How to Structure a TV Series

How to Structure a TV Season and Series Story for the Commercial Market

In this blog, I’ll guide you through the process of how to structure a tv series, structuring a TV season and crafting a compelling series story that appeals to the commercial market. Before diving into the Pilot episode, it’s essential to focus on the overarching arc of the first series you’re building. This foundational work ensures your series has the narrative strength to captivate audiences and producers alike.

When I work with writers through my consultancy, Script Advice, our conversations often center around the story the writer wants to tell. Crafting a series narrative, however, is a unique skill that goes beyond a single episode or standalone plot. With streaming services hungry for fresh content, writers need to master the art of shaping stories that not only engage but sustain audiences over multiple episodes.

How to structure a tv series means presenting a story episodically—across multiple parts—requires a structured approach. Over my 30 years in this field, I’ve developed a checklist of essential components that make a story both engaging for audiences and commercially viable for producers.

At Script Advice, it’s all about one thing: story.

At its core, a good story is the heart of the drama you want to bring to the screen. Before committing to your idea, evaluate whether it has the narrative depth and stamina to unfold over multiple episodes. Ask yourself: What makes a story “good” to me? And how does that align with what a commercial producer might consider a good story?

Storytelling for series television isn’t just about creating compelling characters or intriguing plots. It’s about building a cohesive narrative structure with the weight to carry your audience through every episode. By following the processes I outline below, on how to structure a TV series, you can refine and shape your story for the competitive TV market.

To understand series structure, I often use the metaphor of a necklace. The string represents the main storyline—the engine that drives the series. The beads symbolize individual episodes. Each bead connects to the next, forming a cohesive journey that guides the audience from the first to the final episode.

To maintain this connection across episodes, I emphasize using the title of the series as a critical anchor point.

A strong title isn’t just an afterthought; it’s a foundational decision. A well-chosen title encapsulates the series’ themes and ensures narrative cohesion. Consider titles like Breaking Bad, Happy Valley, and Severance. Each one hints at the essence of its story and ties the episodes together seamlessly.

In storytelling, I use what I call the Rule of Three:

1. Subtext (emotion)
2. Text (action/plot)
3. Visual Context (imagery)

These three elements work together to create a layered, engaging narrative. Let’s explore each one in more detail:

Subtext

Subtext is the emotional undercurrent of your story. It answers questions like: What drives the character? What are they seeking or hiding from? By understanding the character’s internal desires and motivations, you create a deeper, more resonant narrative.

Text

Text refers to the action or plot we see on screen. It’s what happens as a result of the subtext driving the characters. Strong action emerges naturally from the story’s emotional core, ensuring the audience feels connected to every plot twist and turn.

Visual Context

When crafting a series, always ask yourself: What is the audience seeing at this moment? Strong visuals, rooted in the story’s emotion and action, make your scenes memorable and immersive.

A compelling series needs a progressive arc—one that builds scene by scene, episode by episode, to a powerful apex. This arc reflects the growth of your characters and the evolution of their world.

Every arc has three key points:

1. Entry Point – Where the journey begins.
2. Midpoint – A transformative moment where the characters or their world shift significantly.
3. End Point – The resolution, where we see a changed world and evolved characters.

To set up a second season, ensure the first season leaves enough of a hook to draw the audience back.

By incorporating these strategies, you’ll not only strengthen your storytelling but also position your series as a commercially viable proposition for producers. For more insights into my process, check out my bestseller, From Creation to Pitch: How to Write Stories for Television That Sell.