14 Shows Like Normal People & Where To Watch Them

Love is one of my absolute favourite series on Netflix, largely due to the fact that it covers the titular subject in a very realistic, no-holds-barred kind of way. Mickey and Gus weave their way in and out of each other's lives throughout the three series, dealing with everything from alcoholism to sex, and love addiction, while remaining in love pretty much all the way through. It's a favourite for a reason.

Watch on Netflix.

Starring Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen, Forever is likely to charm you in the same way as Normal People did. It's about a couple living in American suburbia, living a pretty mundane life, until they take a ski trip that changes things forever. There are plenty of unexpected plot twists, exploring themes of love in the long term, and whether the contentment that lies in the familiar is better than the passion and excitement of the beginning of a relationship.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

Looking for another super intense, powerful love story? The BBC are hitting the book adaptations out of the park at the moment, cue Noughts + Crosses. The series follows a segregated society in which the Crosses reign supreme, and the Noughts are outcasts. So can Callum (a Nought) and Sephy (a Cross) defy the odds to let love win out? Prepare to get emotional with this one, a modern Romeo and Juliet situation.

Watch on BBC iPlayer.

Channel 4's Banana definitely covers a diverse range of intense love to rival that of Normal People – telling the interlinked stories of LGBTQ+ youth in Manchester. Created by Russell T Davies and originally aired on E4 in 2015, 16 years after his original trailblazer Queer As Folk, each of the eight episodes features emerging talent and tackles various issues with wit and sensitivity.

Watch on Channel 4.

Netflix's Easy explores modern love in all it's complicated reality, from dating through to the long term — with plenty of sex for good measure. You'll recognise most of the star-studded cast, including Dave Franco, Emily Ratajkowski, Orlando Bloom, New Girl's Jake Johnson, Glow's Marc Maron and Twilight's Elizabeth Reaser – it's like a who's who of TV royalty.

Watch on Netflix.

Netflix’s 2020 original series is based in Italy on the Adriatic coast, and follows two teenagers from different backgrounds falling in love during one hot summer. It's a different style to Normal People, but is based on a series of books by Federico Moccia, so evokes a similar literary magic.]

Watch on Netflix.

For another British series like Normal People that's centred around love, and a fair bit of grief, try After Life. Created by and starring Ricky Gervais as Tony, it looks at how he's coping in the aftermath of losing his soulmate, dropping all boundaries to do and say what he wants. As is signature with Gervais, it's an astutely observed dark comedy, and arguably his best work in the last decade.

Watch on Netflix.

This romantic series has a fantastical element, so is perfect for the cross-section of Normal People and Harry Potter fans. It follows a couple who have recently broken up, but are now able to teleport back to a time when they were together. Travelling into an alternative reality to avoid heartbreak? Not what the relationship experts would advise, but pretty cool for a couple of hours of TV escapism.

Watch on Netflix.

Another British great by Netflix, Lovesick is about a group of friends living in Glasgow, navigating their love lives. Funny and moving in equal measure, the show begins when one character, Dylan, finds out he has chlamydia and has to get in touch with all of his former sexual partners to let them know. A wild ride, but with that Brit sense of humour that will guarantee you'll fall for it.

Watch on Netflix.

While Normal People follows Connell and Marianne as they move through school and university years, this American series sees a group of friends unite 20 years after they were all studying. And it seems that love — and life in general — is no simpler now than it was back then. A lighthearted watch that features Keegan-Michael Key from comedy duo Key & Peele.

Watch on Netflix.

Modern Love is a series of good solid love stories, based on The New York Times column of the same name. It explores what love looks like in all sorts of different relationships and features some top talent, from Tina Fey to Anne Hathaway, Dev Patel to Julia Garner. Series two has just dropped on Amazon Prime too, meaning there’s plenty more episodes to get stuck into.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

This Is Us was created and directed by the same people that did Crazy, Stupid Love, so you know it's good from the get go. It's already very well-known, but if you've still not watched it yet, now is the time. While the overall vibe is different to Normal People, it still a powerful exploration of love and relationships. Be ready for some cathartic crying.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

Shows like Normal People can be found in all places, including Amazon Prime’s Starzplay, which is the only platform you can catch Zoë Kravitz’s star turn as Rob in the recent TV adaptation of hit novel High Fidelity. Perplexed as to what went wrong in former relationships and wanting to move on with her life, record store owner Rob sets out on a quest to reconnect with former lovers from her past. The only bad thing about High Fidelity is that there’s no series two; the show was cancelled after just ten episodes, much to the dismay of fans.

Watch on Starzplay via Amazon Prime.

Normal People is about a love story that’s real, gritty, and not always easy, and comedian Mae Martin’s Feel Good presents its central romance the same kind of realism. Mae and George fall for each other hard and fast, but face bumps in the road — including addiction — that set things back a little. There are two series out now, both of which are available to watch on Netflix. One of the best British shows to come out of the past two years.

Watch on Netflix.