9 Shows to Hold You Over Until ‘Euphoria’ Season 2 Premieres
We know we’re not alone in eagerly anticipating the return of Euphoria. The breakout teen drama premiered in summer 2019 to much acclaim, and the fanfare — and fan embrace — haven’t stopped. The many ways the show’s makeup and wardrobe inspired the Euphoria faithful still flood social media.
Season two was set to premiere in 2020, but the pandemic halted production. Thankfully, we’ve gotten two bridge episodes to hold us over, each individually focusing on Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer), respectively.
Now, finally, it seems the sophomore season is within arm’s reach. This past week, Zendaya celebrated the two-year anniversary of Euphoria with an Instagram post that featured a new clip of Rue and Jules locking eyes from across the school hallway, with the caption, “Happy 2 year @euphoria anniversary… see you soon😊.” While we all patiently wait for it to drop, here’s a list of teen dramas to hold you over until then.
These nine series have at least some if not all the qualities we love about Euphoria, from drama and teen angst, to a unique wardrobe aesthetic and complex interpersonal relationships.
Euphoria, Season 1, Streaming Now, HBO Max
Betty (HBO Max)
Betty is a refreshing and unique dramedy that breaks through the very male-dominated world of skateboarding, with a friend group of young girls who love to skateboard. The show feels very much in the present, between the familiar outfits and Gen-Z slang, all rolling against the backdrop of the streets and parks of New York City. You’ll wish you could be a part of this effortlessly cool group of gals. And you don’t need to worry about waiting for the next season once you binge the first; the second season just dropped on HBO.
Skins (Hulu)
If there’s one thing that Skins tells its viewers, it’s that, in the words of Cat Stevens, “Baby it’s a wild world.” Following three different ‘generations’ over the span of six years, Skins introduced an eclectic ensemble cast whose lives and problems intertwined to create some serious teen drama. Considered controversial by some, there’s no denying the show’s willingness to discuss serious topics such as drug abuse, sexual assault and eating disorders, among other real and impactful teen issues.
Veronica Mars (Hulu)
Veronica Mars has an avid following; when the show was cancelled, fans crowdfunded a movie to be made years later and a new original season of the show premiered in 2019 on Hulu. That loyal fanbase is not without good reason, as it’s hard not to fall in love with Kristen Bell’s Veronica Mars, a smart and strong young woman who get things done. She’s a student/detective who helps her father with his cases while also trying to solve the murder of her best friend. If you’re into mysteries and crime shows but with a teen twist, you’ll quickly understand its appeal.
Genera+ion (HBO Max)
Between the cute clothes, amazing soundtrack and colorful characters, Genera+ion is a worthy rival to Euphoria. The show, which also streams on HBO Max, puts queer visibility front and center, following a group of high school students as they deal with their sexuality and identity in a conservative town. Justice Smith, best known for The Get Down and Detective Pikachu, plays Chester, a vibrant and witty character you don’t want to skip out on.
Love, Victor (Hulu)
Set in the world of the popular movie Love, Simon, this is a trying but heartwarming sho about self-discovery. The series follows Victor (Michael Cimino) as he moves to a new town and grapples with his sexual orientation and adjusting to a new environment. When things get too difficult, he knows he can write to Simon (Nick Robinson), who helps him navigate his ever-changing life.
Greek (Freeform/Amazon Prime/Hulu)
Greek is set right after high school and follows college freshman, Rusty (Jacob Zachar), as he tries to reinvent himself and enter the ranks of Greek life, alongside his older sister Casey (Spencer Grammer), who attends the same university. There aren’t many shows that center around life during college, and the drama of Greek life mixed with the often clownish behavior is engrossing.
Grand Army (Netflix)
You’ll love Grand Army for its diverse and dynamic cast, with characters like Leila Kwan Zimmer (Amalia Yoo), a Chinese-American freshman, who was adopted by a Jewish couple; and Siddhartha “Sid” Pakam (Amir Bageria), a closeted gay Indian-American senior on the swim team. The teen drama follows them along with three other students attending a Brooklyn high school as they navigate topics of rape culture, sexual identity and racism.
13 Reasons Why (Netflix)
If you’re looking for a show to bring the drama and tears, this should be next on your watchlist. The controversial show is based on the bestselling novel of the same name and features Selena Gomez as an executive producer. The show is definitely not for the faint of heart as it centers around the aftermath of the *trigger warning* suicide and rape of Hannah Baker, but the mystery and intrigue to the chain of events that leads to her death will have you bingeing the entire series.
Awkward (MTV)
If you’re in the mood for something with a bit more of a comedic factor, Awkward could be the watch for you. We’re talking about a show that starts off with an entire school misreading social outcast Jenna’s (Ashley Rickards) accident as a suicide attempt. Thus, Jenna is unintentionally thrust into popularity and she needs to learn how to process this newfound limelight while still being, well, awkward.
