Most Translated TV Series: “The Chosen” and more

Television is more than just a source of entertainment; it's a bridge between cultures, languages, and people. The most translated TV series has not only captivated audiences worldwide but also played a pivotal role in cultural exchange and language learning. Whether you're a fan of drama, comedy, or action, the global reach of these series might have touched your life without you even realizing it.

“The Chosen”: Most Translated TV Series 

Translation does more than render words from one language to another. It adapts cultural nuances, humor, and idioms so that they resonate with a global audience. This process is crucial because it ensures that a TV series is accessible and enjoyable to viewers regardless of their cultural background.

For instance, "The Chosen," a series about the life of Jesus Christ, is on its way to becoming the TV series with the most translations, potentially surpassing "Baywatch." The former's translations into various languages not only spread its religious message but also reflect a universal interest in storytelling that transcends cultural boundaries.

Currently, ‘The Chosen’ TV series is available in 65 languages. The goal of the crew behind “The Chosen” is to have the TV series dubbed in across 100 languages and subtitled in over 600 languages. Currently, they have dubbed the series in almost 50 languages.

Read more: Why Is Subtitle Translation Needed?

List of the most multilingually diverse TV series

Besides “The Chosen” and “Baywatch,” here is a list of the most multilingually diverse and most translated series that either contain numerous languages within the series or are available in different languages:

1. Homeland (2011–2020)

Languages: English, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Russian, German, Hindi, Dutch, Urdu

Plot: A CIA officer suspects that a rescued American POW may be an al-Qaeda plant.

2. The Blacklist (2013–2023)

Languages: English, Russian, Mandarin, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian

Plot: A master criminal turns himself in and offers to help the FBI capture the most elusive criminals, but insists on working exclusively with a rookie profiler.

3. Arrow (2012–2020)

Languages: English, Greek, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese

Plot: Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy presumed dead, returns after five years to fight crime and corruption as a secret vigilante armed with a bow and arrow.

4. Killing Eve (2018–2022)

Languages: Catalan, Polish, Russian, Romanian, English, French, Spanish

Plot: An MI5 security officer and a talented killer become obsessed with each other, leading to a thrilling game of cat and mouse.

5. Lilyhammer (2012–2014)

Languages: Norwegian, English, Portuguese, Lithuanian, Nepali, Arabic

Plot: A former New York mobster relocates to Norway under witness protection but finds it hard to retire from his criminal ways.

6. Constantine (2014–2015)

Languages: English, Aramaic, Latin, Spanish, Hebrew, Hungarian

Plot: A seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult, John Constantine specializes in giving hell.

7. Gotham (2014–2019)

Languages: English, Russian, Italian, French, Spanish, Arabic

Plot: This series explores the origin stories of Commissioner James Gordon and the villains that made Gotham City infamous.

8. The Man in the High Castle (2015–2019)

Languages: English, Hebrew, German, Japanese

Plot: In an alternate history where the Axis powers won WWII, various characters converge in a gripping narrative involving a mysterious film.

9. Better Call Saul (2015–2022)

Languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese

Plot: The series tracks the transformation of Jimmy McGill, a small-time lawyer hustling to champion his low-income clients, into the morally challenged lawyer Saul Goodman.

10. Breaking Bad (2008–2013)

Languages: English, Spanish, German

Plot: A high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine manufacturing drug dealer teams up with a former student to secure his family's future.

11. Dexter (2006–2013)

Languages: English, Spanish, Russian

Plot: By day, Dexter is a blood-spatter analyst for the police department. By night, he turns into a serial killer who targets other murderers.

12. The Fall (2013–2016)

Languages: English, Greek, Gaelic

Plot: A senior police officer leads an investigation into a string of murders in Belfast, revealing the complex dynamics between the hunter and the hunted.

13. Heroes (2006–2010)

Languages: English, Japanese, Spanish

Plot: Ordinary people discover they have superpowers and must deal with the responsibilities that come along with them, intertwining their lives.

14. Messiah (2020)

Languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, English

Plot: A CIA officer investigates a charismatic figure whose followers believe he can perform miracles, wondering if he is a divine entity or a deceiving con artist.

Read more: The Best Foreign Films Across All Streaming Services

The role of popular international TV series in language learning

TV series available in multiple languages, like the German thriller "The Man in the High Castle," are fantastic resources for language learners. These shows combine visual storytelling with auditory language exposure, making them a dynamic tool for acquiring new vocabulary and understanding grammatical structures. 

Watching series that integrate multiple languages offers insights into diverse cultural contexts and encourages active listening and comprehension. This method is more than just passive viewing. It requires an engagement that can significantly enhance your language skills. As you follow complex narratives and dialogue in various languages, you'll gain a better grasp of linguistic nuances and improve your overall language proficiency.

Read more: What Is Media Localization and Why Do Businesses Need it?

Navigating the challenges of translating TV series

Translating TV series for a global audience is a thrilling yet intricate challenge. Here’s what makes it so complex:

1. Cultural sensitivity and nuances: It's crucial for translators to capture the essence of a show while respecting cultural differences. Misplaced idioms or jokes could flop or even offend, so tailoring content to fit diverse audiences is key without losing the original's spirit.

2. Language structure differences: Since languages vary greatly in structure and expression, translating humor or wordplay often requires a complete makeover to maintain its impact across different linguistic landscapes.

3. Consistency in character voice: Imagine keeping your favorite character's charm in another language! Translators strive to preserve each character's unique style and voice, demanding both fluency and a touch of creativity.

4. Synchronization with on-screen elements: Aligning translated speech with actors' movements and expressions is an art—it ensures the dialogue looks natural, keeping viewers fully immersed.

5. Legal and regulatory issues: Navigating through different countries' censorship laws is another hurdle, making close collaboration with legal teams essential to keep the content true to its origin while meeting local standards.

6. Technical jargon and contextual language: Specialized terminology and slang add another layer of complexity, as translators work to convey the same meaning and emotional tone in a new linguistic setting.

7. Maintaining subtlety and depth: Capturing the subtle emotional cues and deeper narrative elements in another language can be particularly demanding, especially when translating between linguistically diverse families.

Each of these challenges requires a high degree of skill, cultural insight, and creativity, proving that the art of translation is crucial in bringing TV series to audiences around the world.

Read more: List of the Most Translated Movies for Cinephiles

Conclusion

The world of the most translated TV series is a fascinating arena where entertainment meets education, culture meets language, and art meets accessibility. As viewers, embracing these series can enrich your understanding of the world, enhance your language skills, and connect you with narratives from across the globe.

Whether you are learning a new language or just enjoying a show in your native tongue, the stories told in these series can offer insights and connections that are both profound and personal.

Expand the global reach of your TV series with Tomedes. Our team excels in adapting your content for global audiences, ensuring it clicks culturally and linguistically wherever it goes. Contact Tomedes today, and let’s make it happen!