15 Delightful Shows to Watch If You Loved Jane the Virgin
Explore vibrant comedy-dramas and family tales that capture the heart and humor of Jane the Virgin.
15 Shows You’ll Love If You Enjoyed Jane the Virgin
If you found yourself captivated by the heartfelt storytelling, witty humor, and dramatic twists in Jane the Virgin, you’re not alone. This series blended telenovela tropes with sharp writing, multi-generational family themes, and clever satire. Fortunately, there are plenty of TV series that echo these qualities—with lovable heroines, strong families, lively friends, complicated romances, and the occasional over-the-top plot twist. Here are 15 shows to add to your must-watch list if you miss the Villanuevas!
1. One Day at a Time
Premise: A reimagining of Norman Lear’s 1975 sitcom, this version focuses on Penelope Alvarez, a Cuban-American army veteran raising two kids with the help of her vivacious mother.
- Why you’ll love it: Like “Jane,” this series is equal parts warm-hearted and funny, highlighting the highs and lows of family life with plenty of Latinx culture and witty banter. Rita Moreno as Lydia is a true scene-stealer.
- Notable themes: Generational struggles, cultural traditions, mental health, and strong female characters.
2. Gilmore Girls
Premise: Lorelai and Rory Gilmore navigate the quirks of small-town life while managing their unique mother-daughter bond and complex family history in Stars Hollow.
- Why you’ll love it: If you adored the fast-paced dialogue and heartfelt family moments of “Jane the Virgin,” you’ll feel right at home bingeing “Gilmore Girls.” The focus on familial love and witty banter make it a classic comfort watch.
- Signature elements: Pop culture references, lovable supporting cast, and tender generational storytelling.
3. The Good Place
Premise: Eleanor Shellstrop winds up in the afterlife’s “Good Place” by mistake and must hide her less-than-perfect past while learning what it truly means to be a good person.
- Why you’ll love it: This whip-smart comedy fuses witty writing, ethical dilemmas, and unexpected twists—much like the surprising cliffhangers in “Jane the Virgin.” It’s a genre-bending, optimistic show with a strong emotional core.
- For fans of: Out-there plots, ensemble comedy, and sincere character journeys.
4. Devious Maids
Premise: Four Latina maids working for the rich and famous in Beverly Hills find themselves entangled in mystery, scandal, and murder after a close friend is killed.
- Why you’ll love it: This Marc Cherry series (creator of “Desperate Housewives”) combines telenovela-worthy secrets, playful drama, and richly drawn characters, making it a natural next pick for “Jane” fans.
- Vibe: Glamorous, dramatic, and crackling with humor.
5. Younger
Premise: Liza Miller, a 40-year-old divorcée, pretends to be in her 20s to re-enter the competitive publishing industry, leading to a new double life and romantic entanglements.
- Why you’ll love it: Like Jane, Liza faces the complications of identity, juggling personal ambition with heartwarming relationships and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
- Bonus points: An addictive mix of romance, secrets, and workplace drama.
6. On My Block
Premise: Set in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood, a group of smart, street-savvy teens navigates first love, friendship, danger, and the escalating challenges of adolescence.
- Why you’ll love it: Like “Jane,” it offers authentic Latinx representation and balances real-life issues with whimsical plots—including legendary booty traps and even magical realism through talking gnomes!
- What stands out: Heartfelt storytelling, coming-of-age struggles, and complex friendships.
7. Ugly Betty
Premise: Betty Suarez, an earnest and smart young woman, lands a job at a prestigious fashion magazine despite her unconventional looks, battling industry snobbery while staying true to her values and roots.
- Why you’ll love it: Also originally based on a telenovela, “Ugly Betty” pairs quirky humor and melodramatic plotlines with a strong, lovable heroine overcoming the odds—just like Jane.
- Noteworthy elements: Aspirational career arcs, family loyalty, and dazzling workplace hijinks.
8. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Premise: Rebecca Bunch, a wildly imaginative lawyer, uproots her life for a high school crush, launching a journey of self-discovery told through musical numbers and zany antics.
- Why you’ll love it: The telenovela-style twists, musical interludes, and hilarious meta-narrative make this series a delightful follow-up for Jane fans craving romance, self-growth, and outlandish comedy.
- Signature moves: Spontaneous song-and-dance, sharp social commentary, and colorful characters.
9. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Premise: Miriam “Midge” Maisel, a 1950s housewife, discovers an unlikely talent for stand-up comedy and pursues stardom against all the odds.
- Why you’ll love it: Family drama, strong female leads, a vibrant supporting cast, and rapid-fire dialogue—much like what made “Jane the Virgin” memorable. The show masterfully blends humor and heart with stunning period style.
- Expect: Sharp wit, lavish visuals, and feminist undertones.
10. The Mindy Project
Premise: Mindy Lahiri is a successful OB/GYN juggling career ambitions, romantic entanglements, and personal quirks in the big city.
- Why you’ll love it: Mindy is unapologetically bold, loveably flawed, and endlessly optimistic about both love and life—paralleling Jane’s journey in a more satirical, rom-com setting.
- Best for: Rom-com fans, workplace comedy lovers, and viewers craving empowering, funny female leads.
11. Young & Hungry
Premise: Gabi Diamond, a food blogger, becomes a personal chef for a wealthy tech entrepreneur, leading to romantic misadventures and career chaos.
- Why you’ll love it: The romantic comedy, love triangles, and unpredictable mishaps deliver the kind of lighthearted fun and heartfelt moments that defined “Jane the Virgin.”
- Highlights: Culinary disasters, endearing friendships, and a touch of destiny.
12. The Fosters
Premise: This drama follows the Foster family, led by a lesbian couple raising biological, adoptive, and foster children, as they confront social and personal challenges.
- Why you’ll love it: The show offers a heartfelt look at modern family structures and the power of love, echoing the tight-knit Villanueva family and complicated intergenerational dynamics.
- Key elements: Social issues, LGBTQ+ representation, and plenty of emotional highs and lows.
13. The House of Flowers (La Casa de las Flores)
Premise: This dark comedy from Mexico centers on the wealthy but hilariously dysfunctional De la Mora family, whose floral business hides endless secrets and scandals.
- Why you’ll love it: Like “Jane,” the series plays with telenovela tropes, unmasking family secrets with a blend of campy drama and heartfelt emotion—only in Spanish!
- Vibe: Glamorous, irreverent, and culturally vibrant.
14. Fresh Off the Boat
Premise: Follow Eddie Huang’s Taiwanese-American family as they adapt to life in 1990s Orlando, navigating generational cultural clashes and awkward teenage years.
- Why you’ll love it: The emphasis on family bonds, clever humor, and identity makes it a satisfying choice for Jane loyalists.
- Noteworthy: Immigrant experience, nostalgia, and situational comedy.
15. New Girl
Premise: Jessica Day, newly single and forever optimistic, moves in with three male roommates, creating a new family-of-choice as they all navigate life’s ups and downs.
- Why you’ll love it: The same quick-witted humor and ensemble camaraderie you adored in Jane’s world, plus love triangles, personal growth, and plenty of offbeat antics.
- For fans of: Quirky humor, “found family” themes, and feel-good sitcom energy.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Show | Key Themes | What Makes It Similar? |
|---|---|---|
| One Day at a Time | Family, Latinx culture, resilience | Strong matriarch, cultural identity, witty humor |
| Gilmore Girls | Mother-daughter bonds, small-town quirks | Witty dialogue, generational stories, heartfelt moments |
| The Good Place | Redemption, friendship, philosophy | Genre-bending, clever twists, ensemble cast |
| Devious Maids | Mystery, scandal, class | Telenovela tone, ensemble, diverse female leads |
| Younger | Career, identity, reinvention | Secret lives, romance, navigating adulthood |
| On My Block | Teen friendship, coming-of-age, urban life | Latinx stories, magical realism, humor & heart |
| Ugly Betty | Workplace comedy, acceptance, family | Telenovela origins, underdog heroine, oddball situations |
| Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | Love, self-discovery, musical comedy | Telenovela twists, love triangles, bold female lead |
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Ambition, family, culture | Strong heroine, witty humor, vibrant cast |
| The Mindy Project | Romance, career, optimism | Hapless love, self-discovery, relatable lead |
| Young & Hungry | Workplace, romance, food | Romantic mishaps, comedic misadventures, likable heroine |
| The Fosters | LGBTQ+, adoption, family | Non-traditional families, heartfelt challenges |
| The House of Flowers | Dark comedy, secrets, family drama | Telenovela style, family intrigue, Spanish language |
| Fresh Off the Boat | Immigrant life, coming-of-age | Family-centric, cultural humor, nostalgia |
| New Girl | Friendship, romance, starting over | Quirky energy, ensemble love, quick-witted comedy |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which show should I start with if I loved the telenovela aspects of Jane the Virgin?
A: “Ugly Betty” and “The House of Flowers” both originated from telenovela formats and are rich in melodrama, humor, and family intrigue that mirror Jane’s most outlandish, heartfelt moments.
Q: Are any of these series especially good for fans of strong mother-daughter relationships?
A: “Gilmore Girls” and “One Day at a Time” focus heavily on the bonds between mothers and daughters, blending comedy and drama much like Jane’s relationship with her own mother and grandmother.
Q: Which series offers the quirky magical realism and absurdist humor found in Jane the Virgin?
A: “On My Block” (with its playful supernatural elements) and “The Good Place” (with its philosophical absurdity) replicate the inventive, boundary-pushing humor Jane fans will recognize.
Q: Can I find strong cultural or Latinx representation among these shows?
A: Yes! “One Day at a Time,” “On My Block,” “Ugly Betty,” “Devious Maids,” and “The House of Flowers” all forefront Latinx experiences and families.
Q: Which selections are best for lighthearted, easy-to-binge fun?
A: “New Girl,” “The Mindy Project,” and “Young & Hungry” provide upbeat comedy, romance, and cheerful vibes for when you want something breezy yet endearing.
Why These Shows Captivate Fans
Much like Jane the Virgin, the series on this list thrive by balancing romance, humor, family bonds, and imaginative storytelling. They feature magnetic heroines, deeply rooted family values, and unafraid-to-be-dramatic story arcs. Whether you’re seeking uplifting comedies or soapy dramas tinged with telenovela flair, these picks are sure to fill the Jane-shaped hole in your TV heart.
- Diversified Representation: Many series highlight Latinx and multicultural experiences, offering fresh perspectives within mainstream TV.
- Strong Female Leads: The driving force in most of these shows is dynamic, multidimensional female protagonists readers can’t help but root for.
- Blending Genres: From family sitcoms to whimsical dramedies and crime-tinged soaps, there’s something for almost every mood and taste.
- Smart Writing and Heartfelt Themes: Each show delivers clever scripts, emotional depth, and plenty of twists to keep things fresh.
Whether you’re missing Jane’s world or just a fan of character-driven TV, these shows bring you the same addictive blend of humor, romance, and genuine family connection. Settle in and start streaming!
References
- https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-shows-like-jane-the-virgin
- https://www.scarymommy.com/entertainment/shows-like-jane-the-virgin
- https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65232792/
- https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/shows-like-jane-the-virgin
- https://www.ranker.com/list/what-to-watch-if-you-love-jane-the-virgin/watchworthy
