As a child of the 2000s, I can’t help but feel nostalgic when I think about the golden age of teen dramas, and two shows stand out as the epitome of that era: “The O.C.” and “Gossip Girl”. Having grown up watching these series, they hold a special place in my heart.
This article contains discussions of abuse and mental health.
In 2022, the television series “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” adapted from Jenny Han’s novel series of the same name, debuted on Amazon Prime Video. It quickly captured the hearts of young adults and older viewers looking back on their past, and it’s not hard to understand why: it’s a charming, heartfelt, and deeply emotional show that follows a young girl as she experiences her first love.
This television series, originally conceived by Han, primarily revolves around Isabel “Belly” Conklin (played by Lola Tung), who turns sixteen just as the narrative begins. During her summer break at Cousins Beach, she reconnects with her childhood friends, the Fisher brothers – Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Since the Conklins traditionally stay with the Fishers, Belly spends a significant amount of time with them, leading to complex dynamics. She’s long harbored feelings for Conrad, but finds herself developing affections for Jeremiah as well. As Belly is older, both brothers start to notice her, resulting in a classic love triangle unfolding.
If you’ve already binged through the first two seasons of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Amazon Prime and can’t wait for the next installment in 2025, why not explore other shows that share its charm? Here are seven recommendations spanning primetime teen soaps to streaming series about young women discovering themselves.
Ginny & Georgia
Just prior to “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” the Netflix original series “Ginny & Georgia” unfolds, focusing on the title characters Ginny (played by Antonia Gentry) and her mother Georgia (Brianne Howey), who relocate to the quaint town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts. Upon arrival, they stir up quite a commotion due to an unusual familial dynamic – Georgia is only 30 years old when the series starts, with her eldest child Ginny being 15. This age gap sparks much town gossip. Georgia swiftly secures employment at the mayor’s office, while Ginny faces challenges adapting to her new school. Over time, they integrate into the community, and even Georgia marries the mayor of Wellsbury, Paul Randolph (played by Scott Porter). It seems that Austin, their younger son portrayed by Diesel La Torraca, is not central enough to have his name included in the title, but he does make an appearance throughout the series.
Let me be clear: “Ginny & Georgia” may seem lighter than expected, but it delves deeper into complex, heavy themes. The series weaves in numerous flashbacks that reveal Georgia’s harrowing past, including her suffering at the hands of Ginny’s father. Additionally, Ginny grapples with severe mental health concerns. Despite this, the show skillfully combines these intense topics with humor and heightened circumstances without trivializing the traumatic experiences of either character. Ginny, like Belly, is a spellbinding teen who must confront her personal insecurities to mature and discover her true identity. “Ginny & Georgia” can be found streaming on Netflix.
Gilmore Girls
If you’re a fan of both “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “Ginny & Georgia”, it’s highly recommended that you give “Gilmore Girls” a watch if you haven’t already. Set in the quaint, fictional town of Stars Hollow (supposedly located in Connecticut), this series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino follows the life of young mother Lorelai Gilmore, played by Lauren Graham, and her teenage daughter Lorelai “Rory” Gilmore, portrayed by Alexis Bledel. The narrative unfolds as Rory gains acceptance into an elite private school, Chilton, but Lorelai, who manages a local inn, struggles to pay the tuition. Consequently, she seeks help from her estranged, affluent parents Emily and Richard Gilmore. They agree to cover the cost of Chilton under one condition: that Lorelai and Rory attend their home for weekly “Friday night dinners,” thereby re-establishing ties with the elder Gilmores as they foster a bond with their granddaughter and strengthen their relationship with Lorelai.
Over seven seasons, including a 2016 revival titled “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life,” viewers journey with Lorelai and Rory as they traverse life’s ups and downs, love affairs, high school, college, and beyond. The story unfolds as Lorelai establishes her inn and Rory gains admission to Yale University; their personal and romantic challenges form a tale that will bring laughter and evoke emotions. You can watch both the original series and its revival on Netflix.
Never Have I Ever
2020 saw Mindy Kaling, renowned for her work on “The Office” and “The Mindy Project,” present Maitreyi Ramakrishnan to the world – a captivating lead actress personally chosen by Kaling for the role of Devi Vishwakumar in her show “Never Have I Ever.” At the start of the series, Devi is grappling with the loss of her father Mohan (portrayed in flashbacks by Sendhil Ramamurthy), dealing with tense relationships with her mother, accomplished dermatologist Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan), and embarking on her sophomore year of high school. Eager to break away from the turmoil she experienced as a troubled freshman and maintain academic success to secure her place at Princeton University, Devi, along with her best friends Eleanor Wong (Ramona Young) and Fabiola Torres (Lee Rodriguez), decide that their tenth grade year will be significantly improved.
The TV series titled “Never Have I Ever” lasted for four seasons, covering Devi’s entire high school period, including the intriguing love triangle she found herself in with popular classmates Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnett) and Ben Gross (Jaren Lewison). However, the unique aspects that make this show truly special are the quirky details added by Mindy Kaling. Niecy Nash portrays Devi’s therapist exceptionally well, and tennis legend John McEnroe narrates the series as Devi’s inner voice. In episodes focusing on other characters like Ben and Paxton, Andy Samberg and Gigi Hadid provide the voice-overs. If you’re looking for a mix of laughter and tears, give “Never Have I Ever” a try; it won’t disappoint as you join Devi on her high school adventure.
The Sex Lives of College Girls
Titled with an unusually candid moniker, “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” Mindy Kaling’s latest creation, follows four young women slightly older than Belly from “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” Fans of that series will undoubtedly find themselves drawn to the leading ladies in this college-set comedy. In this story, Kimberly Finkle (Pauline Chalamet), Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur), Leighton Murray (Renée Rapp), and Whitney Chase (Alyah Chanelle Scott) share a dorm at the fictional Essex College. Despite their individual differences, they form a bond as they navigate their unique sexual journeys within the college environment.
Though ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ may suggest a focus on romantic entanglements, the show delves deeper into the lives of its characters. For instance, Kimberly, a student on scholarship at Essex, encounters difficulties that lead to her scholarship being revoked. In Season 1, Whitney, an accomplished athlete, engages in an affair with her married assistant soccer coach and later forms an unexpected connection with a new acquaintance in her biochemistry class, despite already being in a committed relationship (not with the coach). Bela aspires to be part of Essex’s comedy magazine, The Catullan, yet discovers the path may demand more than she initially anticipated. ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ offers humor, sincerity, and a touch of sensuality – catch it on Max.
Outer Banks
The series “Outer Banks” is significantly more intense than “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” but if you enjoy watching young adults, or even older ones playing young adults, acting mischievously in picturesque locations, this show is definitely worth checking out. In the world of “Outer Banks,” set in a coastal town in North Carolina, there’s a significant class divide between the locals who live there year-round, called the “Pogues,” and the wealthy vacationers, referred to as the “Kooks.” The main plot revolves around a gang of eight Pogue teenagers residing in a specific area of the town called “The Cut,” and their adventures as they search for the missing father of their leader John B. Routledge (Chase Stokes). They frequently encounter conflicts with Kooks from a wealthier neighborhood known as Figure Eight, adding another layer of complexity to their quest.
As a devoted gamer, I find myself surrounded by my pals – my Kook ladylove Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline from “Glass Onion”), the transformed Pogue Kiara “Kie” Carrera (Madison Bailey), my lifelong buddy JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow), and the sharp-witted Pope Heyward (Jonathan Daviss) – in the captivating world of “Outer Banks”. The stellar cast and intricate plotlines keep this series racing along at a thrilling speed. If you’ve wrapped up with “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and crave something more gritty, then look no further than “Outer Banks”, streaming exclusively on Netflix.
The O.C.
In the early 2000s, the series known as “The O.C.” departed, paving the way for shows like “The Summer I Turned Pretty”. Co-created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, who later produced another show on this list, “The O.C.” introduced viewers to Ryan Atwood (played by Ben McKenzie), a troubled teenager who ends up in jail after stealing a car with his brother in Chino. With no place else to go, Ryan contacts his public defender Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher), who takes him into his luxurious home in the affluent Orange County region of California. At this residence, Ryan encounters Sandy’s stern wife Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), who eventually becomes fond of Ryan and considers him like a son; Sandy and Kirsten’s oddball son Seth (Adam Brody); and Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton), the stunning yet troubled girl living next door to the Cohen family.
In addition to Rachel Bilson portraying Summer Roberts and Melinda Clarke as Julie Cooper, the characters in “The O.C.” have an outstanding chemistry that makes watching the primary group of Ryan, Marissa, Summer, and Seth navigate their romantic ups and downs, hazardous escapades (like the Tijuana episode!), and insurmountable challenges such as when Julie, Marissa’s mother, betrays her daughter by sleeping with her ex-boyfriend, both enjoyable and tense. While “The O.C.” veers off course somewhat in Season 3 – you’ll recognize it when it happens – the series remains a must-watch for fans of teen dramas and is available to stream on Hulu and Max.
Gossip Girl
Instead of focusing on the 2021 revamp on Max, opt for the original “Gossip Girl.” This show, adapted from Cecily von Ziegesar’s book series and distinctly different from its source, stars Blake Lively as the enigmatic Serena van der Woodsen. Upon her return to Manhattan and her prestigious prep school following a year away, she stirs up trouble for her former best friend Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester), who is still upset over Serena’s past indiscretions with Blair’s ex-boyfriend Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford). The show’s villain, Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick), leverages this information to create further tension between the two friends. Despite her efforts to distance herself from her old circle, Serena goes on a date with Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgley), who is shunned by the elite Upper East Side crowd due to his unconventional Brooklyn residence.
Unlike “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” which maintains a grounding in reality, “Gossip Girl” ventures into the realm of fiction beyond a certain point. Characters experience events such as death and resurrection, marriages with unique characteristics like a prince with a lisp, and confessions of crimes that turn out to be false alarms (e.g., Serena’s claim of murder). Regardless, if you enjoy the intricate plot twists of “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” you should check out the outrageous plots and Meester’s impressive portrayal as queen bee Blair, who delivers some of the most memorable lines. You can catch up on the original series of “Gossip Girl” (excluding the failed reboot) on Max.
Should you or someone close encounter domestic violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. For additional details, resources, and assistance, visit their website.
Should you or someone close to you be experiencing mental health issues, consider reaching out to the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741. Alternatively, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) helpline at 1-800-950-6264. Additionally, information and resources can be found on the National Institute of Mental Health’s website.
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2024-09-28 22:00