A TV show needs to have captivating storylines and iconic characters that keep viewers watching. However, one overlooked factor in a success of a tv show is the importance of a strong ensemble cast. While it’s great to have memorable individual performances, it’s the chemistry and dynamics of the cast that can truly elevate the show.
One rare occurrence in television history is when the ensemble cast remains the same for the entire show. This means that during its entire run, there were no character departures or additions to the main cast: for the most part, this occurs in the world of TV comedies. FromSeinfeldtoFriends,these TV cast ensembles were unchanged for their run.
10’The Brady Bunch' (1969-1974)
StarringRobert ReedandFlorence Hendersonas Mike and Carol Brady, the ensemble cast ofThe Brady Bunchincluded their six children and their housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis). This show has remained popular to this day, especially asThe Brady Bunchwas all about family and love.
RELATED:Best Movies Based on TV Shows, From ‘Mission: Impossible’ to ‘Wayne’s World’
Unsurprisingly, there were no significant cast changes throughout the entire run. The tight-knit family remained the same throughout the show. The audience could see the children grow up and navigate the typical challenges of growing up.
9’One Day at a Time' (2017-2020)
One Day at a Timewas ashow to watch for more socially-aware stories. The ensemble cast throughout its entire run includedJustina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Stephen Tobolowsky,andRita Moreno.
As this show revolved around a family, the core cast remained the same throughout the series. The show tackled issues such as immigration, mental health, and LGBTQ+ rights. It became popular because of its humor, heart, and authenticity of family struggles.
8’The Nanny' (1993-1999)
StarringFran Drescheras Fran Fine,The Nannyrevolved around Fran, who became a nanny for Maxwell’s (Charles Shaughnessy) three children. The ensemble cast includedDaniel Davisas Niles, the butler, andLauren Laneas C.C., the show’s main antagonist.
RELATED:How ‘The Nanny’ Paved the Way For Jewish Leads
The core cast ofThe Nannydidn’t change during its run, which allowed fans to see Fran’s relationship with the children progress, and her eventual relationship and marriage to Maxwell. It’s hard to imagine that dynamic changing if any of those characters departed the show.
7Frasier (1993 - 2004)
Frasierfollowed the life of Fraiser Crane (Kelsey Grammar), who is considered to be one of thebest characters in any TV comedy. The ensemble cast included his brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce), as well asJane Leeves, Peri Gilpin,andJohn Mahoney.
This ensemble cast built a dynamic that viewers loved watching on screen. Fans got to see how both the characters and their relationships with each other progressed. It’s hard to picture that dynamic being disrupted if they added new characters or if any of them left.
6’The Good Place' (2016-2020)
StarringKristen Bell,The Good Place’s cast also includedTed Danson, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, D’Arcy Carden,andManny Jacinto. A show taking place in the afterlife, it was popular for its originality and character development.
RELATED:10 Best Shows Like ‘The Good Place’ Every Fan Might Enjoy
Viewers who watched the show got to see each character’s growth, makingThe Good Placemore impactful. On top of that, by having the same characters throughout its entire run, viewers were able to get deeply emotionally invested in their journeys.
5’Arrested Development' (2003-2006, 2013-2018)
Named one of thebest cringe comedy series, the cast ofArrested DevelopmentincludesJason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross, Jefferey Tambor,andJessica Walter.
The show follows the dysfunctional and wealthy Bluth family, who confront their various personal and financial issues.Arrested Developmentmaintained this ensemble cast throughout its run and had no major cast departures or additions. That’s why the audience grew to enjoy watching the Bluth family’s dysfunctional dynamic.
4’Sex and the City' (1998-2004)
Airing from 1998 to 2004,Sex and the Cityfollowed the lives of four female friends played bySarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis,andCynthia Nixon. This group of friends were all in their late 30s and early 40s and lived in New York.
RELATED:15 TV Shows That Film in and Are Set in NYC
The chemistry between the four main actresses was key to the show’s popularity. By keeping this ensemble intact, viewers could see their growth over time and how their relationships with each other progressed throughout the show.
3’The Golden Girls' (1985-1992)
The Golden Girlsis one of thesitcoms from the ’80s that are still hip today. The ensemble cast includedBea Arthur,Betty White,Rue McClanahan,andEstelle Getty,playing senior women living together. The show was known for its humor which ranged from sarcastic one-liners to slapstick comedy.
This core cast remained the same throughout the entire series, which gave the show a sense of community and familiarity for its audience.The Golden Girlsshowed the women’s friendship growth throughout the series, and it was well-loved by fans.
2’Seinfeld' (1989-1998)
The ensemble cast ofSeinfeldincludedJerry Seinfeld,Jason Alexander,Julia Louis-Drefus,andMichael Richards.Viewers fell in love with the show’s brand of humor and its memorable catchphrases from the quirky characters.
RELATED:7 Best TV Shows About Stand-Up, From ‘Hacks’ to ‘Seinfeld’
Both the characters and their chemistry with each other made the show popular. It’s hard to imagine seeing any of them leaveSeinfeldat one point or a new character join the main cast. As the main cast remained the same throughout the entire series, audiences could connect more with the characters.
1’Friends' (1994-2002)
Friendshas remained one of the most beloved shows ever, with each character being lovable and funny in their own way. The cast includedJennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox,Lisa Kudrow,Matt LeBlanc,Matthew Perry,andDavid Schimmer.
One of the major reasons why the show was extremely successful was because of the chemistry between the six characters. Fans ofFriendsgrew to love the ensemble cast, and there was even strong fan loyalty to the characters. It’s hard to imagine howFriendswould’ve been if any of the characters left.
KEEP READING:10 Best Ensemble Movie Casts of the 20th Century, According to Reddit
