12 Shows to Watch After "Conversations With Friends"

Early viewers of "Conversations With Friends" are already comparing the show to Hulu's "Normal People," which is based on the novel of the same name by Sally Rooney. Marianne and Connell are from two different social circles. Marianne has an affluent background and a difficult family, while Connell is raised by a single mother, Lorraine, who cleans homes. When Lorraine is hired to work at Marianne's home, Connell and Marianne begin a secret relationship and navigate the rewarding, exciting, and brutal complexities of young love. The depiction of their love story is not a fairy tale; rather, like the relationships in "Conversations With Friends," it's realistic in its ever-changing amorphousness.

Arguably lighter than "Conversations With Friends," Netflix's "Easy" still packs a powerful message about finding love and strengthening relationships in the modern world. Filled with a star-studded cast, including Jane Adams, Marc Maron, Dave Franco, and guest stars like Orlando Bloom and Aubrey Plaza, the series follows a group of people in Chicago who explore love in different ways, from dating apps to new sex adventures. "Easy" is an anthology series, so every story in the season is self-contained. Plus, there are three binge-worthy seasons, so there's plenty to watch.

When Dylan learns that he has chlamydia, he makes an effort to track down all the women he's had sex with to tell them the news, reflecting along the way on his long list of former lovers. Dylan's roommates, Evie and Luke, support him and help him explore what he truly wants from romance — but the answer to his lifelong quest might be right in front of him. Netflix's "Lovesick" has more humorous moments than dramatic ones, but the show's themes of sexual exploration, self-discovery, and growing into adulthood are universally relatable and similarly explored in "Conversations With Friends."

Based on the novel of the same name by Nick Hornby and the 2000 film featuring John Cusack, Hulu's "High Fidelity" is a fresh take on a beloved story. Robyn "Rob" Brooks (Zoë Kravitz) is the owner of a vintage-record shop in Brooklyn. By all definitions, Robyn is certifiably cool, but she still struggles with maintaining a steady love and has basically failed in all of her relationships. By curating extensive "Top 5" lists, she revisits her past relationships to find love in the present. Kravtiz follows in the footsteps of her mother, actress Lisa Bonet, who appeared in the "High Fidelity" film.

"Conversations With Friends" explores how random life factors and personal issues complicate romantic relationships, and Netflix's "Feel Good" highlights these themes through the lens of couple Mae and George. Based on the life of comedian Mae Martin, "Feel Good" centers around young comedian Mae, who is on the top of the world when she meets Georgina ("George"). As the pair start dating, George discovers that Mae is working on her sobriety and is a recovering addict, and she encourages her to go to group meetings. Mae's addiction stirs conflict in their relationship, as does George's reluctance to own her sexuality and come out to her family and friends. The series is lively and lighthearted, but it's also incredibly vulnerable and real, making it totally deserving of its 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

When young, vibrant author Arabella Essiedu (Michaela Coel) is sexually assaulted after partying with her friends, she struggles to piece together the events of the night and reclaim her life. With the help of her friends Terry and Kwame, Arabella works through the pain of her trauma while navigating her friendships, relationships, and her writing career. Moments of joy and comedy are perfectly woven into the show's serious subject matter, making the storyline well rounded and relatable. Despite only having one season, "I May Destroy You," like "Conversations With Friends," is remarkable in its ability to relay a powerful message about healing and human connection.

Teacher and Ireland native Sharon Morris and American businessman Rob Norris are from different worlds. When the two meet in London while Rob is on a business trip, they quickly hit it off and start a passionate, days-long fling. Not long after, Rob is set to return to the US, and Sharon discovers that she is pregnant. Left with the consequences of their spontaneous liaison, Sharon and Rob consider pursuing their relationship despite the unplanned nature of their union. "Catastrophe" is more humorous and punchy than "Conversations With Friends," but the show similarly dives into complicated relationship dynamics and the ways in which love can bloom in the most unexpected places.

On paper, Jean Holloway (Naomi Watts) has the perfect life: she is an intelligent, successful psychologist with a loving husband, a beautiful daughter, and a stunning home. What appears on the surface, however, is not always true. After hearing stories from her patients, Jean develops an obsessive interest in their lives. When Jean assumes a new identity as Diane Hart to further explore a patient's former relationship, she becomes too involved in the process and struggles juggling her double life as a mother, a wife, and a therapist. "Gypsy" is a thrilling psychological drama series from Netflix that examines the complex nature of relationships and the consequences of not being honest with yourself.

Whether or not we realize it in the moment, the people we come across in our lives, whether romantically or platonically, have a definite purpose. "Love Life" highlights the importance of relationships throughout life and how each relationship can influence and mold people into well-rounded individuals. The anthology series from HBO Max follows Darby Carter (Anna Kendrick) in season one as she desperately searches for the right person to fill the void in her hopeless-romantic heart, not realizing that every person she encounters along the way will hold a place in her life. The second season follows a similar storyline, but from a man's perspective: following Marcus Watkins's (William Jackson Harper) divorce, he embarks on a journey to find who he really is while discovering love along the way.

Dominic West and Ruth Wilson star in this sizzling Showtime series that centers around the lives of two individuals entangled in a passionate love affair. Noah Solloway (West) and Alison Bailey (Wilson) meet at the diner where she works, and sparks immediately fly. Despite the fact that they are each in a committed marriage, they start a secret affair that wears emotionally on them and those they are close to. The series depicts their affair from each person's perspective, showing how our experiences of events shape what we believe to be reality. "Conversations With Friends" similarly examines the consequences of extramarital affairs and exploring sexuality outside of marriage.

From writer, director, and producer Judd Apatow comes "Love," a fresh romantic-comedy series from Netflix. The show spans three seasons and centers on main characters Mickey Jacobs and Gus Cruikshank, whose flaws and issues often hinder their chances of dating. The two are a crutch for one another and connect over their mutual lack of success in finding a romantic relationship. "Love" has its funny moments but also deals with serious matters like alcoholism and sex addiction, making it vulnerable and relatable.

Adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Stephanie Danler, "Sweetbitter" follows Tess, a young woman seeking to live out her dreams in New York City. When she lands a job at a popular restaurant, she finds it difficult to keep up with the hustle and bustle of her responsibilities but goes out of her comfort zone to discover who she truly is. Along the way, she encounters flings, passionate love affairs, and humbling moments, all of which force her to weigh exactly what she wants out of life and love.