TV shows / Comedy / Seinfeld
Seinfeld(1989–1998): Cast, Episodes & Where to Watch
U.S. availability, checked October 6, 2026
Is Seinfeld leaving Netflix?
No — not under the August 2026 renewal.
In August 2026, Sony Pictures Television renewed licensing so Netflix remains the U.S. and Canada streaming home of all 180 episodes for five more years. Paramount renewed exclusive U.S. basic-cable rights for three years across Comedy Central, TV Land, and other Paramount cable networks. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Per Deadline, Netflix stays the global SVOD home, but streaming exclusivity is limited to the U.S. and Canada (the prior pact had been exclusive worldwide). Also: TheWrap and Variety.
Seinfeld is an American sitcom created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998 — nine seasons and 180 episodes. The ensemble follows a fictionalized Jerry and his friends — George, Kramer, and Elaine — through New York minutiae that somehow turn into crises.
Seinfeld cast
Ages below are as of the pilot air date July 5, 1989, except Elaine — Julia Louis-Dreyfus joins in “The Stake Out” (May 31, 1990).
Supporting cast
- NewmanWayne Knight
- Frank CostanzaJerry Stiller (see casting note)
- Estelle CostanzaEstelle Harris
- Morty SeinfeldBarney Martin (see casting note)
- Helen SeinfeldLiz Sheridan
- Uncle LeoLen Lesser
- Susan RossHeidi Swedberg
- David PuddyPatrick Warburton
- J. PetermanJohn O’Hurley
- Jackie ChilesPhil Morris
- Kenny BaniaSteve Hytner
- Soup Nazi (Yev Kassem)Larry Thomas
Frank Costanza casting
George’s father first appears in “The Handicap Spot” (May 13, 1993), originally played by John Randolph. The role was recast with Jerry Stiller beginning with “The Puffy Shirt.” For syndication, Stiller later reshot Randolph’s Frank scenes in “The Handicap Spot.” (SlashFilm)
Morty Seinfeld casting
Jerry’s father is first played by Phil Bruns in “The Stake Out.” The role was recast with Barney Martin from “The Pony Remark” onward. Unlike Frank Costanza, Bruns’s scenes were not reshot for syndication — Larry David considered it, then dropped the idea because the other actors had aged. (SlashFilm; ScreenRant)
Guest stars
- Marisa Tomei appears as herself in the two-part “The Cadillac” (season 7, episodes 14–15; Feb. 8, 1996): George becomes obsessed, gets her number, and the date ends badly when he admits he is engaged. (SeinFind)
- Bob Odenkirk plays Ben — Elaine’s boyfriend, a doctor studying for his medical licensing exam — in “The Abstinence” (season 8, episode 9; Nov. 21, 1996). (SlashFilm)
Seasons & episodes
Nine seasons and 180 episodes (List of Seinfeld episodes).
| Season | Years | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1989–1990 | 5 |
| 2 | 1991 | 12 |
| 3 | 1991–1992 | 23 |
| 4 | 1992–1993 | 24 |
| 5 | 1993–1994 | 22 |
| 6 | 1994–1995 | 24 |
| 7 | 1995–1996 | 24 |
| 8 | 1996–1997 | 22 |
| 9 | 1997–1998 | 24 |
The Soup Nazi
Jerry finds a soup stand with strict ordering rules — and soup worth the drill. Break the rules and you hear the catchphrase: “No soup for you!” The episode was inspired by real New York soup vendor Ali “Al” Yeganeh of Soup Kitchen International. (Wikipedia — The Soup Nazi)
The Junior Mint
Jerry cannot remember his date’s name (only that it rhymes with a body part). Meanwhile, he and Kramer watch a surgery from the gallery — and a candy becomes an operating-room problem.
Characters
Jerry Seinfeld
A stand-up comedian whose Upper West Side apartment is the show’s hub. Observational, competitive about social minutiae, and usually one step ahead of the mess — until he isn’t.
George Costanza
Jerry’s anxious best friend, often described as a Larry David composite: insecure, opportunistic, and capable of turning a white lie into a multi-episode crisis.
Elaine Benes
Jerry’s ex and equal in the group — sharp at work and dating, added after the pilot (first episode: “The Stake Out”). She matches the guys blow for blow.
Cosmo Kramer
Jerry’s eccentric neighbor (called “Kessler” in the pilot). Schemes, slides through the door uninvited, and somehow survives every bad idea.
Is Seinfeld worth watching?
Yes, if
- You like dialogue-first sitcoms where plots are small and social rules are the joke.
- You want a complete, finite run (nine seasons, clear endpoint) rather than an open franchise.
Skip or sample, if
- You need warm “lessons learned” endings — this show is famously allergic to them.
- Early seasons feel thin; many viewers start around seasons 3–5 and circle back.
- You only want modern multi-cam softness.
Starter episodes if you are sampling: “The Contest,” “The Soup Nazi,” “The Marine Biologist,” or “The Junior Mint.”
Shows like this
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Arrested Development
- The Office (U.S.) — for workplace awkwardness with a softer edge
Official discs
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released Seinfeld: The Complete Series on Blu-ray and limited 4K Ultra HD on December 17, 2024 (24-disc sets). Blu-ray presents the series in 1.78:1 widescreen HD; the limited 4K edition uses the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio with HDR. Prefer studio editions over gray-market rips.
Complete Series Blu-ray Complete Series 4K UHD
FAQ
Is Seinfeld leaving Netflix?
No — not under the August 2026 renewal. Netflix remains the U.S./Canada streaming home for five more years; Paramount keeps U.S. basic cable for three years (Comedy Central, TV Land, and other Paramount networks). See coverage above.
Can I watch Seinfeld free anywhere?
No legal free streaming option in the U.S. as of October 6, 2026, per JustWatch. Netflix (including Standard with Ads), digital buy/rent, cable, and discs are the legal paths.
Who created Seinfeld?
Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld.
How old was Jerry Seinfeld in season 1?
35 at the pilot (July 5, 1989; born April 29, 1954).
Is there a Seinfeld reboot or reunion?
There is no series reboot as of October 6, 2026. The main cast reunited on screen in Curb Your Enthusiasm season 7 (2009) for a “Seinfeld” reunion story arc inside that series — not a Seinfeld revival. (The Hollywood Reporter)
How many seasons and episodes does Seinfeld have?
Nine seasons and 180 episodes. Pilot: July 5, 1989. Finale: May 14, 1998.
Was Elaine in the pilot?
No. The pilot (“The Seinfeld Chronicles”) has Jerry, George, and Kramer (then “Kessler”). Elaine Benes first appears in “The Stake Out” (May 31, 1990).
Who played Frank Costanza first?
John Randolph in the original broadcast of “The Handicap Spot.” Jerry Stiller took over from “The Puffy Shirt” onward and later reshot Randolph’s scenes for syndication.
Where can I watch Seinfeld in the U.S. right now?
As of October 6, 2026 (JustWatch U.S.): stream on Netflix; buy/rent digital on Apple TV and Amazon Video; cable via Paramount networks under the renewed deal; own the Sony Complete Series on Blu-ray/4K. Confirm live offers on JustWatch.
Sources: Wikipedia — Seinfeld, List of Seinfeld episodes, The Soup Nazi, The Junior Mint, IMDb, Television Academy — Seinfeld (10 Emmys), JustWatch US, TheWrap (Aug 12, 2026), Variety (Aug 2026), Deadline, SlashFilm — Frank Costanza, SlashFilm — Morty recast, SlashFilm — Odenkirk / The Abstinence, THR — Curb S7 reunion, Media Play News — Complete Series discs, Netflix official trailer (YouTube), Sony Pictures — Seinfeld.
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