As a fan of coming-of-age stories with a twist, I wholeheartedly recommend these shows to anyone who enjoys “Never Have I Ever“. Each of these series offers unique perspectives and engaging storylines that are sure to captivate audiences of all ages.
As the chill sets in and I crave a warm, comforting series to huddle up with under my blankets, nothing quite compares to Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever”. This delightful coming-of-age show, spread across four seasons, takes us on an exhilarating journey through the high school life of Devi Vishwakumar (played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), her friends, and their romantic entanglements. Mindy Kaling masterfully crafted this production, infusing it with humor, teenage drama, and a deep, emotional exploration of family dynamics – both the ones we’re born into and those we find along the way.
After watching this fantastic series, you might find yourself missing it dearly once it’s over, as if a significant piece is missing from your life. Although no other show can perfectly replicate the unique blend that makes “Never Have I Ever” so entertaining, there are numerous other excellent programs out there that come close and offer intriguing and captivating twists on the same themes.
The most convenient aspect is that numerous shows similar to “Never Have I Ever” Season 4 can be found on Netflix, allowing for effortless switching once you’ve completed it. Remarkably, the past few years have witnessed a significant surge in this genre, especially on streaming platforms. Here are five recommendations for shows you might enjoy if you’re a fan of “Never Have I Ever.
Sex Education
If you’ve spent enough time browsing Netflix to finish all four seasons of “Never Have I Ever,” there’s a good chance you’re familiar with or have encountered “Sex Education.” Your friends might have even suggested it to you, and for valid reasons. This British show garnered significant praise from critics and multiple awards throughout its four-season run, including BAFTA nominations, a win, and an International Emmy.
The narrative centers around a British teenage gang as they navigate their identities, emotions, and sexual orientations. Main character Otis (Asa Butterfield), son of sex therapist Jean (Gillian Anderson), uses his understanding of human sexuality to counsel his peers. Although it has a heavier tone than “Never Have I Ever,” the series is also humorously engaging, skillfully extracting laughter from the everyday awkwardness of teenage life while maintaining deep respect for its young characters.
The exceptional cast is what truly sets this series apart from being just good, making it great. It provided a springboard for rising talents such as Emma Mackey, “Doctor Who” actor Ncuti Gatwa, and co-lead Simone Ashley from “Bridgerton” Season 2. You’ll also find compelling performances from established screen actors like Hannah Waddingham, Jason Isaacs, and Dan Levy. If you appreciated the charming, comedic drama of “Never Have I Ever,” this show takes it a notch higher with its well-developed character arcs and insightful portrayal of life as a young individual exploring their queer identity.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
As a fellow gamer, let me tell you straight up: Chances are high that you’ve already binged “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” If you find yourself reading posts like this one, it might be because you’ve already spotted the most apparent similarities with “Never Have I Ever.” However, if by some chance you haven’t dived into Amazon’s adaptation of Jenny Han’s story yet, a love for romantic tales about growing up should make you feel instantly comfortable.
Viewers who have enjoyed Netflix’s adaptation of “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” another hit novel by Han, might find “The Summer I Turned Pretty” particularly resonant. The story revolves around Isabel “Belly” Conklin (portrayed by Lola Tung), who visits her summer retreat with her mother Laurel (Jackie Chung) and brother Steven (Sean Kaufman). Accompanying them are Laurel’s best friend Susannah (Rachel Blanchard) and her sons, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). For years, Belly has harbored feelings for the older Conrad, and these emotions become more complex as she finds herself in a love triangle during their beach vacation. Through various summer escapades and mishaps, Belly navigates self-discovery and figuring out her desires.
This series doesn’t exactly challenge or reinvent its genre; instead, it follows a predictable path as suggested by the synopsis. However, sometimes, being familiar can be the charm, especially with comfort shows. Unlike “Sex Education” which is intricate and thought-provoking, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” offers a relaxing and straightforward viewing experience that doesn’t require much mental effort.
Heartstopper
Over the last few years, “Heartstopper” has swept across the globe like a wildfire, and if you haven’t joined this trend, now might be an ideal moment to do so. Originating from Alice Oseman’s webcomic with the same title, the Netflix series debuted in 2022 and was met with massive praise, catapulting it into one of the streamer’s most successful shows almost instantly.
As a gamer diving into heartwarming tales, let me share my take on “Heartstopper,” a captivating series about two British teenagers, Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), who are more than just classmates. This engaging story unfolds their romantic journey, surrounded by an array of endearing friends. It’s a delightful blend of sweetness, coziness, and impeccable storytelling that’s tailor-made for fans of teen rom-coms. However, if you’re expecting equal parts romance and comedy like in “Never Have I Ever,” you might find it slightly skews towards the “rom” side compared to some other titles on this list.
The series has earned special acclaim for its authentic depiction of younger romantic relationships within the LGBTQ+ community, yet it’s a story that appeals to everyone thanks to its well-timed pace, stellar performances, and thoughtful scriptwriting. For those who have watched “Never Have I Ever” on Netflix, finding “Heartstopper” Episode 1 is just a short scroll away.
The Sex Lives of College Girls
If you’re a fan of the distinctive style found in the show “Never Have I Ever”, then you might want to explore Mindy Kaling’s newest TV series, titled “The Sex Lives of College Girls”. This series debuted on Max in 2021 and as I write this, we are just about to embark on Season 3. So, it couldn’t be a better moment to jump on board!
Drawing from her personal experiences, Kaling crafted “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” portraying an authentic, chaotic picture of young love, turmoil, and college misadventures. The show’s main characters are played by Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Alyah Chanelle Scott, and popular musician Reneé Rapp. These four freshmen at the fictional Essex College find themselves immersed in the trials of growing up, almost immediately getting tangled up in the challenges they encounter.
The program has been highly praised by both experts and viewers, boasting a 95% average rating from critics and an 85% score among viewers on Rotten Tomatoes. If you can switch from Netflix to Max, it’s definitely worth watching, especially considering that Season 3 is coming up soon.
Young Royals
Similar to ‘Never Have I Ever,’ ‘Heartstopper,’ and ‘Sex Education,’ ‘Young Royals’ is an original series from Netflix. This show follows a group of teenagers dealing with romance, personal issues, and the challenges of growing up in today’s world, just like those other shows do. However, what sets it apart is that it’s a Swedish production, so you may need to watch it with dubbing or read subtitles if you prefer English. Additionally, unlike those series, the main characters in ‘Young Royals’ come from a more elevated social status, as suggested by its title.
The story primarily revolves around Prince Wilhelm of Sweden, portrayed by Edvin Ryding, who develops affection for his fellow student Simon Eriksson, played by Omar Rudberg, at an elite boarding school they both attend. Although it’s filled with heartwarming moments, this series isn’t a light-hearted comedy like “Never Have I Ever.” Instead, it fearlessly tackles deeper themes such as mental health, sexuality, prejudice, acceptance, and other significant issues.
Young Royals” stands out for several reasons: it skillfully explores the challenges that modern youth encounter, while also crafting compelling character development and relationships. This might be why it has received near-universal acclaim from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, boasting a perfect score, and enjoys an impressive 96% approval rating among viewers.
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2024-11-13 22:00