Whether you’re still reeling from the gritty glamour of Euphoria or nestling in for an autumn rewatch of Rory’s travails in Gilmore Girls, these days we’re investing serious screen time in the lives of fictional teenagers.

Adolescence has always been ripe for exploration, the topic of many a coming-of-age novel and slapstick comedy, but in 2023 there’s a rich and ever-growing seam of complex, diverse stories to be watched and enjoyed by young people and grown-ups alike. We’re reliving the exquisite embarrassment of living in a changing body in Sex Education, fighting the fires of first love in The Summer I Turned Pretty and getting giddy over stolen glances in Heartstopper.

Our love for the teen drama is no doubt rooted in nostalgia; they allow us to escape into a time when we had fewer responsibilities, felt all our feelings unapologetically and our worries amounted to unrequited crushes and playground cliques. But there’s also been a welcome shift towards treating this tender life stage with the gravitas and respect it deserves, and drawing out the lessons we can learn from it, no matter our age.

In need of some inspiration for your next comfort watch? Look no further than our pick of the best teen TV shows to catch up on now.

9 of the best TV shows to indulge your inner teen