17 Phenomenal TV Shows That Are Both Diverse On And Off Camera, And 100% Worth Watching

    Just in case you were looking for something new to watch...

    Lauren Garafano
    by Lauren Garafano

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Ramy

    Hulu

    This series comes from the same production company behind Euphoria, Moonlight, and Lady Bird, so we can already guarantee it's gonna be great. Ramy follows a Muslim-American millennial from New Jersey who's obsessed with finding his meaning in life. In the series, he struggles with searching for his true identity and how it relates to his faith, all while dealing with the everyday realness of being a guy in his twenties. Yes, Ramy makes some pretty bad decisions in this series and he's kind of a hot mess, but the more you watch the more you root for him. The writing in this series is sharp and thought-provoking, the cast is phenomenal, and the jokes are all actually pretty funny — there's really no reason you shouldn't watch this show.

    Who created it: Ramy Youssef, Ari Katcher, and Ryan Welch

    Starring: Ramy Youssef, Hiam Abbass, Amr Waked, Dave Merheje, Mohammed Amer, May Calamawy, Laith Nakli, and Mahershala Ali

    Where to watch it: Hulu

    2. Fresh Off the Boat

    Christopher Willard / ABC

    If family antics is your vibe, then Fresh Off the Boat is perfect for you. The series follows the Huang family after they relocate from Chinatown in Washington, DC to Orlando. It also takes place during the late '90s, so there's a bunch of nostalgia too. Fresh Off the Boat is fantastic at making you fall in love with the Huang family and getting you to laugh your ass off, all while also teaching you about more serious topics like immigration and racism. It's a perfect show for anyone who adores good comedy and isn't afraid to branch out from their everyday streaming schedule.

    Who created it: Nahnatchka Khan

    Starring: Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, Ian Chen, Lucille Soong, Chelsey Crisp, and Ray Wise

    Where to watch it: Hulu

    3. Insecure

    HBO

    Insecure follows Issa and her close friends as they navigate their careers, relationships, and friendships in LA. This series has been commended by many for portraying such a realistic picture of the complexities of being a Black woman. The series explores both social and racial issues that Issa and those around her face, while remaining grounded, educational, and funny. The writing in this series is beyond belief and really hits the mark. It's impossible not to get caught up in the drama of the show and after just a few episodes, you'll feel like Issa's new BFF.

    Who created it: Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore

    Starring: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Lisa Joyce, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Y'lan Noel, Alexander Hodge, Kendrick Sampson, and Jean Elie

    Where to watch it: HBO Max

    4. Los Espookys

    HBO

    Los Espookys follows a group of horror-loving friends who decide to turn their love for all things spooky into a career. Together, they form Los Espookys where they provide horror-like situations for those who need them and to trick people into thinking they're real. From bloody quinceañeras to fake exorcisms, this show has all those perfect horror elements you're looking for and is still hilarious to watch. Basically, think of this show as the total opposite of Scooby-Doo, instead of solving scary mysteries the Los Espookys create them. This show is genuinely one of the funniest shows you can watch and it's honestly such a shame if you haven't started it yet.

    Who created it: Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, and Fred Armisen

    Starring: Bernardo Velasco, Cassandra Ciangherotti, Ana Fabrega, Julio Torres, and Fred Armisen

    Where to watch it: HBO Max

    5. Random Acts of Flyness

    HBO

    Random Acts of Flyness is a magical, mystical, mind-melting series. It's described as a "response to the contemporary American mediascape" in which music, animation, and surrealist melodrama take centerstage. This series is remarkable at interweaving glitz and glamour to tell the stories of Black youth in America. It's a perfect show for someone looking to better understand the Black experience, while also admiring the beauty of art and music. This show is a perfect example of what television should be and you will not be disappointed.

    Who created it: Terence Nance

    Starring: Terence Nance, Whoopi Goldberg, Dominique Fishback, Gillian Jacobs, Jon Hamm, Ntare Guma Mwine, Adepero Oduye, Natalie Paul, Lakeith Stanfield, Tonya Pinkins, and Paul Sparks

    Where to watch it: HBO Max

    6. Kim's Convenience

    CBC / Via CBC / courtesy Everett Collection

    Kim's Convenience follows the Kims, a Korean-Canadian family who run a convenience store in Toronto. Everything about this show is a delight, from the cast, to the jokes, to the sweet storylines. If you're familiar with Schitt's Creek, Kim's Convenience has a very similar energy. It does a wonderful job at creating characters who are funny and lovable, but still human — you can't help but fall in love with them. Kim's Convenience is a hysterical, laugh-inducing sitcom that is able to stay emotionally grounded. You won't find a show with more heart and soul than this one, I promise.

    Who created it: Ins Choi and Kevin White

    Starring: Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Andrea Bang, Simu Liu, Andrew Phung, and Nicole Power

    Where to watch it: Netflix

    7. Genetefied

    Netflix

    Set in LA, Gentefied tells the story of three Mexican-American cousins who are searching for their own American Dream at the same gentrification threatens the loss of their beloved neighborhood and family taco shop. This series does a great job at bringing its characters to live and represent actual people who live through similar situations everyday. The show thrives at sharing these heartfelt, poignant moments with a side of humor and a dash of down-to-earth characters. Genetefied is an absolute must-watch.

    Who created it: Marvin Lemus and Linda Yvette Chávez

    Starring: Joaquín Cosío, J.J. Soria, Karrie Martin, and Carlos Santos

    Where to watch it: Netflix

    8. I May Destroy You

    HBO

    Created by Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You is about a millennial woman and Twitter-icon-turned-author named Arabella. After going on a night out with her friends Arabella wakes the next morning realizing she doesn't have any recollection of what happened to her the night before. As she tries to piece together the night's events she comes to learn that the people in her life are all not who they're cracked up to be. This show is smart, poignant, and offers a lot of insight into experiences of sexual assault survivors. I May Destroy You is one of those rare shows where it's able to seamlessly combine drama and comedy without feeling preachy or uncomfortable. Michaela Coel's writing is so breathtaking, it's hard not to fall in love with Arabella. I strongly urge you to watch this show.

    Who created it: Michaela Coel

    Starring: Michaela Coel, Weruche Opia, and Paapa Essiedu

    Where to watch it: HBO Max

    9. Black-ish

    Ali Goldstein / ABC

    There is yet to be a more iconic family than the Johnsons. Black-ish revolves around the Johnson family as they deal with their regular everyday problems, while sometimes emphasizing major sociopolitical issues. This series does a great job of making you actually think about the world outside of the show you're watching. It's funny, smart, but most importantly, it's real. The entire cast is a delight to watch and you'll get so invested in these characters that you won't be able to watch "just one episode." Black-ish is a necessary watch for every human being.

    Who created it: Kenya Barris

    Starring: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Jeff Meacham, Jenifer Lewis, Peter Mackenzie, Deon Cole, Katlyn Nichol, and Laurence Fishburne

    Where to watch it: Hulu

    10. Awkwafina is Nora from Queens

    Comedy Central / Via Zach Dilgard / ©Comedy Central / Courtesy: Everett Collection

    In case you didn't guess from the title, Awkwafina stars as Nora, a millennial woman navigating life in her twenties and figuring out just what she wants to do with her life. Like most main characters, she's awkward, goofy, and has little to no direction in life, but Awkwafina makes it all worth watching. You'll instantly fall in love with Nora's wonderful weirdness as she works to find her independence and thrive as an adult human. This show will fill the Broad City-shaped hole in your heart and will leave you wishing for more insight into Nora's odd adventures. It's an absolute gem of a show so do yourself a favor and just watch it already.

    Who created it: Awkwafina and Teresa Hsiao

    Starring: Awkwafina, Lori Tan Chinn, Chrissie Fit, Jonathan Park, BD Wong, Jennifer Esposito, and Bowen Yang

    Where to watch it: Comedy Central

    11. Veneno

    Atresmedia / HBO Max

    Veneno is a biographical limited series that revolves around the life and death of Spanish transgender singer and TV personality Cristina Ortiz Rodríguez — aka La Veneno. The series follows Valeria Vegas, a journalism student whose experiences are similar to that of Cristina. Valeria decides to write a book based on Cristina’s life and through the course of the series, she realizes just how united the two of them are. This series also offers an interesting view of media and how it can both make or break someone’s reputation within a matter of seconds. Veneno also gives us a fascinating LGBTQ story that we don't always get to see on mainstream television. Do yourself a favor and watch this series.

    Who created it: Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo

    Starring: Lola Rodríguez, Isabel Torres, Paca la Piraña, Daniela Santiago, Desirée Rodríguez, Mariona Terés, and Lara Martorell

    Where to watch it: HBO Max

    12. One Day at a Time

    Ali Goldstein / Netflix

    If you're on the hunt for a new sitcom, then One Day at a Time should be your pick. This show is truly one of the best shows on television recently, and if the live studio audience's undying laughter is any indication, I bet you won't be able to stop laughing. ODAAT follows the Alvarez family all through their everyday ups and downs. While this show thrives at being lighthearted and silly, it also has the range to tackle serious topics like mental illness, immigration, racism, and LGBTQ issues. This series shows viewers just how important family is and makes you feel right at home. Basically, by the time you finish watching it'll feel like you're a part of the Alvarez family too..

    Who created it: Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce

    Starring: Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez, Marcel Ruiz, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Rita Moreno

    Where to watch it: Netflix (for Seasons 1-3) and CBS (for Season 4)

    13. Vida

    Starz

    Vida follows Lyn and Emma, two Mexican-American siblings from East LA. This three season-long show is able to delve into the lives of so many wonderfully nuanced characters, do their storylines justice, and leave you wishing for more. With increidible arcs about LGBTQ characters and Latinx stories, this show thrives where many miss the mark. You can tell this show is made with such love and respect for its characters, it's such a shame it wasn't on air longer.

    Who created it: Tanya Saracho

    Starring: Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada, Ser Anzoategui, Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Miranda, Maria-Elena Laas, Roberta Colindrez

    Where to watch it: Starz

    14. Woke

    Hulu

    This series is based on the real-life experiences of The K Chronicles creator Keith Knight. Woke follows a cartoonist named Keef Knight, a man who's made professional success on "keeping it light" and avoiding any controversial stances. After Keef is racially profiled and attacked by a policeman, Keef realizes he's able to talk to inanimate objects — all who try to guide him through his day-to-day challenges. Because of this incident, Keef also begins to realize just how prevalent microaggressions are in his everyday life. Over the course of Season 1, Keef attempts to figure out how to be a woke Black man and keep his cartoonist career afloat. Lamorne Morris finally gets the spotlight he deserves in this series and it's such a perfect watch for anyone looking to start something new.

    Who created it: Keith Knight and Marshall Todd

    Starring: Lamorne Morris, Blake Anderson, T. Murph, Rose McIver, and Sasheer Zamata

    Where to watch it: Hulu

    15. Lovecraft Country

    HBO

    Lovecraft Country follows Tic, a Black man who teams up with his close friend Leti and uncle George in hopes of finding his missing father. The show takes place in Jim Crow America, and throughout their journey, the group faces a bunch terrifying monsters. The cast is extraordinary at bringing this complex story to life, and once you start watching, you won't be able to stop. You'll be left thinking about this show for weeks after you finish, that's a promise. Lovecraft Country will 100% live on to be one of the best TV series of the decade because it's stimulating, poignant, and a must-watch for every American.

    Who created it: Misha Green (Jordan Peele and J.J. Abrams are also executive producers)

    Starring: Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance, Wunmi Mosaku, Abbey Lee, Jamie Chung, Jada Harris, and Michael K. Williams

    Where to watch it: HBO Max

    16. Atlanta

    FX

    Donald Glover stars as Earn, a college dropout who's working as a manager trying to get his cousin's rap career off the ground. Atlanta has received copious amounts of praise for this show and once you see an episode, you'll understand why. The series invites you into its own little world of surrealness and begs you bask in it. From fake celebrity appearances to fictionalized commercials, this show is an example of how artistically tasteful television can be. As a whole, Atlanta is incredibly smart, funny, and such a breath of fresh air in a world of more TV shows than you can count.

    Who created it: Donald Glover

    Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, Lakeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz

    Where to watch it: Hulu

    17. And finally, Never Have I Ever

    Courtesy of Netflix

    Mindy Kaling has created one of the most wonderful high school comedies of all time. The series follows Devi Vishwakumar, an Indian American teen who is dealing with a high school crush who doesn't even know she exists, slowly brewing friendship drama, and the sudden death of her father. Every single viewer is able to see some part of themselves in this coming-of-age series and Mindy Kaling's writing is spot-on. Never Have I Ever has so many sweet heartfelt moments, while staying true to it's awkward teen angsty-ness.

    Who created it: Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher

    Starring: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Richa Moorjani, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet, John McEnroe, Ramona Young, Lee Rodriguez, Niecy Nash and Poorna Jagannathan

    Where to watch it: Netflix