# List of nonlinear narrative television series

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.
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.

## 1950s

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes | Ref |
| 1959–1963 | The Untouchables | Crime drama | ABC | | |

## 1980s

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes | Ref |
| 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. | |

## 1990s

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 1990–1991 | Twin Peaks | Drama | ABC | |
| 1993–2002, 2016–2018 | The X-Files | Drama | FOX | Features nonlinear narrative with several flashback episodes. |
| 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" |
| 1997–2003 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Supernatural teen drama | The WB | Features nonlinear narrative particularly from season 2 onwards |
| 1999–2004 | Angel | Supernatural drama | The WB | Features flashbacks |
| 1999–2007 | The Sopranos | Crime drama | HBO | Features flashbacks in certain episodes, such as "Down Neck" |

## 2000s

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2002 | Firefly | Science fiction western | Fox | Only in episode "Out of Gas" |
| 2000–2006 | Malcolm in the Middle | Comedy | Fox | Mainly through the use of flashbacks, especially episodes "Flashback" and "Bowling" |
| 2000–2004 | Coupling | Comedy | BBC Two | |
| 2002 | Boomtown | Action-drama | NBC | |
| 2003–2006 2013–present | Arrested Development | Comedy | Fox (season 1-3) Netflix (season 4-present) | Especially season 4 |
| 2004–2010 | House | Medical drama | Fox | Features flashbacks in certain episodes, such as "Two Stories", "Three Stories", and "Lockdown". |
| 2004–2010 | Lost | Drama | ABC | Features three main storylines; the past, the present and an alternative present |
| 2005–present | Doctor Who | Science fiction drama | BBC | Features time travel and flashbacks |
| 2005–2014 | How I Met Your Mother | Comedy | CBS | Features flashbacks, flashforwards and unreliable narrators |
| 2006–2013 | 30 Rock | Comedy | NBC | Mainly through the use of flashbacks and smash cuts. |
| 2006–2012 | One Tree Hill | Drama | The CW | Particularly season 5 |
| 2006–2010 | Heroes | Drama | NBC | |
| 2007–2009 | Transformers Animated | Animated Superhero | Cartoon Network | Through the use of flashbacks |
| 2007–2012 | Damages | Drama | FX | |
| 2008–2013 | Breaking Bad | Drama | AMC | Only "Pilot", season 2 and season 5 |
| 2009–2011 | Ezel | Crime drama | Show TV ATV | |
| 2009–2010 | FlashForward | Drama | ABC | |
| 2009–2017 | The Vampire Diaries | Fantasy drama | The CW | Features flashbacks and flashforwards |

## 2010s
### 2010

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2010–2014 | Boardwalk Empire | Period drama | HBO | Only episode "Under God's Power She Flourishes" and season 5 |
| 2010 | The Event | Science fiction | NBC | |
| 2010–2022 | The Walking Dead | Horror drama | AMC | Features flashbacks and parallel story lines |
| 2010–2017 | Pretty Little Liars | Teen drama | ABC Family | Features flashbacks |

### 2011

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2011–present | American Horror Story | Horror drama | FX | Flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2011–2018 | New Girl | Sitcom | Fox | Features flashbacks particularly in certain episodes, such as "Virgins" |
| 2011–2016 | Person of Interest | Science fiction | CBS | Features extensive use of flashbacks and in media res |
| 2011–2018 | Once Upon a Time | Fantasy drama | ABC | Features extensive use of flashbacks |

### 2012

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2012 | Alcatraz | Science fiction | Fox | Only through the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards |
| 2012–2020 | Arrow | Superhero | The CW | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2012 | Son | Thriller | ATV | |
| 2012–2014 | Revolution | Science fiction | NBC | |
| 2012 | The Returned | Drama | Canal+ | |

### 2013

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2013–present | Attack on Titan | Action drama | MBS, NHK | The series features several flashbacks, while its extra episodes (or OVA) are all anachronic. |
| 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 |
| 2013 | Golden Boy | Drama | CBS | |
| 2013–2017 | Orphan Black | Science fiction | BBC America | Especially season 4 |
| 2013–2019 | Orange Is the New Black | Comedy drama | Netflix | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2013–2018 | The Originals | Fantasy drama | The CW | Extensive use of flashbacks |
| 2013–2019 | Ray Donovan | Drama | Showtime | Features flashbacks |

### 2014

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

### 2015

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 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 |
| 2015 | Connected | Documentary | AOL On | |
| 2015–2018 | 12 Monkeys | Science fiction | Syfy | Time travel |
| 2015–2017 | American Crime | Drama | ABC | Features flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2015–2017 | Bloodline | Drama | Netflix | Flashforwards used as a narrative hook |
| 2015–2018 | Daredevil | Superhero | Netflix | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2015–present | Fear the Walking Dead | Post-apocalyptic drama | AMC | Uses multiple timelines, particularly in season 4 |
| 2015–2019 | Marvel's Jessica Jones | Superhero | Netflix | Through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2015–2019 | Sneaky Pete | Crime Drama | Amazon Originals | Through the use of flashbacks and multiple concurrent plot-lines |
| 2015–2018 | Lovesick | Comedy drama | Netflix | Each episode explores a period in the protagonist's past |
| 2015–2017 | Master of None | Comedy | Netflix | Through the use of flashbacks |
| 2015–2020 | Fresh Off the Boat | Comedy | ABC | Only through the use of flashbacks |
| 2015–2018 | Humans | Science fiction | Channel 4 and AMC | Only through the use of flashbacks |
| 2015–2019 | Mr. Robot | Drama | USA Network | Through the use of dream immersions |
| 2015–2017 | Narcos | Drama | Netflix | Only in flashbacks |
| 2015–2018 | Sense8 | Science fiction | Netflix | Only certain episodes, such as "I Can't Leave Her" |
| 2015 | The Whispers | Science fiction | ABC | Features flashbacks |
| 2015–2018 | Quantico | Drama | ABC | In medias res |
| 2015 | You, Me and the Apocalypse | Comedy drama | Sky 1 and NBC | Features flashbacks |

### 2016

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2016 | 11.22.63 | Science fiction | Hulu | Time travel |
| 2016–present | Atlanta | Comedy drama | FX | Features a flashback episode, "FUBU" |
| 2016 | The Night Manager | Espionage drama | BBC One, AMC | Features flashbacks |
| 2016–present | American Crime Story | Crime drama | FX | Features flashbacks |
| 2016–2019 | Fleabag | Comedy drama | BBC One | Features flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2016 | Vinyl | Drama | HBO | Mainly through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2016 | Damien | Drama | A&E | Features flashbacks |
| 2016 | The Family | Drama | ABC | Features flashbacks |
| 2016–2018 | The Path | Drama | Hulu | Mainly through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2016 | Containment | Drama | The CW | Features flashbacks |
| 2016–2018 | Lady Dynamite | Dark comedy | Netflix | This series features three narrative times, two different storylines in the past and one in the present |
| 2016–2017 | Outcast | Drama | Cinemax | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2016–2019 | Preacher | Drama | AMC | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2016–present | Stranger Things | Drama | Netflix | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2016–2022 | This Is Us | Drama | NBC | Features extensive flashbacks and flashforwards |
| 2016–2020 | The Good Place | Comedy | NBC and Netflix | Features flashbacks, particularly in season 1 |
| 2016–2022 | Westworld | Drama | HBO | This series features multiple narrative times, with various storylines in the past, an uncertain "present", and a future |

### 2017

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2017–2020 | 13 Reasons Why | Teen drama | Netflix | Features extensive use of flashbacks |
| 2017–2020 | Dark | Science fiction drama | Netflix | Features time travel, flashbacks, parallel timelines, alternate and intertwining timelines |
| 2017–present | Made in Abyss | Science fiction fantasy | Sentai Filmworks and Netflix | Features extensive use of flashbacks |
| 2017–2019 | Anne with an E | Period drama | CBC Television and Netflix | Uses brief flashbacks |
| 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. |

### 2018

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2018–present | 9-1-1 | Procedural drama | Fox | Features flashbacks |
| 2018–2020 | Castle Rock | Psychological horror anthology | Hulu | Features two parallel storylines and flashbacks |
| 2018–present | Elite | Teen drama | Netflix | Features extensive use of flashbacks |
| 2018 | Sharp Objects | Psychological thriller | HBO | Mainly through the use of flashbacks |
| 2018–2019 | Sorry for Your Loss | Drama | Facebook Watch | Features two main storylines, one in the past and another in the present |
| 2018 | The Haunting of Hill House | Drama | Netflix | Features extensive use of flashbacks |
| 2018–present | Homecoming | Drama | Amazon | Particularly in season 2 |

### 2019

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2019–present | Euphoria | Teen drama | HBO | Features flashbacks |
| 2019 | Stateless | Drama mini-series | ABC | Features flashbacks |
| 2019–present | The Umbrella Academy | Superhero drama | Netflix | Features flashbacks |
| 2019–present | The Witcher | Fantasy drama | Netflix | Features three main storylines |
| 2019–present | Undone | Comedy drama animation | Amazon Prime Video | Features time travel and flashbacks |
| 2019 | Watchmen | Superhero drama | HBO | Features flashbacks |

## 2020s
### 2020

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2020 | Inhuman Resources | Drama miniseries | Arte-Netflix | |
| 2020 | I Know This Much Is True | Drama miniseries | HBO | Features extensive flashbacks to two different timelines |
| 2020 | I May Destroy You | Comedy drama | BBC One and HBO | Features extensive flashbacks |
| 2020–present | Jujutsu Kaisen | Fantasy anime | MBS | Features flashbacks |
| 2020 | Little Fires Everywhere | Drama miniseries | Hulu | Features flashbacks and an entire flashback episode |
| 2020–present | Mythic Quest | Comedy | Apple TV+ | Features one anachronic episode per season |
| 2020–present | Soulmates | Science fiction anthology | AMC | Features two timelines |
| 2020 | The Haunting of Bly Manor | Psychological horror | Netflix | Features a frame story, a story within a story and flashbacks |
| 2020 | The Queen's Gambit | Drama miniseries | Netflix | Features flashbacks |
| 2020–2021 | The Walking Dead: World Beyond | Post apocalyptic drama | AMC | Features flashbacks |
| 2020–2022 | The Wilds | Survival teen drama | Amazon Prime Video | Features flashbacks |
| 2020–present | Tales from the Loop | Science fiction anthology drama | Amazon Prime Video | Features intertwining timelines and flashbacks |

### 2021

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2021 | 86: Eighty-Six | Science fiction anime | Tokyo MX | Features heavy use of flashbacks |
| 2021 | Behind Her Eyes | Mystery thriller mini-series | Netflix | Features flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2021–present | Lupin | Mystery comedy | Netflix | Features flashbacks |
| 2021–present | Invincible | Superhero adult animation | Amazon Prime Video | Features flashbacks |
| 2021–present | Invisible City | Psychological thriller | Netflix | Features flashbacks and dream immersions |
| 2021 | Lisey's Story | Psychological horror miniseries | Apple TV+ | Features intertwining timelines and dream immersions |
| 2021–present | Sweet Tooth | Fantasy drama | Netflix | Features flashbacks |
| 2021–present | Them | Horror | Amazon Prime Video | Features flashbacks |
| 2021–present | Trese | Fantasy horror anime-influenced animation | Netflix | Features flashbacks |
| 2021 | The Serpent | True crime drama mini-series | BBC One and Netflix | Features three timelines |
| 2021 | The Underground Railroad | Fantasy historical drama miniseries | Amazon Prime Video | Features flashbacks |
| 2021 | Cruel Summer | True crime drama / mystery series | Hulu | Features three timelines |
| 2021–present | Yellowjackets | Psychological horror, Drama | Showtime | Follows two timelines: the survivors of a plane crash in the wilderness and their present-day lives |

### 2022

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes |
| 2022 | Inventing Anna | Drama miniseries | Netflix | Features extensive flashbacks |
| 2022–present | Outer Range | Science fiction neo-western | Amazon Prime Video | Features flashbacks and time travel |
| 2022 | Pam & Tommy | Drama miniseries | Hulu | Features a flashback episode, "I Love You, Tommy" |
| 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 |
| 2022 | The Tourist | Thriller | HBO Max | Features scattered narrative |
| 2022 | Under the Banner of Heaven | Crime drama miniseries | Hulu | Uses flashbacks to the history of Mormonism alongside the present-day investigation |

### 2023

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

### 2024

| Year | Title | Genre | Distributor | Notes | Ref |
| 2024–present | Sunny | Comedy/drama | Apple TV+ | Features flashbacks and a flashback episode | |
| 2024 | The Sympathizer | Historical comedy drama | HBO | Features flashbacks | |