Slip into something comfy because you'll be couch-bound for a while.
25 Binge-Worthy TV Shows With Five or More Seasons
Slip into something comfy because you'll be couch-bound for a while.
Don't you hate it when you're binge-watching a new show only to reach the end and realise there are no more episodes? Sometimes it's a matter of simply waiting until the new season is released, but what's really tough is accidentally devouring the first and only season of a gone-to-soon series of which there will never be more episodes.
There's nothing better than getting stuck into a really good TV series. In this age of social isolation, with more time spent at home craving quality entertainment to help us through each day, we recommend actively seeking out shows with at least four seasons. In the olden days, you might have bought a DVD boxset, or even rented one from your local video store, but with the invention of streaming, there are dozens if not hundreds of quality series at our fingertips.
From critically acclaimed classics to 90s hits and long-running comedies that offer hours upon hours of lols, our list of binge-worthy TV shows with five or more seasons is a goldmine of viewing inspiration. Slip into something comfy, you'll be couch-bound for a while now.
1. Fargo (2014–2024)
Where can I watch it? SBS On Demand
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 51
Inspired by the Coen Brothers' film of the same name, this dark comedy-drama anthology television series features a new storyline each season, but they all have one thing in common: Midwestern quirkiness, crime, and moral ambiguity. Since its premiere in 2014, Fargo continues to create gripping seasons with stellar ensemble casts, sharp writing, and unmatched humour. If you’re in need of a crime fix, let five seasons of Fargo fix that for you.
2. The Walking Dead (2010–2022)
Where can I watch it? Binge
Seasons: 11
Episodes: 177
This post-apocalyptic horror television series based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard has been dubbed “the third most-watched TV show ever”. Set in a world overrun by zombies, known as "walkers," the show follows a group of survivors led by sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes as they navigate the challenges of the undead and the living alike. Along the way, they encounter other groups of survivors, face moral dilemmas, and struggle to maintain their humanity in a world where civilization has collapsed.
3. Gossip Girl (2007–2012)
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 121
Revolving around the lives of privileged young adults living in the Upper East Side of New York City, Gossip Girl is narrated by an anonymous blogger of the same name, who exposes the scandalous secrets and gossip of the elite social circle. Starring Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen, a former It-girl returning from boarding school, and Leighton Meester as her best friend Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girl's glamorous setting, witty dialogue and intricate plot twists are worth spending the weekend on the couch for.
4. Law & Order (1990–2022)
Where can I watch it? 7+
Seasons: 23
Episodes: 456
There’s a slim chance crime lovers haven’t binged this series, but if you are yet to watch it, let us introduce you to your new favourite show. Based on the New York City Police Department's fictional 27th Precinct, Law & Order follows the criminal justice system from two perspectives: the police who investigate crimes and the prosecutors who bring the perpetrators to trial. Often tackling controversial social issues, no two episodes of Law & Order are the same. Since it’s premiere in 1990, the series has gone on to create numerous spin-offs – which you can binge after getting through its 23 seasons.
5. Brooklyn 99 (2013–2021)
Where can I watch it? Netflix
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 153
This New York City detective sitcom is easy-viewing at its finest; following the NYPD detectives of the 99th precinct in Brooklyn. The show is led by the talented but oh-so-immature Jack Peralta (Andy Samberg), who works with the dysfunctional team to tackle crimes while navigating office dynamics and personal relationships. If you’re looking for a laugh, look no further than the fan-favourite of Brooklyn 99.
6. Scandal (2012-2018)
Where can I watch it? On Disney+
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 113
Shonda Rhimes is also the creator of Scandal, an over-the-top and totally obsessive melodrama about political fixer Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) who heads up a ragtag group of problem solvers… while carrying out an illicit affair with Fitz, none other than the president of the United States. Scandal strung out the drama for seven intense seasons – seven seasons of Kerry Washington swathed in neutral-hued cashmere layers and clutching enormous glasses of red wine – until it took its last bow in 2018. Secretly, we love to dip in and out of this show every now and then. It’s still so much fun to watch, and we miss it. If you’ve never watched it, the first season is some of the silliest and most addictive stuff ever put on television.
7. Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 6… and two movies!
Episodes: 52
Ah Downton Abbey, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. Over six seasons – and two movies, the second has just been released in cinemas in April 2022 – Downton Abbey made us fall in love with the Crawley family ruling the Upstairs of Downton Abbey, as well as the foibles of their employees Downstairs. For fans of cosy, warm English television, there was something special about the gilded brilliance of this classic period drama. Plus a cast that included Dame Maggie Smith, Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Lily James and Laura Carmichael didn’t hurt, either.
8. The Good Wife (2009-2016)
Where can I watch it? On Stan
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 156
They really don’t make ‘em like The Good Wife anymore, do they? This series premiered in 2009 and wrapped up in 2016 and between then produced some of the best network television in recent memory. It’s easy to forget this type of series, now that we’re living in the streaming age (short seasons, no commercial breaks). But The Good Wife is a perfect example of everything good about network tv. A simple premise built around a procedural: what if the wife of a disgraced politician had to go back to the law degree she left 15 years ago in order to support her family? And what if, in the process, she becomes reacquainted with the one that got away from her university days, and proves herself in the courtroom, all while the drama surrounding her husband continues to evolve. The Good Wife was a compelling courtroom drama, a watchable family saga and a glossy, Chicago high society fable. We love it so much.
9. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 153… And a four-episode Netflix special
When Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) was 16, she gave birth to baby Rory (Alexis Bledel). Now, 16 years later – and after years of estrangement from her own ritzy parents, who didn’t support her when she became a teen mum – Lorelai and Rory begin to rekindle those relationships, now that Rory is attending a posh high school and being thrown into the world her mother thought she had left behind in order to make a new life in the quaint Connecticut town Stars Hollow. Gilmore Girls remains some of television’s greatest comfort food, a series that is so easy to watch and warm that it’s like spending time with some of your best friends.
10. This Is Us (2016-2022)
Where can I watch it? On Disney+
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 88
This Is Us is a sprawling generational saga about two families and their various children, starring an incredible cast including Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia and Sterling K Brown. This Is Us has been true tear jerking and emotional television for the past six years, but in bad news for fans of the show, the producers revealed that this season, the sixth, will be its last. It’s time to bid farewell to the Pearsons.
11. Outlander (2014-present)
Where can I watch it? on Netflix
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 42
The first season of Outlander introduced us to Claire (Caitriona Balfe), who accidentally time travelled back from her present-day in post-WWII Scotland all the way back to 1743, to a country on the brink of civil war. There, she stumbles into the path of the dashing Jamie (Sam Heughan), and a time-travelling, multi-dimensional, era-spanning love story ensues. This romantic period drama is all-engaging and all-encompassing television, full of mystery and passion. The sixth season is currently airing on Foxtel and Binge now, but there are more in the works. And given that the book series that this is based on by author Diana Gabaldon is still being churned out, we imagine that this show will keep going for a while.
12. Billions (2016-present)
Where can I watch it? On Stan
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 72
Billions is another show that is still on the air, with the promise of more to come. This show is like Succession dialed up to a million, set in the ritzy world of New York hedge funds and led by Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), a financier at the top of the world, and Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti), the US attorney constantly on his case.
13. The Sopranos (1999–2007)
Where can I watch it? On Foxtel
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 86
This crime drama is one of the highest-ranked series of all time and, like Mad Men, bears new relevance upon rewatching. The Sopranos is full of iconic characters and style icons, and is essential viewing for fans of the mob genre. Lorraine Bracco, who played the mob wife in the Goodfellas, appears throughout the series as mob boss Tony Soprano's therapist. Aside from the organised crime of it all, it's the pathos and nuance in the performances that will keep you fixed on all six seasons right until the bitter end.
14. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)
Where can I watch it? On Stan
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 144
The definition of a cult classic, Buffy still has die-hard fans and newcomers alike obsessed – and it's been nearly two decades since it ended. Our hero is Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a California high schooler who discovers she's been chosen by fate to be the slayer of vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness. Academics have done PhDs on this seminal text, and yet it is irresistibly fun to watch (and rewatch), with incredible '90s fashion and iconic lines that will quickly become part of your vocabulary.
15. Friends (1994–2004)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 10
Episodes: 236
Press play and switch off. If you're after a throwback show that was ahead of its time in terms of shrewd cultural commentary, this isn't it. Friends is like a time capsule and is best appreciated for its silliness, as well as the comedic performances of its six leads. There's a sweet spot if you're looking to binge just a few seasons—start in season four and stop after seven and you'll get the best of the show's writing and the most laughs.
16. Schitt's Creek (2015–2020)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 80
Somewhat of a surprise hit, this recently finished Canadian series comes from Eugene Levy and his son, Dan Levy, with comedy genius Catherine O'Hara and delightful newcomer Annie Murphy rounding out the main cast. They play the Roses, a once-wealthy family whose fortune is stripped away leaving them nothing but small town they once purchased as a joke (its name, of course, is Schitt's Creek). You'll quickly fall in love with the family and the kooky townspeople they meet on their riches to rags journey, and with the comedic sensibility rarely seen in modern comedy.
17. Vanderpump Rules (2013–2023)
Where can I watch it? On Binge
Seasons: 10
Episodes: 186
First gaining her fame and public notoriety on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa Vanderpump has proven to be so much more than a glamorous housewife. As the co-owner and boss of West Hollywood restaurant SUR, Lisa has to balance her life as a mother with being a businesswoman. The show follows Lisa as she tries to tame her wild group of employees who find themselves falling in and out of complicated relationships with each other, while trying to run her restaurant and look after her family.
18. Parks and Recreation (2009–2015)
Where can I watch it? On Stan
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 126
This American political satire mockumentary sitcom follows Leslie Knope (played by Amy Poehler), a dedicated member of Indiana Parks and Recreation council as she navigates suburban issues with her dysfunctional team. She has one goal – to beautify the town – and boost her reputation while she does it. Watch Leslie and her team run into unforeseeable obstacles that prevent Leslie from reaching her dream of becoming known for saving the fictional city of Pawnee.
19. Arrested Development (2003–2006)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 84
Prepare to laugh. This cult comedy classic created by Mitchell Hurwitz follows the dysfunctional Bluth Family, who are mostly made up of Orange County socialites that run a housing development company. The star of the show is Michael Bluth (played by Jason Bateman), who’s desperately trying to keep the family business afloat after his father George is sent to prison for embezzlement. If you’re looking for a show which will have you in stitches and doesn’t require your whole attention span, Arrested Development is a perfect choice.
20. Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 91
Based on Piper Kierman’s Memoir ‘Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison’ this drama-filled series will have you binging whole seasons in one weekend. Get to know a team of inmates and guards as they navigate prison life and wait for their sentences to end. There’s love, loss, and a whole lot of arguing. Grab your popcorn – this one’s a goodie!
21. Mad Men (2007–2015)
Where can I watch it? On Stan
Seasons: 7
Episodes: 92
Even if you watched it and loved it when it aired, it's probably time you rewatched Mad Men. It's been called the ultimate pandemic rewatch, and like so many period pieces, writes critic Matt Zoller Seitz, it's "as much about the era in which it appeared as the era in which it was set." For anyone unfamiliar, here's an overly simplified elevator pitch: New York, 1963, Don Draper is a handsome advertising executive with a dark secret. One of the best shows of all time, with so many iconic moments (Peggy in the hallway, sunglasses on, cigarette dangling) and relatable characters (we are all Pete Campbell at some point), Mad Men has enough style and substance to pull you deep into its world for its entire seven seasons.
22. Breaking Bad (2008–2013)
Where can I watch it? On Stan
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 62
You probably know someone who loves to say things like "I can't believe you've never seen Breaking Bad." They're annoying, yes, but they have a point. Beloved by audiences and critics alike, this epic series tells the story of a mild-mannered high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with cancer and starts making meth in order to pay for treatment and provide for his family. It's an iconic fall from grace story that has you constantly undecided about who the good guy is, if there even is a good guy at all. Watching Breaking Bad week to week was often torturous, so rest assured you'll never have to wait inordinate length of time to find out what happens next. And once you're done, you've got at least five seasons of spin-off Better Call Saul to turn to.
23. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Where can I watch it? On Binge
Seasons: 8
Episodes: 73
You know the drill. It’s Game of Thrones, one of the biggest shows in television history, with one of the most controversial final seasons of all time. You probably watched it at the time but if you didn’t, here’s a refresher: the fantasy world of Westeros is plunged into turmoil when the King is murdered and every different faction, from his scheming late wife Cersei to his long-suffering hand Ned Stark – and his family up in the north – and a young Targaryen princess Daenerys, who is rumoured to be the mother of dragons, begin to vy for the throne. And in the game of thrones, famously, you either win – or you die.
24. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 18
Episodes: 388
This is it. The motherload. There is a phenomenal 18 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, comprising an astonishing 388 episodes – and it’s still going. That’s right, Grey’s might have premiered more than 15 years ago, but it’s still going strong, with star Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey still at its very centre. Creator Shonda Rhimes says that as long as Pompeo continues to want to make the medical drama that turned her into a global household name, then she will keep writing it, and it looks like Pompeo will want to keep wearing surgical scrubs at Seattle Grace for many, many years.
25. How To Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)
Where can I watch it? On Netflix
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 60
How To Get Away With Murder is another delicious and bingeable Shonda Rhimes show, she of the many seasons and multi episodes. As far as seasons go, How To Get Away With Murder keeps it tight, with just 10 episodes of this addictive, sudsy drama about a criminal law professor, played by Viola Davis, whose crew of eager, precocious students are drawn into an actual crime in the first season – which is finally wrapped up in the sixth season, which premiered in 2020.
