TV Series That Grew the Beard
Named for Riker's beard in The Next Generation, this is the show that starts shaky and then gets genuinely good. These series opened with their weakest season and climbed to a much stronger, sustained level.
Ranked by how much the show improved after season one · 44 series
- 1 The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch2020–present · Comedy, Horror, Mystery6.8 to 7.9
- 2 Industry2020–2027 · Drama7.5 to 8.6
- 3 Mystery Science Theater 30001988–1999 · Comedy, Sci-Fi6.6 to 7.8
- 4 Parks and Recreation2009–2015 · Comedy7.1 to 8.2
- 5 Bungo Stray Dogs2016–present · Action, Animation, Comedy7.6 to 8.7
- 6 Bel-Air2022–2025 · Drama7.3 to 8.3
- 7 BoJack Horseman2014–2020 · Animation, Comedy, Drama7.9 to 8.9
- 8 Seinfeld1989–1998 · Comedy7.3 to 8.4
- 9 Babylon 51993–1998 · Action, Adventure, Drama7.0 to 8.1
- 10 Skam2015–2017 · Drama, Romance7.8 to 8.8
- 11 Beavis and Butt-Head1993–2011 · Animation, Comedy, Music6.8 to 7.8
- 12 Star Wars: The Clone Wars2008–2020 · Action, Adventure, Animation7.3 to 8.3
- 13 Men Behaving Badly1992–2014 · Comedy6.7 to 7.6
- 14 Legend of the Galactic Heroes1988–1997 · Action, Animation, Drama8.2 to 9.1
- 15 ReBoot1994–2001 · Action, Adventure, Animation8.1 to 9.0
- 16 Star Trek: The Next Generation1987–1994 · Action, Adventure, Drama6.8 to 7.6
- 17 Succession2018–2023 · Comedy, Drama8.3 to 9.2
- 18 12 Monkeys2015–2018 · Adventure, Drama, Mystery7.9 to 8.8
- 19 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power2018–2020 · Action, Adventure, Animation7.8 to 8.7
- 20 Kingdom2012–present · Action, Animation, Drama8.3 to 9.1
- 21 Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World2016–present · Adventure, Animation, Drama8.5 to 9.3
- 22 Mr. Show with Bob and David1995–1998 · Comedy7.7 to 8.5
- 23 Only Fools and Horses1981–2003 · Comedy7.7 to 8.5
- 24 Classroom of the Elite2017–present · Animation, Drama, Thriller7.6 to 8.3