Based on the adult manga of the same name, Fishbowl Wives is a recent Japanese series on Netflix. The narrative mainly deals with concepts of marriage and adultery. The main characters include six women dissatisfied with their marriages who meet in a luxury apartment and test out new relationships. As infidelity is thrown in the mix, chaos ensues.
Because of its premise and core themes, Fishbowl Wives is bound to impress viewers of human dramas that deal with strained relationships and failed marriages. Such shows end up being either heavily entertaining or distressing.
The World Of The Married (2020) - Stream On Netflix
While usual opinions about K-Dramas stereotype them as cheery romances, The World of the Married is a South Korean series that offers a mature and dark take on adult relationships. As a husband and a wife end up betraying each other, the couple goes down a rabbit hole of lies and deceit.
The similarity between Fishbowl Wives and The World of the Married is the concept of infidelity. At the same time, both shows capture the frustrated perspective of a betrayed wife. In the latter, it is only when the wife in question discovers her husband’s adultery that she unleashes her plan to take him down.
The Affair (2014-2019) - Stream On Prime Video
As the title suggests, The Affair deals with the extramarital affair between a grieving waitress and a struggling writer. As they both ruin their own marriages in their own process, they go to great lengths to protect their secret. Apart from building an intriguing mystery, the characters from The Affair succeed in capturing the emotional effects of such a tumultuous relationship.
When it comes to shows on adultery, The Affair makes for an essential watch. After all, it is literally in the name!
Mrs Fletcher (2019) - Stream On HBO Max
The titular character in Mrs Fletcher is a middle-aged woman who goes through a mid-life crisis after her son goes off to college. The show deals with the issues around adulting and singledom, captured in a humorous way by Kathryn Hahn’s charismatic lead role.
Fans of Fishbowl Wives must check out Mrs Fletcher for a light-hearted take on middle-aged frustration. While Fletcher is unmarried, she too struggles to find meaning in her seemingly futile life like the women in Fishbowl Wives.
Grace And Frankie (2015-) - Stream On Netflix
Grace and Frankie are mortal enemies for as long as they know each other. But when their husbands come out as gay and plan to marry each other, the foes join forces to deal with the subsequent changes. The show ends up being a delightful comedy on old age, queerness, and unlikely friendships.
The newfound solidarity that two lead characters of Grace and Frankie find is comparable to the camaraderie shared between the six friends in Fishbowl Wives.
Divorce (2016-2019) - Stream On HBO Max
A comedy on the struggles of divorcing and its aftermath, Divorce incorporates humorous situations that trouble a New York couple who are planning to separate. From legal tussles to parenting issues, Divorce takes a satirical look at the end of a marriage while also adding in some heartwarming drama when necessary.
While Fishbowl Wives is darker in tone, Divorce serves as a light-hearted break for those who wish to laugh at the misery of a failed marriage.
Mad Men (2007-2015) - Stream On AMC
On the surface, Mad Men is just a period drama series on the ad business of 1960s-era New York. But as the story gains depth, Mad Men turns into a detailed character study of its protagonist Don Draper.
Played by Jon Hamm in one of his best roles, Draper turns into a deeply-flawed character who has his own struggles and secrets. Draper’s serial adultery is concerning but also shows the self-destructive nature that a person can have in the face of frustration. It is perhaps this sense of frustration and secrecy that will impress viewers of Fishbowl Wives.
A Teacher (2020) - Stream On Hulu
This Hulu miniseries takes a multi-dimensional look at an illicit affair between a teacher and her student. While the former confronts her loveless marriage, the latter struggles to focus on school and college applications.
Often shows that focus on such affairs tend to just glamorize the relation by highlighting just the sexual aspects. A Teacher, much like Fishbowl Wives, also focuses on the emotional burden that an affair can bring. Even if the relationship seems perfect for the ones involved, social stigmas and everyday problems can add a lot of pressure.
Scenes From A Marriage (2021) - Stream On HBO Max
Reminiscent of shows and movies about divorce and infidelity, Scenes From A Marriage explores the different phases of a tumultuous marriage. The couple in this case shares a deep and passionate romance with each other. However, the passion isn’t enough as they go through phases of insecurity, infidelity, and ultimately the end of their relationship.
Definitely not an easy watch, Scenes From A Marriage takes forward the themes of shows like Fishbowl Wives and ends up adding even more emotional chaos. Both sows ultimately end up revealing that sometimes, even the best of lovers can have their low points.
Dark Desire (2020-2022) - Stream On Netflix
A popular Netflix title from Mexico, Dark Desire blends erotic drama with crime mystery. The story deals with a lonely woman’s eventful weekend as she engages in an exciting affair that is cut short with a tragic accident. This drives the protagonist to question everyone close to her.
Dark Desire is a perfect companion watch when it comes to Fishbowl Wives as both incorporate the tropes of adult dramas and thrillers. Further, Fishbowl Wives is all about dark secrets and sexual desires, literally what Dark Desire stands for.
Fedeltà (2022-) - Stream On Netflix
Like many marriage dramas, the Italian Netflix series Fedeltà opens with a happily-married couple. But as the wife starts doubting the husband’s loyalty, the couple starts questioning their love for each other.
As these loyalties get tested, Fedeltà adds enough drama to make for a quick binge session. The same can be said for Fishbowl Wives. While the latter is emotional, the internal struggles of the characters and their attempts to hide secrets from their husbands are what adds to the entertainment.