TV Shows With Twists That People Are Still Talking About

Television writers often rely on suspense and surprise to keep audiences engaged over multiple seasons. A well-executed plot twist can redefine a series and change how viewers interpret previous episodes. These narrative shifts range from shocking character deaths to fundamental changes in the show’s reality. The following series are renowned for delivering moments that left a lasting impact on pop culture.

‘The Good Place’ (2016–2020)

Eleanor Shellstrop wakes up in the afterlife and is introduced to a utopia known as the Good Place. She attempts to hide her morally corrupt past from the community architect Michael to avoid being sent to the Bad Place. The first season finale reveals that the characters have actually been in the Bad Place the entire time as part of a psychological torture experiment. This revelation completely recontextualized the premise of the show and allowed the writers to explore complex philosophical themes in subsequent seasons.

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

Survivors of a plane crash find themselves stranded on a mysterious island filled with supernatural occurrences and hostile inhabitants. The narrative initially relies on flashbacks to explore the past lives of the diverse cast. The season three finale shocked viewers by revealing that the scenes they were watching were actually flash-forwards showing characters off the island. This structural shift fundamentally changed the storytelling format and signaled that some characters eventually escaped the island.

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Noble families in the continent of Westeros vie for control of the Iron Throne while an ancient enemy returns from the north. The series established a reputation for subverting traditional fantasy tropes by killing off major protagonists. The execution of Ned Stark in the first season signaled that no character was safe from political machinations or sudden death. The infamous Red Wedding further solidified this brutal narrative style by eliminating key members of the Stark family during a moment of celebration.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

Guests visit a futuristic theme park populated by android hosts who are programmed to fulfill human desires. The narrative follows several storylines that appear to be happening simultaneously as the hosts begin to gain sentience. The first season reveals that the timelines are actually decades apart and that a benevolent guest named William transforms into the villainous Man in Black. This discovery forces the audience to reevaluate the history of the park and the long-term suffering of the android characters.

‘Mr. Robot’ (2015–2019)

Elliot Alderson is a cybersecurity engineer and hacker who joins a revolutionary group led by a mysterious anarchist named Mr. Robot. He struggles with social anxiety and clinical depression while attempting to take down a corrupt mega-corporation. The series reveals that the title character is actually a manifestation of Elliot’s dissociative identity disorder and takes the form of his deceased father. This twist reoriented the audience’s understanding of Elliot’s unreliable narration and his relationship with the other characters.

‘Succession’ (2018–2023)

The Roy family fights for control of a global media and entertainment conglomerate as the patriarch’s health declines. Siblings Kendall, Shiv, and Roman constantly betray one another in their pursuit of power and their father’s approval. The season three finale sees the siblings finally unite to stop their father from selling the company only to be betrayed by Shiv’s husband Tom. This shocking move shifts the power dynamic within the family and sets the stage for the final conflict.

‘Breaking Bad’ (2008–2013)

Walter White turns to manufacturing methamphetamine to secure his family’s financial future after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis. He partners with a former student named Jesse Pinkman and navigates the dangerous criminal underworld. The fourth season concludes with the revelation that Walt poisoned a child to manipulate Jesse into helping him kill a drug kingpin. This moment cemented Walt’s transformation from a sympathetic protagonist into a ruthless villain willing to cross any moral line.

‘Better Call Saul’ (2015–2022)

This prequel series follows the transformation of earnest lawyer Jimmy McGill into the unscrupulous criminal defense attorney Saul Goodman. The show introduces Kim Wexler as Jimmy’s capable partner and love interest who gradually gets drawn into his schemes. The final season shocks viewers with the sudden and unceremonious execution of their former boss Howard Hamlin by a cartel member. The brutal reality of the drug trade colliding with their legal careers leaves Kim and Jimmy permanently scarred.

‘Dark’ (2017–2020)

The disappearance of two children in a German town exposes the fractured relationships among four families. Characters discover a wormhole in a local cave that allows them to travel between different decades. The narrative complexity increases when it is revealed that the protagonist Jonas is fighting against an older version of himself who wants to maintain the time loop. The series eventually unveils the existence of a parallel world that is inextricably linked to the first one.

‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Employees at Lumon Industries undergo a surgical procedure to separate their work memories from their personal lives. Mark leads a team of severed workers who begin to question the mysterious work they perform in the basement office. The first season finale reveals that the wife Mark believes is dead is actually alive and working as the wellness counselor at his company. This cliffhanger connects the two divided worlds of the protagonist in a devastating way.

‘Black Mirror’ (2011–Present)

This anthology series explores the dark side of technology and modern society through standalone stories. The episode ‘White Bear’ follows a woman who is hunted by masked strangers while onlookers film her distress on their phones. It is ultimately revealed that she is a convict undergoing a punishment where her memory is wiped daily so she can be terrorized repeatedly. The twist serves as a grim commentary on justice and the public’s appetite for suffering as entertainment.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

The Crain siblings confront the trauma of growing up in a haunted mansion that led to their mother’s death. They are haunted by various ghosts including a floating woman with a bent neck who plagued the youngest sibling Nell. The show reveals that the Bent-Neck Lady is actually Nell herself traveling back in time during her moment of death. This tragic realization reframes the horror elements of the show as a metaphor for grief and inevitable destiny.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

Journalist Camille Preaker returns to her hometown to cover the murder of two young girls while dealing with her critical mother Adora. Camille investigates the crimes while managing her own history of self-harm and family dysfunction. The finale reveals that Camille’s teenage half-sister Amma is responsible for the murders rather than a male suspect. The closing moments show the discovery of the victims’ teeth in Amma’s dollhouse and confirm her psychopathic nature.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

A detective in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while her own life crumbles around her. Mare Sheehan pursues various leads regarding the death of a teenage mother named Erin McMenamin. The investigation uncovers that the killer is actually a young boy named Ryan Ross who killed Erin to protect his family stability. The heartbreaking reveal emphasizes the show’s focus on the lengths people go to for their loved ones.

‘Big Little Lies’ (2017–2019)

Mothers in an affluent California community become embroiled in a murder investigation during a school trivia night. The narrative alternates between police interviews and the events leading up to the fatal incident. The final episode reveals that the abusive husband Perry was pushed down the stairs by Bonnie to protect the other women. This act of violence creates a bond of secrecy among the group known as the Monterey Five.

‘Squid Game’ (2021–Present)

Desperate debtors accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a massive cash prize with deadly penalties. Player 456 befriends an elderly man named Oh Il-nam who appears to be a vulnerable participant with a brain tumor. The final twist reveals that Il-nam is actually the creator of the games and participated for his own amusement. This betrayal highlights the cruelty of the wealthy elite and deepens the protagonist’s disillusionment.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013–2023)

Humanity lives inside cities surrounded by enormous walls that protect them from gigantic man-eating humanoids. Eren Yeager joins the military to fight the Titans after his mother is killed during a breach. The story shifts dramatically when it is revealed that the Titans are actually humans who have been transformed by a specific serum. This discovery expands the scope of the conflict from a survival horror to a complex war between nations.

‘Invincible’ (2021–Present)

Mark Grayson is a teenager who inherits superpowers from his father Omni-Man who is the most powerful hero on Earth. Mark attempts to balance his high school life with his training to become a defender of the planet. The first episode ends with the shocking revelation that Omni-Man brutally murdered the world’s premier superhero team. This twist establishes that the father Mark idolizes is actually a conqueror sent to prepare Earth for alien colonization.

‘The Boys’ (2019–Present)

A group of vigilantes sets out to take down corrupt superheroes who abuse their powers and are protected by a massive corporation. The public believes the heroes are noble saviors while the show exposes their reckless and depraved behavior. It is revealed that the corporation creates superheroes by injecting babies with a chemical compound called Compound V. This twist strips away the myth of divine origin and exposes the superheroes as corporate products.

‘WandaVision’ (2021)

Wanda Maximoff and Vision live an idyllic suburban life that cycles through different decades of sitcom history. The reality of their town begins to glitch as outside forces attempt to breach the magical barrier. It is revealed that their neighbor Agnes is actually a powerful witch named Agatha Harkness who has been manipulating events. The show explores how Wanda created this false reality out of grief over the loss of her partner.

‘Behind Her Eyes’ (2021)

A single mother begins an affair with her psychiatrist boss while secretly befriending his mysterious wife Adele. The relationships become increasingly tense as secrets about the couple’s past in a fire are revealed. The finale discloses that Adele’s body has been inhabited by the soul of her friend Rob through astral projection. Rob then swaps bodies with the protagonist to continue his obsession with the psychiatrist.

‘You’ (2018–2024)

Joe Goldberg is a bookstore manager who develops dangerous obsessions with women and resorts to violence to remove obstacles. The second season sees Joe move to Los Angeles where he falls for a chef named Love Quinn. The twist reveals that Love is just as violent and obsessive as Joe and has killed to protect their relationship. This realization forces Joe to confront a mirror image of his own darker nature.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

Privileged teenagers on the Upper East Side of New York have their secrets exposed by an anonymous blogger. The characters spend years trying to uncover the identity of the person tormenting them. The series finale reveals that the outsider Dan Humphrey was the blogger the entire time. He used the persona to write himself into the high society world he desperately wanted to join.

‘Pretty Little Liars’ (2010–2017)

Four friends are tormented by an anonymous figure known as A after the disappearance of their clique leader Alison. The mystery of the antagonist’s identity spans several seasons and involves multiple red herrings. It is eventually revealed that the original tormentor was Mona Vanderwaal who sought revenge for being bullied. Later seasons introduce a new antagonist who turns out to be Spencer’s evil British twin sister.

‘How to Get Away with Murder’ (2014–2020)

Law professor Annalise Keating and her students become involved in a twisted murder plot. The show uses flash-forwards to tease a death that occurs later in the timeline. The first season reveals that the students killed Annalise’s husband Sam in self-defense and covered up the crime. This event binds the group together and initiates a cycle of lies that destroys their lives.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

The show follows the lives of siblings Kevin, Kate, and Randall alongside the history of their parents Jack and Rebecca. The pilot episode interweaves stories of people who share the same birthday. The final moments reveal that the stories are taking place in different decades and the characters are all part of the same family. This narrative structure became the defining characteristic of the series.

‘Dexter’ (2006–2013)

Dexter Morgan is a forensic technician who leads a double life as a vigilante serial killer hunting other murderers. He investigates the Ice Truck Killer who leaves bloodless bodies across Miami. The first season reveals that the killer is actually Dexter’s biological brother Brian Moser. Brian wants to reconnect with Dexter due to their shared traumatic childhood in a shipping container.

‘Hannibal’ (2013–2015)

FBI profiler Will Graham forms a partnership with the brilliant psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter to solve gruesome crimes. Will struggles with his sanity as he gets inside the minds of killers. The first season involves Hannibal framing Will for the very murders they were investigating together. This manipulation forces Will to realize his mentor is the Chesapeake Ripper he has been hunting.

‘The Sopranos’ (1999–2007)

Mob boss Tony Soprano navigates the challenges of leading a criminal organization and managing his family life. He attends therapy to deal with panic attacks and stress. The series finale notoriously ends with a sudden cut to black while Tony eats at a diner with his family. This ambiguous conclusion left the ultimate fate of the protagonist open to endless interpretation and debate.

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

The last remnants of humanity flee across space in a fleet of ships while being pursued by robotic Cylons. The Cylons have evolved to look exactly like humans and have infiltrated the fleet. The season three finale reveals that four main characters who believed they were human are actually sleeper Cylons. This discovery creates paranoia and forces the characters to question their own identities.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–Present)

A bounty hunter travels the outer reaches of the galaxy protecting a mysterious child from imperial forces. The second season finale features the protagonist and his allies pinned down by robotic Dark Troopers. A hooded Jedi arrives to single-handedly destroy the enemy forces and save the group. The character is revealed to be a young Luke Skywalker who takes the child to be trained.

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–Present)

Residents of Hawkins confront supernatural threats emerging from a government laboratory. The fourth season introduces a new villain named Vecna who murders teenagers by exploiting their trauma. It is revealed that Vecna is actually Henry Creel who was the first test subject at the lab and the orderly who befriended Eleven. This twist connects the origin of the Upside Down directly to the history of the main characters.

‘Orphan Black’ (2013–2017)

Sarah Manning witnesses the suicide of a woman who looks exactly like her and decides to steal her identity. She soon discovers that she is one of many clones created as part of an illegal scientific experiment. The show reveals that the clones are monitored by their own romantic partners and friends. This conspiracy expands to involve competing factions seeking to control human evolution.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

FBI agents Mulder and Scully investigate paranormal phenomena and a government conspiracy regarding extraterrestrials. The show maintains a long-running mystery about the abduction of Mulder’s sister Samantha. It is eventually revealed that Samantha was not taken by aliens but was abducted by human conspirators and lived a normal life before dying. This resolution challenged Mulder’s lifelong belief system and the central drive of his character.

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

An FBI division investigates fringe science and strange occurrences that point to a pattern. The first season finale reveals that the setting extends beyond Earth to a parallel universe. A shot of the Twin Towers still standing in New York City confirms the existence of this alternate reality. The conflict between the two universes becomes the central focus of the series.

’24’ (2001–2010)

Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer races against the clock to stop terrorist plots in real-time. The first season involves a plot to assassinate a presidential candidate. The finale shocks viewers with the revelation that Jack’s trusted colleague Nina Myers is a mole working for the terrorists. Her subsequent murder of Jack’s wife Teri provides a tragic conclusion to the season.

‘Prison Break’ (2005–2017)

Michael Scofield deliberately gets himself incarcerated to break out his brother Lincoln who is on death row. He has the prison blueprints tattooed on his body to execute his complex plan. The conspiracy surrounding Lincoln’s frame-up is led by the Vice President of the United States. The twists involve unexpected alliances and the revelation that the brothers’ mother is alive and working for the enemy.

‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

CIA officer Carrie Mathison suspects that a rescued war hero named Nicholas Brody has been turned by Al-Qaeda. The audience is kept guessing about Brody’s true allegiance throughout the first season. It is revealed that Brody indeed intends to carry out a suicide bombing against the Vice President. He fails due to a malfunction but remains a double agent in a tense game of espionage.

‘House of Cards’ (2013–2018)

Congressman Frank Underwood ruthlessly manipulates his way into the presidency through betrayal and murder. He often breaks the fourth wall to explain his Machiavellian tactics to the audience. The second season premiere shocks viewers when Frank pushes his lover and journalist Zoe Barnes in front of a subway train. This sudden death eliminated a major character and proved Frank’s absolute lack of conscience.

‘Sherlock’ (2010–2017)

Sherlock Holmes uses his deductive reasoning to solve crimes in modern-day London with Dr. John Watson. The second season finale adapts the famous confrontation at Reichenbach Falls where Sherlock appears to jump to his death. The final scene reveals that Sherlock faked his death and is watching Watson from afar. The explanation of how he survived became a major topic of speculation for years.

‘Doctor Who’ (2005–Present)

The Doctor travels through time and space in the TARDIS saving civilizations and picking up companions. In the episode ‘Utopia’, the kindly Professor Yana is revealed to be the Doctor’s arch-nemesis the Master. He uses a pocket watch to restore his Time Lord memories and regenerates into a younger form. This return reintroduced a classic villain and raised the stakes for the season finale.

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

Buffy Summers balances high school life with her destiny as a slayer of vampires and demons. The fifth season introduces Dawn Summers as Buffy’s younger sister who seemingly has always been there. It is later revealed that Dawn is actually a mystical energy key transformed into human form and inserted into the family’s memories. This retcon challenged the audience’s perception of the show’s reality and the characters’ history.

‘Yellowjackets’ (2021–Present)

A high school girls’ soccer team survives a plane crash in the wilderness and descends into savagery. The story alternates between their survival in the 90s and their lives as adults. It is revealed that the survivors are being blackmailed by someone who knows what they did in the woods. The twist that team leader Jackie froze to death after a fight with Shauna haunts the adult timeline.

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)

Survivors navigate a zombie apocalypse while fighting both the undead and hostile human groups. The group seeks refuge at the CDC hoping for a cure or answers about the outbreak. Dr. Jenner reveals to Rick Grimes that everyone is already infected with the virus. This means that anyone who dies will turn into a zombie regardless of whether they were bitten.

‘Alice in Borderland’ (2020–Present)

Arisu and his friends find themselves in an abandoned Tokyo where they must play deadly games to survive. They believe they are being watched by gamemasters who control the city via technology. The second season finale reveals that the characters are actually in a limbo state between life and death after a meteor strike. Their survival in the games determines whether they wake up in the real world or die from their injuries.

‘Bodies’ (2023)

Four detectives in four different time periods investigate the same dead body found in a London alleyway. The investigation spans from 1890 to 2053 and involves a mysterious political leader. It is revealed that the body belongs to a scientist who traveled back in time to stop a loop. The political leader is actually the result of a bootstrap paradox involving his own ancestry.

‘The Undoing’ (2020)

Grace Fraser is a successful therapist whose life unravels after the mother of a boy at her son’s school is murdered. Her husband Jonathan goes missing and becomes the prime suspect in the investigation. Despite Grace’s belief in his innocence and various other suspects emerging, the finale confirms that Jonathan was the killer. The twist lies in the realization that he is a sociopath who successfully manipulated his wife and the audience.

‘The Watcher’ (2022)

A family moves into their dream home in New Jersey but receives threatening letters from a stalker named The Watcher. They investigate their eccentric neighbors and previous owners to find the culprit. The series ends without revealing the identity of the stalker, leaving the mystery unsolved. This lack of resolution serves as a twist on the traditional mystery genre and emphasizes the family’s paranoia.

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

A charismatic young priest arrives on an isolated island and revitalizes the dying community with miracles. The townspeople believe he is a divine messenger who can heal the sick and restore youth. It is revealed that the priest is actually the elderly Monsignor Pruitt who was restored by a vampire he mistook for an angel. The miracles are a side effect of vampire blood which eventually leads to the town’s destruction.

‘Dollhouse’ (2009–2010)

“Actives” are people who have their personalities wiped so they can be imprinted with new skills for wealthy clients. Echo is an Active who begins to retain memories despite the wipes. The show reveals that the tech genius Topher has been unknowingly working toward technology that allows remote wiping of entire populations. This leads to a post-apocalyptic future where humanity is enslaved by the very technology developed in the dollhouse.

Tell us which TV show twist shocked you the most in the comments.