Shorter days and a hint of fall in the air mean only one thing: it’s back-to-school season.
Whether you’re eager to get back into the classroom or nostalgic for your student days, go back to school with these 10 Netflix original series.
Sex Education
Asa Butterfield stars as Otis Milburn, a socially awkward teen at Moordale Secondary. He teams up with his classmate, Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school. And as if this comedy could get any better, Gillian Anderson plays Otis’ sex therapist mother, Jean. Series creator Laurie Nunn wrote Sex Education as an homage to the 1980s John Hughes’ movies, like The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink. Two seasons are available to stream now. That gives you enough time to catch up before Season 3 drops on September 17, 2021.
Never Have I Ever
This half-hour comedy inspired by series creator Mindy Kaling’s teen years is a must-watch. In it, newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan stars as Devi Vishwakumar, a modern-day, first-generation Indian-American teen at Sherman Oaks High. While competing with Ben (Jaren Lewison) for academic glory, lusting over hot classmate Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet), and being a lousy friend to her two besties, she’s also processing the sudden death of her father. Binge Seasons 1 and 2 right now. And if you want more, it’s getting a third season.
The Chair
Sandra Oh stars as Professor Ji-Yoon Kim, the first female chair of fictional Pembroke University’s English department. The half-hour dramedy — co-created by actor and first-time executive producer, Amanda Peet — deals with school politics and generational clashes. Oh, and Ji-Yoon’s wardrobe will have you longing for sweater weather. Set aside an afternoon and watch all six episodes of this limited series.
Dear White People
Based on writer/director Justin Simien’s 2014 film of the same name, this 30-minute dramedy follows several Black college students at Winchester University – a fictional Ivy League institution. They question the status quo while navigating modern American race relations. Watch Volumes 1, 2, and 3 ahead of its conclusion. Volume 4 drops on September 22, 2021.
Ginny & Georgia
This series, released earlier in 2021, is one part family melodrama and one part high-school dramedy. Antonia Gentry stars as Ginny, a teen settling into a new town along with her mom, Georgia (Brianne Howey) and little brother, Austin. Ginny isn’t only contending with the trials and tribulations of school. She’s also the de facto adult in her family compared to her young, free-spirited mom. If you’re feeling ambitious or procrastinating about packing those boxes for your move to dorm life, you can watch all of Season 1 in a day. Plus, Ginny & Georgia has been renewed for a second season.
Big Mouth
Puberty has never been funnier than it is in Big Mouth. The all-star voice cast includes Jordan Peele, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, and series co-creator, Nick Kroll. Four seasons of this hilarious and raunchy animated series are available now on Netflix. Plus, two more seasons are on the way.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai, a continuation of the story that began in the 80s with the Karate Kid film franchise, is as much about the next generation of martial arts drama as it is the rivalry between Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka). The sparring even goes beyond the dojo. One of the most memorable fights takes place at West Valley High School, with Sam (Mary Mouser), Robby (Tanner Buchanan), Miguel (Xolo Maridueña), and Tory (Peyton List) at the center of the action. Season 4 won’t be here until later this year, but it’s already renewed for a fifth season.
Elite
Think your high school experience was dramatic? The murder, crime, and manipulation at Elite‘s prestigious Las Encinas Secondary School will make everything else pale in comparison. The private school, itself, is fictional, but the exterior shots are filmed at the European University of Madrid. Season 4 of the Spanish-language hit landed in June 2021, and Netflix has picked it up for a fifth season.
The Baby-Sitters Club
A modern update of the beloved books by Ann M. Martin, The Baby-Sitters Club is about a group of friends at Stoneybrook Middle School who start a babysitting business. It’s sweet and heartwarming, with a healthy dose of pre-teen angst. Watch the first season with Wiretap for Chrome — complete with exclusive, behind-the-scenes commentary about the production design and costumes — ahead of the Season 2 release on October 11, 2021.
On My Block
This half-hour dramedy is so much more than a coming-of-age story. Yes, it’s about four friends living and navigating their way through high school in South Central Los Angeles. It’s also about trying to get a friend out of a gang, and friendships turning romantic as hormones surge. There’s even a Goonies-style treasure hunt. Seasons 1, 2, and 3 are only 28 episodes in total, so you could totally watch it in a weekend. In fact, On My Block will return for a fourth and final season, with a release date TBC.
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Which Netflix original will you be watching as you — or your kids — get ready for the first day of school? Comment below with your picks, and don’t forget to add Wiretap to your Chrome browser so you can post reactions and share comments on the Netflix shows you love.
(Header Courtesy of Netflix; GIFs by Wiretap)
