Sex Education and the more recent release of Heartstopper have impressed fans with their ability to capture what being a teenager truly feels like. Whilst these shows have been revolutionary in creating new representations of adolescence in modern society, some Redditors have looked back over earlier series that did exactly what modern shows are doing now: creating conversations about the teen experience.
From controversial '90s teen shows where episodes were censored to gritty dramas that explore the role of mental health in modern-day high schools, these shows, at the time, attempted to represent the teen experience as accurately as Sex Education and Heartstopper do now.
Boy Meets World (1993 - 2000)
Boy Meets World remains something of a staple, even today, with many fans reminiscing on the positive memories they were left with after the show ended in 2000. The series follows Corey as he navigates himself through his teenage years and tackles everything from high school rumors to teenage rebellion when Corey and Shawn were arrested.
It was an uncensored and hilarious watch that also challenged the representation viewers were used to seeing of the teenage experience, whilst simultaneously capturing the typical school structure, with the hangout spot playing a prominent role in the series. One Redditor explained how "Everything about it from cool teachers and lame ones, bullies, local hang out spot, [and] the relationships" defined an era and paved the way for more refreshing representations.
Dawsons Creek (1998 - 2003)
Dawsons Creek earned its place on the TV wall of fame when it became one of the most successful teen dramas of all time and almost created the blueprint for teen dramas made after its time. The series permanently pushed boundaries in a bid to accurately represent the teen experience rather than the glamorized version plaguing other teen shows at the time.
It made a name for itself by being controversially open about drugs and mental health, which made it extremely popular for younger viewers who felt that they finally had a TV show that represented their lives, whilst being frowned upon by some older viewers. Reddit user ataraxy stated that "minus the vocabulary," the show did a good job of stressing teen issues in an accurate and honest way that hooked fans, but also made them feel understood.
Degrassi (2001 - 2015)
There were many Degrassi characters that viewers wanted to be friends with, but it wasn't just the characters that made fans reminisce on their own teen experiences, it was the show as a whole. The series was littered with complex characters that were multi-faceted and had running storylines throughout the show, which is perhaps what made it such a brilliant teen drama.
The series has become a staple of American culture, with many pop culture references and costumes bringing back memories for the majority of viewers. Degrassi also explored more serious themes, which weren't as commonly seen then as they are now, with one Redditor stating that it "had a good mix of typical HS drama and more serious issues," making it relevant to teens even today.
American Vandal (2017 - 2018)
American Vandal had fans hooked with its representation of high school with the added factor of social media and the huge role it plays today. The show takes on a mockumentary style but many viewers have suggested that American Vandal captures the true essence of adolescence in the 2010s, leading some to believe it is a documentary starring real people.
The show looks into stereotypes and vandalism in a light-hearted way that highlights just how quickly rumors can spread and the role that social media plays in that. It is a comedic yet highly relatable watch for modern teens, with many, like LostInStatic, stating that the "show is gonna go down as a time capsule of high school in the late 2010s."
Glee (2009 - 2015)
Glee may be one teen show that went downhill after the college years, but aside from its spontaneous musical outbursts, most felt that the show captured the teen experience accurately. It highlighted those infamous high school cliques and the repercussions of placing people in a box.
Whilst the show was mainly light-hearted, it also explored deeper topics like peer pressure, which encouraged many viewers to step outside of their own clique and realize that their future isn't determined by what they do in their teenage years. For many fans, including seashoresunset, "Glee's portrayal of high school was spot on," with it highlighting the anxiety that can come with being a teenager.
SKAM (2015 - 2017)
SKAM is possibly the most popular teen drama in Norway, breaking viewing records for its well-written and clever representation of teenage life. It explored relationships, religion, sexuality, and even more difficult topics whilst remaining entertaining and retaining an international fanbase.
CaptnNorway explained how "back when it was airing it was by far the most talked-about show in Norway," before sharing that they "remember it felt very familiar to how their experience had been. (Which is also why [they] didn't watch much)," highlighting just how well the show captured the teen experience.
13 Reasons Why (2017 - 2020)
13 Reasons Why is a TV show that many think isn't being watched enough, but back in 2017, the show dominated people's lives both on and offline for its gritty nature and distressing themes. Whilst the show can be disturbing for some and was controversial upon its release, it created open conversation and raw depictions of the realities of high school, especially in the modern-day.
The show captures darker themes that are often censored in other teen dramas, making it such an important watch for teens as it advocated for more support in schools, as well as stigma-free conversations about mental health. Badgerisbest shunned the complaints the show faced and instead suggested that "it showed the intense pain and reverberating problems of the girl's death," making it a sad but important depiction of adolescence.
Everything Sucks! (2018)
Before she rose to fame in Euphoria, Sydney Sweeney starred in Everything Sucks, a modern-day reflection on teenage life in the 1990s. Whilst the show provides viewers with an insane amount of nostalgia through heart-shaped sunglasses and the hairstyles synonymous with the period, it is the story of Kate Messer and her sexuality that makes it such a poignant watch.
Her character slowly begins to find out who she is, especially in terms of her sexuality, but her story takes place in a time when the representation of same-sex couples was frowned upon. Her character was particularly relatable for many fans, as it documented their own acceptance, which is why many viewers, including one Redditor, felt that it was "a very endearing show."
The Inbetweeners (2008 - 2010)
There are many reasons why The Inbetweeners is the ultimate British teen comedy, but besides being hilarious, it is also pretty comprehensive in the topics it covers. For many fans, especially British ones, The Inbetweeners captures the true awkwardness of being in your teens whilst also capturing the immaturity, rebellion, and hormonal changes that plagues those early years of adolescence.
The movie is a highly quotable and memorable series, with many fans quoting it even today. It highlighted those all-encompassing moments of embarrassment that haunt many viewers, even in adulthood, which is perhaps why it was so well received. Reddit user dwadley explained how the onscreen gang of friends "felt like friends just toughing it out even though they weren’t as cool as they thought they were," making it a highly relatable yet embarrassing watch.
Freaks And Geeks (1999)
Freaks And Geeks may have drawn more recent viewers in by its incredible cast, but fans definitely stayed for the show's representation of teen life. The show cleverly depicts the lives of different teens in different clicks and different social classes in a bid to create an onscreen high school that didn't shy away from those very real teenage troubles.
The show didn't immediately find success, but over time, it has become a cult classic for modern-day fans including HarleysPuddin, who explained that "it just feels very authentic and even if it's set in a different decade than when I went to HS, there's such a similar feel to it."