'The Rehearsal' and 4 Other Best Experimental TV Series, Ranked by IMDb
These projects break the fourth wall and ignore traditional narratives, creating an entirely new language of television.
Today, the most daring creators are turning the TV screen into a laboratory where the lines between truth and fiction are blurred. Rather than being passive observers, viewers become participants in the experiment.
These creators question the very foundations of the format, play with our perception of reality, and force us to ask: where is the line between life and its staging?
5. 'Urban Myths', 2017-2020
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
Each episode of this series recounts a story that supposedly happened to a celebrity. For instance, one episode is about Bob Dylan getting the wrong address while on his way to visit a friend and ending up staying with a stranger all day.
The irony is that the writers don't use real stories from the celebrities' lives, but rather unconfirmed rumors.
This transforms Urban Myths into a parody of biopics, which often distort the facts yet treat the fiction as if it were real.
4. 'Calls', 2021
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
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People talk to each other on the phone. At first, it seems like they're simply discussing real-life topics, such as long-distance relationships, unexpected pregnancies, and family ties.
But each time, it turns out that something mystical, such as time travel, is happening to the characters. And perhaps the apocalypse is coming.
Calls isn't just an audio series – the abstract visuals enhance the atmosphere and help us understand the events.
3. 'The Midnight Gospel', 2020
IMDb Score: 8.2/10
Clancy is a traveler and podcaster. In each episode, he visits a strange, dying world and talks with the locals about unexpected topics.
The series, created by Pendleton Ward, is based on comedian Duncan Trussell's podcast. More precisely, the episodes are transcripts of Trussell's podcasts, complemented by wild visuals.
All of the adventures form a single story centered on the main character's personality. After watching the final episode, it's worth reading about the real-life events that inspired the show.
2. 'Jury Duty', 2023
IMDb Score: 8.2/10
Twelve people are selected to serve as jurors in a trial. However, Ronald, who was appointed foreman of the jury, doesn't know that it's all a setup.
The judge, lawyer, defendant, and other jurors are actors. Ronald is the only real person in this story, and he must organize his colleagues.
Jury Duty breaks all the rules of TV series and reality shows, making it an absolutely amazing project. Ninety percent of the action is staged, yet the main character behaves naturally and unpredictably.
1. 'The Rehearsal', 2022-...
IMDb Score: 8.5/10
Nathan Fielder launches a project to help people prepare for difficult life situations. He role-plays various scenarios with participants to develop better models for how to behave.
One day, a woman comes to him wanting to test whether she would be a good mother. However, Nathan becomes too involved in the process.
The series begins as a parody of traditional reality shows, with the host analyzing a specific problem in each episode. However, The Rehearsal soon turns into a meta-series in which the author analyzes himself.
