Anthology TV shows, in which each new episode (or season) brings a different set of characters and circumstances that are usually connected thematically in some way, are a phenomenon that has been around for a while.
Despite how it might look from our vantage point, they have been around almost as long as television. One of the earliest iterations of the format was NBC's Kraft Television Theatre, which would broadcast a different televised play every episode. Other similar programs include Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse, which was also on NBC, and Westinghouse Studio One on CBS. These shows featured the likes of James Dean and Grace Kelly before they found more high-profile fame.
More recently, the series American Horror Story has been credited for sparking a change to the anthology format in which the plot and characters are only overhauled between seasons rather than episodes. This has birthed shows such as the wildly successful The White Lotus and True Detective.
Anthology series are great because they invite creativity by constantly changing the premise. Moreover, they require low commitment as you can dip in and out whenever you have a moment rather than wondering if you'll make it through several seasons without losing steam. Netflix has become a go-to streaming service when it comes to anthologies, so let's take a look at the best they have to offer.
11 Easy (2016-2019)
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Easy is a simple anthology series in Chicago that follows different couples and friends as they navigate their lives. The characters are loosely connected, so they sometimes appear in a few different episodes, but each episode focuses on a new person or couple. Zazie Beetz, Kiersey Clemons, and Dave Franco play some of the reoccurring characters.
The series is naturalistic, open, and subtle, building a beautiful atmosphere. Creator Joe Swanberg, the show's only writer, has a knack for true-to-life dialogue, which is the show's…