Sorry to burst your bubble, but Euphoria will be coming to an end in the next three weeks. Since you’ll be needing your next television fix promptly, I’ve made a list of the Top 10 shows you should check out if you like Euphoria.
Mind you, they’re not exactly like Euphoria (it would be really bad if they were!) but there are definitely familiarities you can take comfort in, or even use to get out of your comfort zone! With further ado, here’s your Euphoria-esque binge-list:
1Skins
The first recommendation that comes to mind is the 2007 British show Skins. No topic is too controversial for Skins and it has explored everything from dysfunctional families to substance abuse.
Besides this, an obvious string that ties it with Euphoria is how it explores a different character in each episode.
The show caused such a wave in the UK that it also led to an infamous and unfortunate “Myspace Skins Party” (Google it!) where a night of going absolutely wild ended up in major property damage.
I knew this would intrigue you, and since it has seven seasons, you better start binging to know why it gained its cult classic status.
2Recovery Road
Now you may have not heard of Recovery Road because its network cancelled the series right after the first season. But this is one of those you-made-a-mistake cancellations (like what Netflix did to Anne with an E or Teenage Bounty Hunters).
It follows Maddie who is starting her junior year in rehab. As it deals with recovery, it’s tone is much different than Euphoria’s but it definitely has the potential to win you over with its heartwarming story.
3Degrassi: The Next Generation
Chances are you’ve heard about Degrassi, a lot. The franchise has several renditions which you’re welcome to explore, but the one I’d recommend is Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Once again, it courses through a lot of social issues that kids in school face, but the reason it’s so popular is because of its realistic portrayal, especially since it was released just when the internet was gaining imminence.
Remember, things like online dating and bullying did not exist before this, so the show was quite in the forefront of issues we continue to deal today.
4Elite
Part of the reason Euphoria is so captivating is because of its high school drama. So if you want more of that filled with thriller elements that will keep you at the edge of your seat, it’s time to watch Elite.
The first season starts off with three middle income-group kids getting a scholarship to Spain’s most exclusive school. During their school year, a classmate is murdered and secrets are unraveled.
Not only does it provide an engaging commentary about class conflict, but it also focuses on teen relationships and mental health in a way that demystifies all the cliches. Plus everyone loves a good mystery to solve, no?
5Freaks and Geeks
Here’s another American cult classic that has just one season. To draw you in immediately, this show has stars like James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Busy Philipps, John Francis Daley and others before they hit fame.
Set in 1980, the show is about how a goody-two-shoes wants to change her image and hence joins the “freaks,” while her brother joins the “geeks”. Of course, we know that the world isn’t divided up neatly into halves, and the gray area is quite a fun concept to explore in this teen drama.
6How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)
Inspired by the true story of Maximillion Schmidt, it’s about a high-school outcast who starts selling ecstasy online… just to impress his ex-girlfriend. (A hard no!) But turns out, he and his business partner have quite a good knack for it. The business booms so much, that they quickly learn the repercussions of large scale drug trafficking.
The show is a good contrast to Fez’s. Moreover, it’s a really good overview of the current generations’ behavior and how company analyze this to sell them stuff, not just drugs! Any entrepreneurs, watch the show and take notes.
7End of the F**king World
This show has no direct ties to Euphoria, except that it’s pretty out there, daring and unique. There is no way you can start End of the F**king World and predict how it’s going to end. (Unless of course, you’ve read the mini comics it’s based on).
To give you a blurb: 17-year-old James thinks he’s a psychopath and runs away with his girlfriend Alyssa with the intent of killing her. Yes, I know it sounds dark. But James is as close to being a killer as pigs are to being able to fly.
The show takes on this dark humor element to explore troubled childhoods, teen identity and what it means to grow up.
8Sex Education
If you haven’t already watched Sex Education, what are you doing? Since sex and drugs are quite big taboos subjects, I feel like Sex Education could be Euphoria’s estranged cousin.
High schooler Otis starts anonymously giving sex advice, the same he has learned from his liberal sex therapist mother. While this business takes a life of its own, I find that the show balances comedy and romance well with promoting healthy and shame-free sexual relationships.
9It’s A Sin
It’s A Sin is a British miniseries that depicts the lives of four gay men from 1981 to 1991. This is a crucial decade because the first case of HIV/AIDS was detected in 1981.
The miniseries is such a masterpiece in portraying the mass hysteria that this “discovery” caused — right from AID denialism to common folks believe it could be airborne. The prejudice that the gay community suffered during this decade is just heartbreaking. In certain ways, this intolerance and lack of empathy is also seen towards drug addicts.
10Skam
Don’t have a full hour to invest in a teen show? No problem, Skam has got you covered! Its 20-30 minute episode dives in teen relationships, mental illness, eating disorders and even religion.
The only bummer is that the best way to enjoy Skam was to watch it on air. Why? Because it used to have a live-website where it would post content through the week that would finally turn into an episode on Friday.
The show really made itself very relatable and lifelike with characters having social media posts, online commentary, the whole shebang.
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