9 shows to watch if you like Netflix's 'Ginny & Georgia'

On Netflix's "Ginny & Georgia," the titular mother-daughter duo are running from a dark past and difficult emotions. They land in the fictional idyllic town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts.

The town has a similar spirit to Stars Hollow, Connecticut, the fake town viewers fell in love with on the WB and CW hit "Gilmore Girls," which aired from 2000 to 2007. Both places feature grumpy owners of neighborhood cafés, quirky neighbors, and festivities on nearly every weekend of the year.

Though Ginny and Georgia Miller have more complicated secrets and mental health issues, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore had their share of big feelings, too. "Ginny & Georgia" doesn't always feel as cozy as "Gilmore Girls," but if you love Netflix's modern hit you should definitely take a trip to Stars Hollow.

You can stream "Gilmore Girls" now on Netflix.

If you appreciate how "Ginny & Georgia" explores mental health through Ginny Miller's self-harm, you might like HBO's "Euphoria."

Zendaya won an Emmy in 2022 for her portrayal of high schooler and drug addict Rue Bennett on the HBO drama, which has more depth and raw emotion than "Ginny & Georgia." Though they have wildly different tones, both shows also explore topics like identity and family with care.

You can stream "Euphoria" now on HBO Max.

"Ginny & Georgia" is bright and fun on the surface, but viewers know Georgia (Brianne Howey) moved her family to Wellsbury because she killed her husband, who was attempting to sexually abuse Ginny (Antonia Gentry).

Georgia has a history of morphing her personality and life as she needs to, depending on the town she is in and the man she's with.

Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) on the Netflix hit "You" similarly morphs his life and personality to be agreeable to the person he's fallen in love with. He, too, has plenty of secrets from his past to hide. If murder is what draws you to "Ginny & Georgia," don't skip "You."

"You" is available to stream now on Netflix.

"Ginny & Georgia" does a wonderful job of layering "normal" teenage life with darker themes, like self-harm, depression, and murder.

Freeform's "Cruel Summer," which aired its first season in 2021 and will return in 2023, similarly combines the seemingly mundane realities of teenage life with mystery and explores the topic of grooming.

You can stream "Cruel Summer" now on Hulu.

If Georgia's cons on "Ginny & Georgia" are the most intriguing element of the show for you, you need to watch "Inventing Anna."

From creator Shonda Rhimes, "Inventing Anna," tells the real-life story of Anna Sorokin (aka Anna Delvey), who is played by Julia Garner in the series. She successfully conned Manhattan's elite into giving her millions of dollars by posing as a German heiress.

Though Georgia is entirely fictional, both she and Anna are dramatic, larger-than-life personalities who demand attention and respect. It's not their fault that people only realize their scams too little, too late.

You can stream "Inventing Anna" now on Netflix.

Watching "Ginny & Georgia" is one of the most unique streaming experiences available today because the show refuses to be put in a box. The dark themes are undeniable, but so is the quirky, comforting spirit of Wellsbury.

Plus, Georgia has palpable chemistry with all three of her potential love interests, so it's impossible not to be invested in the romantic layer of the show.

Currently, she's with Mayor Paul Randolph, played by Scott Porter, who also portrayed George Tucker on the CW show "Hart of Dixie" from 2011 to 2015.

The Rachel Bilson-led dramedy about a small-town doctor's love life had a cult following because it marched to its own beat and was full of love stories worth becoming invested in.

If you are riveted by Georgia's love life or only watching the show because you're rooting for Marcus (Felix Mallard) and Ginny, check out "Hart of Dixie" next.

The first two seasons of "Hart of Dixie" are available to stream on Freevee now.

Murder and mystery aside, it might be hard to understand why "Ginny & Georgia" fans would like "The White Lotus."

But, if you look deeper, you'll see that both shows have mastered the art of making viewers care about the fate of very complicated characters.

While watching "The White Lotus," viewers decide who they think will die by the end of the vacation, a task that feels impossible the more we get to know everyone.

Similarly, "Ginny & Georgia" challenges viewers to decide whether Georgia to be punished for her past mistakes. No matter what she's done, we've come to care about the character and understand why she's made such troubling choices.

Hulu's critically acclaimed drama "The Dropout" tells the true story of Elizabeth Holmes, played by Amanda Seyfried on the show. Holmes is a college dropout who founded the medical technology company Theranos atop a web of lies that eventually catch up with her.

It's easy to see how Holmes gets away with her lies — she doesn't apologize for her actions. Yet, her impending demise is just as clear.

Steadfast in her resolve to protect her children, Georgia operates similarly to Seyfried's Holmes. Though Georgia often succeeds, part of the "Ginny & Georgia" appeal includes watching her navigate the aftermath of her inevitable failures.

You can stream "The Dropout" now on Hulu.

Netflix's hit show "Sweet Magnolias" is a case study of small-town southern life and motherhood.

Though the Millers are currently settled on the east coast, Georgia's accent adds a southern flare to "Ginny & Georgia."

Both shows also take an honest look at parenting and the power of female friendships.

"Sweet Magnolias" is available to stream now on Netflix.