Study Hall is a series by Shareece’s Screens dedicated to studying the art, language, and architecture of television and film. From screenwriting and directing to character psychology, cinematography, sound, editing, and world-building, each session explores how stories are constructed and why they emotionally resonate with audiences.
TV pilots are one of the most important factors in the stories we see on screen. It has the potential to either make or break a TV series and show the world where stories can go, but don’t get me wrong, a pilot is also something that just opens the doors to stories. It doesn’t have to be the best episode in the series, but it definitely needs to keep the people watching. Here are some of my favorite TV show pilots that I love to study to help my screenwriting process:
1. Mr. Robot (2015)
A notorious hacker takes an interest in cyber security engineer and vigilante styled computer hacker Elliot, while an evil corporation is hacked.
Director Niels Arden Oplev
Writer Sam Esmail
Air date June 24, 2015
2. Power (2014)
James "Ghost" St. Patrick opens the exclusive Truth nightclub, hoping it will allow him to leave the drug world, but his plans are disrupted by old flames and new threats.
Director Anthony Hemingway
Writer Courtney A. Kemp
Air date June 7, 2014
3. Queen Sugar (2016)
A woman gives up her upscale Los Angeles lifestyle to return home to a large sugarcane farm in Louisiana after her father suffers a stroke.
Director Ava DuVernay
Writer Ava DuVernay
Air date September 6, 2016
4. Prison Break (2005)
Michael Scofield is imprisoned in Fox River State Penitentiary. He finds his brother, Lincoln Burrows, who is a death row prisoner.
Director Brett Ratner
Writer Paul Scheuring
Air date August 29, 2005
5. Lost (2004)
After their plane crashes on a remote tropical island, the survivors must contend with hidden dangers and mysterious, malevolent forces to stay alive.
Director J.J. Abrams
Writer J.J. Abrams
Air date September 22, 2004
6. Rivals (2024)
Tony Baddingham hires Declan O'Hara and ambitious American producer Cameron Cook. As the O'Haras move to the countryside, Declan has a rude awakening.
Director Elliot Hegarty
Writer Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Air date October 18, 2024
7. Shrinking (2023)
A therapist mourning his wife takes a more proactive approach with his patients in the hopes that helping them will help himself.
Director James Ponsoldt
Writer Bill Lawrence, Jason Segel, and Brett Goldstein
Air date January 27, 2023
8. Scandal (2012)
Young lawyer Quinn Perkins is offered a job at Olivia Pope and Associates, an organisation that defends and protects the public image of the nation's elite by keeping their secrets under wraps.
Director Paul McGuigan
Writer Shonda Rhimes
Air date April 5, 2012
9. Paradise (2025)
It is just another day in Paradise until Agent Xavier Collins discovers that one of the world’s most powerful individuals has been viciously murdered. Xavier analyses the crime scene while recalling his complex relationship with the victim.
Director Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Writer Dan Fogelman
Air date January 26, 2025
10. Supacell (2024)
Delivery driver Michael has big plans for the future with his girlfriend; until something odd starts happening to him and others across South London.
Director Sebastian Thiel
Writer Rapman
Air date June 27, 2024
11. Cross (2024)
Alex Cross, a Washington, DC detective, decides to investigate and solve the cold-blooded murder of a Black Lives Matter activist.
Director Ben Watkins
Writer Ben Watkins
Air date November 14, 2024
12. The Last Days of Ptolmey Grey (2022)
Ptolemy Grey is experiencing worsening memory. His niece arranges for a new caretaker after his grandnephew is no longer available to support him.
Director Ramin Bahrani
Writer Walter Mosley
Air date March 11, 2022
13. Survivor’s Remorse (2014)
Star basketball player Cam Calloway signs a pro contract with Atlanta, and is embraced by the city. But his entourage -- sister, mother, cousin and wife and uncle -- are proving to be a liability.
Director Ken Whittingham
Writer Mike O'Malley
Air date October 4, 2014
14. Little Fires Everywhere (2020)
Artist Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl arrive in Shaker Heights, Ohio.
Director Lynn Shelton
Writer Liz Tigelaar
Air date March 18, 2020
15. Insecure (2016)
After her 29th birthday, Issa Dee reconsiders her relationship with her live-in boyfriend, Lawrence, and reconnects with an ex at an open-mic night. Meanwhile, Issa’s best friend, Molly, laments being single.
Director Melina Matsoukas
Writer Issa Rae, Larry Wilmore
Air date October 9, 2016
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i remember the pilot episode of queen sugar. it did everything it intended to do
Scandal was definitely my favorite 🤩