Key Takeaways
Taking a study break: Modern Family—All episodes are under 25 minutes.
Roommate bingewatch: Yellowjackets—Everyone gathers around; there are theories to discuss!
Art majors & creatives: Arcane—You’ll find inspiration around every corner.
Feeling emo: Young Royals—Grab some tissues; tears will be shed!
Alyssa Duong—As the fall semester here at West Chester University begins to ramp up and courseloads become overwhelming, sometimes you need a little break. Self-care is IN this year, and there’s no better way to treat yourself than by curling up with a new, exciting TV show!
Whether you prefer watching alone or with a friend, I have compiled a list of 7 of my favorite underrated shows (both short and long; I’m not here to judge your attention span) that cover a broad range of genres for you to (hopefully) find your next obsession.
1. Yellowjackets
Three words: Trauma, survival, and cannibalism.
Yellowjackets makes the list as a psychological horror/thriller about a high school girl’s soccer team that must survive in the wilderness after their plane crashes on the way to nationals. The series follows two timelines: The wilderness survival timeline and the present-day adult timeline. The wilderness timeline is based in the mid-90s and follows the team after the crash. As the timeline progresses, we begin to see the girls slowly lose their grip on reality. The present-day timeline follows the adult survivors of the crash as they uncover mysteries surrounding their time in the wilderness.
Personally, I recommend Yellowjackets as a TV show to watch on the treadmill when you’re at the Campus Rec Center. It keeps you engaged throughout every episode and motivates you to keep hopping on just to know what happens next! With October just around the corner, Yellowjackets is also a perfect late-night watch to get into the Halloween spirit.
Watch all 3 seasons on Paramount+.
2. Nine Perfect Strangers
If “psycho therapist” is one of your favorite tropes, I promise you will love Nine Perfect Strangers.
Based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, Nine Perfect Strangers explores the traumas of nine individuals who go to a 10-day wellness retreat to transform themselves but quickly begin to realize the woman behind it all may not have the best intentions. Starring major names such as Nicole Kidman and Melissa McCarthy, this 2-part series keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Watch all 2 seasons on Hulu.
3. Dickinson
Dickinson is like if Gen Z and the 19th century had a baby.
Imagine the Victorian era—corsets, traditional gender norms, classic writers, and social classes. Now think about Gen Z’s slang, behaviors, and overall “aura,” if you will. A combination you most likely never thought possible comes to life in Dickinson, starring Hailee Steinfeld as 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson and her experience navigating a very traditional Massachusetts as a not-so-traditional girl.
The comedy-drama series is witty and often feels like a fever dream. I highly recommend this watch for teens or adults who had a rebellious phase, or feminists (heavy on the feminist!).
Watch all 3 seasons on Apple TV.
4. Arcane
For all the art and animation enthusiasts, Arcane is for you.
Arcane is a steampunk action-adventure animated series based on the popular video game League of Legends. Before you judge based on the video game, take it from someone who does not enjoy the game at all, Arcane is one of the most well created shows of all time.
The series explores the tragic lives of Vi and Jinx, two orphan sisters torn apart between the two opposing cities, Piltover and Zaun. As new technology brings danger to Piltover, Zaun is facing a crisis as the corrupt government spreads an addictive drug to the public with detrimental effects, leading to two closer and closer to war.
On top of the intense and eccentric plot, Arcane’s art style is stunning and showcases a profoundly unique visual style that ties into the storytelling incredibly. Even if you aren’t super into fantasy, Arcane has such a compelling plot with art and music that cannot be matched, that anyone could easily find enjoyment in it.
Watch all 2 seasons on Netflix.
5. Lockwood & Co.
Lockwood & Co. is a supernatural detective show that is like if Ghostbusters turned British.
Adapted from the YA book series, Lockwood & Co. follows a ghost-hunting agency in an alternate London overrun with ghosts. Only young people have the ability to sense ghosts, leaving the small agency run entirely by two teenage boys and Lucy, the newest addition to the team after fleeing home.
The show is only 1 season spanning just under 6 hours of content, perfect for those looking for a quick watch over the weekend. Unfortunately, the season does end on a cliffhanger due to Netflix not renewing the show for a second season, but it is still very much worth the watch!
Watch on Netflix.
6. Young Royals
If you’re looking for a good cry, Young Royals is the perfect watch.
The TV series follows Prince Wilhelm of Sweden who was sent off to an elite boarding school. Young Royals is deeply emotional as it follows a forbidden romance trope between the royal Prince Wilhelm and his conversely ordinary classmate, Simon. The Swedish drama follows Wilhelm’s struggles between his pressuring role in the royal family and figuring out who he really is.
Recognized as one of the best queer shows of today, Young Royals’ representation of teenage angst and identity makes it a must-watch for those who love a young coming-of-age and queer storyline.
Watch all 3 seasons on Netflix.
7. Modern Family
Modern Family is the ultimate sitcom to watch for a good laugh with your roommates.
The 250-episode series follows the lives of three interconnected families in the suburbs of LA. Each episode explores the daily lives of the chaotic family dynamics. Additionally, the episodes all follow a similar format, with a few plots being introduced and quickly resolved by the end.
Modern Family is the perfect TV show to throw on in the background while hanging out with friends or getting ready for the day. It’s extremely easy to digest with the episodes only being 20 minutes and easy to follow while still being funny.
And as a tip for you freshmen: This is a great watch to hook up in the TV common lounge of your dorm hall. Students will see it from the windows and come watch, which gives you the perfect opportunity to make new friends (speaking from experience!)
Watch all 11 seasons on Hulu.
Closing Thoughts
Trust me when I say all of these TV shows are worth the time to watch, whether you press play to wind down after a long day of classes, have weekly watch parties with friends, or put on in the background while you finish up some homework. Hopefully at least one of these shows piqued your interest, and it gives you a little something to look forward to when college is feeling a bit stressful.
Now, I want to know: Is there a TV show that you feel like nobody talks about but you love? And most importantly, what are you planning to watch next?