10 Best Teen Shows of the 2010s
A new golden era of television dawned in the early 2010s. Studios began churning out more high-concept teen shows, in an effort to keep viewers tuned into their networks or watching binge on their streaming services. With increased budgets, their quality has become more cinematic. Soon, teen television was earning the critical acclaim it had been missing.
The 2000s had a penchant for glamorizing controversial topics like sex and drug addiction. New-era shows have begun to discuss it in a more mature and raw way, while retaining those elements that make teen TV so appealing to audiences.
ten Shadowhunters is an adaptation of one of the most popular fantasy book series (2016)
Cassandra Clare’s fantasy book series, The mortal instruments, was adapted into a three-season show for ABC’s young adult network, Freeform. Shadow Hunters centered on Clary Fray. Clay is a young New Yorker who discovers that she is a human-angel hybrid on her eighteenth birthday.
Shadow Hunters ran for 55 episodes from early 2016 to mid-2019. He played Arrowis Kate McNamara as Clary, Dominic Sherwood as Jace and Joyis Harry Shum Jr. as Magnus Bane. Despite mixed reviews from critics, Shadow Hunters won a GLAAD Award and multiple Teen Choice Awards.
9 The 100 was praised for its post-apocalyptic characters and concept (2014)
The CW aired The 100, a post-apocalyptic teen drama. The 100 followed a group of young adults, who returned to Earth to check its conditions and must survive on the planet. An adaptation of the series of eponymous novels by Kass Morgan, The 100 ran for exactly 100 episodes divided into seven seasons.
The 100 had a large ensemble cast which included Australian actors Eliza Taylor and Bob Morley as Clarke and Bellamy, Thomas McDonnell as Finn, and Octavia Blake as Marie. The 100 was praised for its high-level science fiction and interesting characters. It received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Special Effects.
8 Teen Wolf is Known for its Outstanding Cast and Horror Tone (2011)
MTV Teen Wolf follows a group of teenagers with supernatural powers, battling the forces of evil trying to wreak havoc in Beacon Hills. Teen Wolf was loosely based on the 1985 film of the same name starring Michael J. Fox. Teen Wolf ran for six seasons from 2011 to 2017.
Initially a mundane teenage supernatural drama, Teen Wolf slowly takes on a darker tone. He often borrowed from the horror genre. Teen Wolf was one of the most popular teen shows of its time on the air. It also won various fan-voted awards for its outstanding ensemble cast, which included Dylan O’Brien, Crystal Reed and Tyler Hoechlin.
seven Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina was a macabre take on a 90s classic (2018)
A darker take on the 90s classic, Sabrina the teenage witch, was Netflix’s teen horror show Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It centers on Kiernan Shipka as half-witch Sabrina Spellman as she tries to balance everyday life with her education in witchcraft. scary adventures consists of 35 episodes and a Christmas special.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina was praised for its gruesome tone and visuals, which gave it an edge over other contemporary teen shows. After Cooling Adventures was canceled in mid-2020, Shipka reprized her role in a crossover episode with The CW’s Riverdale for the sixth season.
6 Stranger Things borrowed various aesthetic and sci-fi tropes from the 80s (2016)
stranger things received an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and viewers. stranger things garnered more than 30 Primetime Emmy nominations in 2020. The sci-fi drama borrows aesthetics and horror tropes from the ’80s to illustrate the bizarre events unfolding in Hawkins, Indiana.
Stranger Things has a prolific adult cast, which includes Winona Ryder and David Harbour. stranger things is known for launching the careers of young talents like Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard. It remains one of Netflix’s most-watched and best-received projects of all time, and is set to return for a fourth season in 2022.
5 On My Block won acclaim for its multicultural cast and fresh comedy (2016)
In early 2016, Netflix released the first season of On my block. On my block is a teen comedy-drama that follows a group of teenagers living in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Freeridge. On my block was praised for its multicultural cast, realistic portrayal of teenagers and their daily struggles, and good-natured comedy.
On my block features several young actors in their first lead roles. This includes Sierra Capri as Monsé, Brett Gray as Jamal, and Jason Genao as Ruby. How to get away with murder actress Jessica Marie Garcia plays Jasmine, which earned her a nomination for the Teen Choice Awards in 2019.
4 Sex Education Maturely Tackles Sex-Related Topics With Good Humor Comedy (2019)
by Netflix Sex education mostly follows Otis (Asa Butterfield). Otis is at Moordale Secondary and his mother is a sex therapist. After befriending and partnering with a girl in his class named Maeve, they establish their own sex therapy clinic to help others at school.
Sex education was acclaimed for its mature treatment of sex-related topics, fresh comedy, and outstanding acting. Sex education was nominated for nine BAFTAs, including one for the role of Aimee Lou Wood as Aimee Gibbs. 3 seasons of 8 episodes have been released to date, with a fourth currently in production.
3 Anne with an E is a coming of age story about social issues and family (2017)
Anne with an E is a coming-of-age drama about an orphan adopted by farm owners in Prince Edward Island, Canada. It is based on the classic novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables. Anne ran for twenty-seven episodes, starring Irish-Canadian actress Amybeth McNulty as the title character, Anne Shirley.
Anne with an E was praised for its discussion of childhood trauma and social issues. Themes included gender inequality and the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Anne won Best Drama Series at the Canadian Screen Awards for two consecutive years before being canceled in late 2019.
2 Pretty Little Liars captivates audiences with a twist-filled mystery (2010)
Arguably the most popular teen series of the early 2010s, Pretty little Liars was loosely based on the novel series of the same name by Sara Shepard. Pretty little Liars centers on four girls, coping with the disappearance of their best friend, Alison. They start receiving threatening text messages from an anonymous entity.
Pretty little Liars ran for seven years on Freeform, ending in 2017 after 160 episodes. Its high ratings led to the production of two short-lived spin-offs, Ravenswood and The perfectionists, and an upcoming HBO Max reboot/sequel. PLL was known for its iconic ensemble cast, constant twists and gripping mystery.
1 Euphoria explores teenage struggles with identity, gender and addiction (2019)
Euphoria premiered on HBO and immediately became a critical favorite. Euphoria has raw scripts and cinematography. Zendaya plays Rue Bennett, a teenage girl struggling with drug addiction. Rue falls in love and befriends her classmates. Zendaya’s performance in the role won her a Primetime Emmy and a Satellite Award.
Euphoria consists of 16 episodes, 8 per season and two specials. A special was co-written by actress Hunter Schafer, who also plays Rue’s love interest Jules. Euphoria is also known for its superb score and soundtrack. Including songs from Billie Eilish and Rosalía, Arcade Fire and Labrinth, among others.
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