lost

Lost is an American television series created by J. J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber. It aired on ABC from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010, spanning six seasons. The show blends drama, science fiction, and mystery, following a group of passengers who survive a commercial flight crash on a mysterious island in the South Pacific. The ensemble cast centers on characters such as Jack Shephard, Kate Austen, John Locke, James "Sawyer" Ford, Sayid Jarrah, Hugo Reyes, Jin-Soo Kwon, and Sun-Hwa Kwon.

The narrative employs non-linear storytelling, using flashbacks, and later flash-forwards and flash-sideways to reveal character backstories and evolving island lore. Central elements include the island's enigmatic properties, the Dharma Initiative, the Others, the supernatural Smoke Monster, and a recurring sequence of numbers—4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42—linked to fate and destiny. Survivors form alliances, encounter the island's guardians, and confront external organizations while seeking escape, answers, and a sense of belonging.

Production took place primarily in Hawaii and involved a large ensemble cast. The series became notable for its ambitious narrative structure, character-driven drama, and cultural impact, influencing subsequent serialized television. It received critical acclaim in its early seasons and earned multiple awards, including Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy nominations.

Reception of later seasons drew mixed opinions, with some criticisms directed at pacing and the resolution of longer-running mysteries. The two-hour series finale in 2010 provided closure for many core characters while leaving some questions unresolved. Lost is widely regarded as a landmark in modern television for its blend of character focus and speculative storytelling.