You find yourself experiencing the heartache, the accomplishments and the tender moments along with your favorite characters. They suck us in, give us something to relate to or something to aspire to. Here’s our list of the top ten teen TV series that do these things justice. From strong character development to intriguing story lines, these teen TV series connect to people from inside the heart.
10. Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
This quirky teenage sitcom starred Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, a sixteen year old with magical powers. Her spells often go awry and she scrambles to clean up the mess. Her relationship with her aunts and her talking cat Salem give the show a unique twist.
9. Degrassi
This popular teen drama became a franchise consisting of Degrassi Junior High, Degrassi High, and most popular, Degrassi: The Next Generation. The series deals with many teenage issues including peer pressure, self-image, gang violence, and sexual identity.
8. Gossip Girl
Every teenager wants to live in a glamorous hotel, wear designer clothes, and party in limousines every weekend. Gossip Girl portrays a sophisticated lifestyle and sucks you into the Upper-East Side drama and over-privileged characters you grow to love.
7. Veronica Mars
The CW's crime/thriller show explored many dimensions such as making judgments about people, being an outcast, and the struggles of teenage life. The series gathered a strong cult following and producer Rob Thomas gained enough funding to make The Veronica Mars Movie, coming out in 2014.
6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
With an amazing ensemble of cast members and led by Emmy winning creator Joss Whedon, Buffy balances out action/adventure with real teenage issues and just the right amount of angst.
5. Gilmore Girls
The series follows inseparable mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. Between witty banter and quirky townspeople, the show balances family drama with humorous, heart-warming moments.
4. Saved by the Bell
This popular TV sitcom aired from 1989 to 1993, and followed a cast of characters often thrown into comedic situations revolving around the world of high school. The series also delved into dramatic issues, which paved the way for future teen dramas to mix humor with drama.
3. Freaks and Geeks
There is no better portrayal of the tortures of high school than Judd Apatow’s Freaks and Geeks. Though the series was short-lived, it gained a strong cult following after it was taken off the air. The show was also the gateway to future successful roles for James Franco, Seth Rogan, and Jason Segal. From clueless parents, to the pot-smoking, rock ‘n’ roll loving “freaks,” to the socially awkward “geeks,” the show manages to capture the awkwardness of adolescence.
2. The O.C.
When a wealthy Orange County family takes in a tough guy from the wrong side of the tracks, everything changes for the Cohen family. The O.C. is extremely well done when it comes to plot, character development, and cinematography through music moments. The characters face problems such as death, heartbreak, addiction, etc., yet it always finds a way to come full circle and remind us why we’re watching in the first place.
1. Dawson’s Creek
Dawson’s Creek is full of so much heart and realism that other teen dramas lack. Though the show moves at a slow pace, it really takes time to explore and analyze the teenage mind and accurately portray young adult relationships and confusion. Dawson and Joey grew up together in the small town of Capeside, and as they grew older their relationship became more and more complicated. The core group of friends in this series faces many realistic dilemmas such as paying for college, crossing the friend-zone line, and the complications of chasing your dreams.
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