Anisha Dutta
‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, is a wonderful, inspiring period comedy-drama. It debuted on March 17, 2017 on Amazon Prime Video. The series revolves around Miriam aka Midge Maisel, an ordinary homemaker. Set in 1958 in New York, it chronicles her journey as she discovers her talent for stand-up comedy (after her comedian husband leaves her for another woman) and tries to take it up as a profession. However, her road to success is fraught with challenges since this career path, during those times, was mostly dominated by the opposite gender. Still, amidst several hurdles, this determined woman is determined to achieve her dreams.
Although ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ falls under the comedy genre, it is a female-centric show that focuses on how women with strong willpower can achieve anything. And to inspire you a bit more, let’s discuss some other amazing titles that shall revive the feminist in you. Here’s the list of best shows similar to ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ that are our recommendations. You can watch several of these series like ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
17. Orphan Black (2013-17)
‘Orphan Black’, created by Graeme Manson and John Fawcett, stars Tatiana Maslany who enacts the roles of several cloned individuals. After Sarah Manning assumes the identity of Elizabeth Childs, when the latter commits suicide, in order to escape her own problems, Sarah becomes involved in a bigger conspiracy that threatens her existence. Focusing on the moral and ethical implications of human cloning, this series introduces us to several strong female leads — a con artist, a scientist, and a soccer mom.
16. The Handmaid’s Tale (2017-)
Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale‘ is a dystopian series created by Bruce Miller. It introduces us to a post-apocalyptic era where women are used only as offspring-producing machines. In this totalitarian society, women have no rights, jobs, or properties and the fertile ones are forced into a life of servitude. Employed as child-bearing slaves, these handmaids are assigned to the homes of the powerful and the wealthy. ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ may be a fictional story, but it is a fearful imagination of our future, which can indeed become true if we do not make reforms to our current ways of living. Terrifying and brutal, it is a riveting watch that must definitely feature on your catalog.
15. Cable Girls (2017-)
‘Cable Girls’, a Netflix original, is a Spanish period drama which premiered on the platform on April 28, 2017. The central plot of the show revolves around four girls employed in a telephone company in Madrid in the 1920s. It depicts the struggles of women during those times in a society that did not support women empowerment and is slightly reminiscent of the modern feminist movement of today. Focusing on issues of sexuality, abuse and oppression, ‘Cable Girls’ is a sensitive, eye-opening show.
14. Most Beautiful Thing (2019-)
Quite similar to the central theme of ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’, ‘Most Beautiful Thing‘, or ‘Cois Mais Linda‘, is about Malu, a young, spirited and beautiful woman from a wealthy background. She moves from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro in order to help her husband open a new restaurant. However, after arriving, she discovers that he has left her and has also taken all her money. She now has two choices: either to return to her strict father or try to stand for herself. She chooses the latter and embarks on a journey of self-discovery to transform into a bossa nova musician in the same restaurant she had planned to launch with her ex.
13. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-15)
An Australian drama TV series, ‘Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries’ first premiered on February 24, 2012 on ABC. Adapted from Kerry Greenwood’s acclaimed mystery novels of the same name, the series chronicles the events in the life of the gorgeous, sophisticated Phryne Fisher, who works as a private detective in 1920s Melbourne. The show is created by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger.
12. The Paradise (2012-13)
‘The Paradise’ is a British costume drama that revolves around a first department store in England, named The Paradise. It is centered around a simple country girl, Denise Lovett, who moves to the city to take up employment in this shop. Set in 1875, the story also introduces us to the widower John Moray, who is the owner of this prominent store in his locality. As Moray meets Denise, he soon understands her potential and sees in her the capability to become a star of the business. Much to the chagrin of Miss Audrey, the head of ladies’ fashion, Clara, another shopgirl and Katherine, Moray’s fiancee, Denise struggles to achieve her dreams amidst all these challenges.
11. Juana Ines (2016)
A Mexican TV show, ‘Juana Ines’ is created by Patricia Arriaga Jordán and chronicles the real story of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Released in 2016, the series depicts the events in her life and focuses mainly on her journey from her uncle’s home to her arrival at the court of the viceroy of New Spain and then to a convent of the Carmelite Nuns. Juana comes with a dark past that had soiled her image and hence, she battles social stigma to grow into an intellectually capable woman. Although she faces strong opposition from the Catholic Church and the Spanish Inquisition, who did not support a woman’s quest for knowledge during that time, she still manages to continue fighting. In the course of its seven episodes, this show tries to document her mysterious life, her disagreements with the church, and the sudden, surprising, self-imposed silence during the later part of her life.
10. Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman (1993-98)
‘Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman’ introduces us to Michaela Quinn, a female doctor employed in the post-Civil War afflicted frontier town of Colorado Springs. This Western drama follows her journey as she moves to this place following the death of her physician father to take his position. It takes us to an era when a woman doctor was a rare sight. Therefore, under these circumstances, Michaela has to make double efforts to win the trust of her neighbors. Matters are further complicated when the locals come to know about her humanitarian nature. She supports the Colorado Springs minorities as well as the barmaids, and this is not taken casually by the community.
9. The White Queen (2013-)
Set in war-torn England in 1464, ‘The White Queen’ transports us to the time frame when the blood feud between the Houses of York Lancaster was at its peak. These two sides of the same family fight over the one true king of England. Eventually, Edward IV, heir to the House of York, is chosen as the successor to the throne. But things take a drastic turn when the young ruler falls for a Lancastrian commoner girl, Elizabeth Woodville.
8. The Crown (2016-)
‘The Crown‘, a highly acclaimed Netflix Original, is a historical drama based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. It chronicles the events from her ascent to the throne in the 1940s to current times. Following the death of King George VI, Elizabeth became England’s queen at the young age of 25. The series lends an inside look into her reign, personal struggles, relationships and political rivalries.
7. Krasnaya Koroleva (2015-)
This is the true tale of Regina Zbarskaya, a famous model from the Soviet Union. It chronicles her rise from humble beginnings to her transformation into one of the leading fashion icons in Russia, which was then dominated by the hostile surroundings of the Cold War.
6. Jane Eyre (2006)
‘Jane Eyre’, a 2006-released TV series, is based on the classic novel of the same name written by Charlotte Brontë in 1847. It is centered around an orphan girl, Jane, who is raised by her aunt, Mrs. Reed. She then gets employed as a housekeeper in Thornfield Hall to serve as a governess for young Adèle. There, she meets the mysterious estate owner, Mr. Rochester, who is engaged to Blanche Ingram.
5. Call the Midwife (2012-)
Set during the 1950s in London, ‘Call the Midwife’ revolves around the profession of midwifery in those times. It introduces us to the young Jenny, a freshly qualified midwife, who joins a group of nurses and nuns at Nonnatus House. Although Jenny is first uncertain of the formidable atmosphere in the convent, she slowly starts getting used to her surroundings and builds close bonds with her peers. Her caring nature also makes her a favorite among the families whom the girls tend to and treat.
4. Better Things (2016-)
‘Better Things’, a comedy-drama series, is created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K. It focuses on Adlon, a divorcee and a mother of three daughters. Without any support, she has to raise them all by herself. The show chronicles the life of one determined, talented woman, who is a working mother, a dedicated professional, and a true definition of feminist ideologies.
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3. Gilmore Girls (2000-07)
‘Gilmore Girls’, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as the protagonists. It is a wonderful show that portrays the relationship between a single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory Gilmore. Set in the fictional town of Stars Hollow in Connecticut, the show, additionally, introduces us to several other characters who play important roles in the duo’s life. Exploring themes of family, generation gap, romance, education, friendship, disappointment, social status, and ambition, ‘Gilmore Girls’ should be on the watch-list of every woman.
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2. Glow (2017-)
Created by Liz Flahive and Carly Mensch, ‘Glow’ gives a fictional account of the characters of the syndicated women’s professional wrestling circuit — the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW), founded by David McLane in the 1980s. This Netflix Original debuted on the platform on June 23, 2017, and introduces us to Ruth Wilder, a struggling actress residing in LA during the 80s. However, she lands a role in the arena of women’s wrestling, where she would have to feature alongside 12 other out-of-work Hollywood actresses, just like her. Under the guidance of Sam Sylvia, this team of women tries to climb up the ladder to glitter, stardom and fame.
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1. Big Little Lies (2017-)
‘Big Little Lies’ is an adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Liane Moriarty. It debuted with its first episode on February 19, 2017 on HBO. The show is created and written by David E. Kelley and stars Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley as the protagonists. The series chronicles the lives of three wealthy women — Madeline, Celeste, and Jane — with emotional troubles, who reside in the idyllic town of Monterey, California. However, things soon take a more complicated turn when they become embroiled in a murder investigation. The show offers in-depth insights into complicated relationships with ex-husbands and second wives, school scandals, and the little lies we all tell for survival.
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