Finished Gossip Girl? Here’s What to Watch Next (A Real Guide)

I’ve spent years—and let’s be honest, probably thousands of hours—on my couch, completely hooked on television. I love figuring out what makes a story tick, and few genres pull you in quite like an elite teen drama. It’s a whole universe of glamour, impossibly high stakes, and a peek into a life that feels a million miles away from our own.

Gossip Girl really perfected that formula. It wasn’t just a show; it was a cultural moment that shaped fashion, slang, and our expectations for juicy drama. So when it ended, it left a huge, headband-shaped hole in our hearts. We all wanted more of that same energy—more secrets, more backstabbing, more over-the-top romance.

But finding a show that truly nails that vibe is tougher than you’d think. It’s not just about throwing rich kids on screen. There’s a secret sauce, a specific recipe of character, setting, and plot that has to be just right. This isn’t just another list of shows. Think of this as a look under the hood. We’ll break down the key ingredients that make these dramas so addictive and see how the genre has evolved from glossy escapism to something a lot darker and more direct. My goal is to help you find your next obsession by matching a show’s strengths to what you really loved about the wild lives of Manhattan’s elite.

The Secret Sauce of an Elite Teen Drama

Before you can find the next great binge, you have to know what you’re looking for. These shows are all built on a similar foundation, and once you see the pattern, you can spot a winner from a mile away. The pros have been tweaking this blueprint for a long time, and it rarely fails.

1. The Outsider We See Through

Every story needs a way in, and for these shows, it’s usually the outsider. This is our guide, the character who isn’t part of the super-rich world… at first. They’re often smart, maybe a little cynical, and come from a totally different background (think the scholarship kid or the guy from the wrong side of town). This character is crucial because they ask the questions we’re all thinking, like, “Is this seriously your life?” We see the absurdity of this gilded world through their eyes, which makes it all feel a bit more relatable. Plus, it’s the perfect setup for conflict and, of course, a central love story when the outsider inevitably falls for the ultimate insider.

2. The Setting as Its Own Character

The location is never just a pretty background; it’s an active force in the story. In some shows, the penthouses and private school steps of the Upper East Side create a world with a rigid social ladder. In others, the breezy beach mansions of Southern California offer a more laid-back vibe, but one that’s just as ruthless. And sometimes, it’s a sleek, modern school with so many glass walls that you know no secret can stay hidden for long.

These settings create a ton of pressure. The wealth isn’t just for show—it’s a golden cage, and all the best drama comes from watching the characters try to live inside it or break free.

3. The Central Mystery That Keeps Us Guessing

While we all love a good romance, the most addictive teen dramas are often powered by a major secret. Who is the anonymous blogger? Who is the mysterious tormentor sending cryptic texts? This little addition turns a simple drama into a full-blown thriller and raises the stakes way beyond who’s taking who to prom. It makes every character a potential suspect. Newer shows in the genre often kick things off with a murder right away, letting you know from the first episode that this is about more than just high school drama. It’s about solving a crime where any of your faves could be the killer.

4. Fashion That Tells the Story

Let’s be real: in these shows, the clothes are half the story. The costume designers are basically co-writers. A character’s signature headbands can be a symbol of her queen bee status, and the moment she stops wearing them, you know something major has shifted. One character’s bohemian style shows off her free-spirited nature, while another’s sharp, coordinated outfits broadcast a deep need for control.

Oh yeah, and the makeup is a huge part of it now, too. A character’s glittery, artistic eye makeup can be a direct reflection of her creativity and vulnerability. A quick tip: If you want to get the look without the designer price tag, Pinterest and TikTok are full of guides for finding affordable dupes, with key pieces often costing between $20 and $60.

Your Binge-Watching Cheat Sheet

Okay, enough with the theory. You want to know what to watch, like, right now. Here’s a quick-reference guide to help you pick your next obsession. I’ve included where you can stream them and how much of a time commitment you’re in for.

• Elite (Netflix, 8 seasons): The Vibe: Glamorous, scandalous, and murdery. It’s basically the spiritual successor to Gossip Girl, but with a Spanish accent and higher stakes.
• Pretty Little Liars (Max, 7 seasons): The Vibe: A twisty, non-stop mystery thriller. Perfect if you love being on the edge of your seat and trying to solve the puzzle.
• Veronica Mars (Hulu, 4 seasons + a movie): The Vibe: A witty, film noir detective story set in high school. Incredibly smart and surprisingly emotional.
• Outer Banks (Netflix, 3 seasons so far): The Vibe: A sun-soaked treasure hunt adventure. Think class warfare meets Indiana Jones on the coast of North Carolina.
• Skins (UK version) (Hulu, 7 seasons): The Vibe: Raw, messy, and brutally honest. This is the anti-glamour option for when you want something real. (Heads up: a new cast appears every two seasons!).
• Euphoria (Max, 2 seasons so far): The Vibe: A visually stunning but dark and intense look at modern teen struggles. It’s cinematic, heavy, and definitely for mature audiences.
• 90210 Reboot (Freevee, 5 seasons): The Vibe: Pure, sun-drenched soap opera. A great choice if you just want glossy, high-stakes escapism.

Finding Your Perfect Match

Now, let’s get into the specifics. What you loved most about the OG series will point you toward your next favorite show.

If You Lived for the High Fashion and Social Games…

You need to watch Elite (Netflix, 8 seasons). This Spanish-language series is the most obvious heir to the throne. You’ve got a stunningly rich private school, a huge clash between the working-class scholarship kids and the uber-wealthy, and more complicated love triangles than you can count. The uniforms are crisp, the party outfits are fire, and the social maneuvering is deadly serious. It also frames each season with a murder mystery, which gives it that extra edge.

Another solid choice is the 90210 reboot (Freevee, 5 seasons). It’s set in the glamorous world of Beverly Hills and absolutely delivers on the promise of watching beautiful people live ridiculously dramatic lives. If you’re looking for pure, high-gloss escapism, this is a safe and satisfying bet.

If You Were Hooked on the Central Mystery…

Then Pretty Little Liars (Max, 7 seasons) is your show. Seriously, this show is all about the secret. The central mystery of its anonymous tormentor is one of the most compelling and wildly complex plots in TV history. If the “Who is Gossip Girl?” question was your favorite part of the original, PLL will keep you guessing for years. Literally.

For something a bit smarter, try Veronica Mars (Hulu, 4 seasons + a movie). To be frank, it’s one of the best-written shows ever. It’s a teen drama flawlessly blended with a classic detective story, centered on a high school P.I. who solves a new case each episode while working a bigger, season-long mystery. The writing is sharp, hilarious, and full of heart.

Or for something more adventurous, check out Outer Banks (Netflix, 3 seasons and counting). It combines a summer class-warfare story (the working-class “Pogues” vs. the rich “Kooks”) with a thrilling treasure hunt. It’s got that fun, escapist feel but with life-or-death stakes.

If You’re Ready for Something Darker and More Complex…

My top recommendation is the original UK version of Skins (Hulu, 7 seasons). This is the anti-Gossip Girl. It is not about wish fulfillment; it’s about the harsh, messy, and sometimes ugly reality of being a teenager. The characters make terrible mistakes and the show tackles heavy topics with unflinching honesty. A quick tip for beginners: start with the first two seasons. It’s a perfect, self-contained story you can knock out in a weekend, and many people (myself included) consider it a masterpiece.

The modern successor to that raw honesty is Euphoria (Max, 2 seasons so far). It takes themes of addiction, trauma, and identity and presents them in a breathtakingly cinematic style. But be warned: the content is dark, graphic, and often disturbing. From my own experience, the tonal whiplash is real—I made the mistake of watching it right after a lighthearted rewatch, and it was a lot. This show is powerful, but it’s not for everyone.

But Wait, What About the New Gossip Girl?

Ah yes, the elephant in the room. The reboot, which you can find on Max, is a totally different animal. It’s more visually polished and definitely more aware of modern social issues. The fashion is still on point, but the central mystery is revealed to the audience almost immediately, which completely changes the dynamic. Some people love its modern take, while others miss the specific charm of the original. It’s worth checking out an episode or two to see if it’s your cup of tea, but go in knowing it’s a re-imagining, not a repeat.

A Quick Heads-Up Before You Press Play

As much as I love these shows, I think it’s important to be honest about their content. The more modern dramas, in particular, deal with very serious issues and aren’t always an easy watch.

Older shows often frame seriously toxic relationships as swoon-worthy romance. It’s great entertainment, but it’s good to watch with a critical eye and remember it’s not a relationship guide. Newer shows like Euphoria, Skins, and Elite push the boundaries way further with graphic depictions of drug use, violence, and other intense themes. They are absolutely made for a mature audience.

Good to know: If you’re ever worried about specific triggers or sensitive content, sites like Common Sense Media or DoesTheDogDie.com are incredible resources. They give detailed content breakdowns without major spoilers, so you can go in prepared. There’s no shame in protecting your mental well-being!

The Drama Never Really Ends

The elite teen drama is still so popular for a reason—it taps into feelings we all understand. The struggle to find your identity, navigating messy friendships, and being curious about lives different from our own. These shows just turn the volume up to eleven, placing those universal feelings in a world where the problems are bigger and the outfits are better.

So, whether you’re looking for glossy escapism or a raw look at the messiness of growing up, there’s a show out there for you. Hopefully, you now have a better roadmap to find it.

Now I have to ask: what’s your go-to elite teen drama? Did I miss a hidden gem that everyone needs to know about? Let me know in the comments below!

Galerie d’inspiration

Don’t underestimate the power of a killer soundtrack. Shows like The O.C. became kingmakers for indie bands, with every dramatic moment punctuated by the perfect song from artists like Death Cab for Cutie or Imogen Heap. The music isn’t just background noise; it’s the emotional heartbeat of the series, telling you exactly how to feel before the characters even say a word.

Is it worth watching the reboots?

It’s the big question for any die-hard fan. The HBO Max Gossip Girl reboot, for example, takes a different path by revealing Gossip Girl’s identity in the very first episode. This changes the core mystery, shifting the focus to the power dynamics of social media and modern influencer culture. It’s less about the ‘who’ and more about the ‘why,’ offering a more socially-conscious but perhaps less mysterious take on the original’s formula.

• A multi-generational story that’s just as juicy as the kids’ plotlines.
• Parents with secrets, questionable morals, and impeccable taste.
• They provide the financial and emotional chaos that fuels the teen drama.

The secret? The unforgettable parents. From Lily van der Woodsen’s complicated romantic history in Gossip Girl to Kirsten Cohen’s quiet struggles in The O.C., the adult characters are often the hidden MVPs of these shows.

The Glossy American Dream: Shows like Gossip Girl or 90210 present a hyper-stylized, high-fashion world where problems can often be solved with a grand gesture or a designer handbag. The setting is pure escapism.

The Gritty British Reality: Series like Skins or the early seasons of Misfits tackle similar themes of adolescence but with a raw, unfiltered lens. The drama feels more grounded, chaotic, and often-uncomfortable.

Choosing between them depends on whether you’re in the mood for champagne or a vodka soda in a sticky-floored club.

A key mistake: Bailing after the pilot. Many of the best teen dramas, including the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer (a godmother of the genre), have notoriously clunky first episodes. The real magic begins once the characters and their complex relationships have room to breathe, usually around episode three or four. Give it a chance to find its rhythm.

Before you dive into a 121-episode epic, consider a high-impact mini-series. Shows like HBO’s Big Little Lies or The Undoing deliver the same wealthy-people-with-dark-secrets vibe but wrap up the mystery in a single, perfectly paced season. It’s all the glamour and backstabbing, without the six-year commitment.

Over 1.1 million people tuned in to watch the season two finale of The O.C. in the UK alone, proving the international appeal of sun-drenched California drama.

This global obsession wasn’t accidental. The formula of relatable teen angst set against an aspirational, ultra-wealthy backdrop created a universal fantasy. It confirmed that the desire to peek behind the gilded curtain knows no borders, paving the way for international hits on Netflix like Spain’s Elite and South Africa’s Blood & Water.

The ‘Anonymous Narrator’ has evolved since the original GG signed off with her signature ‘XOXO.’ This storytelling device creates instant intrigue and a constant sense of surveillance.

• Pretty Little Liars twisted the concept by making the anonymous tormentor, ‘A’, a genuine, dangerous threat to the girls’ lives.
• Elite uses a flash-forward structure where the ‘gossip’ is part of a police investigation, giving the secrets life-or-death stakes from the start.
• How to Get Away with Murder took the trope to the adult level, where the secrets aren’t about social ruin but legal and literal survival.

Your Essential Binge-Watching Toolkit:

• The Right Streamer: Check JustWatch.com to see if your next obsession is on Netflix, HBO Max, or Hulu.
• Second Screen Ready: You’ll need your phone to immediately Google
  

  
  

  Are these shows just modern-day Jane Austen novels?

  In a way, yes. The high-stakes social maneuvering, the importance of reputation, the outsider falling for the wealthy insider, and the sharp, witty commentary on a rigid class structure are all themes straight out of classics like Pride and Prejudice or Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. The ballgowns have just been replaced by Balenciaga.

  
  

  It’s impossible to discuss the fashion of this genre without crediting costume designer Eric Daman. After working on Sex and the City, he defined the look of Gossip Girl, turning headbands, colored tights, and statement necklaces into must-have trends. His work proved that costumes aren’t just clothes; they’re character development you can see.

  
  

  Spotted: The new generation of teen dramas leaning into darker, grittier territory. While the glamour remains, shows like Euphoria and Élite don’t shy away from depicting the harsh realities of addiction, mental health, and crime with a graphic honesty that would have been unthinkable in the early 2000s. The escapism is now laced with a heavy dose of explicit realism.

  Many of these shows are produced by the same creative minds. Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage are the powerhouse duo behind both The O.C. and Gossip Girl.

  When you find a show you love, look up the creators. You’ll often discover they have a signature style. Following a showrunner, like Shonda Rhimes (Scandal, Bridgerton) or a writer like Sera Gamble (You), is one of the best ways to find a series with a similar tone and narrative punch.