The Event Science fiction NBC The pilot is described as a "chronological puzzle", "Flashbacks and jumping timeline" [37][38]
2010–2022 The Walking Dead Horror drama AMC Features flashbacks and parallel story lines [39][40][41][42]
2010–2017 Pretty Little Liars Teen drama ABC Family Features flashbacks [43]
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2011

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2011–present American Horror Story Horror drama FX Flashbacks and dream immersions [44][45][46]
2011–2018 New Girl Sitcom Fox Features flashbacks particularly in certain episodes, such as "Virgins" [47]
2011–2016 Person of Interest Science fiction CBS Features extensive use of flashbacks and in media res [48][49]
2011–2018 Once Upon a Time Fantasy drama ABC Features extensive use of flashbacks [50]
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2012

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2012 Alcatraz Science fiction Fox Only through the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards [51]
2012–2020 Arrow Superhero The CW Mainly through the use of flashbacks and flashforwards [52][53][54]
2012 Son Thriller ATV
2012–2014 Revolution Science fiction NBC
2012 The Returned Drama Canal+ Narrative unfolds over time using symbolic moments that reveal past event's impact on the present, requiring viewers to piece together meaning rather than to following a linear plot [55]

[56] [57]

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2013

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2013–2023 Attack on Titan Action drama MBS, NHK The series features several flashbacks, while its extra episodes (or OVA) are all anachronic. [58]
2013 20 Dakika Thriller Star TV
2013–2014 Once Upon a Time in Wonderland Fantasy drama ABC
2013 Deception Soap opera NBC
2013–2015 Hannibal Drama NBC Especially season 3 [59]
2013 Golden Boy Drama CBS
2013–2017 Orphan Black Science fiction BBC America Especially season 4 [60]
2013–2019 Orange Is the New Black Comedy drama Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacks [61]
2013–2018 The Originals Fantasy drama The CW Extensive use of flashbacks [62]
2013–2019 Ray Donovan Drama Showtime Features flashbacks [63][64]
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2014

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2014–2020 The 100 Science fiction The CW Mainly through the use of flashbacks [65]
2014–2020 BoJack Horseman Adult animation Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions [66][67]
2014–2022 Black-ish Comedy ABC Mainly though the use of flashbacks [68]
2014–2019 Gotham Crime-drama Fox Only certain episodes, such as "Spirit of the Goat" [69]
2014–2019 Jane the Virgin Comedy drama The CW Every episode features a flashback to the title character's past, typically her childhood [70]
2014–2016 Penny Dreadful Fantasy drama Showtime Features a flashback episode, "Closer Than Sisters" [71]
2014–present Rick and Morty Science fiction adult animated sitcom Adult Swim Features time travel, alternate and intertwining timelines [72][73]
2014–2019 The Affair Drama Showtime Using unreliable narrators, the same events are revisited twice, according to the perception of each character [74]
2014–2019 Transparent Comedy drama Amazon Prime Features flashbacks [75]
2014–present True Detective Drama HBO Especially season 1 [76][77]
2014–2020 How to Get Away with Murder Drama ABC In medias res narrative [78]
2014–2023 The Flash Superhero The CW Time travel, parallel timelines and flashbacks [79][80]
2014 The Honourable Woman Political-spy thriller BBC Two Features flashbacks [81]
2014 Manhattan Love Story Romantic comedy ABC
2014–2016 The Missing Drama BBC One Features flashbacks [82]
2014–2017 The Strain Horror drama FX Mainly through the use of flashbacks [83]
2014–2017 The Leftovers Drama HBO Through the use of dream immersions and flashbacks [84][85]
2014–2015 A to Z Comedy NBC
2014–2015 Forever Drama ABC Mainly through the use of flashbacks [86]
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2015

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2015–2016 Aquarius Period drama NBC Through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions
2015–2016 Wayward Pines Drama Fox Mainly through the use of flashbacks [87]
2015 Connected Documentary AOL On
2015–2018 12 Monkeys Science fiction Syfy Time travel [88]
2015–2017 American Crime Drama ABC Features flashbacks and dream immersions [89][90][91]
2015–2017 Bloodline Drama Netflix Flashforwards used as a narrative hook [92]
2015–2018 Daredevil Superhero Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacks [93]
2015–2023 Fear the Walking Dead Post-apocalyptic drama AMC Uses multiple timelines, particularly in season 4 & 8 [94][95]
2015–2019 Marvel's Jessica Jones Superhero Netflix Through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions [96]
2015–2019 Sneaky Pete Crime Drama Amazon Originals Through the use of flashbacks and multiple concurrent plot-lines [97]
2015–2018 Lovesick Comedy drama Netflix Each episode explores a period in the protagonist's past [98]
2015–2017 Master of None Comedy Netflix Through the use of flashbacks [99][100]
2015–2020 Fresh Off the Boat Comedy ABC Only through the use of flashbacks [101]
2015–2018 Humans Science fiction Channel 4 and AMC Only through the use of flashbacks [102]
2015–2019 Mr. Robot Drama USA Network Through the use of dream immersions [103]
2015–2017 Narcos Drama Netflix Only in flashbacks [104]
2015–2018 Sense8 Science fiction Netflix Only certain episodes, such as "I Can't Leave Her" [105]
2015 The Whispers Science fiction ABC Features flashbacks [106]
2015–2018 Quantico Drama ABC In medias res [107]
2015 You, Me and the Apocalypse Comedy drama Sky 1 and NBC Features flashbacks [108]
2015–2024 Bunk'd Comedy Disney Channel Setting takes place mostly in summer
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2016

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2016 11.22.63 Science fiction Hulu Time travel [109]
2016–present Atlanta Comedy drama FX Features a flashback episode, "FUBU" [110]
2016 The Night Manager Espionage drama BBC One, AMC Features flashbacks [111]
2016–present American Crime Story Crime drama FX Features flashbacks [112][113]
2016–2019 Fleabag Comedy drama BBC One Features flashbacks and dream immersions [114]
2016 Vinyl Drama HBO Mainly through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions [115][116]
2016 Damien Drama A&E Features flashbacks [117]
2016 The Family Drama ABC Features flashbacks [118]
2016–2018 The Path Drama Hulu Mainly through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions [119][120]
2016 Containment Drama The CW Features flashbacks [121]
2016–2018 Lady Dynamite Dark comedy Netflix This series features three narrative times, two different storylines in the past and one in the present [122][123][124]
2016–2017 Outcast Drama Cinemax Mainly through the use of flashbacks [125]
2016–2019 Preacher Drama AMC Mainly through the use of flashbacks [126]
2016–2025 Stranger Things Drama Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacks and separate plotlines [127]
2016–2022 This Is Us Drama NBC Features extensive flashbacks and flashforwards [128][129][130]
2016–2020 The Good Place Comedy NBC and Netflix Features flashbacks, particularly in season 1 [131]
2016–2022 Westworld Drama HBO This series features multiple narrative times, with various storylines in the past, an uncertain "present", and a future [132][133]
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2017

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2017–2020 13 Reasons Why Teen drama Netflix Features extensive use of flashbacks [134]
2017–2020 Dark Science fiction drama Netflix Features time travel, flashbacks, parallel timelines, alternate and intertwining timelines [135]
2017–present Made in Abyss Science fiction fantasy Sentai Filmworks and Netflix Features extensive use of flashbacks [136][137]
2017–2021 Castlevania Action drama Netflix Seasons 2 through 4 used two plotlines
2017–2019 Anne with an E Period drama CBC Television and Netflix Uses brief flashbacks [138]
2017 Twin Peaks: The Return Drama Showtime Mainly through the use of flashbacks. Some occurrences in 'Part 2' happens before some events depicted in 'Part 1', and most events in 'Part 8' happens in the 1940s and 1950s. Time travel and alternative timeline also occurs. [139][140][141][142]
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2018

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2018–present 9-1-1 Procedural drama Fox Features flashbacks [143]
2018–2020 Castle Rock Psychological horror anthology Hulu Features two parallel storylines and flashbacks [144]
2018–present Elite Teen drama Netflix Features extensive use of flashbacks [145]
2018 Sharp Objects Psychological thriller HBO Mainly through the use of flashbacks [146][147]
2018–2019 Sorry for Your Loss Drama Facebook Watch Features two main storylines, one in the past and another in the present [148]
2018 The Haunting of Hill House Drama Netflix Features extensive use of flashbacks [149]
2018–present Homecoming Drama Amazon Particularly in season 2 [150][151]
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2019

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2019–2026 Euphoria Teen drama HBO Features flashbacks [152]
2019 Stateless Drama mini-series ABC Features flashbacks [153]
2019–2024 The Umbrella Academy Superhero drama Netflix Features flashbacks [154]
2019–2026 The Boys Dark superhero comedy-drama Amazon Prime Video Features A-plot and B-plot structures, plotlines, and narratives throughout the series
2019–present The Witcher Fantasy drama Netflix Features three main storylines [155][156]
2019–present Undone Comedy drama animation Amazon Prime Video Features time travel and flashbacks [157]
2019 Watchmen Superhero drama HBO Features flashbacks [158][159]
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2020s

2020

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2020 Inhuman Resources Drama miniseries Arte-Netflix [160]
2020 I Know This Much Is True Drama miniseries HBO Features extensive flashbacks to two different timelines [161][162][163]
2020 I May Destroy You Comedy drama BBC One and HBO Features extensive flashbacks [164]
2020–present Jujutsu Kaisen Fantasy anime MBS Features flashbacks [165][166]
2020 Little Fires Everywhere Drama miniseries Hulu Features flashbacks and an entire flashback episode [167][168]
2020–2025 Mythic Quest Comedy Apple TV+ Features one anachronic episode per season [169][170]
2020–present Soulmates Science fiction anthology AMC Features two timelines [171]
2020 The Haunting of Bly Manor Psychological horror Netflix Features a frame story, a story within a story and flashbacks [172][173][174]
2020 The Queen's Gambit Drama miniseries Netflix Features flashbacks [175]
2020–2021 The Walking Dead: World Beyond Post apocalyptic drama AMC Features flashbacks [176]
2020–2022 The Wilds Survival teen drama Amazon Prime Video Features flashbacks [177]
2020–present Tales from the Loop Science fiction anthology drama Amazon Prime Video Features intertwining timelines and flashbacks [178]
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2021

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2021 86: Eighty-Six Science fiction anime Tokyo MX Features heavy use of flashbacks [179][180][181]
2021 Behind Her Eyes Mystery thriller mini-series Netflix Features flashbacks and dream immersions [182]
2021–present Lupin Mystery comedy Netflix Features flashbacks [183]
2021–present Invincible Superhero adult animation Amazon Prime Video Features flashbacks [184]
2021–present Invisible City Psychological thriller Netflix Features flashbacks and dream immersions [185]
2021 Lisey's Story Psychological horror miniseries Apple TV+ Features intertwining timelines and dream immersions [186][187]
2021–present Sweet Tooth Fantasy drama Netflix Features flashbacks [188][189]
2021–present Them Horror Amazon Prime Video Features flashbacks [190][191]
2021–present Trese Fantasy horror anime-influenced animation Netflix Features flashbacks [192][193]
2021 The Serpent True crime drama mini-series BBC One and Netflix Features three timelines [194][195]
2021 The Underground Railroad Fantasy historical drama miniseries Amazon Prime Video Features flashbacks [196][197][198]
2021 Cruel Summer True crime drama / mystery series Hulu Features three timelines [199]
2021–present Yellowjackets Psychological horror, Drama Showtime Follows two timelines: the survivors of a plane crash in the wilderness and their present-day lives [200][201][202]
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2022

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2022 Inventing Anna Drama miniseries Netflix Features extensive flashbacks [203][204]
2022–present Outer Range Science fiction neo-western Amazon Prime Video Features flashbacks and time travel [205]
2022 Pam & Tommy Drama miniseries Hulu Features a flashback episode, "I Love You, Tommy" [206]
2022–present The Afterparty Comedy mystery Apple TV+ Each episode retells the same event from a different character's perspective using varying narrative styles and timelines [207][208]
2022 The Tourist Thriller HBO Max Features scattered narrative [209][210]
2022 Under the Banner of Heaven Crime drama miniseries Hulu Uses flashbacks to the history of Mormonism alongside the present-day investigation [211][212]
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2023

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2023–present Poker Face Mystery drama Peacock Each episode features a different case with flashbacks revealing clues [213]
2023 The Fall of the House of Usher Horror miniseries Netflix The narrative shifts between past and present to unravel the story [214]
2023–present The Last of Us Post-apocalyptic drama HBO Features non-linear storytelling through flashbacks to character backstories [213]
2023–present Silo Science fiction drama Apple TV+ Incorporates flashbacks to explore the history and mystery of the silo [215]
2023–present Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Fantasy anime Nippon TV Features heavy use of flashbacks [216]
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2024

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2024–present Fallout Post-apocalyptic drama Amazon Prime Video Features flashbacks [217]
2024–present Sunny Comedy/drama Apple TV+ Features flashbacks and a flashback episode [218]
2024 The Sympathizer Historical comedy drama HBO Features flashbacks [219]
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