In television programming, a limited-run series (or simply limited series) is a program with an end date and limit to the number of episodes. For instance, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' definition specifies a "program with two or more episodes with a total running time of at least 150 program minutes that tells a complete, non-recurring story, and does not have an on-going storyline and/or main characters in subsequent seasons." Limited-run series are represented in the form of

telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar Drama (film and television), drama genres around the w ...

s in Latin America and serials in the United Kingdom. The shortest forms of limited-run series have two or three parts, usually described as "made-for-

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

" or

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

in the United States. Longer forms are often

reality television Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring ordinary people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 1990s ...

or scripted dramas.

Parameters

Some limited series do not have main characters recurring between seasons or a storyline that spans seasons. Series with five episodes or fewer per season—such as the BBC/Masterpiece coproduction '' Sherlock''—also are considered limited series due to their short run, even if main characters and story lines do migrate across seasons. Series with a limited eight-to-twelve-episode run are typically ordered to fill mid-season television network gaps.

Classification

Limited series have the potential to be renewed without a required number of episodes as a typical order per season. '' Under the Dome'', '' Killer Women'', and '' Luther'' were originally marketed as limited series. Individual season-length stories of anthology series such as ''

American Horror Story ''American Horror Story'' (''AHS'') is an American horror film, horror anthology series, anthology television series created by Ryan Murphy (producer), Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk for the Cable television, cable network FX (TV channel), FX. Th ...

'', '' Fargo'', and ''

True Detective ''True Detective'' is an American Anthology series, anthology Crime fiction, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto for the premium cable network HBO. The series premiered on January 12, 2014, and ...

'' are also described as "limited series", which the Primetime Emmys have changed to their miniseries/limited series category to accommodate. Actors may choose to take part in limited-run series because their set start and end dates make scheduling other projects easier.

History

In 2015, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences changed its guidelines on how Emmy nominees are classified, with shows with a limited run all referred to as "limited series" instead of "miniseries". This is a reversion back to 1974, when the category was named "outstanding limited series". It had been changed to "outstanding miniseries" in 1986 and then added to the "made for television films" category in 2011. Miniseries were brought back out in 2014, accommodating such limited series as HBO's '' Olive Kitteridge'', History's '' Texas Rising'', IFC's '' The Honorable Woman'', and PBS' ''

Wolf Hall ''Wolf Hall'' is a 2009 historical novel by English author Hilary Mantel, published by Fourth Estate, named after the Seymour family's seat of Wolfhall, or Wulfhall, in Wiltshire. Set in the period from 1500 to 1535, ''Wolf Hall'' is a sym ...

'', as well as TV movies such as HBO's '' Bessie'' and National Geographic's '' Killing Jesus''.

Development

United States

Short-term reality television like Bravo's '' Eat, Drink, Love'', scripted dramas like Netflix's ''

Black Mirror ''Black Mirror'' is a British anthology series, anthology television series created by Charlie Brooker. Most episodes are set in near-future dystopias containing Science fiction, sci-fi technology—a type of speculative fiction. The series i ...

'', and individual seasons of

anthology series An anthology series is a written series, radio, television, film, or video game series that presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a different ca ...

are examples of limited-run series that appear on American television networks or streaming services.

Latin America

In the 1950s,

s emerged as Latin limited series. These low-budget Spanish and Portuguese shows were modeled after American soap operas in style and form. The programs follow a story arc that ends at the end of a season, with the possibility of renewal for subsequent seasons.

United Kingdom

British television Television broadcasts in the United Kingdom began in 1932, however, regular broadcasts would only begin four years later. Television began as a public service which was free of advertising, which followed the first demonstration of a transm ...

, the term "serial", or simply "series", is used instead of "miniseries". Like telenovelas, these programmes are stand-alone dramas, with a conclusion at the last episode of the series.

References

{{reflist Television terminology