Here Are 13 Juicy Teen Dramas To Binge On Netflix While You Hold Out For Riverdale S2
Netflix is the world’s leading internet television network, offering original series, documentaries and feature films. Watch anytime, anywhere, on any screen.
While you rug up and keep warm indoors waiting for Riverdale to return in October, we’ve put together a go-to list of binge-able juicy teen dramas to keep you tied over.
In the wake of Riverdale’s phenomenal success, there’s a thirst for quality teen drama that must be quenched. After the season one finale left us reeling on an epic cliffhanger, we must distract our brains with more melodramatic content to momentarily quell the suspense. There’s plenty of Netflix teen shows that should keep you absorbed and do the trick until its triumphant return come October 11 when the first of the 22 episode season premieres.
PS. that’s nine more episodes than the first season!!! F*** Yea! The premiere episode is titled: “Chapter Fourteen: A Kiss Before Dying” according to showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa so chew on that until the big day arrives.
So in the meantime – fill the Riverdale shaped hole in your life with these equally as over-dramatic teen shows.
Gossip Girl
Take a trip down memory lane or join the party (very, very late). Gossip Girl’s six-season run delivered enough deliciously salacious action and improbable plot lines to quench your Riverdale thirst for now. Live that g-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s lyf vicariously through the ridiculously good-looking socialites of NYC. GG is definition extra and it’s sexy as hell.
Pretty Little Liars
Following the series finale it’s the perfect time to start or restart PLL. Tbh it will probs take us all multiple binges of the show to ever fully understand what the hell is going on. So there’s no time like the present to dive in!
Seeing as there are 7 seasons of juicy, mysterious intrigue this should keep you thoroughly occupied for a while. Watch beautiful people trapped in a very confusing (but addictive) suburban mystery plot and prepare to become enthralled by your ‘Who-is-A?’ theories.
Skins
Over the seven seasons it seems like each generation of Skins characters is more effed up than the last. Get into Skins for a gritty, crude, R-rated depiction of youth culture. The British TV show has been controversial since its hay-day for glamourising teen lives full of sex, drugs and partying.
Prepare for some dark topic areas (and note that it’s not always dealing with them well) like depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, sexuality, dysfunctional families and bullying. Flaws aside it’s bloody addictive TV.
Dance Academy
Get around this show’s mix of showing off hardcore Dance skills and your basic teen drama plotlines. It’s new, it’s set in Sydney Australia (yeaa boiiii) and it’s easy to get sucked in.
Vampire Diaries
Another CW show, another ridiculously good-looking cast. Except better! Good-looking Vampires.
Reasons to watch this show: draaaaaamaaaaa, awesome flashback sequences, love triangles, magic, gruesome action, hot ‘romance’ scenes plus plot-twists and cliff hangers galore. Once you’re in there’s no looking back.
The Originals
When you’re done with Vamp Diaries, Netflix has you covered with the spin-off series ‘The Originals’. This is the hectic story of the OG vampires and what they’re up to. It’s important to keep up with Klaus while we wait for him and Caroline to have their happy ever after #plz #ship4eva.
Teen Wolf
The Teen Wolf fandom is one of the most passionate on the scene so this could be a black hole of addiction. It’s a great combo of high school drama and super intense, thriller werewolf action. The characters are interesting and the soundtrack is good. Begin the binge.
Shadow Hunters: The Mortal Instruments
That feeling when you realise you’re not a “typical teen” but actually “part of a race of demon-hunting humans who have the blood of angels”. Enough said.
The 100
Serious Hunger Game vibes coming from this dystopian teen drama. It’s easy to get sucked in just by the premise – a futuristic mission that involves a group of 100 teens resettling earth. It’s a very Lord-of-The-Flies-esque situation and it’s pretty damn good. Mystery, danger, and vicious teenagers.
Degrassi: Next Class
This is teen drama in its pure form. No magic or superheros or murder plots, just the dramatic world of high schoolers. The show is teens dealing with sex, drugs, alcohol and general life. You get absorbed into their day-to-day drama very quickly. Plus the show’s been praised for diversity and touching on things like mental health and racism.
13 Reasons Why
As one of the most controversial shows of 2017, it’s worth watching even if to just be part of the conversation. 13 Reasons Why is definitely a unique look into the taboo issue of teen suicide and it’s far from perfect but it’s not all wrong. It makes some valuable points and it’s also undeniably hard to turn off. It deals heavily with suicide, depression and sexual assault so it’s not the right binge-watching choice for everyone.
Gilmore Girls
Seven seasons of fast-paced sarcasm to keep you going. Whether you’re watching or re-watching Gilmore Girls there will always be enough pop culture references in the dialogue to keep you on your toes. Start from the beginning and pay close attention so that you can decide for yourself – who was Rory’s best BF? Or did they all suck? Why do the show writers hate Lane? Why are their clothes so ugly? Many important questions that need to be answered.
Freaks and Geeks
Throwback to the days of young James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel playing high school mates. The show only ran for 18 episodes (tragedy) but it’s still a good time.
Love film and TV? We’re holding our inaugural Video Junkee festival in July, a new annual event for lovers and creators of online video. Video Junkee is on July 28 & 29 at Carriageworks in Sydney, featuring keynotes, masterclasses, screenings, interviews and more. Tickets are on sale now.