10 Mystery TV Shows That Tried to Replace ‘Lost’

For a very long time, network television was fairly straightforward — you had the multi-cam comedies and procedural dramas. Then, in 2004, ABC brought Lost to the masses, and history was made. The high-concept thriller followed the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, which crashed on a mysterious South Pacific island. Over six seasons, Lost blended survival adventure with science fiction, layering in flashbacks and flash-forwards as it explored themes of fate vs. free will, faith vs. science, and redemption through the island’s mysteries and mythology. It was a bold entry into a standard lineup, kicking off the trend of audiences seeking more high-concept masterpieces.