Well, there you have it: After more than a year of anticipating what the hell was going to happen after Wilhelm’s heartfelt — and, well, unreciprocated — “I love you,” you finished Young Royals Season 2 on Netflix all in one go. You’re just like me, for real.
But, before that post-binge-watching emptiness hits and you’re left waiting for a Season 3 announcement, don’t worry — streaming services have a few other gems you can fall in love with, too. Here are eight other shows that you’ll want to marathon just as much as you did for Wilhelm and Simon’s story. Think he fell first but he fell harder, forbidden-ish love, slice of life bittersweetness, and, obviously, a tear or two to make it fun.
- Skam
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Ever since Norwegian teen drama Skam reached international success in the mid-2010s after its four widely acclaimed seasons, the show has been a staple for the telling of coming-of-age stories on television. Immersing viewers in the lives of a group of teenagers in Oslo, the NRK production discusses themes like feminism, sexuality, mental health, and religion as it follows realistic characters on their journeys of love and self-growth.
The web series also follows a different protagonist in each season, and although all of them are golden, I have a feeling that Young Royals fans will particularly like the third season. Centered around Isak, the plot explores his quest for self-acceptance as he finds himself curious about Even, a mysterious yet charismatic senior.
Oh, and by the way, after you are (probably) thrown into a whole other void after finishing Skam, there are seven remakes of the original rendition, all with nods to its original ensemble. One of them is even set in Texas, going by the name of Skam Austin. - Banana Fish
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Hear me out on this one — even if you don’t usually go for animes, Akimi Yoshida’s Banana Fish is a must-watch manga-to-TV adaptation. Directed by Hiroko Utsumi, the Japanese series dwells upon the life of teenage street gang leader Ash Lynx as he uncovers a worldwide criminal conspiracy and is haunted by a traumatic past.
Even though chaos and violence are a second language to Ash, he finds himself trying to shelter Japanese newcomer Eiji Okumura from the conflict that comes with being on the New York City streets in the 1980s. As it turns out, Ash finds that the soft spot Eiji now occupies has become a weakness — and that guaranteeing both of their survival is a more difficult mission than he initially thought. Like Young Royals, you should probably get a box of tissues for this one.
- Heartstopper
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Based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel of the same name, Heartstopper has, just like its name, made everyone stop for its release earlier this year. A romance about self-discovery, the Netflix series has as protagonists the shy, awkward Charlie and his popular deskmate-turned-crush Nick Nelson.
With queer relationships and a diverse cast, Heartstopper not only embraces young love, but pairs it with the pains of growing up and the relatable journey of discovering your own identity. And, even as it branches out to hard-to-swallow topics, like homophobia and eating disorders, the show radiates warmth and fluff that’ll make you have that “oh my god they just held hands” freakout again.
So, if you happen to be the only person who hasn’t watched Heartstopper yet, be sure to feature it in your watchlist, especially since its second season is already in the works.
- The Get Down
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I present to you one of the most underrated shows there ever was. No, seriously.
Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down, set in the 1970s in the South Bronx, follows the rise of hip-hop music and culture throughout the decade and through the eyes of six teenagers. Bringing the star-crossed lovers trope to your screen with Zeke and Mylene’s story, the musical pits love and music against each other as the protagonists follow their passions and are thrown into worlds that feel more and more different from each other.
This ambitious production also features queer romance and homages to Romeo + Juliet and West Side Story. In other words? This has the spice of angst you’ll need after finishing Young Royals.
- Everything Sucks!
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Although set in a town quite literally called Boring, Everything Sucks! is a coming-of-age comedy that you’ll end up glued to. Reviving the ‘90s in 20-minute episodes, the show has simplicity as a strength as it tells the story of a group of teenagers dealing with issues like abandonment, sexism, and coming to terms with their own sexual orientation.
Perfect for binge-watching, Everything Sucks! is heartwarming, funny, and sensitive in the same measure. (Plus, it features a pre-Euphoria Sydney Sweeney.)
- The Society
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Picture this: A group of teenagers find themselves in a parallel, abandoned version of their town in which adults are nowhere to be found. Depicting an attempt for survival and living in a society with no rules, The Society highlights the struggles of the students as they try to overcome their differences and find their way back home.
Despite having a premise that sounds a little — or, actually, a lot — different from Young Royals, The Society will also make you cheer for a certain unexpected and secret couple who, like everyone else, just wants to be safe.
- The Heirs
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A K-drama was bound to be featured in this list, since pretty much no one does the slow burn, “she fell first but he fell harder” trope better. The Heirs is the perfect example of that.
When wealthy heir Kim Tan is exiled to the United States by his half-brother, he doesn’t expect to return to his old life soon. Little does he know that his encounter with Cha Eun-sang, an ordinary 18-year-old looking for his sister in California, was going to change everything that he set out for himself before.
As both of them go back to South Korea, they’ll find that their lives are more intertwined than they expected — and that their return is only the beginning of rivalries and games among the elite of the country.
- Love, Victor
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A spin-off set in the same fictional universe as 2018 movie Love, Simon, Love, Victor is a drama series that voices the story of Victor, a half-Puerto Rican, half-Colombian teenager who is the new boy in town.
With a sweet, comforting, and almost cliche narrative that differs from the stigma often associated with LGBTQ+ fiction, the Hulu series tackles self-discovery and sexual orientations with naturality, without glossing over the hardships that being gay and Latin imply.
If you’re looking for something to heal your fresh Young Royals-induced wounds, this cute and uplifting story is the one to watch.
- Bonus: Red, White, & Royal Blue
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Technically, even though it is set for an adaptation in the future, Red, White & Royal Blue isn’t a TV show. I get it. But as Casey McQuiston’s novel is very similar to Young Royals plot-wise, it’s guaranteed to make you feel all that royalty nostalgia.
After Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States, has an incident with the poised and annoying Prince Henry of Wales, they are forced to become friends to prevent a both diplomatic and media crisis (fellas, what a feat). And, well, let’s just say that Alex discovers that Henry might not be as stuck-up as he initially thought — and that they might have what it takes to even become friends (or more). Wink.