There’s nothing quite like a good teen drama to add excitement to a dull Saturday afternoon. The cliché tropes, relatable female characters, and drop-dead gorgeous boys are the perfect combination that makes this guilty pleasure a fan-favorite genre. While you might be well-versed with every line from Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars after countless rewatches over the years, the new era of teen dramas is a welcome change. Packed with nuanced tangents and deeper plotlines, one can appreciate the exploration of fresh themes in shows like Sex Education and 13 Reasons Why while they manage to remain faithful to the core aspects of high school dramas.
Geek Girl is Netflix’s latest high school drama that tells the story of an awkward and bookish teenager, Harriet Manners (Emily Carey), who unexpectedly becomes a model. Based on Holly Smale’s young adult novel of the same name, the show is a fresh take on classic teen drama tropes with a mildly unconventional storyline. Of course, the show possesses all the ingredients for success in the genre, including a wholesome best friend, ridiculously hot male lead, and quirky heroine. Shows like this tend to leave a void in one’s life after a dedicated weekend binge, so here’s a list of six series to watch if Geek Girl is up your alley!
1. Famous in Love (2017)
First on this list is a show that is quite similar to Geek Girl, with an awkward redhead, super hot babe magnet, and the opportunity of a lifetime — the only difference is it’s just a tad bit more scandalous. Famous in Love features college student Paige Townsen (Bella Thorne), who gets a big break to star in a Hollywood blockbuster when she auditions on a whim. The show is brimming with cut-throat drama as she navigates her new reality as an A-list celebrity and all that it entails.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt that her unbelievably gorgeous co-star, Rainer (Carter Jenkins), with whom she shares the most sizzling chemistry, is entirely smitten by her. The show premiered on April 18, 2017, and was unfortunately canceled after two seasons. Nonetheless, it’s a teen drama one absolutely cannot miss!
Watch Famous in Love on Prime Video
2. The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021)
When a show’s got Mindy Kaling’s name attached to it, we know it’s going to be a tongue-in-cheek entertainer that’s worth every second! The Sex Lives of College Girls is centered around the lives of four freshmen roommates with contrasting personalities in the fictional Essex College. The show explores how they deal with run-of-the-mill college drama, life struggles, and, of course, raging hot sexual expeditions.
The sex-positive theme of the show is infinitely endearing, and the generous serving of shirtless, ab-ed-up hotties with deep voices is a welcome touch. The Sex Lives of College Girls stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott in titular roles, with special props to the diverse casting that lines up perfectly with the show’s woke storytelling. The show has two seasons, with a new one in the works.
Watch The Sex Lives of College Girls on Max
3. Maxton Hall — The World Between Us (2024)
There’s nothing better than when the rich playboy goes soft and puts everything on the line for the relatable scholarship girl. Maxton Hall — The World Between Us is a German show that’s got viewers in a chokehold lately. Based on the novel Save Me by Mona Kasten, this high school drama will leave fans squealing with excitement as they watch the ravishing love story between James Beaufort (Damian Harding) and Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) unfold.
The series quickly became one of the most popular on Prime Video, ranking #1 in charts over 120 regions. If that wasn’t reason enough, the sizzling chemistry between the leads, engaging plot lines, and diverse supporting characters should compel viewers to tune into this one! Owing to its massive popularity, it’s no surprise that the show has been renewed for Season 2.
Watch Maxton Hall — The World Between Us on Prime Video
4. Heartstopper (2022)
A wholesome show that will take you back to juvenile days of love letters and hickeys, it’s no surprise that Heartstopper has made its way to this list. The show is based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel of the same name. It is a coming-of-age story of how teenagers Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick (Kit Connor) realize their unlikely friendship could blossom into something more.
The show does a magnificent job of portraying young queer love and all the intricacies of identity and emotions that come along with it. All the moments when everything around Charlie disappears as Nick enters his sight are painstakingly relatable and quite literally heart-stopping. The series also explores the romantic endeavors of their friends and portrays other LGBTQ+ relationships in the most wholesome light. The show currently boasts two seasons, with Heartstopper Season 3 dropping on Netflix on October 3, 2024.
5. Greenhouse Academy (2017)
One of Netflix’s hidden gems, the Greenhouse Academy, is just the show for viewers who miss early-2000s Disney channel content. Based on the Israeli television series The Greenhouse, the show revolves around students at a one-of-a-kind elite boarding school for gifted future leaders in Southern California. The show is centered around siblings Alex (Finn Roberts) and Hayley Woods (Ariel Mortman), who lost their astronaut mother to a rocket explosion and joined the Greenhouse Academy, their mother’s alma mater.
The students are segregated into two rival houses, The Ravens and The Eagles, as the plot dabbles in themes like romance, rivalry, and investigation. Greenhouse Academy is a surprisingly gripping tween drama with four power-packed seasons filled with humor, mystery, and chiseled heartthrobs. The show will surely keep viewers hooked from start to finish.
Watch Greenhouse Academy on Netflix
6. Degrassi: Next Class (2016)
Degrassi: Next Class is a Canadian television series that’s part of the cult classic Degrassi franchise. The show is a direct sequel to Degrassi: The Next Generation and was released on Netflix on January 25, 2016. The franchise typically follows the lives of youth in Toronto.
The 2016 version is an updated rendition that appeals to Gen-Z, as it touches upon relatable topics like LGBTQ, identity, and mental health, which are some of the prominent themes. The show stars an ensemble cast that includes Amanda Arcuri, Lyle Lettau, Olivia Scriven, Ana Golja, and Sara Waisglass, to name a few. The four-season show is one of a kind and brimming with unique characters, making it a must-watch! Also, check out these 7 Gossip Girl hints that we all missed.
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