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Entertainment • Television

The Leftovers

The Leftovers is an American supernatural drama television series created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Leftovers is an American supernatural drama television series created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta. It aired on HBO from 2014 to 2017 and is based on Perrotta’s 2011 novel of the same name. The series follows people in a world changed by the unexplained disappearance of 2% of the global population.

Premise

The story begins three years after the Sudden Departure, when millions of people vanish without explanation. The series focuses on how individuals and communities cope with grief, uncertainty, and changing beliefs.

Production and release

The Leftovers was created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta for HBO. It ran for three seasons and 28 episodes from June 2014 to June 2017.

Source material

The television series is based on Tom Perrotta’s 2011 novel The Leftovers. Perrotta also served as a creator and executive producer on the adaptation.

Reception and themes

Descriptions of the series commonly emphasize grief, loss, faith, paranoia, and existential uncertainty. It has been noted for its emotional focus and character-driven storytelling.

Key facts

  • The series is set after the “Sudden Departure,” an unexplained event in which 2% of the world’s population disappears.
  • Its main characters include police chief Kevin Garvey, Nora Durst, and Reverend Matt Jamison.
  • It premiered on HBO in 2014 and ended in 2017 after three seasons.
  • The show is adapted from Tom Perrotta’s novel The Leftovers.
  • The series was developed by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta.
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Canadian context

The series aired on HBO in Canada through HBO-affiliated television distribution and later streaming availability, making it familiar to Canadian viewers of premium U.S. television.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Leftovers about?
It follows people living after an unexplained event causes 2% of the world’s population to disappear.
Who created The Leftovers?
The series was created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta.
What network aired The Leftovers?
The Leftovers aired on HBO.
How many seasons does The Leftovers have?
It has three seasons.
How many episodes are in The Leftovers?
The series has 28 episodes.
What is The Leftovers based on?
It is based on Tom Perrotta’s 2011 novel of the same name.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Leftovers_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series creators, premise, original run, season and episode count
  2. TVmaze — https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/138/the-leftovers
    Supports: Network, genres, premise, end status
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the-leftovers
    Supports: Premise, creators, network, release year
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2699128/
    Supports: Seasons, episodes, premiere and end dates, series description
  5. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-leftovers/umc.cmc.364ieofmqn8ihrnjqrto3u3rd
    Supports: Basic series description and premise
  6. Fandom — https://the-leftovers.fandom.com/wiki/The_Leftovers
    Supports: Premise and main character overview