story arc

noun

a continuing storyline in a television series that gradually unfolds over several episodes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Examples from the Web for story arc

Contemporary Examples of story arc

As always, the case of the week was just as interesting as the many character and story-arc developments.
‘The Good Wife’ Is Back With a Terrific Fifth Season Premiere
Chancellor Agard
September 30, 2013