Five Coming Of Age Television Show Recommendations
Children, Teen, Adult
1. Heartstopper
Premise: Heartstopper was released on Netflix on April 22nd, 2022 based on the graphic novels of the same name by Alice Oseman. Charlie Spring is an openly gay student at the fictional all boys Truham Grammar 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 a sweet 'hi's' and simple 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, self discovery, questions, answers, and that feeling you get when your heart beats so fast you are afraid it will stop.
Stream: Netflix
Themes Discussed: Sexuality, Relationships, Bullying, Homophobia, High School, Insecurities, Joy, Life, Mental Illness, Toxic Masculinity, Coming Out, Stereotypes And Prejudice, Peer Pressure, LGBT+ Representation
Years: 2022-Present
2. Andi Mack
Premise: Andi Mack was released on Disney Channel on April 7, 2017. Andi Mack is an Asian American middle school student living an average life. She loves her family, friends, culture and her art. Her sanctuary is Andi Shack where all her art is stored. On her thirteenth birthday Andi gets a surprise visit from her older sister Bex who announces she will be moving back home. That evening Bex confesses to Andi that she is actually her biological mother. Andi's world is changed as she comes to terms with this shocking information as she searches for answers all while developing her first crush, figuring out her identity and going through the motions of growing up.
Stream: Disney Plus
Themes Discussed: Culture, Religion, Identity, Sexuality, Learning Disabilities, Sexism, Microaggression, Stereotypes, Financial Trouble, Dress Codes, Class Ranks, Gun Possession, Bullying, Parenthood, Panic Attacks, Psychiatry, Health
Years: 2017-2019
3. Backstage
Premise: Backstage was released on Disney Channel on March 18th, 2016. The story is set at the fictional Keaton School Of The Arts in Canada. Several students attend in the hopes of becoming dancers, musicians, actors, singers, and artists. However, the road to success never did run smooth and each character is met with real world dilemmas and high school drama that tests each of their ambition, stamina, wit, and loyalty as they push themselves to achieve their dreams. The series is fictitious but is portrayed as a documentary.
Stream: Vudu
Themes: Peer Pressure, Perfectionism, Relationships, Blackmail, Academic Struggle, Social Media, Body Dysmorphia, Insecurities, Time Management, Foster Care/Adoption, Health
Years: 2016-2017
4. The Queen's Gambit
Premise:The Queen's Gambit was released to Netflix on October 23, 2020 based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Walter Tevis. In 1957 in Kentucky nine year old Beth Harmon is left orphaned after her mother dies in a car accident on New Circle Road. She is admitted into Methuen Home For Girls orphanage. Beth immediately dislikes the place but has no choice but to settle in. One day, she witnesses the janitor Mr. Shaibel playing a game of chess all by himself. Beth is intrigued and convinces him to teach her. Her spacial intelligence and skill lets her master the game and become a child prodigy. Years later Beth is adopted and continues her journey as a chess player. However, what begins as a passion becomes an obsession as she is thrust isolation, addiction, and the ever changing world around her limited to just sixty-four squares and Beth is slowly reaching her goal to become the U.S. Champion. Beth becomes older, wiser, and more experienced but should the price of being a genius result in madness?
Stream: Nexflix
Themes: Amateur And Competitive Chess, Child Prodigy, Foster Care/Adoption, Alcoholism, Addiction, Isolation, Mensuration, Sexuality, Perfectionism, Relationships, Mentorship, Sexism, Discrimination & Belonging, Talent, Ambition, Dedication & Success, Financial Struggle, Education
Year: 2020
5. The Fosters
Premise: The Fosters was released on Freeform (ABC Family) on June 3, 2013. Callie and Jude Jacob have been in foster care since their mother died and father was arrested years prior. They are soon taken in by school principal Lena Adams, her police officer girlfriend, Stef Foster, their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus, and Stef's biological son, Brandon. Soon, people come together, family and friendships are formed and Callie and Jude come to believe they have found their forever home.
Stream: Hulu
Themes: Foster Care/Adoption, LGBT+ Representation, Sexuality, Identity, Rape, Abuse, Homophobia, Racism, School Struggles, Religion, Relationships, Gun Violence, Protests On Real World Problems, Depression, Anxiety, Alcohol & Drug Addiction, Discrimination & Belonging, Criminal Histories, Bullying, Multi ethnicity
Years: 2013-2018
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Operation Flight
Henry was beginning to loose track of time in the Underworld. It was bad enough that it looked like a dreary version of Storybrooke but being surrounded by everyone who could not move on made his heart ache. He hoped Emma would find Hook soon. The bright side was that they had helped people like Herc and even Cora move on but they still had to worry about Hades. He loved their adventures but things had gotten out of hand recently. First, Emma contracted the Dark One's powers and to get rid of them had to kill Hook. He just had to come back with them. Henry wanted his mother to be happy. She had already lost hid father and she could not loose him to. He had grown to like Hook himself even if things were a little weird right now.Henry had decided he needed to step away just to think. Emma had to give him permission to walk the streets of Under-Storybrook so long as he stay away from the river and not wander too far, however far this went, and look around. Henry dragged his feet on the sidewalk and watched people go by. Everyone looked scared or angry, two people in hoods looked down and shuffled away. Several people made eye contact but no one stopped to talk to him. Henry promised himself he'd help someone move on, but who. Something strange happened then, within seconds a small crowd shoved him into the street, had a pair of hands not dragged him out he would have been hit by the oncoming car. "Thank you." Henry said. "Are you alright?" The voice came from his rescuer. He looked young, about fifteen but very tall and handsome. He had dark hair, dark eyes, and tan skin. "Let's get out of the way. You would think the cars would be nice enough to stop. I haven't seen you here before. Wait you have a pulse. You're alive! How are you here?" The boy quickly led himself and Henry to a less busy part of the sidewalk. "My name is Icarus." He extended his hand and Henry shook it. "My name is Henry." "Nice to meet you." They both said.
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Heartstopper and The Fosters <3333