When TV Shows Have Too Many Characters: A Look at the Downside of Large Casts
TV shows with large casts can be appealing for numerous reasons, including the fact that they give viewers many characters to relate to and root for \\u2014 but sometimes such approaches backfire. While TV series that feature an abundance of perspectives have a lot to offer, they also face a daunting task. The larger a cast in a television series, the more personalities the story needs to flesh out. Even with the length of modern TV seasons, doing justice to so many characters can be a huge challenge. It's one that's amplified when the time comes to end a show. This article explores the downside of having too many characters in TV shows, using examples from well-known series.
The Challenge of Portraying a Large Cast
TV shows with large casts can be both captivating and challenging. On one hand, they provide viewers with a diverse array of characters and perspectives to invest in. On the other hand, the sheer number of characters presents a significant hurdle for writers and creators.
Dany and Jon in Game of Thrones Season 7 Finale
The larger a cast in a television series, the more personalities the story needs to flesh out. Even with the length of modern TV seasons, doing justice to so many characters can be a huge challenge. It's one that's amplified when the time comes to end a show.
The Challenge of Portraying a Large Cast
The Downside of Having Too Many Characters
Introducing too many players can hurt a TV show's story as well, especially when it comes to the ending. It's not easy wrapping up so many character arcs and storylines, and many series fail to do so, proving their casts were simply too large to do the narrative justice.
Lost cast in season 1
The hardship of portraying a large cast doesn't just affect the characters and their development. It also takes a toll on the overall story, making it difficult to deliver a satisfying conclusion.
Rick Grimes with facial hair looking worried on The Walking Dead
Examples from Well-Known TV Shows
Game of Thrones initially benefited from having a larger-than-average cast, as it made the HBO show's political stakes feel that much higher. With the series offering the perspectives of multiple major houses, it became difficult to root for just one party. However, the series didn't have enough seasons to thoroughly flesh out all of its players, resulting in a rushed and unfinished conclusion.
Norman Reedus and Steven Yeun as Daryl and Glenn in The Walking Dead.
Lost, The Walking Dead, and Manifest are among the shows that faced similar challenges with their large casts, leading to underutilized characters, dropped storylines, and an expanded narrative that deviated from the original premise.
Norman Reedus as Daryl and Melissa McBride as Carol in The Walking Dead Season 4
