Summary

• TV series can take major risks to stand out.
• Unexpected changes can keep audiences engaged.
• Risky moves pay off for memorable series.

Television shows can often become predictable as the seasons go on, but every once in a while, a series will take a major unexpected risk that totally pays off. While it can be a daunting prospect for television creators to go out on a limb and take a major risk, this can also be what sets their show apart from the plethora of other series on the air and ensures it stands out among so much competition. While a huge risk can sometimes destroy a faltering show, it can also be the thing that makes people want to watch it in the first place.

Television series can take huge risks in many ways. From unexpected character deaths and changing premises and perspectives, the best risks are ones that audiences never saw coming but connected with when they did happen. After several years on the air some series shake things up with a musical episode, others entirely change the setting of the show, or, on rare occasions, the whole premise of the series was turned on its head. There are so many ways TV shows can take huge risks that end up paying off.

10 The Good Place (2016 – 2020)

Constantly Changing Premise

While most sitcoms lay out their premise in the pilot and remain static throughout, The Good Place had a constantly shifting narrative that had its character’s motivations, relationships, and sense of purpose develop throughout. Following the first season twist ending, which revealed that Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani, and Jason were in the Bad Place, right up to the reveal of the afterlife's flawed points system, The Good Place was always changing and developing. The changing premises of The Good Place was a major narrative risk that made the series one of the most interesting and insightful sitcoms in recent memory.

9 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)

The Musical Episode

Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a groundbreaking television series that helped normalize the episode stood as one of Buffy’s best.

8 The Leftovers (2014 – 2017)

A New Setting Every Season

The acclaimed HBO series The Leftovers explored the consequences of the “Sudden Departure” where 2% of the world’s population vanished inexplicably. The first season followed the residents of Mapleton, New York, and the strange cults, such as the Guilty Remnant, that appeared to the annoyance of the Police of Chief Kevin Garvey. This concept would have been strong enough on its own, but each season of The Leftovers sought to reinvent itself in a major risk that paid off in spades. Season 2 saw Kevin relocate from Mapleton to Texas, and Season 3 was partly set in Victoria, Australia.

7 Black Mirror (2011 – Present)

Introducing More Positive Episode

The dystopian anthology series Black Mirror developed a reputation for pessimistic cautionary tales about the dark consequences of technology, often with insanely bleak and nihilistic endings. However, as the series developed it occasionally deviated from its tried and tested formula to deliver more positive episodes with hopeful endings, such as the third series episode “San Junipero.” This shift into more optimistic territory was a risk that could backfired majorly, but instead ended up as a much-needed point of relief and kept Black Mirror unpredictable and exciting.

6 Doctor Who (1963 – Present)

Regeneration

While today it’s accepted that Time Lords in Doctor Who can regenerate and be transformed into a new physical form, when it first occurred in 1966 it was a risk that the creators did not know would pay off so significantly. The reason the Doctor first regenerated was because William Hartnell, who played The First Doctor, exhibited deteriorating health and could not take part in the series much longer. To replace him, Doctor Who invented regeneration and not only saved the show for one more season but ensured it could continue for generations to come.

5 The Mandalorian (2019 – Present)

A Hero Who Hardly Ever Shows His Face

The Mandalorian was one of the best pieces of Star Wars media in living memory and its choice to rarely show the face of its star, Din Djarin, was a risky move that totally paid off. While it can feel like a wasted opportunity when the lone bounty hunter Djarin was played by such a beloved star as Pedro Pascal, the rarity with which he showed his face made it feel special whenever he did. Djarin’s practice of never showing his face publicly was a creed of Mandalorian culture which added extra layers of depth to his character.

4 The Sopranos (1999 – 2007)

Cut to Black Ending

The cut-to-black ending of The Sopranos was a controversial way to conclude the acclaimed HBO series that sparked major debate among viewers. This provided no resolution towards the fate of Tony Soprano and viewers were left to determine for themselves whether Tony died in that moment or how the rest of his life would have played out. This was a unique and risky way to finish such a beloved series and was an ingenious resolution that forced audiences to discover their own meaning, and while it may have upset some people, it’s still being ionately spoken about 17 years later.

3 South Park (1997 – Present)

Really Killing Kenny

A longstanding gag in South Park was having one Kenny McCormick die in bizarre ways at the end of many episodes followed by Stan or Kyle shouting a variant of “Oh my god! They killed Kenny!” This became a cornerstone of South Park that was shockingly brought to its logical conclusion when the creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker made the risky decision to kill Kenny permanently in Season 5. While Kenny did return in later seasons, this decision allowed South Park to explore the actual consequences of Kenny’s death and the effect it had on the other main characters.

2 BoJack Horseman (2014 – 2020)

Going From Comedic Cartoon To Philosophical Exploration Of Despair

Clues toward the probing philosophical exploration of depression and despair seen in BoJack Horseman were apparent from the series earliest episodes but nothing could prepare viewers for how devesting the Netflix show would become over its six-season run. From BoJack’s neglectful childhood to the devastating death of Sarah Lynn, BoJack Horseman was full of sad moments and its willingness to explore dark territory was a risk that truly paid off. On first look, BoJack Horseman may feel like an outright adult comedy akin to something like Family Guy, but became one of the most gut-wrenchingly poignant shows all of time.

1 Twin Peaks: The Return (1990 – 1991, 2017)

Making The Audience Wait For Agent Dale Cooper’s Return

After a 25-year absence, viewers were excited to return to Twin Peaks for an 18-episode continuation that audiences assumed would be led by Kyle MacLachlan as Special Agent Dale Cooper. However, Twin Peaks creators David Lynch and Mark Frost took a major risk by having MacLachlan return not as Cooper but as Dougie Jones, a manufactured doppelgänger whose body a disorientated Cooper gets stuck inside. This meant a fully functioning version of Cooper did not appear in The Return for a full 16 episodes. This was a major risk that was frustrating for viewers, but ultimately rewarding in the conclusion.