Awake poster
Seen it?

Awake

TV·2012–2012·1 season, 13 episodes·NBC·Drama, Fantasy, Thriller·1h·7.4·Created by Kyle Killen

Not streaming in your region — see every region's options

Awake is an intriguing drama about Detective Michael Britten who finds he's living two parallel lives. He's involved in a car accident that seems to have killed both his son and wife yet his mind creates an ingenious coping mechanism in which he now lives two separate lives - one where his wife survived and the other where his son did. Trying to regain some normalcy, Michael returns to solving crimes in both worlds with the help of two different partners, Detective Isaiah "Bird" Freeman and Detective Efrem Vega Michael is assigned a different case in each reality and quickly discovers that his dual existence is actually a powerful tool. He begins to solve impossible cases by using his two realities to gain unique perspectives and link clues that cross over from world to world. Helping Michael to navigate his two realities are his bureau-assigned therapists Dr. Evans and Dr. Lee While both therapists work to untangle his two worlds, Michael has no interest in proving either one is false. But when memories of the accident begin to haunt him, he is forced to confront the truth about what really happened the night of the crash.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Awake S01E11Say Hello to My Little FriendS01E11 · 8.5Strange dream disrupts Detective Britten's ability to switch to his other reality and the appearance of a mysterious man, causes him distress. Soon memories of the accident begin to surface and Britten has to come to grips with one of his losses. Later, Captain Harper shows growing concern over his erratic behavior. Meanwhile, Hannah works to mend the ties between Emma and her family.
  2. 02Awake S01E06That's Not My PenguinS01E06 · 8.3While working a hostage situation with Detective Vega, Detective Michael Britten unexpectedly finds himself collaborating with Dr. Lee. In an effort to calm down Gabriel Wyath -- a patient who has threatened to blow up a mental hospital -- Britten is compromised, and the effects follow him into his other reality. Meanwhile, Rex introduces his girlfriend, Emma, to his dad and Bird shows concern over Britten's lack of focus due to his sleepless nights.
  3. 03Awake S01E09Game DayS01E09 · 8.3Big football rivalry captures the attention of the police department, but all bets are off when the final play goes both ways in Detective Britten's two realities. In one world a dispute between rival fans leads to a murder in the stadium parking lot and in the other an in-the-red gambler gets burned. Meanwhile, Rex is suffering from a broken heart. Elsewhere, Vega and Hannah are planning a going away party for Britten.

Cast

Jason IsaacsJason IsaacsDetective Michael BrittenLaura AllenLaura AllenHannah BrittenSteve HarrisSteve HarrisDetective Isaiah “Bird” FreemanWilmer ValderramaWilmer ValderramaDetective Efrem VegaDylan MinnetteDylan MinnetteRex BrittenB.D. WongB.D. WongDr. John LeeCherry JonesCherry JonesDr. Judith EvansMichaela McManusMichaela McManusTara

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode13Episodes2012Aired 7.7Season avg
  1. S01E01Awake S01E01PilotMarch 1, 2012 7.7When Detective Michael Britten regains consciousness following his family's car accident, he is told that his wife Hannah perished, but that
  2. S01E02Awake S01E02The Little GuyMarch 8, 2012 7.6Detective Michael Britten continues to deal with his parallel versions of reality. In one world he's looking for ways to reconnect with his
  3. S01E03Awake S01E03GuiltyMarch 15, 2012 7.5Detective Michael Britten's two worlds spin out of control when his son Rex is kidnapped by an escaped convict, Cooper, a man Britten arrest
  4. S01E04Awake S01E04Kate is EnoughMarch 22, 2012 7.5While investigating an alleged suicide during an upscale yacht party with Detective Vega, Detective Britten runs into Rex's former babysitte
  5. S01E05Awake S01E05OregonMarch 29, 2012 7.7Detective Britten suddenly becomes a suspect in his own case when an FBI agent, Santoro, questions his methods of tracking down a serial kil
  6. S01E06Awake S01E06That's Not My PenguinApril 5, 2012 8.3While working a hostage situation with Detective Vega, Detective Michael Britten unexpectedly finds himself collaborating with Dr. Lee. In a
  7. S01E07Awake S01E07Ricky's TacosApril 12, 2012 7.5An unexpected tip leads Detective Britten to an empty warehouse that was tied to a case he was investigating prior to the accident. His curi
  8. S01E08Awake S01E08NightswimmingApril 19, 2012 7.0While he and Bird work to reunite a couple and help them prepare for a new life within the witness protection program, Detective Britten rea
  9. S01E09Awake S01E09Game DayApril 26, 2012 8.3Big football rivalry captures the attention of the police department, but all bets are off when the final play goes both ways in Detective B
  10. S01E10Awake S01E10Slack WaterMay 3, 2012 7.7Detective Britten and Bird look into what appears to be a case of gang violence, but clues from his other reality force him to look a little
  11. S01E11Awake S01E11Season's bestSay Hello to My Little FriendMay 10, 2012 8.5Strange dream disrupts Detective Britten's ability to switch to his other reality and the appearance of a mysterious man, causes him distres
  12. S01E12Awake S01E12Two BirdsMay 17, 2012 8.3Detective Britten doesn't know who to trust when the truth behind the accident begins to reveal itself and a high-ranking conspiracy threate
  13. S01E13Awake S01E13Turtles All the Way DownMay 24, 2012 7.1The entire police force is on a man hunt for Detective Britten who relentlessly works to bring down the conspirators who tore his family apa

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

Shows like Awake all similar shows

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

  1. 01Drama·Fantasy·ThrillerThe Dead Zone2002–2007·USA NetworkStreaming on Amazon Prime VideoBased on the characters and story from the best-selling novel by Stephen King, The Dead Zone is a unique psychological thriller that combines a rich mix of the paranormal, action, and a continuing quest for justice.8.1Compare
  2. 02Drama·Fantasy·ThrillerIntruders2014–2014·BBC AmericaStreaming on Amazon Prime VideoA contemporary, chilling, paranormal tale set in the moody Pacific Northwest, the series spins a fascinating and complex web of drama.7.1Compare
  3. 03Drama·Thriller·CrimeTrue Detective2014–presentStreaming on HBO MaxTouch darkness and darkness touches you back.8.1Compare
  4. 04Drama·Thriller·CrimeThe Blacklist2013–2023Same network — NBC·Streaming on Netflix8.1Compare
  5. 05Drama·Thriller·CrimeCriminal Minds2005–present·Paramount+Streaming on Amazon Prime VideoCriminal Minds revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again.8.1Compare
  6. 06Drama·Fantasy·AdventureGame of Thrones2011–2019Streaming on HBO MaxBased on the bestselling book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R.8.9Compare

Head-to-head pick any opponent

Stack Awake's full episode-rating history against a rival, on one chart.

Awake vs The Dead ZoneFull episode chartAwake vs IntrudersFull episode chartAwake vs True DetectiveFull episode chart

Keep exploring top shows

ShortcutThe essential episodes

Short on time? The pilot-to-finale shortcut, only the episodes that matter.

MatchupCompare with another show

Two shows' episode ratings on one chart — settle it.

NetworkBest NBC shows

More from the same network, ranked by rating.

GenreBest drama shows & films

The top of the drama pile, across both mediums.

GenreBest fantasy shows & films

The top of the fantasy pile, across both mediums.

Fandom hubThe sci-fi & fantasy hub

The whole fandom on one bookmarkable page — rankings, premieres, what's new.