Nonlinear narrative is a storytelling technique in which the events are depicted, for example, out of chronological order, or in other ways where the narrative does not follow the direct causality pattern of the events featured, such as parallel distinctive plot lines, dream immersions, flashbacks, flashforwards or narrating another story inside the main plot-line.
In television, there are several examples of works that use this kind of narrative, although not all of them use it in the same way. In spite of it being more commonly used on dramas, it can also be found on comedies.
This technique is used for different purposes, such as serving as a narrative hook, to mimic human memory or to explore the past of the story without leaving its present completely aside. In addition, not all television series use this technique in the same extent; some of them use it only in certain episodes, e.g. Fringe, others only in certain seasons, e.g. Breaking Bad, while others do throughout their entire run, e.g. Lost.
1950s YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 1959–1963 The Untouchables Crime drama ABC
1980s YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 1989–present The Simpsons Animated sitcom Fox Features flashback and flashforward episodes, dream immersions and scattered narrative. Characters do not age and few things fundamentally change between episodes, although episodes refer to one another's events in complex ways. Continuity is deliberately broken, with minor characters' backstories being revised frequently.
1990s YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 1990–1991 Twin Peaks Drama ABCPart 8 includes fragmented dream-like sequences. 1993–2002, 2016–2018 The X-Files Drama FOX Features nonlinear narrative with several flashback episodes. 1994–2004 Friends Sitcom NBC Features several flashback episodes such as "The One with the Flashback", "The One With The Invitation", and "The One with All the Thanksgivings" 1997–2003 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Supernatural teen drama The WB Features nonlinear narrative particularly from season 2 onwards 1999–2004 Angel Supernatural drama The WB Features flashbacks 1999–2007 The Sopranos Crime drama HBO Features flashbacks in certain episodes, such as "Down Neck"
2000s YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2002 Firefly Science fiction western Fox Only in episode "Out of Gas" 2000–2006 Malcolm in the Middle Comedy Fox Mainly through the use of flashbacks, especially episodes "Flashback" and "Bowling" 2000–2004 Coupling Comedy BBC TwoSome episodes include split‑screen sequences (e.g, "Split"; series 3, episode 1) and scenes replayed from different characters’ perspectives (e.g. "9½ Minutes"; series 4, episode 1, and "The Girl with Two Breasts"; series 1, episode 5. 2002 Boomtown Action-drama NBCThe show tells the same events from different characters' perspectives, which makes the story unfold in a non-linear way 2002–2017 Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden AnimatedMartial arts TXN (TV Tokyo) Used numerous flashbacks, filler arcs, and standalone story arcs 2003–2012 One Tree Hill Drama The WBThe CW Used timejumps in season 5, 7, and 9 2003–20062013–2019 Arrested Development Comedy Fox Netflix Especially season 4Stanhope, Kate. "Arrested Development Creator on New Episodes, Surprises: "We Want to Reward the Fans"" TV Guide. Retrieved on October 5, 2015. 2004–2010 House Medical drama Fox Features flashbacks in certain episodes, such as "Two Stories", "Three Stories", and "Lockdown". 2004–2010 Lost Drama ABC Features three main storylines; the past, the present and an alternative present"Out of Order: A discussion of nonlinear narrative structure". Retrieved on August 20, 2015 2005–present Doctor Who Science fiction drama BBC Features time travel and flashbacks 2005–2014 How I Met Your Mother Comedy CBS Features flashbacks, flashforwards and unreliable narrators 2006–2013 30 Rock Comedy NBC Mainly through the use of flashbacks and smash cuts. 2006–2010 Heroes Drama NBCDisjointed, parallel plotlines that jump across space and time, using frequent flashbacks, flash-forwards, and the fragmentation of a large ensemble cast to slowly reveal a single, interconnected fate 2007–2009 Transformers Animated Animated Superhero Cartoon Network Through the use of flashbacks 2007–2012 Damages Drama FXSome episodes “disrupts linearity and chronology through constant flashbacks and flashforwards” 2008–2013 Breaking Bad Drama AMC Only "Pilot", season 2 and season 5Poniewozik, James. "Review of Breaking Bad Season 5 premiere, "Live Free or Die" Time. Retrieved on October 5, 2015. " 2009–2011 Ezel Crime drama Show TVATVParticularly season 1, and selected episodes of season 2. Features extensive flashbacks. 2009–2010 FlashForward Drama ABCGlobal flashforward premise 2009–2017 The Vampire Diaries Fantasy drama The CW Features flashbacks and flashforwards
2010s 2010 YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2010–2014Boardwalk Empire Period drama HBO Only episode "Under God's Power She Flourishes" and season 5 2010 The Event Science fiction NBCThe pilot is described as a "chronological puzzle", "Flashbacks and jumping timeline" 2010–2022 The Walking Dead Horror drama AMC Features flashbacks and parallel story lines 2010–2017 Pretty Little Liars Teen drama ABC Family Features flashbacks
2011 YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2011–present American Horror Story Horror drama FX Flashbacks and dream immersions 2011–2018 New Girl Sitcom Fox Features flashbacks particularly in certain episodes, such as "Virgins" 2011–2016 Person of Interest Science fiction CBS Features extensive use of flashbacks and in media res 2011–2018 Once Upon a Time Fantasy drama ABC Features extensive use of flashbacks
2012 YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2012 Alcatraz Science fiction Fox Only through the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards 2012–2020Arrow Superhero The CW Mainly through the use of flashbacks and flashforwards 2012 Son Thriller ATV 2012–2014 Revolution Science fiction NBC 2012 The Returned Drama Canal+Narrative unfolds over time using symbolic moments that reveal past event's impact on the present, requiring viewers to piece together meaning rather than to following a linear plot
2013 YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2013–2023 Attack on Titan Action drama MBS, NHK The series features several flashbacks, while its extra episodes (or OVA) are all anachronic. 2013 20 Dakika Thriller Star TV 2013–2014 Once Upon a Time in Wonderland Fantasy drama ABC 2013 Deception Soap opera NBC 2013–2015 Hannibal Drama NBC Especially season 3 2013 Golden Boy Drama CBS 2013–2017 Orphan Black Science fiction BBC America Especially season 4 2013–2019Orange Is the New Black Comedy drama Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacks 2013–2018 The Originals Fantasy drama The CW Extensive use of flashbacks 2013–2019 Ray Donovan DramaShowtime Features flashbacks
2014 YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2014–2020 The 100 Science fiction The CW Mainly through the use of flashbacks 2014–2020 BoJack Horseman Adult animation Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions 2014–2022 Black-ish Comedy ABC Mainly though the use of flashbacks 2014–2019 Gotham Crime-drama Fox Only certain episodes, such as "Spirit of the Goat" 2014–2019 Jane the Virgin Comedy drama The CW Every episode features a flashback to the title character's past, typically her childhood 2014–2016 Penny Dreadful Fantasy drama Showtime Features a flashback episode, "Closer Than Sisters" 2014–present Rick and Morty Science fiction adult animated sitcom Adult Swim Features time travel, alternate and intertwining timelines 2014–2019 The Affair Drama Showtime Using unreliable narrators, the same events are revisited twice, according to the perception of each characterGoodman, Tim. "'The Affair' Season 2: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on October 6, 2015. 2014–2019 Transparent Comedy drama Amazon Prime Features flashbacks 2014–present True Detective Drama HBO Especially season 1 2014–2020 How to Get Away with Murder Drama ABC In medias res narrative 2014–2023 The Flash Superhero The CW Time travel, parallel timelines and flashbacks 2014 The Honourable Woman Political-spy thriller BBC Two Features flashbacks 2014 Manhattan Love Story Romantic comedy ABC 2014–2016 The Missing Drama BBC One Features flashbacks 2014–2017 The Strain Horror drama FX Mainly through the use of flashbacks 2014–2017 The Leftovers Drama HBO Through the use of dream immersions and flashbacks 2014–2015 A to Z Comedy NBC 2014–2015 Forever Drama ABC Mainly through the use of flashbacks
2015 YearTitleGenreDistributorNotesRef 2015–2016 Aquarius Period drama NBC Through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions 2015–2016 Wayward Pines Drama Fox Mainly through the use of flashbacksDowling, Amber. "Wayward Pines: “The Truth” Review. IGN. Retrieved on October 10, 2015. 2015 Connected Documentary AOL On 2015–2018 12 Monkeys Science fiction Syfy Time travel 2015–2017 American Crime Drama ABC Features flashbacks and dream immersions 2015–2017 Bloodline Drama Netflix Flashforwards used as a narrative hook 2015–2018Daredevil Superhero Netflix Mainly through the use of flashbacksSteinbeiser, Andrew. "Review: Daredevil Will Heighten Your Senses (Spoiler Free)" Comicbook.com. Retrieved on October 6, 2015. 2015–2023 Fear the Walking Dead Post-apocalyptic drama AMC Uses multiple timelines, particularly in season 4 & 8 2015–2019 Marvel's Jessica Jones Superhero Netflix Through the use of flashbacks and dream immersions 2015–2019 Sneaky Pete Crime Drama Amazon Originals Through the use of flashbacks and multiple concurrent plot-lines 2015–2018 Lovesick Comedy drama Netflix Each episode explores a period in the protagonist's past 2015–2017 Master of None Comedy Netflix Through the use of flashbacks 2015–2020 Fresh Off the Boat Comedy ABC Only through the use of flashbacks 2015–2018 Humans Science fiction Channel 4 and AMC Only through the use of flashbacks 2015–2019 Mr. Robot Drama USA Network Through the use of dream immersions 2015–2017 Narcos Drama Netflix Only in flashbacks 2015–2018 Sense8 Science fiction Netflix Only certain episodes, such as "I Can't Leave Her"Farley, Michael. "What's going on?: The Wachowskis' globe-trotting, empathetic 'Sense8'". City Paper. Retrieved on October 6, 2015. 2015 The Whispers Science fiction ABC Features flashbacks 2015–2018 Quantico Drama ABC In medias res"Review: ‘Quantico’ Flips Between Jousting F.B.I. Recruits and a Terrorist Attack". The New York Times. Retrieved on September 30, 2015 2015 You, Me and the Apocalypse Comedy drama Sky 1 and NBC Features flashbacks 2015–2024 Bunk'd Comedy Disney Channel Setting takes place mostly in summer
2016