Learn Hardcore Russian: Этот сериал интереснее, чем предыдущий сезон. - This TV series is more interesting than the previous season.

Интереснее is the comparative form of интересный. In Russian, many adjectives form their comparative by replacing the ending (often -ый) with -ее (or sometimes -ей), which conveys the idea of “more [adjective]”. Thus, интереснее means “more interesting.”

What role does чем play in this sentence?

Чем functions as the comparative conjunction, equivalent to the English than. It introduces the element being compared—in this case, the previous season—clarifying that the current series is being measured against it in terms of interest.

Why is the phrase предыдущий сезон left in the nominative case instead of changing case after чем?

In modern Russian, when comparing two complete noun phrases, it is common and acceptable to retain the nominative case for the compared element. Although some older grammar rules might suggest using the instrumental case after comparative particles, using the nominative—as in предыдущий сезон—is natural in this context.

Why is there a comma placed before чем in the sentence?

The comma before чем is used to set off the subordinate comparative clause from the main clause. It visually and syntactically separates the primary statement (“This series is more interesting”) from the comparison (“than the previous season”), much like how a comma functions in English comparative constructions.

Is it common to compare a сериал (series) to a сезон (season), and does that affect the grammar?

Yes, this comparison is common in contexts where a TV show or series is evaluated across different installments. Although a сериал generally refers to the show as a whole and a сезон denotes a particular part or installment, the sentence relies on contextual understanding. The grammar remains standard—the comparative is formed in the usual way, and the structure with чем effectively links the two elements regardless of the slight difference in their scopes.