Explained
A Netflix Original
Explained invites viewers to step back from headlines and look at the ideas that shape our lives. Made in partnership with Vox, it presents a series of short, standalone explorations that connect politics, science and culture to everyday choices. Created by Ezra Klein, the show pairs concise... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 25, 2026
About Explained
Explained invites viewers to step back from headlines and look at the ideas that shape our lives. Made in partnership with Vox, it presents a series of short, standalone explorations that connect politics, science and culture to everyday choices. Created by Ezra Klein, the show pairs concise narration with accessible visuals and interviews from researchers, journalists and practitioners. Each episode tackles a single theme, offering context, data and real world implications without getting lost in jargon or hype. The format favors brisk pacing, clear explanations and concrete examples, so you can see how big forces ripple through work, school, and social life. It doesnt pretend to have all the answers, but it invites curiosity and informed discussion.
Released on Netflix in 2018, Explained was created by Ezra Klein and produced in partnership with Vox. The series enlists a rotating slate of experts to guide each twenty minute episode.
Critical response has praised Explained for turning dense subjects into accessible conversations, with its emphasis on data driven reasoning and real world relevance. It regularly examines how information, technology and policy intersect with daily life, work, and communities.
The show helped popularize a modular explainers approach that other networks and streaming services have emulated. Its clear visuals and compact storytelling shaped how audiences expect accessible, credible context in a crowded media landscape, influencing classrooms and online discussions alike.
Awards: The series has earned nominations from major television awards, underscoring its craft and accessibility. Its concise, well structured episodes have been cited as a model for explaining complex ideas without dumbing them down.
Details
- Release Date
- May 23, 2018
- Episode Length
- 20m
- Rating
- TV-MA
- User Ratings
- 122 votes
- Type
- TV Series
- Seasons
- 3
- Episodes
- 44
- Network
- Netflix
- Status
- Ended
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Vox Entertainment +1 more
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Seasons (3 seasons, 44 episodes)
Season 1
20 episodes - 2018
Season 2
10 episodes - 2019
Season 3
14 episodes - 2021