People often compare "good" TV to the writing of Charles Dickens because both share key narrative qualities such as vivid character development, intricate plotting, and social commentary that engage audiences deeply. Dickens’s novels, originally published in serialized installments, used cliffhangers and episodic structures to keep readers eagerly anticipating the next part, a technique that mirrors how modern TV shows maintain viewer interest
. Adam Kirsch highlights that Dickens’s writing welcomes this comparison because it is "a vivid, melodramatic, and capacious storytelling, able to encompass both private and public life within its capacious form." This means Dickens’s work combines rich, dramatic narratives with broad social themes, much like the best contemporary TV dramas that explore complex human experiences and societal issues
. Additionally, Dickens’s skill in creating memorable, distinct characters and weaving suspenseful, morally charged plots resonates with the storytelling style of high-quality television. Kirsch points out that Dickens’s ability to evoke empathy and maintain narrative momentum through serialized storytelling aligns closely with how modern TV shows captivate their audiences
. In summary, the comparison arises because both Dickens’s novels and "good" TV share a commitment to layered, engaging storytelling with complex characters and social insight, sustained by episodic suspense that keeps audiences invested over time
