13 Reasons Why has been one of the best Netflix Original debuts so far in 2017. The story which is based on the book of the same name is based on one girl who left behind a series of tapes for her best friend to listen to and hopefully find meaning and the truth behind her eventual suicide. It takes many by surprise with how it deals with real issues.
What does a series need to have to warrant being on this list? Well, first and foremost, it has to be down to Earth and covering real issues in one way or another.
The OA
The only other Netflix Original to feature on this list is The OA. The series debuted late last year with very little known about it. It tells the story of Prim who is abducted and forced to partake in science experiments. Its various twists and turns keep you engaged with an ending that will leave you with hundreds of questions, much like 13 Reasons Why.
One Tree Hill
Before The CW there was The WB and one of its biggest shows was One Trill Hill. The series ran between 2003 and 2012 and although it’s a lot lighter in subject matter, for the most part, it does deal with growing up in a small town. Relationships are what the show mainly focuses on and that’s the reason why you probably stuck with it all those years ago.
Pretty Little Liars
Wrapping up this year, Pretty Little Liars will be ending a 7-year stint which attracted millions of viewers over the years. Although slightly more glamorized than 13 Reasons Why the series follows a group of girls who have to come to terms with them killing the girls. They’re being hunted down by a mysterious person only known as A. Again, this show is far more intense and not quite as down to Earth but after 13 Reasons Why, you’ll need a show like this.
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
On the subject matter, The Secret Life of the American Teenager resembles 13 Reasons Why although once again, is slightly more glamourized and while it deals with some issues, 13 Reasons Why does a far better job. The show deals with teenage pregnancy as its main topic for conversation and the issues with having to deal with that while also completing your studies. The series ran from 2009 to 2013 on Freeform and the complete collection is on Netflix.
Broadchurch
I was somewhat reluctant to include a crime drama on this list as it’s really not in the same category. There’s something about the way that this show deals with death and disappearances that grips you sort of like the way 13 Reasons Why does. The show is a British produced show with David Tennant and Olivia Colman at the helm and is one of the best crime dramas on Netflix.
What do you think about these alternatives? Got any alternatives of your own that other fans of 13 Reasons Why should be watching? Let us know in the comments below.
