Television has always had a reputation for being a mass-market medium that tries to cater to as large a population as possible. The people who say this usually mean it as a bad thing, but there’s nothing wrong with trying to create popular shows that everyone can understand and relate to. That said, every once in a while, we’re graced with a TV show that’s so thematically complex and conceptually layered that only the most discerning minds could grasp its full meaning in a single watch.
That doesn’t mean these shows aren’t popular, of course. In fact, these intellectually complex series regularly rank among the most beloved shows of all time, enjoying dedicated fan followings who enthusiastically dissect and analyse every frame for hidden meanings. It just goes to show that there certainly is an audience for cerebral works of television, even when they’re of genius-level complexity. Read on to discover our handpicked selection of the most complex TV shows that you have to be a genius to fully understand, including underrated gems and some of the most acclaimed and popular series of all time.
1
‘Foundation’ (2021 – Present)
Adapted from the eponymous novel series by Isaac Asimov, Foundation is an epic science fiction drama series set in a far future where most of the known galaxy is ruled by a despotic empire. The show’s plot kicks off when scientific genius Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) foretells the imminent fall of the empire and sets about creating the titular Foundation to preserve humanity’s collective knowledge and mitigate the coming disaster. A centuries-spanning series, the show stars an ensemble cast led by Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, and Leah Harvey, with Laura Birn, Cherry Jones, Alexander Siddig, and more in key roles.
An ambitious adaptation that unfolds on a massive scale, Foundation was quite well-received at the time of its premiere in 2021, and both the story and the reviews have shown significant improvement as the show has progressed. Now, three seasons into its story, the series is a truly mindblowing experience with a complex narrative, well-rounded characters, and breathtaking visuals. The show is by far one of the most narratively complex productions attempted in recent times, with concepts and themes that are far beyond the usual fare of science fiction.
Foundation
- Release Date
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September 23, 2021
- Network
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Apple TV+
- Showrunner
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David S. Goyer
- Directors
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Alex Graves, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Phang, Mark Tonderai, Andrew Bernstein
- Writers
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Jane Espenson, Leigh Dana Jackson, Liz Phang, Eric Carrasco, David Kob, Addie Manis, Marcus Gardley, Lauren Bello, Olivia Purnell
2
‘Tales from the Loop’ (2020)
A science fiction drama anthology, Tales from the Loop is a truly unique show in that it’s adapted not from a novel or movie but from an art book of the same name by Simon Stålenhag. Transforming Stålenhag’s static images into a dynamic narrative, the series follows the lives of the residents of Mercer, Ohio, a fictional company town that’s home to an underground experimental research facility dedicated to making the impossible possible. The series features a stellar ensemble cast that includes Rebecca Hall, Paul Schneider, Duncan Joiner, Daniel Zolghadri, Jonathan Pryce, and more.
All eight episodes of Tales from the Loop were released on Prime Video on April 3, 2020, garnering positive reviews from critics and audiences. Though relatively underrated, the series is easily one of the most intriguing sci-fi shows of the 2020s, with masterful writing, direction, set design, and performances. The stories the show explores are emotionally charged and fairly easy to follow, but the underlying science of the series is deceptively complex and a real treat for fans of intellectually stimulating science fiction.
3
‘Twin Peaks’ (1990 – 2017)
Combining surrealist horror and mystery procedural elements, Twin Peaks is a drama series set in the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Twin Peaks, Washington. The show primarily follows an FBI agent’s investigation into the murder of a local teenager, but as the case progresses, it quickly takes a turn into supernatural and fantastical territory. Kyle MacLachlan leads the series cast as FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, with Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Lara Flynn Boyle, Peggy Lipton, Sheryl Lee, and more in important roles.
A truly ahead-of-its-time series, Twin Peaks aired only two seasons on ABC before its cancellation in 1991, but the show’s unique blend of detective fiction, melodrama, and uncanny horror made it a hit with the critics, and the series developed a cult following in the years after its original end. The show was followed by a prequel feature film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, in 1992, and it was revived for a third season in 2017 on Showtime. Easily one of the most complex works of television storytelling ever to hit screens, Twin Peaks is an unsettling masterpiece with a layered plot, striking cinematography, and a distinctly David Lynchian narrative.
4
‘3 Body Problem’ (2024 – Present)
Based on Liu Cixin’s eponymous 2008 Chinese novel, 3 Body Problem is an epic sci-fi thriller that derives its name (and one of the central concepts) from a concept in classical mechanics. The series follows a group of young scientists in the present day who are baffled by phenomena that defy the rules of physics, while a hardened detective investigates a series of suicides by brilliant scientists. The answers to both investigations lead to a scientist in 1960s China who makes a fateful decision that changes the course of history. The show boasts a star-studded ensemble cast featuring Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo, Eiza González, John Bradley, and more.
The novel that 3 Body Problem is adapted from is a famously complicated work of science fiction written by an acclaimed former computer engineer. In all fairness, the series doesn’t fully capture the complexity of its source material, but even in its reduced form, the story is undeniably mindbending and not easily understood by most audiences. With intricate writing, brilliant visuals, and compelling performances, 3 Body Problem is a cerebral sci-fi series that demands multiple rewatches, and it’s also entertaining enough to keep you interested despite all the heavy science involved.
5
‘The Leftovers’ (2014 – 2017)
Based on co-creator Tom Perrotta’s eponymous 2011 novel, The Leftovers is a supernatural drama series that revolves around a mysterious global event known as the “Sudden Departure,” which resulted in 2% of the global population inexplicably disappearing. The show follows a group of characters who are all affected by the event in one way or another, examining their struggle to adjust to life in this strange new world. The series stars an ensemble cast led by Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, and Christopher Eccleston, with Amy Brenneman, Liv Tyler,Chris Zylka, Margaret Qualley, Ann Dowd, Regina King, and more in lead roles.
The Leftovers aired three complete seasons on HBO, all of which were positively received by critics, but the second season is when the show really hit its stride. Often hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, the series features some truly amazing performances, music, direction, and writing, with a thematically rich plot and engaging characters. Complicated and cerebral yet emotionally deep and relatable, the show enjoys a dedicated cult following and has earned several accolades.
6
‘Westworld’ (2016 – 2022)
Inspired by Michael Crichton’s eponymous 1973 film, Westworld is a dystopian sci-fi Western series that starts with a simple enough premise but slowly builds itself into a complex, layered world. The show begins in the titular amusement park, where guests pay top dollar to inflict their darkest fantasies on unfeeling androids. But things take a surprising turn when a new software update gives some of the androids sentience, leading to a violent uprising. The series boasts an ensemble cast that includes Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ed Harris, Luke Hemsworth, and more.
Westworld premiered on HBO in 2016 to record viewership ratings and critical acclaim, receiving praise from critics and audiences for its compelling performances, deep themes, complex characters, stunning visuals, and immersive music. Though both its critical reception and viewership declined over subsequent seasons, the show is a genuinely fascinating experience with a story that’s maybe too complicated for the average viewer but certainly rewarding for the discerning. Appropriately, the show has won several accolades, including nine Emmy Awards out of a whopping 54 nominations.
7
‘Fringe’ (2008 – 2013)
Set primarily in Boston, Massachusetts, Fringe is a sci-fi mystery procedural that revolves around the investigations of the FBI’s newly formed Fringe Division. The series stars Anna Torv as FBI agent Olivia Dunham, John Noble as mad scientist Dr. Walter Bishop, and Joshua Jackson as Dr. Bishop’s troubled son, Peter Bishop. The show follows their adventures solving crimes that involve fringe science, ranging from destructive technologies and dangerous biological experiments to a strange parallel universe. The series also features Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole, Leonard Nimoy, and more in significant roles.
Combining elements of the sci-fi, fantasy, and police procedural genres, Fringe is a fascinating case-of-the-week series that takes inspiration from shows like The X-Filesand The Twilight Zone. The show is also notable for its advanced scientific concepts, many of which are rooted in real-world science but extrapolated to mindboggling ends. Though it was not very well-received initially, the show became more favorably reviewed by critics throughout its five-season run, earning nominations for major awards and establishing a dedicated cult following.
8
‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)
Easily one of the most mind-bending works of science fiction ever to grace screens, Dark is a German science fiction drama thriller series that revolves around the fictional town of Winden, home to many inexplicable phenomena. The story begins in 2019 with the disappearance of a child, which brings to light the complicated connections between four estranged families and a time travel conspiracy spanning multiple decades. The series stars a massive ensemble that includes Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari, and Maja Schöne, and more.
Netflix’s first-ever German-language original series, Dark received critical and audience acclaim when it premiered on the service in 2017, earning praise for its acting, direction, tone, and visuals, not to mention its highly complex narrative. The narrative just gets more complicated (and enjoyable) as the series progresses, bringing in multiple intriguing scientific concepts and philosophical themes. The show ranks among the greatest TV shows of the 21st century, and it’s a production that demands multiple re-watches to fully grasp its ambitious story.
