As the leaves turn their fall colors and the days grow colder, some may be looking for a way to hold onto the last days of summer. One way to do that– even if you don’t have time to get to the beach right now– is to revisit (or catch for the first time!) all the great TV that returned or debuted over the summer. With the writer and actor strike in Hollywood happening over the last couple of months, there may be a delay in future TV releases. So, check out these still-good shows from summer 2023, whether you’re putting them on your rewatch list–or checking them out for the first time.
1. Heartstopper Season two
Based on the highly successful comics of the same name by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper stole everyone’s hearts with their first season. The show sets its scene in a British high school following a LGBTQ+ friend group. These characters became endearing to their audience as they celebrated LGBTQ+ joy. In this season, Heartstopper makes the stakes higher by talking about what comes after high school and diving deeper into some characters’ home lives. Though not as light as the first season, the current season is still a binge-watch waiting to happen since it treats each character with the humanity and respect they deserve.
2. The Summer I Turned Pretty Season two
The Summer I Turned Pretty is another adaptation that became a hit on streaming platforms, but this time from the mind of Jenny Han, author of To All The Boys I Loved Before. This series examines how aging changes childhood friendships and makes them break apart or turn into something new. Sometimes this can mean falling in love with your childhood best friend Conrad only to end up starting something with his brother, Jeremiah. Season two deals with the aftermath of Susannah’s resurgence of cancer and a love triangle about to blow up. What makes the show is that their supporting cast is also spectacular, which means that even if you don’t get sucked into the main plot, there are still other storylines to enjoy. The show is also perfect for a cozy night in and don’t forget the cocoa!
3. XO, Kitty
Another show from the mind of Jenny Han, XO, Kitty puts a side character from To All The Boys I Loved Before, Kitty Song-Covey at the forefront of this show. Per the Jenny Han brand, this show is still seeped in romance and tugs at your heartstrings by examining mother-daughter relationships with both mothers who have passed away and ones who are still here. With the show being in its first season, it’s easily digestible in its 30-40 minute run time and the fully fleshed out personalities of each character makes it even more enjoyable. There’s also no need to watch the previous movies because XO, Kitty smoothly weaves Kitty’s story into each episode. Although this show is a baby, there is no doubt with its quick renewal for season two that it’ll only get bigger and better as time goes on.
4. Never Have I Ever Season four
Moving away from adaptations and spin-offs comes Never Have I Ever in its final season. This show started out as an exploration of what it means to find yourself in high school, despite trying to overcome grief. Now several seasons later, Never Have I Ever still packs a punch with its effortless balance of the comedic and the emotional. Every fan has a character they can relate to and watch as they have a full transformation. The fourth season is very successful in its callbacks to earlier seasons and thoroughly shows the perils of the college admissions process. While this might seem nostalgic for college freshmen, it’ll still warm the hearts of any viewer who’s been through the process and remind you of how far you’ve come. This is a show that deserves a full rewatch from start to finish because its final minutes leave you with a warm feeling in your chest. Truly that feeling can only be fully understood if the viewer has gone along for the ride with the characters over the last several seasons.
This list is like summer itself; it only covers a certain amount of time and then it’s gone in a flash. TV shows only make a certain amount of seasons, but what makes them special is that they’re always at our fingertips like the memories we’ve made just a couple weeks or months ago. Even though school’s back in session, these shows can still be a great escape.