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Joan of Arcadia

2003 – 2005Show2 seasons45 episodes

MysterySci-Fi & Fantasy
82
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic798.6Rotten Tomatoes96%75%

A wondrous, cathartic mystery series about faith and meaning and everyday modern life, with standout performances and dialogue.

Good for date night · family movie night · friends night

Where to watch

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Not streaming in any country yet.

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Not for scares or adrenaline.

Shows with

Episodes

2 seasons · 45 episodes · best: S1E12 "Jump" 9.1

Episodes

8.3
8.3

Story

Joan Girardi has begun acting a little strange since her family moved to the city of Arcadia. No one knows that various people keep introducing themselves as God, and then giving the teenager specific directions to do things. Unsure of what God wants, and if she's even sane, Joan tentatively begins to follow God's cryptic directives, all the while trying to retain a "normal" teen-aged existence.

Feels like

  • Supernatural Teen Drama
  • Theological Mystery
  • Heartfelt Family Dynamics
  • Philosophical Coming-of-Age
  • Grounded Fantasy
  • Emotional Catharsis
  • Midwest Americana
  • Intimate Dialogue
  • Spiritual Awakening
  • Character-Driven Narrative

Cast

24 of 296 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
James Hayman, Kevin Dowling, Steve Gomer
Written by
Barbara Hall, Joy Gregory, Tom Garrigus
Produced by
Peter Schindler, Tom Garrigus

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 26, 2003 · April 22, 2005 · Ended

First aired
September 26, 2003
Last aired
April 22, 2005
Status
Ended
Length
2 seasons · 45 episodes
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Sexual Content, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery, Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States

Tropes

Omniscient Morality License, Straight Gay, Little Miss Almighty +9

  • Omniscient Morality License
  • Straight Gay
  • Little Miss Almighty
  • The B Grade
  • Fake Guest Star
  • Dead Person Conversation
  • Forgotten Fallen Friend
  • Running Gag
  • Hippie Teacher
  • X Called; They Want Their Y Back
  • Unnaturally Blue Lighting
  • Straw Vulcan

12 of 93 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Is Joan of Arcadia worth watching?"

Questions about Joan of Arcadia

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Is Joan of Arcadia worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 96%, and Metacritic 79). Critics rate it higher (88 out of 100) than audiences (78).

Is Joan of Arcadia okay for kids?

ViolenceStrong languageSexual contentDisturbing imagery

Yes: its content advisories are violence, strong language, sexual content, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

How long does it take to watch Joan of Arcadia?

34 h

About 34 hours: 45 episodes in 2 seasons of about 45 minutes each, aired from 2003 to 2005.

Is Joan of Arcadia good for date night?

and 4 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFamily Movie NightFriends Night

Yes: romance is 7 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is Joan of Arcadia plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

What tropes does Joan of Arcadia use?

Omniscient Morality LicenseStraight GayLittle Miss AlmightyThe B GradeFake Guest StarDead Person ConversationForgotten Fallen FriendRunning GagHippie TeacherX Called; They Want Their Y BackUnnaturally Blue LightingStraw Vulcanand 81 more

TV Tropes lists 93 tropes for it, including Omniscient Morality License, Straight Gay, and Little Miss Almighty.