8 Best Anthology Shows Ever

With a range of new stories in each instalment, what makes audiences return again and again?

Black Mirror Playtest
Netflix

An anthology show specifically focuses on a new and separate set of stories and characters within each episode or series.

Over the years, the unique genre has grown in popularity, with shows such as American Horror Story and Black Mirror carrying a large fanbase all over the globe.

Audiences are immersed into a variety of different worlds: from other planets to dystopian realities on Earth. They can mix between genres throughout their run, and often end with moral twists in their tales that become addictive to guess in each episode.

In this list are a range of anthology shows that should be on everyone's watch list - from the beginning of the genre in the 50s, to the present day - that vary from British BBC shows to American Amazon Prime originals. Some of the narratives retell old author's stories, whilst others focus on unique versions of an alternate present day.

But which of these are worth the watch? Here is a list of just some of the best anthology shows ever made, and why you should make space for them.

8. Black Mirror

Black Mirror Playtest
Netflix.com

Black Mirror has now reached its fifth season on Netflix, after growing in popularity on Channel 4 when it first began.

The premise of the episodes in the British TV series tend to follow futuristic or dystopian narratives, with different actors every time, to portray the often dark toned stories. Showrunner Charlie Brooker focuses on the effects technology could have on society and on individuals - ranging from apps in which people rate each other, to talking Miley Cyrus dolls.

In 2018, the creators of the show made an interactive episode of film length called Bandersnatch, in which the audience could pick and choose the path of the protagonist in the narrative at different moments, effecting how his life played out. The episode started out simple enough - as the players were given the option of what the character would have for breakfast, but ultimately ended in some dire consequences.

The stand alone episodes are satirical in nature as they focus on what the future could hold for the world if technology got out of hand.

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New Writer! Comic book movie lover, 80's films and 'nerdy' TV shows