No reviews
Genre: Drama
Main Cast: Amiyah Scott, Sam Asghari, Teri Wyble, Jeremy Batiste
Creators: Brandon Michael Haynes, Michael Landry, Madeline Mack
Directors:
Writers:
1 season, 2 episodes
Shows Most Like When We Grow Up (2021)
PBC (2022)
8.1 / 10 (based on 107 reviews)
Sarah is just trying to “be audit she can be. After finally quitting her job at a major public firm, Sarah finds herself as the Senior Accountant for SUNRYZER A.I., a fast-track to IPO tech start-up that is preparing for their annual year-end audit. While she’s trying to make a good impression, her new accounting team of Hunter and Makayla isn’t making it easy for her to focus on work. Meanwhile she doesn’t get much support from her Manager Tracy , Controller Dave, or CFO Jessica. On top of all her normal work duties, she finds herself caught up in workplace drama thanks to top-notch auditor Lindsey and a nosy janitor. This workplace comedy sheds light onto the hilarious scenarios CPAs, staff accountants, and audit professionals find themselves in on a daily basis.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Jessica Sarah Flaum, Christian A. Pierce, Pete Gardner, Amy Letcher
Creators: Mike Whitmire
Directors:
Writers:
2 seasons, 12 episodes, 22.0-minute runtime
Black Monday (2019)
7.4 / 10 (based on 6091 reviews)
A group of outsiders takes on the 1980s old-boys club of Wall Street.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Don Cheadle, Andrew Rannells, Paul Scheer, Regina Hall
Creators: Jordan Cahan, David Caspe
Directors:
Writers:
3 seasons, 30 episodes, 30.0-minute runtime
Star (2016)
6.7 / 10 (based on 4747 reviews)
A trio of women form a musical group in Atlanta.
Genre: Drama, Music, Musical
Main Cast: Jude Demorest, Brittany O’Grady, Ryan Destiny, Amiyah Scott
Creators: Lee Daniels, Tom Donaghy
Directors:
Writers:
3 seasons, 48 episodes, 42.0-minute runtime
The Family Business (2018)
6.4 / 10 (based on 1195 reviews)
By day, the Duncans are an upstanding family who run a thriving exotic car dealership in New York. By night, they live a dangerous secret life. When they come under siege the Duncans will have to stick together or die separately.
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Main Cast: Valarie Pettiford, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman
Creators:
Directors:
Writers:
3 seasons, 32 episodes, 50.0-minute runtime
Legendary (2020)
8 / 10 (based on 1847 reviews)
Divas will battle on voguing teams called “houses,” with the chance to win a cash prize in ballsy fashion and dance challenges to ultimately achieve “Legendary” status.
Genre: Reality-TV
Main Cast: Dashaun Wesley, Law Roach, Jameela Jamil, Leiomy Maldonado
Creators:
Directors:
Writers:
2 seasons, 19 episodes, 50.0-minute runtime
The Lower Bottoms (2021)
8.6 / 10 (based on 33 reviews)
In a gentrifying West Oakland neighborhood, tensions intensify between newcomers and natives as arsonists destroy construction sites and new businesses are vandalized. Everyone’s pissed off and the whole city is polarized. But who’s behind these acts and why? Each episode of this narrative podcast brings us closer to revealing the perpetrator(s), though the answer may not be so simple.
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Mystery
Main Cast: Ryan Destiny, Annie Ilonzeh, Teresa Celeste, Theo Rossi
Creators: Dominique Mouton
Directors:
Writers:
1 season, 7 episodes
In the realm of television, where every other show seems to recycle the same old themes and character arcs, “When We Grow Up” emerges as a breath of fresh air. Launched in 2021, this series takes a unique approach to storytelling, focusing on the nuanced journey of adulthood and the inevitable, sometimes uncomfortable, growth that comes with it. Unlike many of its predecessors, this show doesn’t rely on overdone tropes or melodramatic plot twists to capture its audience. Instead, it opts for authenticity, humor, and a bit of heartache, making it a standout in a sea of mediocrity.
The Premise
At its core, “When We Grow Up” is about five friends navigating the choppy waters of their late twenties and early thirties. The show is set in a vibrant city, a backdrop that perfectly encapsulates the chaos and charm of adult life. Each character brings their own set of dreams, challenges, and baggage to the table, making for a diverse and relatable ensemble.
What sets this show apart is its refusal to gloss over the messiness of growing up. It doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff—job dissatisfaction, failed relationships, existential crises, and the pressure to “have it all figured out.” Yet, it handles these themes with a light touch, often finding humor in the struggle and beauty in the breakdown.
The Characters
- Alex: The overachiever who’s beginning to question if climbing the corporate ladder is all it’s cracked up to be.
- Sam: The creative soul struggling to make their mark in the art world while juggling multiple side hustles.
- Jordan: The eternal optimist, whose sunny disposition is tested by an unexpected career setback.
- Riley: The free spirit trying to find stability without sacrificing their sense of adventure.
- Casey: The pragmatist, grappling with the desire for a conventional life and the fear of missing out on true happiness.
These characters are more than just archetypes; they’re reflections of us. They remind us of our friends, our family, and often, ourselves. Their journeys, fraught with missteps and victories, offer a mirror to our own experiences, making “When We Grow Up” not just a show to watch, but a conversation to be had.
Why It Stands Out
Relatability
In a world where social media often dictates that we present the best versions of ourselves, “When We Grow Up” cuts through the facade. It champions the unfiltered reality of adulthood, making it incredibly relatable. The characters don’t have it all figured out, and that’s okay. Their failures are as important as their successes, providing viewers with a much-needed reminder that perfection is a myth.
Humor
Life is absurd, and “When We Grow Up” gets that. It finds humor in the mundane, the tragic, and the downright bizarre situations the characters find themselves in. This isn’t slapstick or forced comedy; it’s the kind of laughter that bubbles up from recognizing a bit of your own life on the screen. It’s a reminder that sometimes, all you can do is laugh.
Authenticity
There’s a rawness to “When We Grow Up” that’s rare in television today. The dialogue feels real, often as if you’re eavesdropping on a private conversation. The show doesn’t rely on extravagant sets or exotic locations to tell its stories. Instead, it finds beauty in the ordinary—the cramped apartments, the dive bars, the quiet moments of introspection. It’s in these settings that the show truly shines, offering a genuine look at life as we know it.
Noteworthy Episodes
While every episode of “When We Grow Up” offers something special, a few stand out for their ability to encapsulate the show’s essence.
- The Job Interview: An episode where Alex goes through a series of increasingly bizarre job interviews, highlighting the absurdity of the modern job market.
- The Art Show: Sam finally gets their big break with a solo art show, only to grapple with the fear of being a “sell-out.”
- The Road Trip: A spontaneous road trip serves as the backdrop for a deep dive into the characters’ fears, hopes, and dreams.
These episodes, among others, showcase the show’s knack for blending humor with heart, making “When We Grow Up” a must-watch for anyone who’s ever felt a bit lost in the world.
The Takeaway
“When We Grow Up” is more than just a TV show; it’s a reflection on adulthood, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness. It doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but it does offer a comforting shoulder to lean on—a reminder that we’re all in this together, trying to figure it out one day at a time.
In a television landscape often dominated by high-stakes drama and unattainable fantasies, “When We Grow Up” stands out for its commitment to the real, the messy, and the utterly human. It’s a show that doesn’t just entertain; it resonates, leaving viewers with a little more courage to face the uncertainties of growing up.