30 Shows Like Ginny And Georgia You Need To Watch
At first glance, Netflix's "Ginny and Georgia" appears to be a 2020s version of "Gilmore Girls." A dramedy, it follows a teenage girl named Ginny (Antonia Gentry) and her mother, Georgia (Brianne Howie), who had Ginny at 15. But even in the first episode, it's obvious Ginny's got an edge, Georgia has bite, and this definitely isn't "Gilmore Girls" 2.0.
Ginny loves her beautiful and guarded mother, but she resents her as well. Georgia has kept Ginny and her little brother Austin (Diesel La Torraca) on the continual move, at the whims of Georgia's many romantic relationships. This nomadic life frustrates Ginny — she longs to put down roots and stay somewhere long enough to make friends. But perhaps these moves aren't just about romance: Georgia has secrets, and a killer instinct honed by the traumatic past she's eternally running from.
Suffice it to say, "Ginny and Georgia" has a lot going on under the surface. Fans have fallen in love with its heartfelt drama and clever humor — but you can only rewatch a series so many times. Hungry for shows that nail that classic "Ginny and Georgia" blend of emotion and wit? We've got you covered. If you love "Ginny and Georgia," these 30 shows should be next on your to-watch list.
13 Reasons Why
"13 Reasons Why" revolves around young Hannah Baker's (Katherine Langford) suicide. She leaves behind a series of tapes for her classmate and friend Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette), explaining why she killed herself. The first two seasons revolve around her life and death, and flesh out the ensemble cast. The show then moves on to events and circumstances unrelated to Hannah.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," this series employs an element of mystery, chiefly regarding Hannah's death. It also explores young adults' complex relationships with each other and their families. "13 Reasons Why" is a thorough analysis of mental illness, substance abuse, sexual assault, and child abuse, characterized by its empathy. The performances of the young actors are especially nuanced and excellent — a distinction "Ginny and Georgia" fans are sure to appreciate.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
All American
"All American" is a departure from "Ginny and Georgia" in that the central character is a teenage boy, but its deep emotionality will please any committed fan. Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) is a rising football star at South Crenshaw High School. When coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs) from the Beverly Hills High football program asks Spencer to play for him, Spencer is thrown into an unfamiliar world of rich white kids, fancy cars, and luxe mansions. Like Ginny, Spencer must adjust to this enormously different environment. Beverly Hills' academic challenges aren't a problem — Spencer is a straight-A student — but socially, he's out of his element.
Episode 1 introduces a mystery "Ginny and Georgia" fans will appreciate, which involves Billy's history with Spencer's mother, Grace (Karimah Westbrook). This isn't the only enigma Spencer stumbles upon, especially once the students of Beverly Hills High become his friends. As Ben Travers of IndieWire put it, "What starts as a fun reminder of just how bankable rags-to-riches stories can be, results in a relevant original series that's a whole helluva lot of fun."
Big Little Lies
The Emmy-winning "Big Little Lies" boasts an all-star cast including Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Alexander Skarsgård, Adam Scott, Zoë Kravitz, Laura Dern, and the incomparable Meryl Streep. While this story focuses on a group of women living in California rather than teenagers in New England, it shares many common threads with "Ginny and Georgia." These high-powered mothers are brought together by their children's school — specifically, a shocking death that happened during a glitzy fundraiser. As the authorities investigate what might be murder, the dynamic between these women shifts. Pacts are made, secrets are revealed, and past traumas rise to the surface, fracturing their lives forever.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Big Little Lies" is a drama-filled mystery. It's also an exploration of the many ways hardship shapes us, and the coping mechanisms that affect our relationships and the quality of our lives. With powerful and nuanced performances and a killer plot to its name, we dare you to not be sucked in by this series. Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic put it perfectly when she said "Big Little Lies" "is offering up some of the best psychological storytelling on television."
Cruel Summer
"Cruel Summer" follows Jeanette (Chiara Aurelia), an awkward 15-year-old who transforms into one of the most popular girls in school after fellow student Kate (Olivia Holt) goes missing, circa 1993. But by the summer of '95, Kate is home, and Jeanette has become a universally despised person. Like "Ginny and Georgia," this intriguing series explores a central mystery and multiple timelines as it pieces together what really happened.
"Ginny and Georgia" is a considerably lighter show than "Cruel Summer," which is an out-and-out thriller. But the two productions have one major thing in common: Their gripping portrayals of small town relationships. "'Cruel Summer' is custom-built to be an object of social media obsession," according to Alexis Gunderson of Paste, who added, "the show is playing on Expert Mode." Although it's geared toward teens, it has the grit, complexity, and authenticity needed to draw fans from multiple generations. Plus, for those of us who were teenagers in the 1990s, the nostalgia is top-notch.
Dare Me
Where "Ginny and Georgia" walks the line between comedy and drama, "Dare Me" is a shadowy drama rooted in teen girls' psyches. The intense friendship between competitive cheerleaders Addy (Herizen Guardiola) and Beth (Marlo Kelly) takes center stage here. When the squad gets a championship-winning coach in Colette French (Willa Fitzgerald), however, fractures begin to threaten their bond.
"Dare Me" explores the darker aspects of the high school experience, like competition, jealousy, and family struggles. While Addy's relationship with her mother is characterized by fairly normal tensions, Beth's family is truly troubled. Things get even more intense when a violent crime occurs in Episode 1. Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Dare Me" spends much time getting to the bottom of this shocking event. Caroline Framke of Variety praised the series as "a wicked thriller that practically demands that its audience gorge upon it. It's lush and seductive, a fact that it's both aware of and uses to chilling effect." If you're drawn to the darker aspects of "Ginny and Georgia," you'll love "Dare Me."
Dear White People
"Dear White People" follows a group of Black students as they make their way through Winchester University, a storied Ivy League institution. It's also a predominantly white school, which presents a daily onslaught of cultural bias and microaggressions. Tired of feeling out of place, Samantha (Logan Browning) gives voice to her frustrations, which stirs up controversy on campus. Intelligent exploration of race, sex, and identity in general ensues.
To say that "Dear White People" is incisive is an understatement — but it's also laugh-out-loud hilarious. As David Wiegand of SFGATE put it, "The entire cast is outstanding, and Simien's script is masterful. On the one hand, he is dealing with very complicated identity issues ... On another level, though, he's writing exceptionally funny comedy." If you love Ginny's take-down of her AP English teacher in Episode 1 of "Ginny and Georgia," you'll love hearing what Samantha has to say.
Euphoria
If you enjoy the darker elements of "Ginny and Georgia," "Euphoria" will be your next viewing obsession. This series centers around Rue (Zendaya), a teenage girl who just got out of rehab, and a group of her peers. Their divergent storylines merge in the middle of Season 1, creating a complex web of connections. Things get dark: Addiction, abuse, and bullying are all very much present. These teens might occasionally seem glamorous, but they're really just trying to survive the battleground of high school and successfully navigate their strained and complex relationships at home.
"Euphoria" handles arduous adolescence with an impressive combination of empathy, authenticity, and respect. It also features some truly fantastic performances. Tim Goodman with The Hollywood Reporter praised Zendaya as "an absolute revelation," and highlighted Hunter Schafer's "similarly fantastic breakout performance." Like "Ginny and Georgia," this series has an edge — and that's exactly what fans love about it.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Firefly Lane
"Firefly Lane" is told through two alternating timelines. One is set in the 1970s, the era in which teenage Tully (Ali Skovbye) and Kate (Roan Curtis) become best friends. The other is set in the modern day, and features Katherine Heigl as Tully and Sarah Chalke as Kate. They're still best friends, but life looks a whole lot different by this point. Like "Ginny and Georgia," this series features a complex mother-daughter bond — in this case, between Tully and her hippie mom, Cloud (Beau Garrett). It also explores sexual orientation, especially through Kate's brother Sean (Quinn Lord and Jason McKinnon).
At its core, "Firefly Lane" is about lifelong friendships and the destructive effect secrets and lies have on our most intimate and enduring relationships. While other, lesser shows would take this to a melodramatic place, the nuanced characters of "Firefly Lane" make it a must-watch drama. As Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair pointed out, "the schmaltz isn't even that schmaltzy; 'Firefly Lane' has more of an edge than its gentle, ethereal title might suggest." Like "Ginny and Georgia," this Netflix series walks the line between soap and substance.
Get Even
"Get Even" follows students Kitty (Kim Adis), Bree (Mia McKenna Bruce), Margot (Bethany Antonia), and Olivia (Jessica Alexander), who attend the elite Bannerman Independent School. As the show takes place in an affluent neighborhood, it's sure to remind viewers of productions like "Gossip Girl." But unlike those series, this one features an ethnically diverse cast that's not just out to party — they're out for revenge.
Despite their different social circles, the girls of "Get Even" work together to expose bullies at their school. Emboldened by their motto, "Don't get mad, get even," they work to hold people accountable for their actions. But then their latest target dies suspiciously, holding a slip of paper with "D.G.M." printed upon it. Are they being framed for murder? Christopher Rosa of Glamour Magazine hailed this series as "dishy, intriguing, and addictive." Mystery-loving "Ginny and Georgia" fans are sure to fall in love.
Gilmore Girls
Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Gilmore Girls" centers around an unusual mother-daughter duo. Lorelai (Lauren Graham) had Rory (Alexis Bledel) as a teen, and is now trying to guide her little girl through her own adolescence. They call Stars Hollow home, a Connecticut town populated by a quirky group of supporting characters portrayed by an excellent ensemble cast. Although "Gilmore Girls" is more innocent than "Ginny and Georgia" and lacks its mystery element, it doesn't shy away from the conflicts that naturally arise between a mother and daughter — even when they're best friends.
Known for its coffee-fueled, rapid-fire dialogue, "Gilmore Girls" is also a major fan favorite. As Saul Austerlitz of The New York Times said, "For many fans, Stars Hollow has always been their happy place." The love is so strong that Netflix revived the show with the 2016 miniseries, "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life." If you're hungry for more mother-daughter antics and small-town drama, "Gilmore Girls" is unbeatable.
Good Girls
If Georgia's illegal activities intrigue you and you have a dark sense of humor, "Good Girls" is the show for you. When Beth (Christina Hendricks), her sister Annie (Mae Whitman), and her best friend Ruby (Retta) rob the supermarket where Annie works as a cashier, they have no idea the money they've stolen belongs to a crime syndicate that launders funds through the store. What's meant to be a one-time fix for shared financial troubles ends up pulling this trio into a criminal world they never knew existed. Crime boss Rio (Manny Montana) is threatening their lives if they don't return every penny — but in a surprising twist, these three suburban moms discover they like having financial freedom more than they enjoy playing by the rules.
Basically, "Good Girls" is "Breaking Bad" meets "Sweet Magnolias." This sounds bizarre, but it completely works. Terry Terrones of The Gazette hailed the series for its unique approach: "What makes 'Good Girls' work is how it takes a standard comedic setup, adds a legitimate sense of danger, yet blends in enough humor to keep your interest." It's dark, hilarious, and always unexpected.
Gossip Girl
This soapy teen drama about a group of friends and frenemies at an elite Manhattan school became a massive success, launching the careers of Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley. Narrated by an omniscient blogger called "Gossip Girl," this series follows a group of moneyed teenagers as they date, betray, and menace each other. Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Gossip Girl" spends much time exploring its teen characters' complex relationships with their parents. Things are significantly more dramatic on the Upper East Side, what with an anonymous gossip-spiller divulging their secrets, but the fundamentals remain the same.
The ongoing mystery of who Gossip Girl is, combined with the scandalous secrets everyone is hiding, will keep "Ginny and Georgia" fans coming back for more. Moreover, while it's directed at a teen audience, this series definitely gives adults important roles. All in all, it's a sexy and stylish guilty pleasure. As John Maynard of the Washington Post said, "At times, it's overboard ... But overboard is exactly where 'Gossip Girl' wants to be."
Jane the Virgin
Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez) is about to graduate with a teaching degree, get engaged, and, once the wedding is over, finally have sex. In short, everything is going perfectly. But her pristine plans go awry when she's artificially inseminated in a gynecological snafu of epic proportions. Matters are only made worse when Jane learns from her OB/GYN that the father is her boss, Rafael Solano (Justin Baldoni). As if that's not bad enough, he's also a cancer survivor who can no longer have children.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Jane the Virgin" centers around a mother-daughter duo with an unusual dynamic. In this case, the bond is between Jane and Xiomara (Andrea Navedo), who had her at 16. But Xiomara's own mother, the deeply devout Alba (Ivonne Coll), is in the mix as well. It also features plenty of secrets and lies to keep the audience engaged, which play marvelously with the telenovela conventions the series includes.
Little Fires Everywhere
Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere" is set in Shaker Heights, Ohio, a picture-perfect neighborhood with a whole lot of secrets. Like "Ginny and Georgia," it centers a mother, Mia (Kerry Washington), and her teenage daughter, Pearl (Lexi Underwood), who are always on the move. Their lives collide with that of Elena (Reese Witherspoon) and her family, who have the sort of stability Pearl dreams of. But all is not as it seems. This stirring series deconstructs race and class in America during the "colorblind" '90s with vision, empathy, and incredible performances.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Little Fires Everywhere" alternates between multiple timelines, which follow Elena and Mia as young women, new mothers, and eventually denizens of Shaker Heights. When their families become intertwined and transformed, long-guarded secrets are revealed. Kelly Lawler of USA Today called the series "the successful meeting of style and substance, combining great acting, superb costuming and production design, [and] sharp scripts that expand on the acclaimed source material." If you like the teen angst and mystery elements of "Ginny and Georgia, you must see "Little Fires Everywhere."
Looking for Alaska
"Looking for Alaska" is about a group of outcasts attending Culver Creek Academy, an Alabama boarding school. Together, Miles "Pudge" Halter (Charlie Plummer), Chip "The Colonel" Martin (Denny Love), Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth), and Takumi Hikohito (Jay Lee) form a tight circle of friends. Miles, who narrates the series, becomes enamored with Alaska — the two teens share an aura of loneliness and ennui. Despite the summer camp-ish vibe of the school, however, this series explores dark subjects like loss, complex parent-child relationships, and mental health struggles.
Uniquely, life at Culver Creek is characterized by abundant pranks, which are pulled as part of a culture war between the rich kids who go home on weekends and the scholarship students. As time goes on, however, things become serious — and even tragic. Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Looking for Alaska" features multi-dimensional teen characters who have a lot more going on under the surface than their witty banter might suggest.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Maid
"Maid" centers around young mother Alex (Margaret Qualley), who hasn't worked since she had her daughter Maddy. This has made her reliant on Sean (Nick Robinson), her abusive boyfriend and Maddy's father. In Episode 1, Alex leaves in the middle of the night. Freedom is precious, but hard-won: Eventually, Alex must take refuge in a domestic violence shelter, face the justice system, and get back on her feet by working as a maid.
"Maid" is a true-to-life depiction of a woman trying to escape domestic violence without significant family support or financial independence. Its portrayal of abuse, young motherhood, and a troubled mother-daughter relationship are just a few of the thematic links it has to "Ginny and Georgia." It can be a tough watch, but it also opens a dialogue regarding subjects that, until very recently, were only whispered about. That it does so courtesy of phenomenal performances, nuanced writing, and powerful direction makes it even more impressive.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Never Have I Ever
"Never Have I Ever" follows Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), an Indian-American teenager who is simultaneously grieving the loss of her father and looking to have some classic high school fun. She's an excellent student, but her boy-craziness and temper often get the better of her: Devi is forever landing in comically awkward situations, especially with her demanding mother. To make things even zanier, John McEnroe, the former tennis star known for his hot temper, narrates the show.
Like Ginny, Devi is a teenage girl of color who is navigating the socially treacherous terrain of high school and trying to discover where she fits into the multiple cultures that make up her life. What's more, while "Never Have I Ever" doesn't have any of the mystery or crime "Ginny and Georgia" features, the two shows do share humor and a refreshing sense of authenticity. This coming-of-age comedy is certainly more innocent than "Ginny and Georgia," but it never feels false.
Northern Rescue
After the tragic death of his wife Sarah, search and rescue commander John (William Baldwin) moves himself and his three kids back to his Ontario hometown, so that his sister-in-law Charlie (Kathleen Robertson) can help them adjust. But John's eldest daughter Maddie (Amalia Williamson) is going through a rebellious phase, and her mother's death seems to have brought her anger to the surface. Soon enough, this leads her to family secrets.
"Northern Rescue" is more family-friendly than "Ginny and Georgia," but both shows feature a complicated mother-daughter relationship and an exploration of the way destructive secrets can bring a family to the brink. They also have beautiful scenery in common. Furthermore, "Northern Rescue" is probably the only show to ever have its central family live in an abandoned aquarium with adorable penguins, following a devastating house fire. If that's not an out-of-the-box set-up, we don't know what is.
Outer Banks
If you like the lurking questions and juicy teen drama of "Ginny and Georgia," you'll definitely want to check out "Outer Banks." This series follows a group of teenagers who live in the barrier islands off North Carolina's coast. Class tensions are omnipresent, with the country club-going "Kooks" regularly facing off against the have-not locals, known as the "Pogues." Pogue leader John's (Chase Stokes) dad has been missing for months, and CPS is becoming a problem. When his friends Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), and JJ (Rudy Pankow) find a treasure map, John enlists the help of Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline), the daughter of a wealthy Kook family.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," there is mystery afoot here. Family secrets rise to the surface, and real danger stalks these teens. This keeps viewers engaged, as does the talented young cast and the show's ineffable sense of summertime nostalgia. Allison Keene of Paste hailed the show as "genuine escapist fun," and added that while the series "isn't exactly wholesome ... there is something about its sun-soaked adventure that feels emotionally authentic to the teen experience."
Pretty Little Liars
When you think "teen thriller," there's a good chance the first show that comes to mind is "Pretty Little Liars." A year after their friend Alison (Sasha Pieterse) goes missing, four friends — Spencer (Troian Bellisario), Hanna (Ashley Benson), Aria (Lucy Hale), and Emily (Shay Mitchell) — receive manipulative and threatening text messages from a mysterious stalker known as "A." Ruined relationships, even more secrets, and buckets of drama ensue: A seems to know all their dirty laundry.
For the entirety of high school, this group of friends is tormented by their unknown enemy. The series then jumps ahead five years, bringing the young women back together in their hometown as college graduates. Those who love the secrets buried in "Ginny and Georgia" should pay special attention — this propulsive series is full of many, many more. Stylish and seductively dark, "Pretty Little Liars" just might be your next favorite series.
Riverdale
If you like the murkier elements of "Ginny and Georgia" but crave something a little edgier, then soapy teen thriller "Riverdale" should be your next watch. While it's inspired by Archie Comics' wholesome stories, this series is modern, sexy, and addictive. The characters populating this version of Riverdale hunt serial killers, fall into cults, deal in dirty politics, and even fight in a gang war. The town might be small, but it sure isn't picturesque — and teens like Betty (Lili Reinhart), Veronica (Camila Mendes), Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Archie (KJ Apa) are out to explore its dark heart.
Somehow evoking both "Twin Peaks" and "Gossip Girl" vibes, "Riverdale" is dark delight. "Ginny and Georgia" fans will appreciate this duality, as well as its talented cast of young performers, who are clearly having a lot of fun inhabiting these classic characters. Though things occasionally get ridiculous, the series is never anything less than entertaining.
Sex Education
Brash, funny, and smart, "Sex Education" is one of the best teen shows on television. Moordale Secondary School's students struggle with the usual troubles of being modern teenagers. When Maeve (Emma Mackey) discovers Otis' (Asa Butterfield) mom is a sex therapist, and that Otis has a knack for advising his peers, she approaches him about starting an underground "clinic" at their school. But while Maeve seems to be motivated by money, Otis might only agree to have an excuse for spending time with Maeve.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," this series offers a frank exploration of teen's sex lives. It also features unusual, cringe-worthy, and incredibly laugh-inducing parent-child relationships. It's not all jokes, though — "Sex Education" explores serious subjects with uncommon compassion and insight. Even more impressively, it somehow always hits the right note.
Sharp Objects
"Ginny and Georgia" fans looking for a deep dive into family bonds and unnerving mystery need look no further than HBO's "Sharp Objects." Camille (Amy Adams), a prickly journalist, is sent to her hometown to cover a gruesome murder investigation. Forced to confront the troubled childhood that sent her running, Camille struggles to make sense of the crime and her own experiences. Her poised mother Adora (Patricia Clarkson) and rebellious half-sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen) only make things more complicated.
"Sharp Objects" is significantly darker than "Ginny and Georgia," especially in regards to its portrayal of addiction and self-harm. But Camille's flight from her past is a lot like Georgia's. Both characters have developed unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with their trauma, and both are eventually forced to face that fact. These two series also explore the poor choices people make while trying to protect children — and the choices they make when they're not interested in protecting them at all.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Spinning Out
Like "Ginny and Georgia," "Spinning Out" features a fraught mother-daughter bond. Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario), a 20-something figure skater and Olympic hopeful, is trying to come back from a traumatic injury. Her mother Carol (January Jones) had Olympic ambitions as well, before becoming a teen mother. Kat and Carol's relationship is further strained by their shared diagnosis: Both women live with bipolar disorder. What's more, Kat's half-sister Serena (Willow Shields) has ice-bound dreams too, but lives in the shadow of her talented sibling.
"Spinning Out" explores a variety of subjects, including young love — Kat's relationship with her skating partner Justin (Evan Roderick) injects some major drama into the story. But it's not all sequins and diva-drama: "Spinning Out" tackles self-harm, mental health, and sexual abuse. Packed with talent portraying layered women with secrets and surprising substance, it's sure to impress any "Ginny and Georgia" fan.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Teenage Bounty Hunters
When fraternal twins Blair (Anjelica Bette Fellini) and Sterling (Maddie Phillips) team up with a bounty hunter who works out of the back room of an Atlanta frozen yogurt shop, things get even weirder than you'd expect. Thus, the stage is set for "Teenage Bounty Hunters," a show that really shouldn't work, yet somehow does.
Like "Ginny and Georgia," the twins' mother, Debbie (Virginia Williams), has a big secret. Moreover, like Ginny, Blair and Sterling are experimenting with their sexualities and trying to discover who they are. The series' setting offers especially interesting elements: The girls attend a private Christian high school, and as the episodes wind on, they confront almost everything they're taught there. The world of bounty hunting is a strange one, but it's also genuinely moving, hilarious, and smart.
The Politician
"The Politician" is a satire with heart. The students of Saint Sebastian High School, located in chi-chi Santa Barbara, exude pampered California confidence. They also plot to win their school election at all costs. Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) has wanted to become president of the United States since he was just 7 years old, and has concluded, after exhaustive research, that being elected class president before attending Harvard is the ticket to his prized future. But when popular and handsome River (David Corenswet) runs, Payton's confidence lags. His political advisors cook up a strategy to win the sympathy vote: He should choose Infinity (Zoey Deutch), a teenager with cancer, as his running mate.
As you might expect, this series gets brutal with its humor: Glenn Garvin of Reason called it "a rollicking meditation on fakes, frauds, and phonies." It also has a terrific ensemble cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow as Payton's adoptive mother and Jessica Lange as Infinity's manipulative grandmother. If you love Georgia's political machinations in "Ginny and Georgia," you'll enjoy the wheeling and dealing of "The Politician."
Tiny Pretty Things
"Tiny Pretty Things" has the mystery elements of "Pretty Little Liars," the catty sports world of "Spinning Out," and the racial tensions of "Ginny and Georgia." Neveah Stroyer (Kylie Jefferson), a talented Black dancer, joins an exclusive Chicago ballet academy after a star pupil is seriously injured in a suspicious accident. Despite her obvious talent, Neveah feels out of place among the competitive and predominantly white student body. Things get even more complex after she receives an enigmatic message and a white rose from an anonymous sender.
"Tiny Pretty Things" is distinguished by the incredible talent of its cast: As reported by Marie Claire, the actors are almost all dancers as well, and they really are the ones pulling off the show's incredible physical feats. Although it's considerably soapier than "Ginny and Georgia," this series features similarly interesting secrets, a dangerous mystery, troubled parent-child dynamics, and a big dose of drama fans are sure to appreciate.
Trinkets
Brought together by a shoplifters' support group modeled on Alcoholics Anonymous, three teenage girls with very different personalities and wildly divergent social circles form an unexpected bond in "Trinkets." After her mom dies, Elodie (Brianna Hildebrand) has to move from Albuquerque to Portland, Oregon to live with her dad and his new family. She's lonely, grieving, and missing the girlfriend she left back in New Mexico. But when she makes friends with Moe (Kiana Madeira) and Tabitha (Quintessa Swindell), she gets the fresh start she needs.
In bringing these three lonely teenage girls together, "Trinkets" demonstrates the importance of connection and community. "Ginny and Georgia" fans will doubtlessly appreciate this focus, as well as the series' clever writing and sharp sense of humor. Roxana Hadadi of RogerEbert.com praised "Trinkets" as "a surprisingly engrossing diversion," boasting "snappy pacing, clear narrative arcs, and thoughtful engagement with timely issues regarding race and addiction."
Veronica Mars
"Veronica Mars" has had three lives. First, it was a '00s teen drama set in Neptune, California, an affluent beach town. Our edgy and streetwise heroine, Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell), helps her private eye dad Keith (Enrico Colantoni) at night, and exists as a social pariah in her high school by day. The series is funny and gritty, especially as Veronica investigates her best friend's murder. Its focus on classism and high school hierarchy netted the show major praise.
"Veronica Mars" earned a second life in a 2014 film, which sees Veronica come home to clear her ex-boyfriend's name. This leads her to question her life path. Finally, in 2019, Bell reprised her role in Hulu's "Veronica Mars" revival series, which acts as Season 4. Constance Grady of Vox summed things up by praising this final installment as "a moody repudiation of nostalgia." In every incarnation, Veronica charms and entertains. If you like the family secrets of "Ginny and Georgia," you'll love getting lost in "Veronica Mars."
Weeds
Like Georgia, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) of "Weeds" is a newly widowed mother of two who turns to crime to support her family. Specifically, she becomes a low-level marijuana dealer in her cookie-cutter community, Agrestic. Nancy is a multi-layered woman, who is rarely portrayed as an entirely sympathetic character. In fact, the show seems to like the other characters much more than Nancy, despite the fact that it revolves around her. This is refreshing in a way "Ginny and Georgia" fans are sure to appreciate: Like so many male antiheroes before her, Nancy is a morally gray figure who is neither a pushover or a shrew.
Back when "Weeds" first landed on screens in 2005, this was rare. Today, it's a lot less so — and the show deserves some credit for that. Viewers might not be as ready to embrace messy characters like Georgia if they hadn't met Nancy first. Though critics cooled on the series as its final seasons aired, it's still a landmark production widely hailed for, as Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times put it, "carefully calculated stillness and sudden reckless displays of fearlessness."