8 Shows Like ‘Normal People’ — From ‘Fleabag’ to ‘High Fidelity’ — to Fill the Hole in Your Hearts
Normal People, released on Hulu last spring, engulfs viewers inside the whirlwind romance of Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) as they fall apart and back together a again throughout one heart-wrenching season. A fan favorite, the award shows love it to — it just received three Critics Choice Awards, and had already received four Emmy nominations. Normal People has been good quarantine TV.
But with no news yet about a second season, we decided to fill the gaping Normal People-size void in our lives by finding other shows to steal our hearts. Scroll down for the 8 that are sure to ease the pain.
Fleabag (Prime Video)
Hilarious, insightful and heartbreaking, Fleabag stars Phoebe Waller-Bridge (series creator) as, well, Fleabag, who’s stuck inside family spats and life crises. The show hits its stride in Season 2 with a sexy tale of forbidden love between Fleabag and “hot priest” (Andrew Scott) that ended with a wrenching gut punch.
The End of the F***ing World (Netflix)
The untraditional love story combines dry humor and suspense with an unlikely romance. The show follows 17-year-old James (Alex Lawther), who believes he’s a psychopath. The target he chooses for his first murder is his classmate Alyssa (Jessica Barden), whose rebellious nature and quick wit get the pair into escalating situations and who slowly gains James’ love and trust.
Pride and Prejudice (Hulu)
Ok, stick with me here, a true standout of Normal People is the yearning. Whenever Connell or Marianne appear happy, deep down they’re yearning for the other’s love and affection, and no one does yearning better than Jane Austen. Plus, the tension-filled relationship between enemies-to-lovers Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle) and Mr. Darcy’s (Colin Firth) has the happy ending you deserve right now.
Sex Education (Netflix)
Did you want more about Marianne and Connell’s high school romance? Sex Education is a juicy yet realistic depiction of sexuality and love in high school, and it features a great ensemble cast led by the dorky but lovable Otis (Asa Butterfield). It gets to the roots of sexual anxieties, plus its business relationship between Otis and his classmate Maeve (Emma Mackey) slowly blossoms into another gripping will-they-or-won’t-they.
LOVE (Netflix)
When a show’s titled LOVE, what could go wrong? Exactly. And a lot does go wrong between socially awkward Gus (Paul Rust) and sex addict Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) in this show created by Judd Apatow, but somehow they hold on. It’s an honest look at how loving relationships are navigated by young adults grappling with the harsh reality of adult commitments, a theme only briefly tackled in Normal People’s single season.
Looking for Alaska (Hulu)
Another limited series based on a book — John Green’s YA novel — Looking for Alaska combines teenage romance with elements of mystery. The charming and quirky characters, including Pudge (Charlie Plummer) and Alaska (Kristine Froseth), draw you into the drama and fun of this coming-of-age story.
Love, Victor (Netflix)
Moving to a new town in high school is hard enough, and if you’re in the closet like Victor (Michael Cimino), it’s even harder. Spun off from the 2018 film Love, Simon, the series follows Victor as he deals with a community that might not accept him, and grows closer to Benji (George Sear). When sparks begin to fly, this touching romance becomes exciting to follow.
High Fidelity (Hulu)
A quirky, music-driven, romantic comedy with Zoë Kravitz in a leading role? Sign me up. Kravitz plays Rob, a record store owner from Brooklyn who has faced her share of heartbreak. Based on the 2000 film of the same name, Rob comedically navigates her love life, past and present, and to a stellar soundtrack. If you’re a fan of Normal People‘s solid soundtrack, check out High Fidelity for intentionally placed jams ranging from “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac to “Nikes” by Frank Ocean.
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