15 TV Shows like Gilmore Girls
Lee
Lee is an avid 80's action fan classing 300, Predator and Terminator among his favourites. When he's not binging movies he can be found keeping fit, attending Comic Con and wearing Star Wars socks of all things.
If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan who’s watched the TV show more times than you can count and can quote each episode word for word, you’re probably looking for something to fill the void now that the show is over.
Luckily, I can help.
In this article, I’ll show you 15 TV shows you can binge your way through between visits to Al’s Pancake World (or whatever cuisine he chooses this week)… If you know, you know.
Check out the list below, choose a show, put your feet up with your favourite drink and relax.
The second to last show on this list is my favourite, and I’ve watched it more times than I’d like to admit.
Heartland
Based on Lauren Brooke’s book series of the same name, the show is set in Alberta, Canada and follows Amy, who loses her mother in an accident. Amy decides to carry on working with abused horses in the hope of rehabilitating them.
But her life changes yet again when her estranged father and sister arrive at her doorstep.
What do they want? You’ll have to check out the show to find out.
The show is wholesome, full of loveable characters, and set in a small town, just like Gilmore Girls.
Amber Marshall stars in the show; she’s known for Love In Harmony Valley, Hudson, Mutant World, Dark Oracle, and Resident Evil: Apocalypse. She’s joined by Shaun Johnston, Michelle Morgan, Chris Potter, and Graham Wardle.
Bunheads
Bunheads is Amy Sherman-Palladino’s second TV show after she finished working on Gilmore Girls. If you loved the clever humour in Gilmore Girls, Bunheads is the show for you.
It follows an ex-ballerina whose life has hit a dead end, leaving her teaching dance to a group of eccentric teenagers.
The show is full of Gilmore-isms and has some fantastic story arcs; it’ll be more than enough to keep you occupied after Gilmore Girls.
The show stars Kaitlyn Jenkins, Sutton Foster, Julia Goldani Telles, and Bailey De Young.
Virgin River
In this romantic American drama, Melinda, a nurse practitioner, decides to uproot her life and move from Los Angeles to a small remote town in Northern California.
However, when she arrives in the town, she’s shocked by who and what she finds there.
Virgin River has over 42 episodes, leaving you with plenty to binge-watch while you’re trying to get over Gilmore Girls finishing.
The show shares similar themes and has a long list of complicated romantic relationships to sink your teeth into.
Alexandra Breckenridge stars in the show alongside Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson, and Annette O’Toole.
Derry Girls
Set during the troubles in Derry, Northern Ireland, during the 1990s, Derry Girls follows five young girls and their cousin as they try to navigate their way around a Catholic high school.
The show is funny, light-hearted, and has a brilliant female-led cast, just like Gilmore Girls.
While there is only three seasons worth of episodes, it should be more than enough to keep you busy while you take a break between watching episodes of Gilmore Girls.
The show stars Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Lisa Mcgee, Dylan Llewellyn, and Nicola Coughlan.
Parenthood
The Braverman family is having a rough time living in California. They struggle with marriage, raising their children, and being there for each other through tough times.
While Sarah Braverman (the show’s lead) isn’t Lorelai Gilmore, they do share some similarities. Her easygoing personality and witty remarks are enough to make her feel familiar.
However, I do want to warn you; you’ll need to break out the tissues for this one; it can be a tear-jerker.
The show stars Lauren Graham, Peter Krause, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, and Erika Christensen.
Younger
40-year-old single mother Liza is thought to be younger than she is. She takes the chance to kickstart her career in the publishing sector. While she has the opportunity, she decides to rekindle her love life as a 26-year-old.
Talk about a complicated way to live your life.
The show is full of Rory-like literary references, giving it a similar feeling to Gilmore Girls.
Starring in this TV show is Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar, Nico Tortorella, and Peter Hermann.
Dead To Me
Jen has recently lost her husband due to a hit and run, and she’s determined to solve the crime no matter what.
While she’s attending a support group, she meets Judy, who is the polar opposite of Jen, but the pair hit it off. After a few bottles of wine, the pair bond, but Judy is harbouring a secret which could destroy both their lives.
The dark comedy show is slightly different to Gilmore Girls, but Judy and Jen’s relationship does remind me of the “mother-daughter” relationship between Alexis and Lauren Gilmore.
This hit show stars Linda Cardellini, Christina Applegate, James Marsden, Natalie Morales, and Sam McCarthy.
Insecure
If you enjoyed the “togetherness” of the two Gilmore Girls, then you’ll enjoy what Insecure brings to the table.
Best friends Molly and Issa have similar backgrounds and belong in the same social circles. If they face any problems, they always face them together.
Will the two manage to navigate the tribulations a modern-day African-American woman faces? Start watching to show to find out.
Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, and Lisa Joyce star in this show.
Jane The Virgin
Jane Villanueva vows to keep her virginity until she’s married; however, after a medical slip-up leaves her pregnant, she’s forced to re-evaluate her life.
But, to make matters even more complicated, she discovers the biological father of her unexpected pregnancy is her boss (and former crush)… yep, it got even worse.
If this isn’t enough to make you want to watch the show, you’ll love the relationship drama that comes along with it; it feels very Gilmore Girls-esque.
This TV show stars Gina Rodriguez, known for Miss Bala, Someone Great, Deepwater Horizon, Lost Ollie, Scoob!, Annihilation, and Awake. Joining her are Justin Baldoni, Yael Grobglas, Jaime Camil, and Andrea Navedo.
Schitt’s Creek
Looking for a show with the same small-town atmosphere as Gilmore Girl’s Stars Hollow? Schitt’s Creek is the TV show for you.
The show follows a married couple who find themselves bankrupt and are forced to move to an “ugly” small town called Schitt’s Creek.
With over 80 episodes, there’s plenty to keep you entertained while you try to take your mind off of Gilmore Girls.
Eugene Levy stars in the show; he’s known for American Pie, A Mighty Wind, Second City Television, Best In Show, Bringing Down The House, and Cheaper By The Dozen 2.
Queen Sugar
Queen Sugar tells the story of an estranged family in Louisiana who must put their differences aside when a family tragedy strikes so they can look after their family’s sugar cane farm.
However, things won’t be easy for the family as not only do they need to put up with each other but also their Aunt Violet, who looks after the farm.
This show is one of Oprah Winfrey’s biggest productions and is a must-watch for all Gilmore Girls fans who loved watching the family dynamics in the show.
The show stars Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, Rutina Wesley, Omar J Dorsey, Bianca Lawson, and Ethan Hutchison.
This Is Us
This is Us is an American family drama following several characters whose lives unexpectedly intertwine.
There is Jack and his pregnant wife (who’s pregnant with triplets) as they move to their new home in Pittsburgh. Along with Randall, a New York-based businessman, raising two daughters with his wife. And several other individuals from other walks of life.
The show shares some similar cast members as Gilmore Girls, such as Milo Ventimiglia. He’s joined by Chrissy Metz, Sterling K Brown, Mandy Moore, Justin Hartley, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Chris Sullivan.
The Guardian News says the show “swings from sharp and funny to a punch in the aorta.”
The O.C
Enjoy the sarcastic humour and snappy humour in Gilmore Girls? If so, you’ll love The O.C.
The O.C. follows Ryan Atwood, a young boy who’s adopted by his wealthy relatives who live a totally different life from what he’s used to. Can Ryan adjust to the high-class lifestyle? Or will the others in his new world give him a hard time?
While the show shares similar themes to Gilmore Girls, it does tackle more serious issues such as poverty, classism, and culture clashing.
Empire Online rated the show 4 out of 5 stars and stated, “It’s trash, of course, but quality trash” sounds exactly what you need, right?
The O.C. stars Mischa Barton, Ben McKenzie, Rachel Bilson, and Adam Brody.
New Girl
New Girl follows newly single school teacher Jessica Day as she tries to rebuild her life after a toxic relationship.
She moves into a loft apartment with three single guys, and they find her way of living impacts all of their lives in ways they’d never imagined.
The show is like Gilmore Girls as it has a brilliant collection of recurring characters, romances, friendships, and fast-paced humour. It’s an excellent show to watch if you want a show to fill the hole in your heart after Gilmore Girls.
I highly recommend this one.
The show stars Zooey Deschanel, Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone, Jake Johnson, and Lamorne Morris.
Hart Of Dixie
OK, hear me out on this one. While this show isn’t overly similar to Gilmore Girls, it shares a similar “small town” setting.
Hart Of Dixie follows Dr Zoe Hart, a New York medical practitioner who decides to take over her father’s practice in Alabama after he passes away.
However, when she arrives in Bluebell, Alabama, she struggles to adjust to the southern lifestyle more than she expected.
Starring in Hart Of Dixie is Rachel Bilson, Wilson Bethel, Cress Williams, Scott Porter, Jaime King, and Kaitlyn Black.
