This list includes 60 TV shows that start with R, from “Rab C. Nesbitt” to “Rutherford Falls”. It covers dramas, comedies, documentaries, and animated series across decades and platforms, useful for research or discovery.

TV shows that start with R are television series whose official titles begin with the letter R. They range from British cult comedies like “Rab C. Nesbitt” to recent American workplace sitcoms like “Rutherford Falls”.

Below you’ll find the table with Title, Original outlet, First aired, and Genre.

Title: Shows’ official titles as billed; you can use them to search databases, streaming services, or episode guides.

Original outlet: Network or streaming platform where the show first aired; it helps you find original episodes and regional availability.

First aired: Date when the series premiered, given so you can place shows chronologically and identify period-specific trends.

Genre: Primary and one secondary genre listed to help you quickly judge tone, style, and likely audience fit.

TV shows that start with R

Title Original Network/Platform First aired Genre(s) Description
Rab C. Nesbitt BBC Two 1988 Comedy; Satire Long-running Scottish sitcom about Glaswegian bigamist Rab and his dysfunctional life; ran across decades and is notable for its dark humor and social commentary.
Rachael Ray Syndication 2006 Talk; Lifestyle Daytime talk and cooking show hosted by celebrity chef Rachael Ray, featuring recipes, celebrity guests and lifestyle segments; launched a multi-platform brand and long-running daytime presence.
Raising Dion Netflix 2019 Drama; Sci‑fi Supernatural drama about a young boy developing powers and his mother protecting him; notable as a comic-book adaptation with a second season expanding its mysteries.
Raising Hope Fox 2010 Comedy; Family Single-camera sitcom about a young man raising his infant daughter with oddball relatives; praised for quirky characters and ran four seasons on Fox.
Rake ABC (Australia) 2010 Drama; Comedy Australian legal drama following a brilliant but self-destructive barrister; acclaimed for sharp writing and spawned a U.S. remake.
Rambo: The Force of Freedom Syndication 1986 Animation; Action 1980s animated tie-in to the Rambo film franchise featuring cartoonized action missions; notable as a rare animated adaptation of an adult action property.
Ramayan Doordarshan (DD National) 1987 Drama; Mythology Iconic Indian televised retelling of the Ramayana epic; a cultural phenomenon on state TV that reached huge national audiences during its original run.
Ramy Hulu 2019 Comedy; Drama Semi-autobiographical series about a first‑generation Egyptian‑American navigating faith, identity and modern life; praised for nuanced cultural perspective and award recognition.
Random Acts of Flyness HBO 2018 Comedy; Variety Surreal, boundary-pushing sketch series by Terence Nance blending satire, music and social commentary; noted for experimental style and critical acclaim.
Rap City BET 1989 Music; Talk Long-running hip-hop showcase and interview program on BET featuring video premieres and artist conversations; influential in promoting rap culture on cable television.
Ransom Global 2017 Crime; Drama International hostage-negotiator procedural focusing on a specialist team resolving high-stakes crises; Canadian-produced series that aired globally, blending character drama with action.
Rapunzel? (no entry)
Ray Donovan Showtime 2013 Drama; Crime Gritty drama about a “fixer” for L.A.’s elite balancing family chaos and violent jobs; praised for Liev Schreiber’s lead performance and long-running cable run.
Reacher Prime Video 2022 Action; Thriller Adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels following a drifter solving violent mysteries; noted for faithful, physical portrayal of the protagonist and strong streaming viewership.
Reba The WB 2001 Comedy; Family Sitcom starring Reba McEntire as a single mother juggling family and career; a staple of early-2000s family sitcoms with broad mainstream appeal.
ReBoot YTV 1994 Animation; Sci‑fi Pioneering CGI-animated series set inside a computer world where heroes defend systems from viruses; notable as one of the first fully CGI TV cartoons.
Red Dwarf BBC Two 1988 Sci‑fi; Comedy Cult British sci‑fi sitcom about the last human and his odd companions aboard a mining ship; famous for its dry humor and long-running franchise.
Red Oaks Amazon Prime Video 2014 Comedy; Drama Coming‑of‑age dramedy set at a 1980s New Jersey country club; praised for nostalgic tone and character-driven storytelling across three seasons.
Red Shoe Diaries Showtime 1992 Drama; Anthology Adult-oriented anthology series exploring erotic and romantic stories introduced by a storyteller device; notable for cable-era erotic drama and David Duchovny’s early association.
Red Table Talk Facebook Watch 2018 Talk; Talk/Documentary Intergenerational talk show hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith and Adrienne Banfield-Norris; known for candid discussions and high-profile guest revelations on Facebook Watch.
Red vs. Blue Rooster Teeth 2003 Animation; Comedy Long-running machinima comedy series using Halo game engines to parody military sci‑fi tropes; highly influential in web-series and gamer culture.
Red Widow ABC 2013 Drama; Crime Short‑lived ABC drama about a woman drawn into her crime-family after her husband’s death; notable for its attempt to blend domestic drama with organized-crime plotting.
Reign The CW 2013 Historical; Drama Tastily fictionalized drama following Mary, Queen of Scots and court intrigue; known for its youthful casting and melodramatic historical retelling.
Repair Shop BBC Two 2017 Reality; DIY U.K. series where craftspeople restore sentimental family heirlooms; celebrated for heartwarming stories and craftsmanship, spawning international interest.
Remington Steele NBC 1982 Comedy; Crime 1980s detective series pairing a female insurance investigator with a mysterious male conman posing as her boss; notable for blending romance, mystery and witty banter.
Ren & Stimpy Nickelodeon 1991 Animation; Comedy Zany, surreal animated series about an emotionally unstable chihuahua and dimwitted cat; seminal for Nickelodeon’s early, boundary-pushing cartoons.
Reno 911! Comedy Central 2003 Comedy; Mockumentary Improvised-style spoof of law-enforcement reality shows set in Reno, Nevada; gained cult status for its offbeat humor and ensemble cast.
Rescue 911 CBS 1989 Docudrama; Reality Reenactment series showing real emergency rescues, hosted by William Shatner; influential in popularizing reality-based emergency programming.
Rescue Me FX 2004 Drama; Comedy Intense dramedy about New York City firefighters coping with trauma, grief and personal demons; notable for Denis Leary’s raw lead performance and post‑9/11 relevance.
Resurrection ABC 2014 Drama; Mystery Supernatural drama about the dead returning to life in a small town; explored grief and mystery across two seasons on ABC.
Revolution NBC 2012 Sci‑fi; Drama Post-apocalyptic drama in a world lacking electricity and modern tech; ran two seasons and explored survival and political power struggles.
Revenge ABC 2011 Drama; Thriller Soap-style thriller about a woman returning to the Hamptons to exact vengeance on those who wronged her family; known for twisty plotting and melodrama.
Rick and Morty Adult Swim 2013 Animation; Sci‑fi Darkly comic animated series about a genius scientist and his anxious grandson’s multiverse misadventures; acclaimed for high-concept stories and sharp satire.
Ridiculousness MTV 2011 Comedy; Clip Show Clip-show series featuring viral fails and comic commentary from Rob Dyrdek and guests; long-running staple of MTV’s reality-forward lineup.
Ripper Street BBC One 2012 Drama; Crime Victorian-era crime drama following detectives in Whitechapel after the Jack the Ripper murders; praised for gritty production values and period detail.
River BBC One 2015 Crime; Drama British psychological drama starring Stellan Skarsgård as a grief-stricken detective haunted by visions; short, acclaimed series noted for performance and mood.
River Monsters Animal Planet 2009 Documentary; Adventure Investigative series where host Jeremy Wade searches for giant freshwater predators and local lore; combined adventure travel with fisheries science.
Riverdale The CW 2017 Drama; Teen Dark, teen-drama reimagining of Archie Comics characters with noir-tinged mysteries; became a hit for CW and launched multiple spin-offs.
Riviera Sky Atlantic 2017 Drama; Thriller Glamorous thriller about art, money and murder on the French Riviera; noted for glossy production and international twists.
Rizzoli & Isles TNT 2010 Drama; Crime Procedural pairing a tough Boston detective with a medical examiner; adapted from Tess Gerritsen’s novels and popular with mainstream audiences.
Roadies Showtime 2016 Drama; Comedy Backstage dramedy created by Cameron Crowe following a touring rock band’s road crew; short-lived but notable for music-world setting and ensemble cast.
Rob & Big MTV 2006 Reality; Comedy Reality series following skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and best friend Big Black in comedic daily-life scenarios; influential for early-2000s MTV reality programming.
Robot Chicken Adult Swim 2005 Animation; Comedy Stop-motion sketch show lampooning pop culture using action figures; celebrated for rapid-fire parodies and Emmy wins.
Robot Wars BBC Two 1998 Competition; Sci‑fi Robot-combat competition where teams design machines to battle in an arena; influential in robotics hobbyist culture and TV tournament formats.
Rocko’s Modern Life Nickelodeon 1993 Animation; Comedy Surreal cartoon about an Australian wallaby navigating mundane modern life in America; beloved for adult-leaning humor and cultural satire.
Rookie Blue Global 2010 Drama; Police Canadian police procedural following rookie officers in Toronto; helped launch several careers and ran for multiple seasons internationally.
Roots ABC 1977 Historical; Drama Landmark miniseries adapting Alex Haley’s family saga from slavery to freedom; cultural touchstone praised for its impact and massive audience reach.
Roseanne ABC 1988 Comedy; Family Grounded sitcom about the working-class Conners; lauded for realistic family portrayal and long original run, later reboots and controversy.
Rosemary & Thyme ITV 2003 Drama; Mystery Cozy British mystery series featuring two gardening sleuths solving crimes among country estates; notable for picturesque settings and gentle tone.
Roswell Fox 1999 Drama; Sci‑fi Teen sci‑fi drama about alien-human relationships and small-town secrets; developed a devoted cult following and a later reboot.
Roswell, New Mexico 2019 Drama; Sci‑fi Rebooted take on the Roswell story focused on contemporary social issues; aired on The CW and updated the franchise for modern audiences.
Rubicon AMC 2010 Drama; Thriller Slow-burn conspiracy thriller about an intelligence-analyst in New York; praised for mood and subtlety though short-lived on AMC.
Rurouni Kenshin Fuji TV 1996 Animation; Action Popular anime about a wandering swordsman seeking redemption in Meiji-era Japan; influential shonen series with broad international reach.
Rugrats Nickelodeon 1991 Animation; Family Classic animated series following toddlers’ imaginative adventures; one of Nickelodeon’s signature hits and lasting franchise.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Logo 2009 Reality; Competition Drag-competition series hosted by RuPaul showcasing performance, fashion and challenges; launched mainstream drag culture and multiple international editions.
Running Man SBS 2010 Variety; Reality Long-running South Korean variety/reality program featuring celebrity games and missions; internationally popular and a key K-variety export.
Running Wild with Bear Grylls NBC 2014 Reality; Adventure Adventure series where Bear Grylls takes celebrities into remote wilderness for survival lessons; notable for celebrity profiles and survival set pieces.
Runaways Hulu 2017 Superhero; Drama Marvel adaptation about teens discovering their parents’ criminal cult and superpowers; praised for teen-focused character work and diversity.
Rush Network Ten 2008 Drama; Police Australian police drama focusing on an elite tactical response unit in Melbourne; noted for intense action and local authenticity.
Rutherford Falls Peacock 2021 Comedy; Drama Workplace comedy exploring a small town’s history and indigenous community, co-created by Mike Schur and Native writers; praised for nuanced cultural storytelling.

Descriptions

Rab C. Nesbitt
Rachael Ray
Raising Dion
Raising Hope
Rake
Rambo: The Force of Freedom
Ramayan
Ramy
Random Acts of Flyness
Rap City
Ransom
Rapunzel? (no entry)
Ray Donovan
Reacher
Reba
ReBoot
Red Dwarf
Red Oaks
Red Shoe Diaries
Red Table Talk
Red vs. Blue
Red Widow
Reign
Repair Shop
Remington Steele
Ren & Stimpy
Reno 911!
Rescue 911
Rescue Me
Resurrection
Revolution
Revenge
Rick and Morty
Ridiculousness
Ripper Street
River
River Monsters
Riverdale
Riviera
Rizzoli & Isles
Roadies
Rob & Big
Robot Chicken
Robot Wars
Rocko’s Modern Life
Rookie Blue
Roots
Roseanne
Rosemary & Thyme
Roswell
Roswell, New Mexico
Rubicon
Rurouni Kenshin
Rugrats
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Running Man
Running Wild with Bear Grylls
Runaways
Rush
Rutherford Falls
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