10 radical teen dramas to fill your sad ‘Euphoria’ void

By: 3 years ago

Warning: Most of these series tackle sensitive issues such as mental illness, racism, queerphobia, substance abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse, all involving teens.

And so we’re finally here, “Euphoria” fans. After a three-year wait, a closet full of A+ outfits, and drama that earned its crown as this decade’s most-tweeted show, season two has come to an end.

Whether or not folks think its finale landed right after a rollercoaster of emotions, HBO previously announced that its third act has been officially greenlit. But, here’s a tiny catch: Season three might take a long while to pop up on screens, with several speculating a 2024 release.

With the potentially long “Euphoria” drought upon us, we’ve put it upon ourselves to dig for dramas that might fill the void Zendaya and co. left. Hang in there, y’all.

“Skins”

With its chokehold on the late 2000s Tumblr gen, the British show isn’t tagged the “Euphoria” blueprint for nothing. Like its successor, “Skins” doesn’t hold back from dark themes, as it centers on a group of teens from England navigating questionable authority, sexuality, and mental health issues.

“Grand Army”

When it comes to intensity, high school series “Grand Army” might just one-up “Euphoria.” Set in Brooklyn, New York, students take on real matters—whether it’s racism or rape culture—sans rose-colored glasses, all before an impending terrorist attack in the city.

“Skam”

Ever bumped across the stray tweet about a li’l show called “Skam”? That might just be the Norwegian show’s effect on the internet, thanks to its cult status. Literally translated to “shame,” each season of “Skam” is told from the POV of a different character, peeking at what it’s like to be a teenager in Oslo now. (Bonus: The characters also have actual social media accounts.)

“Generation”

HBO might have axed this series after one season, but it lives on beyond the graveyard of canceled shows. Dubbed as “dark yet playful,” “Generation” is the teen dramedy that’s real without getting all too gritty, featuring a group of queer high school students exploring sexuality in a conservative community in California.

“Betty”

What’s the skateboard scene like as a young woman? “Betty” is a fictional take on that, starring real-life skaters. In the center of the show is a diverse group of women taking on the predominantly male sport in the streets of New York City, all while touching on topics like race and queer relationships.

“Dare Me”

Sparkly eyeshadows and best friend feuds? They have ’em. If Maddy and Cassie’s “Euphoria” plotline isn’t enough, “Dare Me” takes it up a notch when two cheerleaders’ once-close relationship gets tested when their new coach enters the picture, along with a shocking crime that shakes up their small Midwestern town.

“Extracurricular”

In this crime drama, Kim Dong-hee of “Itaewon Class” is more than what he seems. “Extracurricular” sees the actor playing model student Ji-soo, who, in a desperate attempt to pay his university tuition, finds himself tangled in a serious crime ring.

“One of Us Is Lying”

Here’s the elevator pitch: “The Breakfast Club” meets murder mystery. Based on the YA novel of the same name, four students from a cutthroat high school become crime suspects when their classmate ends up mysteriously killed.

“Sex Education”

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: “Sex Education” is worth a watch. What it lacks in the party-hard aspect of “Euphoria,” it makes up for in its realistic depiction of coming-of-age phases with its diverse characters. Raised by a single mom and sex therapist, awkward teen Otis sets up a secret sex advice clinic in school, even if he isn’t exactly, well, experienced.

“We Are Who We Are”

From the HBO teen ’verse comes the brainchild of “Call Me by Your Name” director Luca Guadagnino. “We Are Who We Are” takes viewers to a U.S. army base in Italy, where two American teens are stuck in a stifling environment. And in true “Euphoria” fashion, they also have head-turning ’fits.

Still from “Generation”