Gen Z-ers are sending viewing figures for these TV shows through the roof – here are the best ones to watch immediately
It's a typical evening in 2007. At 10pm – after yawning my way through another school day – my brain has finally kicked into gear. I celebrate by settling in front of the telly to watch Skins on E4, my thumb poised on the remote in case my parents should walk in during one of the many 'inappropriate' scenes, which – invariably – they did.
For me, school consisted of keeping my head down and praying that teachers never called on me in class. Watching Skins allowed me to vicariously flirt with rebellion; from illegal raves and endless parties to giving my parents the silent treatment à la Effy.
After several reincarnations, Skins finally died out in 2013, leaving behind a cult following of ageing millennials. However, young peoples' fascination with dysfunctional adolescence remained, and streaming giants – including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO – were more than happy to fill the Skins-shaped void left in our lives.
Within one season, HBO's Euphoria went from 577,000 viewers to 1.2 million. When Riverdalemade the move to Netflix in 2017, it's teen audience grew by a whopping 400%. And while Cruel Summer is fast becoming essential binging in the UK, it already broke records in the US when it became the most-watched series debut ever on Freeform, with an average 3.81 million total viewers in it's first week.
Some think that Generation Z (those born after 1996) are driving these shows ratings, and – in doing so – are paving the way for telly that explores teenage issues from a social justice-informed perspective. As Dr Neil Ewen, a Senior Lecturer in Communications at the University of Exeter, points out:
"The pandemic and the climate crisis have led, arguably, to a generation that seems highly politically and socially aware. [...] Like other generations, [Gen Z] will tend to gravitate towards TV shows that address their lived experiences, their fears, and their desires"
Here, GLAMOUR rounds up all the very best shows that Gen Z-ers can't seem to get enough of:
Gen-Z TV shows
- Euphoria
What's it about?
With Zendaya in the lead role, Euphoria was almost destined to be a hit with Gen-Z (and everyone else, for that matter). She plays Rue, a 17-year-old who struggles with substance misuse. After she comes out of rehab, Rue collides with Jules, a transgender girl with a haunted past; Nate, a jock whose anger-management issues threaten to unravel his sexual insecurities; Cassie, whose sexual history is the hot gossip of the town; and many more dysfunctional – yet intensely likeable – characters.You can watch Euphoria on Sky Atlantic.
Gen-Z TV shows
- Aytpical
What's it about?
Sam Gardner – played by Keir Gilchrist – is ready for a relationship (aren't we all?) and the fact that he's on the autistic spectrum isn't going to stop him. At the crux of Aytpical is the question: what does it really mean to be 'normal'? And is it time we abandoned the pursuit of normalcy for good? Spoiler alert: after watching this, you're going to absolutely treasure your individuality, which is quite a feat for a TV show.You can watch Atypical on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Fear Street
What's it about?
Okay, so Fear Street is technically a film trilogy, rather than a TV show. However – due to the fact it's already a Gen-Z cult-classic – we couldn't leave it off the list. Taking place in the aptly-named town of Shadyside (a real place, FYI), Fear Street follows a group of teenagers who unwittingly stir up an ancient evil, which was responsible for a series of murders that have long plagued their town. Two words: compulsive viewing.You can watch Fear Street on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Jane The Virgin
What's it about?
Shock horror: this show revolves around Jane who, yes, happens to be a virgin. Far from the coming-of-age narrative you might expect from such a title, Jane The Virgin follows the chaotic chain of events, which are set in motion after Jane is accidentally artificially inseminated by a careless doctor. If being a pregnant virgin wasn't confusing enough, the biological father also happens to be Jane's teenage crush...Who is now married.You can watch Jane The Virgin on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Grand Army
What's it about?
As gritty as teen dramas get, Grand Army follows five students at the largest public school in Brooklyn who are forced to confront just about every societal injustice going. The first scenes of the show take place in the girls' changing room, as two characters attempt to locate a rogue condom from one of their vaginas. That pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the series, which also tackles racism, terrorism, rape and, poverty.You can watch Grand Army on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Below Deck
What's it about?
As the only reality series that made it onto this (esteemed) list, Below Deck has certainly made quite an impression on Gen Z audiences. The show takes a deep dive into the lives of 'yachties', AKA crew members who happen to work on incredibly luxurious yachts, as they interact with the super-rich and travel to exotic places. With plenty of controversial workplace romances brewing, it really is high-drama.You can watch Below Deck on Netflix and Amazon Prime
Gen-Z TV shows
- Never Have I Ever
What's it about?
Created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, this comedy-drama series follows Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian-American high school student whose attempts to advance her social status at school coincide with with the death of her father. Said to be loosely inspired by Mindy's own childhood experiences, Never Have I Ever has been described as a milestone for South-Asian representation in Hollywood.You can watch Never Have I Ever on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Sex Education
What's it about?
Starring the marvellous Gillian Anderson as the straight-talking sex therapist Dr Jean Milburn, Sex Education follows Otis (played by Asa Butterfield ) and Maeve (Emma Mackey) as they set up a sex-advice clinic. Tackling homophobia, asexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, and so much more, it's not hard to see why this show is such a hit with Gen Zers. The 90s American high-school aesthetic is a winner.You can watch Sex Education on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Outer Banks
What's it about?
Set in a coastal town on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, this show follows a group of teens who are determined to solve the mystery of what happened to the leader of their group's father. Known as 'the Pouges', these working-class teens are starkly divided from the wealthy elite of the town, known as 'the Kooks'.You can watch Outer Banks on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Stranger Things
What's it about?
It may have been the show to jump-start Millie Bobby Brown's career, but that's not the only reason we love it. Stranger Things follows a group of misfit friends who seek to uncover dark governmental plots and supernatural phenomenons, while also dealing with classic coming-of-age dilemmas, such as first kisses and who to invite to the school dance. Also starring our faves, Winona Ryder and David Harbour.You can watch Stranger Things on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- You
What's it about?
In case you haven't already watched You – which, let's face it, you probably have – it follows Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley), a bookstore manager and err, serial killer. Yep, this guy's pretty hard to root for. With a third season set to air in late 2021, there's still time to catch up on the shocking twists of season one and two. If we can offer you one bit of advice though, it would be to watch out for Victoria Pedretti. Seriously...You can watch You on Netflix
Gen-Z TV shows
- Riverdale
What's it about?
Based on the characters of Archie Comics, Riverdale follows Archie Andrews and his friends (including Betty Cooper, played by Lili Reinhart; Jughead Jones, played by Cole Sprouse; and Veronica Lodge, played by Camila Mendes) as they become irreversibly entangled with the various mysterious of their hometown, Riverdale. As well as being full of suspense and drama, Riverdale is also a masterclass in sexual tension, which TBH, is as good a reason as any to cancel your Friday night plans.You can watch Riverdale on Netflix
