Top Five Coming Of Age Television Shows

1. Heartstopper

Synopsis: Charlie Spring is an openly gay student at the fictional all boys Truham Gramar School in England. On his first day after winter break he meets and soon develops a crush on classmate and star rugby player, Nick Nelson. After a series of sweet hi's and small talk the two develop a close friendship that becomes something more when Nick realizes his own undeniable feelings for Charlie and begins questioning his sexuality. What comes next is a semester of love, family, friends, bullies, honesty, questions, answers, and that feeling you get when your heart beats so fast you are scared it will stop.

Stream: Netflix

Rating: TV-PG13

Adaptation: Heartstopper Graphic novels by Alice Oseman

Years: 2022-Present

2. The Babysitters Club

Synopsis: Kristy, Claudia, Stacey, Mary Anne, and Dawn are five middle school girls just trying to figure out life in their small town of Stoneybrook, Connecticut. One day Kristy gets the idea that they can make money by forming a club to babysit. The girls realize they have more in common than the thought and become friends. As the club takes off they soon discover the responsibility of taking care of kids and discover new things about themselves and each other. You don't have to have all the answers in life and sometimes a little change is good for your growth.

Stream: Netflix

Rating: TV-PG

Adaptation: The Babysitters Club series by Ann M. Martin

Years: 2020-2021

3. The Fosters

Synopsis: Callie and Jude Jacobs have been to foster home after another since their mother's passing and father's arrest. Soon, the siblings are welcomed into the home of school vice principle Lena Adams and her girlfriend Stef Foster in San Diego, California. They meets Stef's biological son Brandon and twins Mariana and Jesus who were adopted as children. As Callie and Jude settle in to their new house and school changes are made, new discoveries take place and Callie and Jude wonder if this place could become their new home.

Stream: Netflix

Rating: TV-PG13

Years: 2013-2018

4. The Queen's Gambit

Synopsis: In 1957 in Lexington, Kentucky nine year old Beth Harmon and her mother are in a car accident on New Circle Road that kills her mother. Beth is soon sent to sent to Methuin Home For Girls where she befriends the janitor, Mr. Shaibel, whom teaches her how to play chess. Years later Beth is adopted and soon becomes a child prodigy and on the way to become World Champion. However, over the years, Beth becomes older, wiser, and more experienced and soon her passion turns into obsession as the ever changing world around her is reduced to just sixty-four squares. Soon Beth spirals into addiction, alcoholism, loss and wonders if the price of being a genius will result in madness.

Stream: Netflix

Rating: TV-MA

Adaptation: The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

Years: 2020

5. Looking For Alaska

Summary: Miles Halter is a teenager who tranfers to a Culiver Creek Academy in Alabama. Miles has an obsession with people's last words and hopes to find a deeper perspective of life. While there he meets his roommate, Chip Martin who calls himself 'Colonel' along with his friends Takumi Hikohito and Alaska Young. Alaska is spirited, smart, kind, beautiful, and soon Miles falls in love with her. As the school year gets going Miles finds himself opening up to new possibilities and even getting into a little trouble but soon he learns that real people are more than just what they show you and to make it in life sometimes you have to be willing to let things go.

Stream: Prime Video/Hulu

Rating: TV-MA

Adaptation: Looking For Alaska by John Green

Years: 2019