Romantic TV shows are always binge-worthy. There are no exceptions to this. None at all. We love every single one, but we thought long and hard about our favorites – the ones you absolutely must watch. And we’ve even got where you can watch them. So, don’t wait any longer and find your next love right here. Check them out now!
Outlander (2014-)
Starring: Caitriona Balfe, Sam Heughan and Duncan Lacroix
It’s the year 1946, just after World War 2. So combat nurse Claire heads to the Scottish Highlands with her husband Frank. The plan is for it to be a second honeymoon, to reignite the love. But suddenly, Claire is no longer in 1946. It’s now 1743. Whilst trying to escape Black Jack Randall, she finds herself captured by a gang of Scottish outlaws. Her only chance of safety lies in Jamie Fraser, a gallant Scot warrior.
Fun Fact: The Outlander books are an ongoing series, started in 1991 by the author Diana Gabaldon. Now, its on book nine which is set for release on the 23rd of November 2021. Diana got inspiration for the Outlander books from watching The War Games, a classic Doctor Who serial.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
Starring: Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, Kwak Dong-yeon, Park Gyu-young, Jang Gyu-ri from fromis_9
Moon Gang-tae lives with his older brother Moon Sang-tae. They have been constantly moving from place to place after Sang-tae witnessed the death of their mother. Gang-tae starts working in a psychiatric ward, where he meets the famous children’s book author, Ko Moon-young. She develops a romantic attraction for Gang-tae and goes to extreme lengths to get his attention.
Fun Fact: This marks Kim Soo-hyun’s first lead role in a TV series since he was discharged from the South Korean military in July 2019.
Away (2020)
Starring: Hilary Swank, Josh Charles, Vivian Wu, Mark Ivanir
The first crewed expedition to Mars. It features an international crew: a Chinese chemist, a British botanist, a Russian cosmonaut, an Indian medical officer and American commander Emma Green. However, the crew members do not trust Emma’s ability to command after her response to a crisis at the very beginning.
Fun Fact: Although the writers had planned for Away to have three seasons, Netflix cancelled it after one.
Image credit: Netflix
Chesapeake Shores (2021)
Starring: Meghan Ory, Barbara Niven and Laci J Mailey
It’s been years since Abby O’Brien Winters set foot in Chesapeake Shores. The Maryland town her father built has too many sad memories and Abby has too few spare moments – thanks to her demanding Wall Street career, her crumbling marriage and energetic daughters. Then a panicked phone call from her youngest sister brings her racing back home to protect Jess’ dream of renovating the charming Inn at Eagle Point. But returning means reuniting with the man she left ten years ago.
Fun Fact: Although it is set on the east coast in Maryland, it’s actually filmed on Vancouver Island.
Modern Love (2020-)
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Tina Fey and Andy Garcia
Based on the New York Times column of the same name, Modern Love follows “love in its multitude of forms – including sexual, romantic, familial, platonic, and self love.” Each episode follows a new couple.
Fun Fact: The New York Times column that it is based on has been running since 2004 and receives more than 9000 submissions each year.
Ginny & Georgia (2021)
Starring: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Felix Mallard, Sara Waisglass
Ginny Miller is a 15-year-old girl who is more mature than her 30-year-old mother Georgia. In a New England town, Georgia decides to settle down with Ginny and her son Austin to give them a better life than she had.
Fun Fact: Antonia Gentry, who plays Ginny, is actually 23; Brianna Howey, who plays Georgia, is actually 32.
Image credit: Netflix
Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Phyllis Logan, Elizabeth McGovern
The beloved Crawley family and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the king and queen of England soon unleashes scandal, romance and intrigue. Which leaves the future of Downton hanging in the balance.
Fun Fact: The house where the series is filmed is the Highclere Castle and it’s been occupied by the Carnavon family since 1679. You can tour it in the summer and hire it for private events and weddings.
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
Starring: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Melissa McCarthy, and Keiko Agena
The series focuses on witty “thirty-something” mother Lorelai Gilmore and her intellectual teenage daughter Rory. After Lorelai become pregnant with Rory at 16 by her childhood boyfriend Christopher Hayden her feelings of familial alienation increased. Which motivated her to take one-year-old Rory away to a close-knit town named Stars Hollow.
Fun Fact: Gilmore Girls was Alexis Bledel’s first big acting job. Prior to this, she had only starred in one movie with an uncredited role.
Dash & Lily (2020-)
Starring: Austin Abrams, Midori Francis, Dante Brown
During the Christmas holiday season, two teenagers – Dash and Lily – living in New York City develop mutual romantic feelings as they open up to each other by trading messages as well as dares in a notebook around a multitude of locations.
Fun Fact: The series is based on Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan.
Grey’s Anatomy (2005-)
Starring: Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr.
The series follows the life of Meredith Grey, the daughter of the famous general surgeon Ellis Grey, starting from her acceptance into the surgical residency program at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. During her time as an intern, she works alongside fellow physicians who struggle to balance their personal lives with hectic schedules and stressful residency requirements.
Fun Fact: Grey’s Anatomy wasn’t the original title of the show. The name was changed three times – it was Doctors, then Surgeons, and then Complications.
Sweet Magnolias (2020)
Starring: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley and Jamie Lynn Spears
Three South Carolina women, who have been best friends since childhood, shepherd each other through the complexities of romance, career, and family. There’s: Maddie Townsend, a recently separated woman with three children; Dana Sue Sullivan, a chef and owner of a restaurant called Sullivan’s; and Helen Decatur, an accomplished attorney.
Fun Fact: It is based on the novel by Sherryl Woods, who wrote the much-loved Chesapeake Shores series.
Image credit: Netflix
Virgin River (2019-)
Starring: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Tim Matheson
Virgin River follows Melinda ‘Mel’ Monroe, the protagonist of the first book. She answers an ad to work as a nurse practitioner and midwife in the remote Virgin River town, thinking it will be the chance of a fresh start and the opportunity to leave her painful memories behind. But it’s not quite what she expected.
Fun Fact: Despite Virgin River being set in California, the seasons were filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada. Mel’s cabin is actually the former caretaker’s house in Vancouver’s Murdo Frazer Park. And the doctor’s surgery where Mel works is also a real place in Vancouver. Meanwhile, Jack’s bar is Watershed Grill in Branckendale by the Squamish River, to the North of Vancouver.
Image credit: Netflix
Poldark (2015-2019)
Starring: Aidan Turner, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jack Farthing
In 1783, Captain Ross Vennor Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to his home of Nampara in Cornwall after three years in the army. But while he was away, a lot of things changed at his home.
Fun Fact: Aiden Turner, who plays Ross Poldark, and Phil Davis, who plays Jud Paynter, both appeared as regulars in Being Human. But they never shared the screen togther.
Jane The Virgin (2014-2019)
Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Andrea Navedo, Yael Grobglas
Jane Gloriana Villanueva’s vow to save her virginity until marriage is threatened when a doctor mistakenly artificially inseminates her during a checkup. The biological father is a married man, former playboy, and a cancer survivor. And he also is the new owner of the hotel where she works.
Fun Fact: Jane the Virgin recieved four Golden Globe nominations: Best Performance By An Actress on Television – Musical or Comedy, Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. And in 2015 Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress.
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
Starring: Gong Yoo, Lee Dong Wook, Kim Go Eun, Yoo In Na, Yook Sungjae of BtoB
Kim Shin was once a decorated army general from the Goryeo Dynasty. But after being framed as a traitor, he is killed and cursed to stay immortal forever, enduring the pain of seeing his loved ones die. The only way to put an end to it is to find the Goblin’s Bride. Ji Eun-tak is bright and bubbly despite her tragic life. She summons the Goblin by accident and now their fates are entwined.
Fun Fact: In one of the episodes, Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo) is screaming over a movie. The movie he was watching was Train to Busan, which stars Gong Yoo as the lead.
Love Victor (2020-)
Starring: Michael Cimino, Rachel Hilson and Anthony Turpel
Victor is a new student at Creekwood High School on his own journey of self-discovery. He’s facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city and struggling with his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him navigate his troubles at high school.
Fun Fact: Love, Victor is inspired by and set in the same world as the 2018 film Love, Simon.
Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Starring: Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun-joong, Kim Bum, Kim Joon and Kim So-eun
Shinhwa Group is one of South Korea’s largest conglomerates and is headed by the strict and arrogant chairwoman. Her son Gu Jun-pyo is heir to the Shinhwa Group and leads the F4 – the most popular and powerful group of boys at the prestigious Shinhwa High School. An ultra-elite school exclusive to the richest families in Korea. Yoo Ji-hu, So Yi-jung and Song Woo-bin make up the rest of the F4. But then Geum Jan-di, who is not rich, gets a scholarship at the exclusive school.
Normal People (2020)
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Paul Mescal and Desmond Eastwood
Connell and Marianne grew up in the same town, but the similarities end there. At school, Connell is popular and well liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when they strike up a conversation, something life changing begins. A year later, as she veers into self-destruction and he begins to search for meaning elsewhere, each must confront how far they are willing to go to save the other.
Fun Fact: Based on the book Normal People by Sally Rooney.
Bridgerton (2020-)
Starring: Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Jonathan Bailey, Claudia Jessie
Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister – the lovely and almost-on-the-shelf Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth – it’s all an elaborate ruse to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy suitors now that it seems the duke has declared her desirable. And yet, despite their courtship being a sham, somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke.
Fun Fact: The Bridgerton family children are named A-H in birth order: Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, and Hyacinth.
Image credit: Netflix
Firefly Lane (2021)
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Sarah Chalke, Ben Lawson, Beau Garrett
It’s 1974 and the summer of love is drawing to a close. Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the secondary school social food chain. Then Tully Hart, the girl all the boys want to know, moves in across the street and wants to be her best friend. They become inseparable and they vow that their friendship will last forever. For thirty years, they have stayed true to that vow. But when tragedy strikes, their relationship is tested.
Fun Fact: Firefly Lane is based on a book written by Kristin Hannah.
Image credit: Netflix
Emily In Paris (2020)
Starring: Lily Collins, Ashley Park, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lucas Bravo
Emily is a driven 20-something American from Chicago who moves to Paris for an unexpected job opportunity. She is tasked with bringing an American point of view to a venerable French marketing firm. However, her life isn’t easy as cultures clash and she adjusts to the challenges of life in Paris. As well as juggling her career, new friendships and love life.
Fun Fact: Emily in Paris was Netflix’s most-watched show in 2020, although it was quickly surpassed by Bridgerton in 2021.
Image credit: Netflix
Too Hot To Handle (2020-)
Starring: Desiree Burch (narrator)
Too Hot To Handle is a reality TV dating game show. 10 adults – all of whom primarily engage in meaningless flings and are unable to form long-lasting relationships – are placed together in a house for four weeks. They are bound by a set of rules – for example no kissing. The contestants start with a $100,000 grand prize that gets reduced any time a rule is broken.
Fun Fact: The Seinfeld episode, “The Contest”, served as inspiration for this show.
Image credit: Netflix
Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)
Starring: Lee Min Ho, Jun Ji Hyun, Shin Hye Sun, Lee Hee Joon and Shin Won Ho of Cross Gene
During the search for his mother, Heo Joon-jae becomes a con artist with the help of his mentor Jo Nam-doo and computer hacking genius Tae-oh. On a holiday to Spain, Joon-jae comes into contact with a mysterious woman who breaks into his hotel room. And he’s intrigued by her real and valuable jadeite bracelet. But when he returns to Seoul, he finds part of his memory missing – the part where he went to Spain. And then he meets the mysterious woman again.
The L Word (2004-09)
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman
Jenny has just moved to Los Angeles with her boyfriend Tim but then, at a party hosted by Tim’s neighbors, Jenny’s life turns upside down. A brief encounter with Marina – the owner of the local coffeehouse – suddenly has Jenny thrust into a whole new world that makes her question her own sexual orientation.
Fun Fact: The L Word featured television’s first ensemble cast of lesbian and bisexual female characters.
Love Alarm
Starring: Song Kang, Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, Go Min-si
An app that notifies you when someone within a 10-meter radius has romantic feelings for you? Kim Jo-jo is not interested. She’s pretty, smart and cheerful. Meanwhile, Hwang Sun-oh is extremely popular, but both he and his best friend, Lee Hye-young, fall for Jo-jo.
Fun Fact: The Love Alarm app actually exists. Click here to download it now and see who loves you! Sorry Apple users, it’s Android only.
Image credit: Netflix
Sex/Life (2021)
Starring: Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel, Adam Demos, Margaret Odette
A suburban mother of two takes a fantasy-charged trip down memory lane that sets her very married present on a collision course with her wild-child past.
Fun Fact: It is inspired by the book 44 Chapters About 4 Men by BB Easton.
Image credit: Netflix
On My Block (2018)
Starring: Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, and Jessica Marie Garcia
Monsé Finnie is the headstrong leader of her friend group, raised by her father and she’s in love with Cesar Diaz. But Cesar is forced into the life of a gang member after the release of his brother from prison. There’s also Jasmine Flores, who is in love with Ruben “Ruby” Martinez Jr., and Jamal Turner.
Fun Fact: This TV series is the acting debut of Sierra Capri, who plays Monsé.
Image credit: Netflix
Descendants of the Sun (2016)
Starring: Song Joong Ki, Song Hye Kyo, Jin Goo, Kim Ji Won, and Onew from SHINee
Captain Yoo Si-Jin, from South Korean Special Forces, meets Doctor Kang Mo Yeon, who works as a Surgeon at Haesung Hospital in Seoul. He’s instantly attracted to her. Although it’s not easy for them to date. Si-Jin keeps getting called in for duty and their dates keep getting interrupted. So they break up. And eight months later, they are drawn back together in Uruk.
Fun Fact: Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-Kyo, who both played the lead roles, married on October 31, 2017. Although they are now divorced, Descendants of the Sun shows the great chemistry that they had.
This Is Us (2016-)
Starring: Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown
The series follows the lives of siblings Kevin, Kate and Randall, and their parents Jack and Rebecca Pearson. Kevin and Kate are the two surviving members from a triplet pregnancy. So, believing that they were meant to have three children, they decide to adopt Randall – an African American child born the day before and brought to the same hospital after his biological father abandoned him.
Fun Fact: The show was originally going to be called 36 – the age the siblings were at the start of the series.
Crash Landing on You (2019)
Starring: Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Ji-hye
Yoon Se-ri is a South Korean chaebol heiress to the Queen’s Group. Se-ri’s father, who can no longer run business, wants Se-ri to take over in place of her brothers. However, when she is out paragliding, she gets caught in a sudden tornado and blown into North Korea. Its there that she meets Captain Ri Jeong-hyeok.
Fun Fact: Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin are currently dating, so its no wonder that these two had such great chemistry in this K-drama!
