I really enjoy quality television and there are three series in particular which I’ve loved that have had very long runs. Two are ending in 2020 after fifteen seasons, while the third is currently in its sixteenth season and still doing very well in the ratings.
I just started watching Criminal Minds this year and quickly became addicted. It was recommended to me by Emily Spencer (thanks, Emily!) If you enjoy crime drama and don’t mind subjects of a graphic nature, this series may be right up your alley. Its about behavioral profilers who work for the FBI and investigate crimes by using behavioral analysis and profiling. The series also showcases the characters’ personal struggles. There are some truly unforgettable criminals and cases which stick in your mind, and it’s easy to become attached to some of the characters and their situations, which is no doubt why the series lasted fifteen seasons. The only real complaint I’ve had is the often unexpected departure of certain characters/actors. The series doesn’t always write the characters out of the series in a way that warns the viewing audience that the actor is leaving the show, and if you decide to watch the series, I recommend researching when each character departs ahead of time. You’ll thank me later. Criminal Minds ends in 2020.
Supernatural also wraps up in 2020. I’ve been watching this series since episode one, and I highly recommend it as well. It centers around Sam and Dean Winchester. These two brothers hunt all sorts of supernatural beings, and some of the episodes can stand on their own as simply the two of them tracking down and taking down monsters. Each season revolves around various themes, such as dealing with angels, demons, god, lucifer, etc. The series is fantasy and does not appear to have a particular religious angle, and often god is portrayed as much more evil than lucifer. It also has a wonderful sense of humor to go along with an undertone of sadness, while being built on a strong foundation of resilience. Supernatural would probably be renewed for a sixteenth season because the fan base is still there and the writing is still strong, but those involved have decided to end it after fifteen seasons.
Grey’s Anatomy is another series I’ve been watching since its inception. This is year sixteen for the series and it is currently very high in the ratings in the United States. It’s a medical drama which focuses on interns, residents, and attending doctors as they work on their skills and advance their careers, and it also focuses on the patients they serve and their health issues. Some of the main characters have remained with the series the entire fifteen seasons, which helps give the series a focus and a sense of stability. The series provides endless drama, joy, heartbreak, romance, mystery, and scandal. As long as the writing stays strong and there are plenty of characters the audience is invested in, Grey’s Anatomy could continue running another five years, if not more.