When developing a television series, a series bible is one of the most valuable tools in your arsenal. It’s your blueprint, pitch deck, and creative roadmap all in one, helping you clearly define the world of your show, your characters, and the overarching themes that make it compelling. Whether you’re aiming to sell your show, secure a spot in a writer’s room, or simply refine your storytelling, understanding how to craft a strong series bible is essential.

Why Writing a Series Bible is an Essential Step in Development

A well-structured series bible can mean the difference between a pitch that fizzles out and one that sells.

A Series Bible Helps You Understand Your Story on a Deeper Level

Creating a bible forces you to flesh out character arcs, define the rules of your world, and clarify your long-term vision for the series. By organizing your ideas, you’ll avoid inconsistencies and ensure that your show has strong narrative momentum.

It Gives Producers & Execs Confidence in Your Vision

Executives, studios, and showrunners are more likely to take your project seriously if they see that you know your world inside and out. A detailed series bible demonstrates your commitment to the show’s longevity and proves that you’re prepared for high-level creative discussions.

It Strengthens Your Pitch & Increases Your Chances of Selling the Show

Many producers and development executives now expect a complete series bible to be submitted alongside your pilot script, especially for high-concept shows. A strong bible can provide additional context that helps sell the story, including details about world-building, long-term character development, and potential future seasons.

It Can Be a Key to Landing a Spot in a Writer’s Room

If you’re an aspiring TV writer looking to break in, having a well-crafted series bible in your portfolio can help showcase your ability to develop multi-season narratives, craft compelling characters, and think like a showrunner.

Tips for Writing a Strong Series Bible

Start with a Compelling Logline

Your logline should be a one-to-two-sentence pitch that captures the essence of your show. It should establish the premise, main character, and core conflict in a way that immediately intrigues the reader.

Example: Breaking Bad: “A high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer turns to cooking meth to secure his family’s future.”

You can use resources right here on Stage 32 to refine your logline!

• Post your logline on your Stage 32 Profile Page, making it eligible for ratings and feedback on the Stage 32 Loglines page.
• Share your logline in the Screenwriting Lounge and Writer’s Room Lounge to get direct feedback and advice from fellow writers and industry professionals.

Define the Tone, Genre, and Themes Clearly

• Is your show a dark crime thriller like True Detective, a sci-fi epic like Battlestar Galactica, or a quirky comedy like New Girl?
• Be specific about your tone (dark and gritty, lighthearted and whimsical, etc.).
• Identify key themes (redemption, identity, survival, etc.) that drive your story.

Establish the World & Setting

• Where does your story take place?
• Is it set in a grounded real-world location like The Wire or a high-concept fantasy world like Stranger Things?
• What are the rules of this world, and how do they shape the story?

Introduce Your Main Characters & Their Arcs

• Provide detailed character bios, including their backstories, motivations, and relationships.
• Show how these characters will change over the course of the series (a great character arc is what keeps audiences invested).

Outline the Pilot & Future Episodes

• Give a synopsis of the pilot: what happens in the first episode, and why should viewers keep watching?
• Provide a brief breakdown of the first season, touching on key plot points and character developments.
• Consider adding ideas for future seasons to show the show’s long-term potential.

You can improve your series bible or pitch deck while building your network and making a plan for your next steps with a top industry professional - exclusively through Stage 32! Click here to learn more!

Download These Must-Read TV Series Bibles

One of the best ways to learn how to write an effective series bible is to study successful ones. Below is a collection of some of the most well-crafted series bibles, spanning multiple genres and eras. By analyzing both classic and modern TV bibles, you’ll gain insight into how television storytelling has evolved. Click on any of the titles below to download them directly.

Classic & Groundbreaking Series-

The Crow: Stairway to Heaven (1998-1999): Based on the comic book, this series followed Eric Draven’s supernatural quest for justice.

Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994): The definitive example of a sci-fi series bible, outlining the rules of the Star Trek universe and how to structure episodes within that framework.

Stargate SG-1 (1997-2007): A breakdown of the intergalactic conflicts, mythology, and military sci-fi elements that made the series a long-running hit.

Freaks and Geeks (1999): A cult classic that captures the highs and lows of high school life in the 1980s.

2000s-2010s Hits-

Scrubs (2001-2010): A perfect example of how to blend comedy, drama, and emotion in a medical workplace setting.

The Wire (2002-2008): A masterclass in layered storytelling and complex character arcs, detailing how David Simon’s vision would evolve over multiple seasons.

Carnivale (2003-2005): A dark, richly layered drama set during the Great Depression with themes of destiny, faith, and supernatural forces.

Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009): An in-depth guide to Ron Moore’s reimagining of the classic sci-fi saga, with themes of survival, morality, and war.

Lost (2004-2010): A fascinating look at how Lost set up its elaborate mysteries, characters, and narrative threads for future seasons.

Desperate Housewives (2004-2012): A soapy drama with dark humor and a web of interconnected storylines that keep audiences engaged.

Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present): A long-running example of how to sustain character-driven storytelling across multiple seasons.

The Mentalist (2008-2015): A great procedural drama example, highlighting the format, character arcs, and overarching mystery.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013): A breakdown of Walter White’s transformation and the show’s slow-burn storytelling approach.

Terra Nova (2011): A sci-fi adventure about a family traveling back in time to prehistoric Earth for a chance at survival.

Modern Must-Reads-

New Girl (2011-2018): A modern comedy with quirky characters and a fresh take on friendship and romance dynamics.

Homeland (2011-2020): The Homeland bible lays out the show’s intense espionage themes and complex character dynamics.

Black Box (2014): A lesser-known but fascinating example of a medical drama with psychological thriller elements.

Z-Nation (2014-2018): A post-apocalyptic zombie survival series with a mix of horror, humor, and adventure.

Fargo (2014-2024): A critically acclaimed anthology series that masterfully blends dark comedy, crime, and drama.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016-2017): A quirky sci-fi detective series based on Douglas Adams’ novels, balancing humor, mystery, and the supernatural.

Stranger Things (2016-Present): The Duffer Brothers’ detailed vision for Stranger Things, showcasing how they blended nostalgia, horror, and adventure.

True Detective (2014-Present): True Detective is proof that even anthology series require strong world-building and thematic cohesion at their start.

Six (2017-2018): A military drama that follows Navy SEAL Team Six as they carry out dangerous missions while balancing personal struggles.

Project Blue Book (2019-2020): A well-researched series bible exploring UFO investigations, inspired by real-life government documents.

Gangs of London (2020-Present): An action-packed crime series with high-intensity storytelling and layered character development.

Animated TV Series Bibles-

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983-1985): Yes, even classic action-adventure cartoons had detailed bibles! This one explains the world-building behind Eternia and its characters.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995): A deep dive into one of the most celebrated animated superhero shows ever made, setting a gold standard for animation storytelling.

Adventure Time (2010-2018): This bible showcases the quirky world-building and creative character dynamics of Adventure Time.

Bravest Warriors (2009-2018): Created by Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time), this series bible highlights how offbeat humor and sci-fi can blend seamlessly.

Key Differences Between Live-Action & Animated Series Bibles

Visuals & World-Building: Animated series bibles often feature detailed artwork and concept sketches to help define the look of the show.

Episodic vs. Serialized Storytelling: Many animated shows rely on episodic storytelling, while live-action dramas often lean towards serialized arcs.

Production Considerations: Animated series require extensive pre-planning, as every design, character, and background must be accounted for before production begins.

Mastering the Art of the Series Bible

Studying these successful series bibles will help you see how great TV shows are built from the ground up. Whether you’re developing a network procedural, a high-concept sci-fi epic, or an animated adventure, the core storytelling principles remain the same.

If you’re serious about breaking into television writing, don’t skip the bible. It’s more than just a selling tool, it’s a guide that keeps your vision clear, your characters consistent, and your story structured for success.

If you'd like to learn more about how to write your own Series Bible, Stage 32 has fantastic education on the subject, which you can explore below:

• 4-Part Stage 32 Class: Level Up Your TV Pitch Bible: Generate Your Story and Map Out Your Seasons
• Webinar: How To Map Out Your TV Seasons in Your Pitch Deck
• Webinar: How To Write Your TV Pitch Bible To Sell Your Show
• FREE Webinar: Breaking Down the Emmy-Winning Script & Bible of STRANGER THINGS
• 4-Part Class: Sell Your TV Show: How to Bring Value When You Can't Be the Showrunner
• Stage 32 4-Part Class: TV Pitch Deck Foundations and Pitching Fundamentals
• How To Develop, Package, Pitch and Sell Your Limited Series To A Streamer or Network

Have a favorite series bible that’s inspired your writing? Drop it in the comments below!

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