# Anthology — Series Sub-Type

> Each episode (or season) is a self-contained story with different characters/setting.

## Defining elements

- Self-contained episodes/seasons
- Often different cast each
- Connecting theme or showrunner voice
- No long-arc to maintain (usually)
- New world each chapter

## Two main types

### Episode anthology
Each episode = new story
- Black Mirror
- The Twilight Zone
- Love, Death + Robots
- Tales from the Loop

### Season anthology
Each season = new story
- True Detective
- American Horror Story
- Fargo
- The White Lotus

## Structural conventions

### Each unit = mini-film
Pilot-finale within episode or season.

### Theme/style consistency
What connects:
- Showrunner voice
- Genre (horror, sci-fi)
- Theme (technology, crime)
- Tone

### Cast variation
- Different per episode/season
- Sometimes recurring actors in different roles
- Star casting possible

## Examples

### Episode anthology
- Black Mirror — tech dystopia
- Love Death + Robots — animation sci-fi
- The Twilight Zone — twist endings

### Season anthology
- True Detective — crime drama
- Fargo — Coen-inspired crime
- American Horror Story — horror
- The White Lotus — class satire

## Episode structure (anthology)

For episode anthology, each episode = full 3-act:
```
ACT 1: Establish world, character
ACT 2: Conflict develops
ACT 3: Twist / resolution
```

For season anthology, each season is its own series.

## Voice / style

- Showrunner voice central
- Often genre-defined
- Tone consistent across units
- Visual style maintained

## Anthology benefits

- New audience can jump in any time
- Limited commitment
- Star casting attractive
- Showrunner can experiment
- Each unit can be different scale

## Anthology challenges

- Building fanbase per unit
- No carryover audience investment
- Inconsistent quality risk
- Hard to market each unit

## When to write anthology

- Genre showcase
- Concept-driven
- Showrunner with strong vision
- Different stories to tell
- Star attraction (different actors per unit)
- Streaming-friendly format
