It’s not unusual for someseriesto have a shaky start. In fact, quite a few shows take some time to find their footing – whether it’s due to relatability, tone, or even the network they’re on.But for those viewers who push through the thick of it, they are nicely rewarded with a series that evolves into something truly special.
TakeMoney Heist, for example – a show that was initially a small-timedramathat later transformed into a global hit with a bigger budget and layered characters. Or evenThe Leftovers, which many found its start to be rather bleak and slow, but eventually grew into a resonant and poetic series. While not all shows can be as rewarding as these two,the ones on this list may have had an unfortunate start, but they carry promising rewards for those who stick with them.
10’Black Sails' (2014–2017)
Created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine
Thispirate drama may not have shonefrom its very first season, but the story was solid enough to offer viewers a tantalizing glimpse of what was to come.Black Sailsis set in the golden age of piracy, the early 18th century, following the legendary Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) as he navigates the lawless pirate haven of Nassau, securing treasure, maintaining power, and outsmarting the British Empire.
Black Sails' early episodes do set the stage fairly well, but it wasn’t until Season 2 – following a massive creative course correction – that the series truly evolved into a compelling drama featuring one of the most captivating antiheroes on TV.Fans who stuck around towards the later seasons were treated to a series rife with clever twists, thrilling naval battles, and a satisfying fate for favored characters.Black Sailsmay not have hit the mainstream as it deserved, but fans who kept on with the series were definitely left satisfied.
Black Sails
Follows Captain Flint and his pirates twenty years prior to Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel “Treasure Island.”
9’Better Call Saul' (2015–2022)
Created by Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould
Better Call Saulis a thrilling drama that serves as a prequel to the iconicBreaking Badseries. The series is set six years before the events ofBreaking Bad, and chronicles the transformation of public defender Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) into the morally flexible criminal lawyer known as Saul Goodman.
With such big shoes to fill, many would thinkBetter Call Saulwould come with an intensity that equaled Breaking Bad right out the gate; instead,the series took a more slow-burn approach. The first season is character-focused, with Jimmy McGill mostly running small-time cons and the like – quite dissimilar to the characterBreaking Badfans were expecting. However, over time,Better Call Saul’sstorytelling grew richer and richer with each season, rising in stakes, and adding connections toBreaking Bad.Eventually, the show earned its place alongside its predecessor, giving devoted fans a rewarding treat of an incrediblemasterpiece of a drama series.
Better Call Saul
8’Farscape' (1999–2003)
Created by Rockne S. O’Bannon
Thissci-fi adventure starts offas a semi-lighthearted space adventure with quite a few goofy moments.Farscapefollows the astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder), who is accidentally thrown through a wormhole and into an unknown part of the galaxy during an experimental space mission. He then finds himself aboard Moya, meeting an alien crew of prisoners.
Season 1 ofFarscapeis full to the brim with fun space-adventure antics, along with the occasional hints of something bigger to come. By the series' second season, those hints had grown into a larger, more intricate story – with a bolder narrative and multi-episode arcs.Farscapelater grew grittier, sexier, and more serialized, and by Season 3, fans placed the series among some of the best sci-fi shows on TV.Faithful fans were definitely rewarded for their patience, as the series delivered an epic and emotional space opera.
Thrown into a distant part of the universe, an Earth astronaut finds himself part of a fugitive alien starship crew.
7’Money Heist' (2017–2021)
Created by Álex Pina
Money Heistis a Spanish crime thrillerthat gained a second life on the streaming platformNetflix. The iconic series follows The Professor (Álvaro Morte), a criminal mastermind who assembles a team of eight specialists, and others, in order to carry out the biggest heist in history:infiltrating the Royal Mint of Spain to print billions of euros.
Making its start as a limited series on Spanish TV in 2017,Money Heistonly achieved modest reviews, despite its good reception.Netflix rescued the series, recutting the original 15 episodes into 22 shorter episodes, then commissioned three more parts with a flashier budget and a bolder narrative. Devoted fans who stuck with the series were given a treat as they witnessed the modest show’s transformation into one of the most-watched non-English shows worldwide.
Money Heist
An unusual group of robbers attempts to carry out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history - stealing 2.4 billion euros from the Royal Mint of Spain.
6’Buffy the Vampire Slayer' (1997–2003)
Created by Joss Whedon
Thissupernatural drama may have had a low budgetfor its first season with only 12 episodes, butit held a fresh concept with witty dialogue that showcased its incredible potential.Buffy the Vampire Slayeris centered around a young woman who is the latest chosen one in a long line of “Slayers,” Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), as she embraces her destiny while battling monsters and trying to live a semi-normal life.
While Season 1 stands asBuffy the Vampire Slayer’sweakest season, by Season 2, fans who stuck around saw the series level up in a massive way.The storytelling became more emotionally captivating, featuring compelling star-crossed romances. The show eventually continued its rise, incorporating more mature themes and character depth.For those who stuck out Season 1’s teen high school hijinks, they were treated to an experience of one of TV’s most beloved character journeys, with a richer plot and a darker take.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
A young woman, destined to slay vampires, demons and other infernal creatures, deals with her life fighting evil, with the help of her friends.
5’Fringe' (2008–2013)
Created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci
Fringeisa sci-fi thrillerthat began as one of those generic monster-of-the-week episodic series, which eventually evolved into so much more. The ambitious series follows FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv), assigned to a covert government division that investigates mysterious and frequently deadly phenomena linked to fringe science.
Though Season 1 ofFringe’s storyline was a bit basic, the concept was intriguing enough to garner a few fans. The series didn’t really distinguish itself from something that has often been seen before, but even as Season 1 progressed,Fringeintriguingly started leaning more into its mythology. By the second season,Fringedeepened its central family drama and showcased a parallel universe. By the time that arc was in full swing, the series had already begun delivering some of the most creative and captivating sci-fi moments on TV.Fans that stuck around were treated to several satisfying plot payoffs and an incredibly entertaining, expansive, mythology-driven storyline.
An F.B.I. agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist and his son in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena.
4’BoJack Horseman' (2014–2020)
Created by Raphael Bob‑Waksberg
2014’s Netflix series,BoJack Horseman, may be an animated series featuring an anthropomorphic horse, but it does resonate extremely well with audiences. The compelling animation follows its titular character, BoJack (Will Arnett),a washed-up ’90s sitcom star who is struggling with addiction, loneliness, and a desire for connectionand redemption.
Initially, with its earlier episode within Season 1,BoJack Horsemancomes off as justanother generic adult cartoon. But once viewers continue the season, they are treated to a show that hits harder than expected. Unfurling like a rather depressing flower, the later episodes of Season 1 – and eventually the rest of the series – dive deep into tough themes, like mental health, and the effects of depression. The later seasons offer their faithful fansan epic and resonating series that is rife with wacky-comedy drama and emotional depth, making it a perfect addition to this list of shows that reward their loyal fans.
BoJack Horseman
BoJack Horseman was the star of the hit television show “Horsin' Around” in the ’80s and ’90s, but now he’s washed up, living in Hollywood, complaining about everything, and wearing colorful sweaters.
3’The Leftovers' (2014–2017)
Created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta
Thismystery drama divided its audiencewith its rather bleak first season.The Leftoversis set in a world where 2% of the population suddenly vanishes without a trace. The story focuses on those residing in the town of Mapleton, New York – particularly police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux), who is struggling to hold both his family and his sanity together.
When the first season ofThe Leftovershit screens, some fans felt the early episodes were too slow and too depressing, while others lauded the series for its haunting atmosphere and bold emotional depth.By the time Season 2 came around, the show found its rhythm, treating the viewers who kept up with the series with masterful performances, surreal imagery, and an emotionally captivating masterpiece. With its moving story that hosts profound character journeys, those who stuck it out afterTheLeftovers' first season are definitely without any regrets.
The Leftovers
2’Avatar: The Last Airbender' (2005–2008)
Created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko
Avatar: The Last Airbendermay initially come off as a generic kids' show to those who experience the first few episodes, but in actuality, it is so much more than that.Theanimated fantasy series is setin a world where people are able to manipulate the elements—water, earth, fire, and air. The story follows the last surviving Airbender and current Avatar, Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen), as he and his friends journey to help him master all the elements and save the world.
Avatar: The Last Airbenderdefinitely comes off as fun and goofy, perfect for young children, but for those who continue the series, they will quickly realize the deeper themes within it.Some of those include the burdens of destiny, loss, and identity.Fromcomplex characters' growthto sweet, wholesome romances, by the timeAvatar: The Last Airbenderreaches its finale, viewers who stick around experience its transformation from a fun kids' show to a masterclass in storytelling, perfect for all ages.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
In a war-torn world of elemental magic, a young boy reawakens to undertake a dangerous mystic quest to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and bring peace to the world.
1’Schitt’s Creek' (2015–2020)
Created by Dan Levy and Eugene Levy
This Canadian comedy had a very modest start with an entirely goofy premise.Schitt’s Creekfollows the once-wealthy Rose family — former video store magnate, Johnny (Eugene Levy), his eccentric wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara), who is a washed-up soap opera star; and their spoiled adult children, David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) — as they are navigating their new lives without their fortune.
With such a modest start on the CBC network, viewers were quite skeptical, especially due to the series' off-putting title, as it was assumed to be like any other raunchy sitcom.From its beginnings,Schitt’s Creekgrew a small following, and those who remained to watch the goofiness of the show were treated to its evolution in becoming one of the best sitcoms of the decade. Fans witness incredible character growth, genuinely heartfelt moments, andhilarious good fun, as the series progresses, transforming from a one-season gimmick into a sensational hit with an emotional payoff-earning its rank as the number one show on this list of series that treat their fans for sticking around through later seasons.
Schitt’s Creek
After being a victim of fraud, Johnny Rose and his family go from extremely wealthy to penniless overnight. The only asset left to them is a small, unsophisticated town: Schitt’s Creek. They relocate there. Culture shock ensues.
NEXT:10 TV Shows That Went on Longer Than They Needed To
