This article contains mentions of suicide.
Netflix's Never Have I Ever has concluded after four successful seasons. The story of Devi Vishwakumar and her quest for good grades, love and a sense of identity ended aptly with a well-earned Ivy League admission and a romance with Ben Gross. After this triumphant conclusion, fans have been left wanting more.
Unfortunately, the Mindy Kaling production has come to a definitive end with no hope of another season. The good news is that there are plenty of other similar shows that capture the essence of Never Have I Ever. These shows tell diverse and engrossing stories of first-generation immigrants, school and college life, with the teen angst that viewers can watch to fill the void left behind by Never Have I Ever.
10 Awkward
Awkward begins very similarly to Never Have I Ever, where unpopular teen Jenna Hamilton gets into an accident in her high school. Jenna's life changes when the accident is misread as an attempt to kill herself. Now, she also has to deal with the repercussions of her new reputation in school, just like Devi did in Never Have I Ever after she was temporarily paralyzed.
For viewers who miss John McEnroe's snarky monologue in Never Have I Ever, Jenna's hilarious and original voiceover will scratch that itch. Awkward sets itself apart from other teen shows by realistically depicting peer pressure, a huge part of a teen's life at school. It leaves behind tired old tropes associated with the teen show genre with a refreshingly original protagonist.
9 The Summer I Turned Pretty
Based on the book series by Jenny Han (author of To All The Boys I've Loved Before), The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly Conklin, a 16-year-old teenager, during her summer breaks at Cousins Beach. It focuses on the love triangle between her and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah.
First love, stolen kisses, teen jealousy and debutante balls are peppered liberally throughout the show, perfect for viewers who want to feel the thrill of their teenage years again. The Summer I Turned Pretty is decadent in its production value yet quaint and charming in its inspection of young and old relationships. It's realistic yet dreamy, and the Taylor Swift-inspired soundtrack is a bonus.
8 The Mindy Project
Written by and starring Never Have I Ever creator Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project is not a teen show. It centers on Dr. Mindy Lahiri's life as an immigrant and gynecologist in New York but with a comedic spin. Mindy's romance with Danny and a plethora of other men play a big role in the heartwarming sitcom.
The Mindy Project promises the same brand of humor as well as unique characters who are quirky and entertaining. It is not, by any means, a new story, but Mindy Kaling brings her refreshing take on it, fused with much-needed Indian representation that has become so loved in TV shows lately. What makes The Mindy Project special is that it simultaneously delivers dialogue and stories that are lighthearted and human yet sharp and intelligent.
7 XO, Kitty
A TV spin-off of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, XO Kitty gives Lara Jean's sister, Kitty Song, a chance to take the floor. Kitty may have played a matchmaker in the coming-of-age Netflix movies, but she gets an opportunity to fall in love herself in the show. Like Devi in Never Have I Ever, Kitty can make questionable decisions, like flying to Seoul to meet her long-distance boyfriend.
While Kitty learns some valuable lessons about love, she also reconnects with her roots in Korea. Her struggles to find her identity as an American-born Korean are depicted along with her relationship shenanigans. While a lot of XO, Kitty resembles a K-Drama with tons of romance, it stays cognizant of Kitty's character and background, providing great plots that are relevant today.
6 Ms. Marvel
Ms. Marvel brought MCU Phase 4's most exciting character to life in the best way possible. Pakistani-American Kamala Khan is a normal teenager who lives in Jersey City when she discovers a family heirloom that gives her superpowers. What follows is an unforgettable origin story of how ordinary Kamala becomes the formidable Ms. Marvel.
The show also tackles Islamophobia and the inner lives of Muslims in a lighthearted but grounded manner. Kamala balances her new superhero life with school, homework, friends, boys and strict parents in a funny but ultimately graceful way, even journeying back to her native Pakistan to find answers. It is easily the most layered show that the MCU has created in a long time, going beyond heroics and touching upon things that matter.
5 Sex Education
Sex Education isn't just another steamy Netflix show -- it's a charming exploration of teens exploring their sexualities and learning from their mistakes in high school. The school setting and the authentic portrayals of teen angst make it a compelling series. And like Never Have I Ever, it also features diverse stories.
In Sex Education, Otis is the son of a sex therapist, through whom he learns about the act, despite being a virgin himself. He opens a sex therapy clinic with Maeve to help his fellow students solve their romantic problems with his knowledge. While it sounds bizarre on paper, the series' unique premise makes for a funny and thought-provoking watch about young adults and how much havoc hormones can wreak.
4 The Sex Lives Of College Girls
For viewers who want to graduate from Never Have I Ever's high school setting to college, The Sex Lives Of College Girls is a natural progression. The drama revolves around four college roommates who decide to make the best of their newfound freedom at Essex College. What ensues there is total chaos.
From sassy Indian-origin Bella to wealthy Leighton, who is a part of the LGBTQ+ community, the show keeps the cast diverse. The Sex Lives Of College Girls is a raucous ride into college life but mainly serves as an ode to female friendship and young womanhood. The girls may be terrible at balancing classes, love stories, friendships and money, but the sharp writing keeps it as honest as it is fun.
3 Derry Girls
Created by Lisa McGee, Derry Girls is a high school show that rewinds to the mid-1990s in a small Irish town called Derry. Erin, Orla, Clare, and Michelle navigate popularity, prom, and the tedium of a small town in their own unique and amusing ways. Derry Girls is distinctive as it maps out teenhood in a world before the existence of social media.
The girls are razor sharp and clever, but mischievous, much like Devi and her friends Fabiola and Eleanor in Never Have I Ever. The characterizations in the show are phenomenal, and fans of the teen genre would love it. The performances of each actor, coupled with smart comedic writing, make Derry Girls a winning formula.
2 Heartstopper
Nothing is as full of anguish, tears and pain as teenage love, but nothing is quite as exhilarating as it either. Charlie, an openly gay teen, finds friendship in Nick, who at first appears to be straight in Heartstopper. Their friendship evolves as they realize that the feelings between them could be more than platonic.
Heartstopper eschews outdated tropes about closeted gay people, instead opting to show a truly soft and adorable relationship between the two boys. Nick and Charlie are younger than Devi, so there is a larger focus on emotions and sweetness, but the result is a charming one, nonetheless. The show strikes the right balance between inclusivity and heart-stopping young love in its debut season.
1 We Are Lady Parts
Created, written and directed by Nida Manzoor, We Are Lady Parts is a daring and engaging watch. It revolves around Amina, a Ph.D. student who is ready to get married, but life has other plans for her. Everything changes when she is invited to become a part of an all-female Muslim punk rock band called Lady Parts as their guitarist.
Grappling with the rules her culture and family follow, Amina sets out to achieve her rock 'n' roll dreams as she comes of age. The show is as sweet, amusing and delightful as Never Have I Ever, with an equally arresting female lead. It offers a peek into the lived reality of Muslim women in a humorous but provocative way, and each eccentric character adds their own individual charm to the story.