Sometimes you want to watch a television show to de-stress and unwind, and other times you want to watch a show with a fiery, witty female cast. These shows have a little something for everyone: both cozy autumnal vibes and memorable female characters.
- Gilmore Girls
We have to start with the most iconic fall-themed tv show. Gilmore Girls is an early 2000s sitcom with a dedicated fanbase, mainly because of how unique and intelligent the two female characters leading the cast are. Rory is the bookish introvert to her mother, Lorelai’s impulsive, extrovert personality, and the pair are essentially best friends, raising each other in a small town. This town is Stars Hollow, a place that is right out of a picturesque New England catalog, complete with the landscape always being autumn-themed. Nearly every episode of the show features pumpkins, hot coffee, cozy sweaters, and cold weather. Gilmore Girls is now available to watch on Netflix.
- The Witches of East End
This underrated CW show was tragically cut short after only two seasons. It’s based on the novel by Melissa de la Cruz, a fabulous authoress, and features an almost exclusively female cast except for two male characters. The series follows the adventures of the Beauchamp family: a mother, her daughters, and the mother’s sisters, all of whom are witches with various abilities. Unlike most tv shows nowadays that feature witches, the main characters in this one are all adults, with the daughters being in their early thirties. This gives the show more adult, mature vibes similar to the show Charmed. What I personally loved about this show were the unique plot lines, intricate worldbuilding, and beautiful relationships between the witches. If you’re a fan of The Vampire Diaries or Practical Magic, then this is the show for you! The Witches of East End is currently available to stream on Hulu.
- Only Murders in the Building
While this show has a predominantly male cast, the one main female character, played by Selena Gomez, carries the entire show in my opinion. Gomez plays the character of Mabel Mora, a sarcastic and sly young woman trying to help her new friends solve a murder mystery that takes place in their apartment building. This show just began premiering on Hulu and is already renewed for a second season! The mystery vibes are ideal for fall, and if that doesn’t convince you, then Gomez’s autumnal wardrobe on the show certainly will.
- Anne With An E
If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic autumnal tv show that reminds you of your childhood, then Anne With An E is the perfect watch for you. This underrated period drama on Netflix follows the plot of the Anne of Green Gables book series with some modern revisions. The casting is perfect, the filming locations are stunning (and very autumnal!), and each episode hooks you in right away. In the show, the main female protagonist, Anne Shirley Cuthbert, is a smart and brazen feminist who never hesitates to stand up for her friends and family. As someone who wasn’t a fan of the books when I was growing up, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly this modern remake entranced me. This show tackles themes of feminism, LGBTQ+ identity, colonialism, racism, and classism.
- Outlander
If you’re looking for a more mature tv show based on a popular book series, then look no further than Outlander. I binge-read all the books, and there is something just so magical about it! As a side note, I was lucky enough to attend a talk by the author of the books, Diana Gabaldon, at a Washington D.C. book festival a few years back, and it was utterly fascinating. You can tell that Gabaldon is so passionate about the fanbase and her research for the series. The tv show does a phenomenal job adapting the books to screen, especially when it came to the casting. The main characters are Claire and Jamie, two star-crossed lovers that are from separate time periods. While there is a romance at the heart of the show, the viewer is mostly following Claire, a brilliant nurse who finds herself in the middle of Scotland during the eighteenth-century rebellions. The show takes place all over the Scottish highlands in blustery cold weather ideal for an autumn-themed tv show. The costumes for this show alone scream fall! Outlander is currently available to watch on Netflix.
