Teen dramas are one of the most popular television genres out there. With hits like One Tree Hill, The Vampire Diaries, and Friday Night Lights, there are many good shows to choose from. It’s something we all have in common; I guarantee if you walk down the street and ask someone about their favorite teen drama, they’ll surely have an answer. For that reason, I’d like to think people often remember their favorite teen dramas with a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality.
One reason I think teen dramas are so popular is that they speak to such a specific time in adolescence and encapsulate the feelings of coming-of-age so well. Everyone remembers what it felt like to be that age, through the ups and downs of puberty and feelings of angst, figuring out your feelings, and attempting to coincide who you are with who you want to be. With that in mind, here’s a list of 5 teenage dramas that have stood the test of time and are still remembered fondly to this day.
Teen Drama #1: The O.C.
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The O.C. follows the lives of several teens living in Orange County, California. When Ryan Atwood is adopted by the wealthy Cohen family, the troubled teen must adapt to his new environment and living situation in the affluent Newport Beach community. Will he learn to fit in with his new peers? Or will class differences drive a wedge between Ryan and his new family?
The O.C. ran for four seasons and stars Mischa Barton, Ben McKenzie, Rachel Bilson, Adam Brody, Peter Gallagher, and Kelly Rowan. It has a very similar vibe to other teen dramas like Beverly Hills 90210. If you liked this show, chances are you’ll enjoy The O.C.! Although the show premiered over 20 years ago, it is one of those shows that is timeless and can be enjoyed by younger generations as well. For one Gen Z-er’s fun review, click here!
Teen Drama #2: Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is arguably one of the most iconic teen dramas of the early 2000s and launched the careers of now-household names Blake Lively, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley, and Leighton Meester. The show follows the lives of the privileged students of an elite private school in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Interspersed amidst the teens’ daily lives are message blasts from the elusive “Gossip Girl,” who reports on scandals in the high-society community.
The largest overarching question of the series is one concerning Gossip Girl’s true identity. As is said in the voiceover of every episode, “Who am I? That’s a secret I’ll never tell. XOXO Gossip Girl”. Much of the fanfare surrounding the show was intensified by the secrecy and mystery surrounding the narrator’s identity, which helped the show remain fresh and keep an engaged audience. The hugely popular show is still referenced to this day despite going off the air over a decade ago. It even spawned a reboot in 2021; however, nothing could ever compare to the original series. Check it out today!
Teen Drama #3: Dawson’s Creek
Dawson’s Creek was a teen drama from the late 1990s that centered on the life of aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery and his friends, Joey, Pacey, and Jen. Many comparisons have been drawn between Dawson’s Creek and another teen drama, One Tree Hill, as both shows heavily incorporate elements of small-town, high school-centric storylines with an emphasis on the teens’ romantic relationships. Dawson’s Creek ran for six seasons on the C.W., formerly the W.B. If you’ve already seen the show and liked it, here’s a list from Bustle on other shows to watch similar to Dawson’s Creek!
Teen Drama #4: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a supernatural teen drama about a vampire-slaying monster hunter named Buffy. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a hugely popular show during the late 1990s and early 2000s and has since been anointed cult classic status. During its run, Buffy the Vampire Slayer broke several boundaries, including in terms of LGBTQ+ representation. In terms of queer representation, Buffy was groundbreaking in its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, particularly Alyson Hannigan’s character, Willow Rosenberg.
According to Screen Rant, “The exploration of Willow’s sexuality was Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s biggest contribution to LGBTQ+ representation, as Willow was a likable, complex, recurring main character whose sexuality could not be ignored. Also, Willow’s personality was not solely defined by her sexuality, but it was a key part of who she was, which was uncommon for mainstream media representation at the time”.
The representation portrayed by Willow was groundbreaking, especially considering the time, and is one of the reasons the show is so beloved by fans. For some, it was the first time they saw themselves depicted on screen. And that’s the whole point of television, is it not?
Teen Drama #5: Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars, starring Kristen Bell, centers on the life of a young girl who becomes involved in her father’s private investigator business to solve the murder of her best friend. After helping catch her friend’s killer, Mars realizes she has a knack for detective work and decides to continue taking on cases. All while dealing with the trials and tribulations that come with being a high school student. That’s right, folks. In addition to catching criminals and solving crimes, Mars is your typical high school student whose problems extend to things such as boy troubles, friendship break-ups, and maneuvering through social cliches. And who says you can’t do it all?
Although not entirely realistic, Veronica Mars is a fun, mystifying watch bound to keep you on your toes every episode. Known as the springboard for Bell’s career, the show ran for four seasons. In 2014, it became a movie, and in 2019, a fourth season was released. This revival helped wrap up storylines and finalize endings after the series was prematurely canceled back in 2007. If you’re looking for a low-stakes detective show to make your next watch, look no further!
Conclusion
Love all of these recommendations already? If you’re looking for more teen drama recommendations, click here!
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