10 TV Shows That Get Better After Season 1

Some of the best television shows are the ones that take their time to truly simmer. In today's streaming era, however, not every series gets the chance to move beyond the dreaded one-season curse. In reality, many shows need time to build momentum, refine their characters, and grow a loyal fanbase before reaching their full potential.

A first season isn't always perfect, but later seasons often give a show the chance to find the tone that truly works. When that happens, a good series can transform into something audiences remember for years rather than a fleeting one-hit wonder. Without further ado, here are some must-watch TV shows that get better after Season 1.

10 'Industry' (2020–Present)

Industry first began as a more civil, yet equally high-pressure, version of The Wolf of Wall Street. Introducing the graduate interns at investment banking firm Pierpoint & Co., the show follows the group as they adjust to the grueling life on the trading desk. With public humiliations, questionable mentorship, and a fake university degree, Season 1 is already brimming with tension.

From Season 2 onward, the chaos only escalates. There's no such thing as a moral compass when millions are on the line, let alone when trying to impress ruthless bosses. Pierpoint employees begin backstabbing one another, stealing clients, and even helping orchestrate a company buyout just to climb the ladder. Each move eventually strips them of their humanity.

9 'Seinfeld' (1989–1998)

For a show about nothing, Seinfeld relies on absurdity and chemistry to keep the plot (or lack thereof) going. Unfortunately, Season 1 has neither of the two. The ensemble has yet to truly mesh with each other, and their banter comes off as stifled. They're not the expressive characters that audiences would recognize in later seasons.

The later seasons fully embrace the zaniness of Seinfeld. Despite its original premise, the show — now buoyed by stronger ensemble chemistry — finally becomes about a lot of somethings. Whether it's Kramer (Michael Richards) briefly seeming like a possible serial killer, Jerry's (Jerry Seinfeld) poor dating track record, or George's (Jason Alexander) now-famous Festivus celebrations, the series goes full-on eccentric. By the end, nine seasons of side characters and running gags come full circle in the season finale.

8 'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2020)

Schitt's Creek wastes no time kicking the Rose family out of their luxurious mansion and into the middle-of-nowhere Schitt's Creek. Accustomed to opulence and the finer things in life, it's not surprising that the Roses detest their new small town surroundings. Their ignorant attitudes in Season 1 make it difficult to empathize with them, especially when they constantly undermine the locals.

The riches-to-rags comedy begins to see the seeds of character nuances in Season 2, turning them into interesting works-in-progress. Businessman Johnny (Eugene Levy) becomes blindly optimistic about turning the motel into a respectable establishment, while David (Dan Levy) is surprisingly self-aware about sexuality. For all her ditziness, Alexis (Annie Murphy) becomes serious about her education, while Moira (Catherine O'Hara) brings all the running gags (or Moira-isms).

7 'The Mandalorian' (2019–2023)

Set five years after Return of the Jedi, its succeeding series, The Mandalorian, follows lone bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal). Season 1 raises the stakes when Djarin breaks the guild code during an assignment. Instead of following orders, he protects Grogu (David Acrod) instead. Season 1 does have action, but it's rather slow-paced and less aggressive, which is logical, since Djarin is just learning how to rebel.

With Djarin and Grogu's emotional connection stronger in Season 2, the momentum grows as well. Djarin now has a solid reason to protect Grogu, and he's not afraid to go to great lengths to save him, even if it means challenging his own kind. Season 2 also introduces fan-favorite characters like Ahsoka Tano and Bo-Katan, paying respect to the broader Star Wars lore.

6 'Lucifer' (2016–2021)

Nothing attracts the Devil more than the City of Angels. Lucifer follows Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), who decides to leave Hell out of boredom and find a new purpose in Los Angeles. That said, otherworld figures on Earth tend to be self-absorbed, believing that nothing else is more important than themselves. Lucifer is no exception, which makes his initial character one-dimensional and boring to watch.

The following seasons of Lucifer explore the broader mythological lore of his world, showing the true reasons why Lucifer didn't leave his realm on an impulsive whim. Nothing leans into the Bible more than the arrival of the world's first murderer, Cain (Tom Welling), to the "original sinner," Eve (Inbar Lavi). By this point, Lucifer's feelings for his detective partner become more obvious, making her a new target for his enemies.

5 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' (2013–2021)

There's buddy cop, and then there's Brooklyn Nine-Nine. But before the squad entertained the masses, the crew seemed like a mismatched group of individuals unlikely to mesh together. There was teamwork in Season 1, but not much camaraderie. Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) clash constantly, Captain Ray Holt (Andre Braugher) is strict and stoic, and Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) still harbors a creepy, one-sided crush on Detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz).

The later seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine then embrace the quirk of each character. Peralta and Boyle have always been naturally funny, while for ones like Holt and Diaz, the humor comes from pushing their strict personalities into exaggerated, yet comical extremes. Despite the hilarity of it all, the show doesn't tone down the crime-related setting. Whether it's petty small crimes or drug busts that get these officers framed, it's the perfect combination of comedy and cop procedural.

4 'Sex and the City' (1998–2004)

Sex and the City is one of the earliest modern shows about womanhood. But as a product of its time, Season 1 focuses more on the dating scene and the sexual escapades that follow, which are exaggerated to match the New York scene. Because of that, the first season's heavy emphasis on dating and sex in the big city might not resonate with most women.

The following seasons of Sex and the City begin to reveal the vulnerabilities of the four beloved women. Beneath the designer bags and shoes, they are women with dreams and aspirations, ranging from career ambitions to motherhood. While romance remains a central theme, the series gradually shows that love isn't everything. In the end, these women learn, often the hard way, that the most important thing is prioritizing themselves.

3 'The Office' (2005–2013)

Documenting the quirky employees of Scranton's branch of the paper company Dunder Mifflin, The Office is one of the earliest sitcoms to apply the mockumentary format. Regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is the bumbling, clueless head of authority, but Season 1 had a darker and more comfortable tone that made it hard to like the then-obnoxious Scott.

Fortunately, Scott goes through a slight character recalibration by Season 2. Audiences learn that his incompetence isn't simply because he's a bad manager, but because he's genuinely naive and insecure. Scott is still annoying, but instead of being an offensive character who copies the abrasive humor of the original UK version, he becomes a funnily desperate person whom audiences want to root for.

2 'Parks and Recreation' (2009–2015)

Fans of The Office might notice there are resemblances between Carell's show and Parks and Recreation. With the two being mockumentary shows, Parks and Recreation almost falls into the same formula. Main character Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is initially portrayed as a socially awkward and incompetent bureaucrat, which again makes it hard to feel for the character.

Season 2 then shows that public servants and the lackluster municipal government are worth laughing about. It all comes from the characters. Apart from Knope turning into a deeply optimistic figure, her fellow employees are given life as well. From Ron Swanson's (Nick Offerman) deadpan yet insightful philosophy to April's (Aubrey Plaza) endearing sarcasm, Parks and Recreation makes local politics worth watching.

1 'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013)

There's a new drug dealer in Albuquerque, and his name is Walter White (Bryan Cranston). Acclaimed crime drama series Breaking Bad starts strong with White's cancer diagnosis, immediately setting up the motivation for his newfound meth venture. However, there is a lot of world and character building that needs to be done, which is what Season 1 is all about.

The real drama only escalates by Season 2. Finally setting up shop, the second season then pushes White and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) into immoral decision-making, all in the name of business. Their choices ultimately impact their partnership, which risks their operations. It doesn't help that they've got competition, specifically from the bloodthirsty drug kingpin Tuco Salamanca (Raymond Cruz).