Overview of Beauty and the Beast Series and Episode Counts
There is no single answer to how many episodes of Beauty and the Beast exist, because the title refers to two distinct television series: the original 1987–1990 drama and the 2012–2016 reboot. The original series aired for four seasons with a total of 56 episodes, while the CW revival ran for six seasons with 115 episodes. This guide explains season by season how many episodes each version contains, why episode counts vary, and how production changes and scheduling affected the totals.
1987 Beauty and the Beast Original Series: Season and Episode Totals
The original 1987 series is a fantasy romance drama developed for Paramount Television. It premiered in September 1987 and concluded in May 1990 after four seasons. Across its run it produced 56 episodes, including regular episodes and two notable longer installments often described as two-part stories. There was no Season 5; the series ended after Season 4, which remains the definitive final season count in the original run.
Season 1 (1987–1988): 12 Episodes
Season 1 introduced the central characters and world, establishing the rules for Catherine and Vincent’s relationship. The season aired on CBS and built the core mythology of the series. The episode total for Season 1 is 12, which is consistent with standard first-season orders for hour-long dramas of that era.
Season 2 (1988–1989): 22 Episodes
Season 2 expanded the supporting cast, introduced new allies and antagonists, and developed the mythology around the Tunnel network. With 22 episodes, this season reflects a full season order and includes key turning points that deepen the ongoing serialized storytelling.
Season 3 (1989–1990): 22 Episodes
Produced under a new network arrangement, Season 3 retained the serialized approach while tightening the focus on Catherine and Vincent. Again comprising 22 episodes, the season delivered several milestone episodes toward the end of the original run before the series was not renewed for another season.
Season 4 (1990): 10 Episodes
Season 4 is shorter than previous seasons, with only 10 episodes, reflecting the decision not to continue the series beyond this point. These episodes resolve ongoing plot threads and provide closure for major character arcs, culminating in the series finale aired in May 1990.
| Season | Year | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1987–1988 | 12 | Series premiere; introduces core mythology |
| 2 | 1988–1989 | 22 | Expanded world-building; stronger serialized arcs |
| 3 | 1989–1990 | 22 | Final full season on original network |
| 4 | 1990 | 10 | Reduced order; series finale in May 1990 |
| Total | 1987–1990 | 56 | All episodes from original run |
2012 Beauty and the Beast Reboot: Season and Episode Totals
The 2012 reboot, developed by CBS Television Studios for The CW, reimagines the story in a modern police procedural–fantasy framework. This version aired from October 2012 to September 2016. The complete series comprises 115 episodes across six seasons. Production changes, including midseason moves and adjusted order sizes, influenced the final season counts and episode totals.
Season 1 (2012–2013): 22 Episodes
Season 1 establishes the new world, introducing Catherine Chandler and Vincent Keller with a serialized mystery and episodic cases. The season aired on The CW after an early move from CBS. The order of 22 episodes matches typical freshman hour-long drama seasons on network television.
Season 2 (2013–2014): 22 Episodes
Season 2 refines the mythology and deepens character relationships while maintaining a case-of-the-week structure. The 22-episode total reflects a stable renewal and consistent creative direction, keeping the series grounded in procedural storytelling with serialized arcs.
Season 3 (2014–2015): 22 Episodes
Season 3 continues the investigation into Vincent’s origins and introduces larger conspiracies. Again comprising 22 episodes, this season strengthens ongoing plotlines and sets up future conflicts, demonstrating the series’ firm establishment in The CW’s schedule.
Season 4 (2015–2016): 23 Episodes
In Season 4 the show approaches its conclusion with a slightly longer order. The 23 episodes include midseason shifts in narrative focus and an emphasis on resolving long-running mysteries, leading into preparations for either renewal or series finale decisions.
Season 5 (2016): 13 Episodes
Season 5 was originally planned as a larger order, but production changes reduced it to 13 episodes. This shortened season pivots toward wrapping major storylines and addressing character resolutions amid network scheduling adjustments.
Season 6 (2016): 13 Episodes
Season 6 serves as the series finale, with 13 episodes dedicated to concluding the central conflict and resolving remaining plot threads. The total for the reboot sits at 115 episodes across these six seasons, representing a complete and self-contained run.
| Season | Year | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2012–203 | 22 | Series premiere; modern procedural-fantasy blend |
| 2 | 2013–2014 | 22 | Continued world-building; stable renewal |
| 3 | 2014–2015 | 22 | Expanded mythology; character-focused arcs |
| 4 | 2015–2016 | 23 | Approaching series finale; longer order |
| 5 | 2016 (first half) | 13 | Shortened season due to production changes |
| 6 | 2016 (second half) | 13 | Series finale; final resolution |
| Total | 2012–2016 | 115 | Complete reboot series run |
Key Differences Between the Two Versions
Understanding how many episodes of Beauty and the Beast requires distinguishing between the original and the reboot. The original series produced 56 episodes over four seasons, ending in 1990. The reboot produced 115 episodes over six seasons, ending in 2016. The shorter original run reflects 1980s network practices and cancellation patterns, while the reboot’s longer count results from modern network scheduling, streaming considerations, and an initial commitment to deeper serialization that shifted toward procedural storytelling.
Practical Takeaways for Viewers
- If you are starting the 1987 series, expect 56 episodes across four seasons, with Season 4 being shorter than earlier seasons.
- If you are watching the 2012 series, plan for 115 episodes spread across six seasons, with later seasons slightly condensed.
- Episode counts vary due to network decisions, production schedules, and whether a season serves as a series finale.
- No further seasons for either version are currently in production as of this writing, making these episode totals the definitive counts for each series.
Context on Production and Scheduling Influences
Episode counts are shaped by network budgets, time slot availability, and whether a season is intended as a final chapter. The 1987 series ended after four seasons because of limited renewal momentum in syndicated-friendly hour-long dramas at the time. The 2012 reboot benefitted from The CW’s hour-long drama strategy and later adjusted its final seasons to shorter runs as streaming consumption changed audience expectations. These factors explain why two shows based on the same premise can have notably different total episode counts.
Summary and Quick Reference
In summary, the total number of episodes depends on which series you mean. The original 1987 Beauty and the Beast has 56 episodes across four seasons. The 2012 reboot has 115 episodes across six seasons. Use this guide to quickly identify season lengths, understand variations, and decide which version to watch based on your time commitment and narrative preferences.