9 TV shows like 13 Reasons Why that explore the darker side of teenage life

13 Reasons Why altered the perception of teenage dramas around the world. The series indicated that there could be hidden fights and unspoken tales behind every joyful face. As a consequence of this series' influence, the trend of presenting the dark side of teenage lives in other shows became dominant in the areas of heartbreak, loneliness, and pressures that form the characters of young people.

The journey from dramas full of emotions to thrilling mysteries is through these series that the essence of growing up in today's world is captured.

Should 13 Reasons Why touch you, these nine other shows will remind you that through truthfulness and kindness, it is possible to extract meaning even from the darkest stories.

---

1) Euphoria

The truthfulness of 13 Reasons Why, if presented in Euphoria, would already be very deep. The main character, Rue, a teen, has to deal with a drug habit, love, and finding her identity in a society where social media is the king. Zendaya's breathtaking acting makes each scene filled with raw emotions, and in this way, the viewer is made to experience her inner turmoil.

Euphoria, with its daring visuals and gripping narrative, has not only unveiled the confusions and heartbreaks of modern-day teenagers’ digital lives but has also reflected their beauty.

---

2) My Mad Fat Diary

Following the story of Rae Earl, a teenager who was just released from a psychiatric hospital, it's about learning to love herself, fighting body image issues, and loneliness. Similar to 13 Reasons Why, it tackles mental health with such honesty and heart.

Here, it shows that self-acceptance does not come with much ease. The story is full of humor, vulnerability, and the chaos of friendships. Set in the late 1990s, it brings nostalgia and hope that every teen's struggle deserves understanding, not judgment or silence.

---

3) The Society

The Society feels like a mysterious reflection of 13 Reasons Why, centered on what happens when teens must lead themselves. When a group of high school students finds their town empty and isolated, they have to establish an orderly life and face moral dilemmas.

The series delves into leadership, loss, and the human feeling of belonging, all things that 13 Reasons Why tackled in its emotional manner. Each episode is just a little more tense, showing the fragility of young minds when chaos is at hand. It's a powerful story of survival, identity, and choice.

---

4) Skins (UK)

This series follows a group of British teenagers as they go through heartbreak, rebellion, and mental health challenges. Each episode covers one character's perspective and gives a full view of what it means to grow up so confused and misunderstood.

Just like 13 Reasons Why, it doesn't sugarcoat teenage emotions. It really shows the pain that hides behind those smiles. It also launched stars like Nicholas Hoult and Dev Patel, proving that real storytelling can shape a generation.

---

5) Elite

If the suspense and emotional twists were your main attraction to 13 Reasons Why, then Elite will be your go-to. Located in an expensive private school in Spain, it's a mix of mystery, murder, and teen drama. The pain, jealousy, and sharp social divisions tear at the luxurious surroundings; such is the tension one witnessed in 13 Reasons Why.

Each season unfolds secrets that test friendship and morality. Not only does this series entertain you, but it also calls into question the role of wealth and status in determining your emotional state. Glitzy, bold, and addictive, Elite makes teenage turbulence unforgettable.

---

6) The OA

The OA shares the depth of emotional intensity that made 13 Reasons Why so poignant while adding a layer of mystery and even spirituality to the mix. The story is about a young woman who disappears for years and then returns with strange powers, reconnecting with a group of troubled teenagers.

This series mixes fantasy and real emotions while trying to make viewers believe in hope after deep loss. Poetic, haunting, and deeply moving from beginning to end.

---

7) Riverdale

The plot of the series revolves around a murder mystery and gradually reveals the emotional difficulties that were previously hidden under the town’s flawless exterior. Every single character is subjected to pressure, guilt, and fear, just like in the case of the characters in 13 Reasons Why.

Riverdale, with its blend of mystery, romance, and family drama, demonstrates that people are not always what they seem. The fight between the good and the bad in the story and the shocking and unpredictable twists are not able to overshadow the emotional core of the drama, which is the struggle of adolescents through pain and loyalty.

---

8) Deadly Class

If you thought 13 Reasons Why showed some dark reality in the life of teenagers, Deadly Class takes it to another level. While this show is filled with violence and chaos in its secret school for young assassins, underneath lies a heart of pain and loneliness.

It explores how trauma shapes behavior and how belonging can heal or destroy. With its edgy style and emotional core, Deadly Class is both brutal and unexpectedly heartfelt.

---

9) Degrassi: Next Class

Degrassi: Next Class carries with it the truthful storytelling that fans of 13 Reasons Why have come to love. The show tackles real teen struggles like bullying, anxiety, and even gender identity, including complex social media spaces. That’s what defines its affinity with 13 Reasons Why, making sure every story matters, no matter how small.

It champions diversity and kindness while not flinching from painful truths. This is evidence that today’s teenager faces battles every day online and in their hearts, and with a little empathy, things can change. Heartwarming, relatable, and all too human.

---

Similar to the series 13 Reasons Why, these series remind us that the life of a teenager is not only about fun and freedom, but it’s also about finding power in suffering and building relationships in turmoil. The story of each one of them is about the delicate feelings that teenagers and kids in general deal with, often showing only their smiles and routine ways.

The use of different means, mystery, love sap, or hope - these shows share the same unrefined spirit that rendered 13 Reasons Why unforgettable; hence, viewers feel both affected and consoled.