Gilmore Girlsis irreplaceable, but there are some shows similar to it in different ways that are just as good and definitely worth checking out. Back in 2000,Gilmore Girlstook the audience to the fictional town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut, to meet mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and teenage daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel). Created by Amy Sherman-Palladino,Gilmore Girlspremiered on The WB.
Gilmore Girlsreceived critical acclaim and was successful with general audiences, too, allowing it to run for a total of seven seasons.Gilmore Girlsearned a place amongthe best TV shows of all timeand iswidely regarded as a comfort show thanks to its small-town, feel-good toneand its mix of comedy and drama.
Gilmore Girlsended in 2007, but in 2016, it got a sequel miniseries titledGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, catching up with Rory, Lorelai, and others. No other TV show will capture the charm and fun ofGilmore Girls, but there are some shows that are as good and have key similarities, but with different stories and even a different tone.
Good Witchis a fantasy comedy drama TV series based on the film series of the same name, serving as a continuation of it. Developed by Craig Pryce and Sue Tenney,Good Witchpremiered on the Hallmark Channel in 2015 and ran for seven seasons.Good Witchis the story of Cassie Nightingale (Catherine Bell), a psychic who uses her intuition for good.
Good Witchhas that cozy, feel-good vibe that makesGilmore Girlsso beloved.
Cassie lives in the town of Middleton with her teenage daughter, Grace(Bailee Madison), who also has special intuition.Good Witch, then, follows their lives in town as they use their powers for good around town, and, of course, there’s also romance.Good Witchhas that cozy, feel-good vibe that makesGilmore Girlsso beloved.
Virgin Riveris a romantic drama TV series developed by Sue Tenney and based on Robyn Carr’s novel series of the same name.Virgin Riverfollows Melinda Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner and midwife who moves from Los Angeles to the remote town of Virgin River after answering an ad.
Mel is looking for a fresh start in Virgin River and to leave the past behind after a personal tragedy, but small-town living isn’t as simple as it seems.Virgin Riverfollows Mel’s personal journey along with her new friendships and romances, and this, along with its small town setting and its community, is reminiscent ofGilmore Girls.
Bunheadsis a comedy-drama TV series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Lamar Damon.Bunheadsis the story of Michelle Simms (Sutton Foster), a former ballerina who ends up as a Las Vegas showgirl. To get out of it, she reluctantly marries her persistent admirer, Hubbell Flowers (Alan Ruck), and moves to his sleepy coastal town.
Bunheadshas a different mother-daughter dynamic with Michelle and her mother-in-law.
However, tragedy strikes not long after, andMichelle struggles to adjust to life in an unknown, small town, a new career path, and new relationships. Despite their different stories,Bunheadshas a different mother-daughter dynamic with Michelle and her mother-in-law, and with Sherman-Palladino as creator, it’s a good watch for fans ofGilmore Girls.
Firefly Laneis a drama TV show created by Maggie Friedman and based on Kristin Hannah’s novel of the same name.Firefly Lanepremiered in 2021 on Netflix, where it stayed for two seasons, ending in 2023 after 26 episodes.Firefly Lanecenters on Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl) and Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke), two friends from the Seattle area.
Tully and Kate met when they were 14 as they became neighbors on the street named Firefly Lane, and their friendship continued through their teenage years and into their adulthood.Firefly Lanefollows the many ups and downs in Tully and Kate’s lives and their friendship, as they go through some truly tough situations.
Given its themes, there’s a good dose of drama inFirefly Lane, and the show was praised for its emotional depth and its characters’ stories. Despite its different tone,Firefly Lane’s themes and focus on its main characters’ relationship make it similar toGilmore Girls.
Everwoodis a drama TV series created by Greg Berlanti.Everwoodpremiered on the WB in 2002 and ran for a total of four seasons, ending in 2006.Everwoodis the story of Dr. Andy Brown (Treat Williams), a successful neurosurgeon who,after the death of his wife, moves with his family from Manhattan to the title town in Colorado.
Everwoodis more drama thanGilmore Girls, but they share a small-town setting and vibe.
Andy chooses the town of Everwood due to his late wife’s emotional attachment to it, and so his teenage son Ephram (Gregory Smith) and nine-year-old daughter Delia (Vivien Cardone) have to adapt not only to life without their mom but also to life in a new town.Everwoodis more drama thanGilmore Girls, but they share a small-town setting and vibe.
Parenthoodis a family drama TV series developed by Jason Katims and based on the 1989 movie of the same name.Parenthoodaired on NBC from 2010 to 2015 for a total of six seasons, and it takes viewers to Berkeley, California. There, the show follows the Braverman family: father Ezekiel, mother Camille, and children Adam (Peter Krause), Sarah (Lauren Graham), Crosby (Dax Shepard), and Julia (Erika Christensen).
Each of the Braverman siblings has their own families and, with that, their own problemsand challenges to overcome, not only as parents but also with their siblings and parents. LikeGilmore Girls,Parenthoodfocuses on family, their dynamics, struggles, and more, andstars Lauren Graham in a different role from the quick-witted Lorelai.
Hart of Dixieis a comedy-drama TV show created by Leila Gerstein.Hart of Dixiepremiered on The CW in 2011 and ran for four seasons.Hart of Dixiefollows Dr. Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson), who dreams of becoming a heart surgeon. However, her dreams are shattered when she fails to get a fellowship in New York due to her poor bedside manner.
Hart then moves to the small town of Bluebell, Alabama, as she inherited half of the practice from her father, whom she never knew (and there’s some family mess there). Once there, Hart not only struggles with getting patients due to her city persona, but she also develops feelings for local attorney George Tucker (Scott Porter), who is engaged to Lemon Breeland (Jaime King).
Hart of Dixiehas the same small-town vibe that made Gilmore Girls such a comforting show.
Although it has completely different stories, personalities, and there’s no young-mother-and-young-daughter dynamic in it,Hart of Dixiehas the same small-town vibe that madeGilmore Girlssuch a comforting show.Hart of Dixieisn’t short on family drama, romance, and fun moments, making it a great watch for those who loveGilmore Girls.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselis a period comedy-drama created by Amy Sherman-Palladino.The Marvelous Mrs. Maiseltakes the audience back to the late 1950s and early 1960s (with a couple of flashforwards to later decades) to meetMiriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan), a New York housewifewho, after her marriage ends when her husband abruptly leaves her,pursues a career in stand-up comedy.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselfollows this new chapter in Midge’s life, both in her personal and professional life, as well as the challenges she faces in a male-dominated industry. Of course,The Marvelous Mrs. Maiselincludes a good dose of romance, friendship, and family dynamics, fitting with what Palladino did inGilmore Girls.
I seeGinny & Georgiaas the full-on drama version ofGilmore Girls.Ginny & Georgiawas created by Sarah Lampert and premiered in 2021 on Netflix, which continues to be its home.Ginny & Georgiafocuses on the title characters:young single mother Georgia (Brianne Howey) and her teenage daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry).
Georgia was 15 years old when she had Ginny. Lorelai was 16 when she had Rory.
Ginny & Georgia, then, follows the title characters as they move to a new town (along with Georgia’s youngest son, Austin, played by Diesel La Torraca) for a fresh start after the death of Georgia’s husband. However, as the show develops,Georgia’s mysterious past and dark secrets begin to come to light.
Of course,Ginny & Georgiaalso explores the mother-daughter dynamic between its main characters, who have clashing personalities, but deeply care about each other.Ginny & Georgiacovers themes of mental health, abuse, trauma, and more, making it darker thanGilmore Girlsbut just as good, and it’s preparing for its fourth season.
