Lucky for 2000s teen drama fans, there are a plethora of modern teen drama TV shows to watch. From Degrassi to The OC, the 2000s had an abundance of teen dramas for fans to tune in to. While Degrassi delved into serious topics like school shootings and drug abuse, shows like The OC and Gossip Girl were focused on following rich kids around their privileged neighborhoods. While times have changed, the desire for teen dramas is still pretty high, given the array of options.
Today's teen dramas have no lack of relationship issues and forbidden romances, but luckily there's a lot more representation. Several shows have dove into same-sex relationships and focused on main characters of other races in a way 2000s dramas never did. This has made broader audiences feel included and allowed for different topics, like homophobia in high school, to be discussed on television. Here are 10 current teen dramas for anyone who tuned in every week for shows like Pretty Little Liars or Degrassi.
10 Euphoria
Euphoria has been branded Degrassi on steroids and is undoubtedly one of the most popular teen dramas of the decade. For anyone who misses the days of watching drama go down at Degrassi High, Euphoria is the perfect show to tune into. With Drake as an executive producer, it's hard to ignore the similarities, especially between the Degrassi character Manny Sanchez and Euphoria's Maddy Perez. Euphoria is definitely darker, but fans of 2000s dramas will feel pretty nostalgic watching the series.
9 Outer Banks
Outer Banks has a mystery aspect to it that resembles the treasure hunt plot presented in The Goonies. However, the conversation about wealth disputes and the relationship between John B and Sarah is reminiscent of The OC and Ryan and Marissa's relationship. While different than the 2003 series as it focuses way more on the working-class characters, it's still a show worth tuning in to for a bit of a trip back in time to the great dramas of the 2000s.
8 The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty, based on Jenny Han's book series released in 2009, is much lighter than the first two options. However, there's no shortage of drama in the beach set series as Belly struggles to choose between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah. One is mysterious and flaky, and the other is outgoing and expressive with his emotions. The show feels very familiar because it's a lot like the love triangles presented in dramas from the 2000s. Whether Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah (or Team Belly like star Lola Tung), The Summer I Turned Pretty is the perfect show for any teen drama lover to watch.
7 Heartstopper
While a few 2000s shows, especially Degrassi, brushed the surface of inclusivity, many of them missed the mark. Luckily, things have changed with shows like Heartstopper available to stream on Netflix. The series follows a high school relationship between teenage boys Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring. Heartstopper also touches on the difficulties of being out in high school while still containing the same appeal and relationship struggles as any 2000s drama.
6 Sex Education
Sex Education is one of the most groundbreaking teen dramas and has been praised for its incredible dialogue around sexuality in high school. The show brushes on some touchy subjects, just like Degrassi did, and approaches them maturely and responsibly. The series, unfortunately, will not run as long as Degrassi did as Netflix recently announced Sex Education season 4 would be the last, but luckily for fans, once season 4 drops, the entire series will be available to stream on Netflix.
5 XO, Kitty
Before The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jenny Han saw her series To All The Boys I Loved Before adapted into three successful films. The films led to a spinoff TV series called XO, Kitty, with all the charm and conflict from the original movie trilogy. XO, Kitty has love triangles, feuds, and secret love affairs. The series also allows Kitty to explore her sexuality in a way that would never have been allowed in the 2000s. XO, Kitty is another great choice for 2000s drama fans to tune in for.
4 Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer brings the mystery of Pretty Little Liars as well as the romances that existed in the series. Cruel Summer is an anthology series, so season 2 follows a different story than the first season, though both seasons focus on a mysterious murder involving the main character. It follows Pretty Little Liars in that the viewer is never sure who is guilty or innocent, and each clue that is revealed is more shocking than the last. For fans of darker, mysterious dramas, Cruel Summer is the right pick.
3 Never Have I Ever
Representation matters in today's teen dramas, and Mindy Kaling was able to give Indian family's a voice when she created Never Have I Ever. Like many 2000s teen dramas, Never Have I Ever features love triangles and friend drama as the main character Devi navigates high school. However, the series has an extra layer as Devi is also coping with her father's recent death. Though figuring out which guy Devi will choose by the Never Have I Ever series finale is one of the best parts of watching the show.
2 Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin
Lucky for fans of Pretty Little Liars who desperately miss the late 2000s drama, the series has been rebooted several times but saw the most success with its recent reboot, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. The series flashes back and forth between the 90s and the present day as five best friends are stalked by A in a mystery that's linked to their mother's time in high school. The series is a lot darker than the original and has luckily been picked up for a second season titled Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.
1 Glamorous
Glamorous is a new show on Netflix starring Kim Cattrall as a makeup mogul. However, the main star of the series is Marco, a queer non-gender conforming makeup artist who begins working for Cattrall's character, Madolyn. Like Heartstopper, this Netflix series has more representation than any 2000s teen drama but no lack of conflict, flings, and dramatic breakups. The first season even had a cliffhanger ending, building up anticipation for a potential second season that could be just as exciting as the first.