10 longest TV series in history

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Famous television projects that have passed through the ages and influenced the development of the entire industry.

10. Law and order

• USA, 1990–2010.
• Crime, detective, drama.
• Duration: 20 seasons.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

The legendary series combines police procedure and legal drama. In the center of the plot are detectives investigating serious crimes, as well as prosecutors proving the guilt of the accused in court.

A television project about the work of the American law enforcement system has been developed since the mid-eighties, but for a long time the channels refused to the authors, doubting that the audience would like such a series. But in the end, "Law & Order" lived on the air for 20 seasons, changing many of the main characters.

And in 1999, a spin-off of the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit project was launched, which continues to this day. There are also other offshoots of the series. In total, the franchise has over 40 seasons and thousands of episodes.

9. The Simpsons

• USA, 1989 - present.
• Comedy, satire.
• Duration: 31 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 7.

The life story of Homer Simpson and his family, which became a reflection of all the important events in the life of ordinary Americans. The animation format allows the characters not to grow old, and new themes make the plot relevant for all time.

Initially, Matt Groening invented The Simpsons as short animation sequences for The Tracey Ullman Show, and he took many names and images from his own life. The heroes quickly became popular, and then they were provided with their own series. As a result, more than 600 episodes of the famous project were released, and at the same time The Simpsons opened the way for many other animated series like South Park and Family Guy.

8. Doctor Who

• Great Britain, 1963 - present.
• Science fiction, adventure.
• Duration: 37 seasons.
• IMDb: 8, 4.

A time lord named Doctor from the planet Gallifrey travels through space and time, helping others and regularly saving entire worlds. In the company, he often takes satellites who discover the many wonders of the universe.

"Doctor Who" was initially conceived as an educational TV show for children, which is why the elderly protagonist at that time had a young companion. But the concept quickly changed, and the series turned into space fiction with many unusual alien races, filled with crazy adventures. And the idea that the Time Lord, instead of death, can regenerate into a new body, allowed Doctor Who to continue for more than 50 years without changing the main character.

Due to the fall in popularity in 1989, the series was closed, seven years later a full-length film was released, which was supposed to start the restart of the project. But Doctor Who returned to the screens only in 2005 and continues to this day. In total, the series already has over 800 episodes.

7. One life to live

• USA, 1968-2012.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 44 seasons.
• IMDb: 6, 7.

The series is set in the fictional town of Llanview in Pennsylvania. In the center of the plot are the everyday problems of residents, as well as various difficult situations in which they find themselves.

Today, One Life to Live may seem like an ordinary soap opera. But it was in this series that the authors first decided to tell not only about simple family dramas, but also about more acute topics. "One Life to Live" covers the problems of racism, drug addiction, the difficult economic situation and many other issues that are relevant to this day.

And in some storylines, the authors even went into fiction: for example, one character of the series found himself in a strange way in the past, where he almost married a relative of his girlfriend.

6. Young and daring

• USA, 1973 - present.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 46 seasons.
• IMDb: 5, 0.

Several large families live in the fictional city of Genoa City, Wisconsin. A significant part of the plot is devoted to the personal experiences and work of the wealthy Brooks dynasty and the poor Foster family.

Gradually, the majority of the actors changed in the project and the main action switched to the corporate rivalry of other families: the Abbots and Newmen. At the same time, starting from the first season, the story is about the personal confrontation of the two heroines. Jill Foster came to work at the Brooks' house and started an affair with Phillip Chancellor there. And for the next 20 years, his wife Kay Chancellor ruins the heroine's life in every possible way.

The series continues to this day, more than 11 thousand episodes have already been released.

5. How the world turns

• USA, 1956-2010.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 54 seasons.
• IMDb: 6, 0.

The series tells about the everyday problems of families, which are headed by representatives of various professions: doctors, lawyers, policemen. This story is distinguished by a greater psychologism of the situation and a leisurely narration.

How the World Turns is a breakthrough project for television in many ways. This is the first soap opera to be extended from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, allowing for better characterization. In addition, the authors introduced a voice-over into the plot, explaining some of the details of what is happening and the experiences of the characters.

Actress Helen Wagner appeared as Nancy Hughes in the first episode of the series and remained its heroine until her death. She did not live four months before the final of the project. In total, the series aired 13,858 episodes.

4. Days of our lives

• USA, 1965 - present.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 55 seasons.
• IMDb: 5, 0.

One of the most typical soap operas is dedicated primarily to the Horton family, which does not lead the most righteous lifestyle. In addition, other dynasties appear in the series (most often representatives of the working class of Brady).

Interestingly, this series is probably familiar to all fans of another famous television project - the sitcom Friends. In the story, Joey Tribbiani played Dr. Drake Remorey in Days of Our Lives. In fact, there was no such character in the soap opera. But one of the main roles there for some time was played by John Aniston - Jennifer Aniston's father.

The cast of this project is distinguished by enviable constancy. Frances Reed, who plays Alice, appeared on the series until 2007, and Suzanne Rogers has been in Days of Our Lives from 1973 to this day. In total, the project already has more than 13 thousand episodes.

3. Main hospital

• USA, 1963 - present.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 57 seasons.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

The series, invented by spouses Frank and Doris Hursleys, follows the staff of a hospital located in Port Charles in upper New York. Most of the time is devoted to the Quartermine family, as well as the Spencer and other dynasties.

The American TV series has even been named "The Greatest Soap Opera of All Time" by TV Guide. In addition, the project set a record for the most Emmy awards in the Best Drama Series category, collecting 10 statuettes over the years.

Channel ABC in 2011 even closed another long-term project "One Life to Live", leaving the "Main Hospital" on the air. And it is the longest running American TV series to date. The number of episodes has already exceeded 14 thousand.

2. Guiding light

• USA, 1952-2009.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 57 seasons.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

In fact, this American series started long before it went on air. "Guiding Light" appeared in 1937 in the format of a radio broadcast. And after years he moved to the screens. For more than 50 years, the authors have told many stories about the lives of several generations of different families.

The series has more than 15 thousand episodes, and together with radio broadcasts, it lasted 72 seasons. "Guiding Light" has been nominated for various awards 375 times and has received about a hundred awards. Its closure marked the end of an era.

But even though it remains the longest running television series for the United States, another country has a new record holder.

1. Coronation Street

• Great Britain, 1960 - present.
• Soap opera.
• Duration: 60 seasons.
• IMDb: 5, 5.

The British TV series Coronation Street has been out for 60 seasons and it seems that the authors are not going to complete the story. In the center of the plot is the life of ordinary street dwellers in one of the districts of the town of Weatherfield. Almost all of them are representatives of the working class who are trying to solve their problems.

The series, affectionately referred to by fans as Corrie, cannot boast of a record number of episodes, just under ten thousand. But he has been on the screens for 60 years and has become an integral part of British culture. And by the way, it was the characters of this series that the Queen group parodied in the video for the song I want to break free.