Every decade has good and bad pop culture, and this becomes even clearer when you break it down by genre. When looking at the greatest TV shows from the 2010s, a lot of series that focus on the lives of teenagers come to mind. Sure, the ’90s are known for being the Golden Age Of High School Shows (okay, that might not be the official title…) since that’s when fans got gems like Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, and Beverly Hills, 90210. But from 2010 to 2019, there were also many shows featuring teens that stood out.
From series that dealt with serious storylines to more light-hearted fare, here are the 10 best teen dramas of the decade, ranked.
Dance Academy
This Australian teen drama aired for three seasons from 2010 until 2013 and followed Tara Webster (Xenia Goodwin) as she pursues her dream of becoming a dancer and attends a super prestigious school. She finds friends, falls in love and has to deal with her mental and physical health as she wonders if she’s truly good enough.
This show was available on Netflix for a while so North American TV fans got the chance to binge-watch it. It’s ranked number ten on this list of the best teen dramas of the decade because it does feel a bit too young at times, but it’s worth watching if you are a fan of dance.
Nancy Drew
Yes, the TV adaptation of Nancy Drew hasn’t even concluded its first season, but it’s honestly so good that it really deserves a place on this list. It’s ranked at number nine because fans don’t know how the rest of the season will fare, or if there will be more seasons, but what we’ve seen so far is well-crafted.
Kennedy McMann’s Nancy Drew is the tough girl that fans of teen dramas have seen so many times, but she’s got a softer side, and she’s dealing with a ton of personal and family drama as she misses her mom, who passed away, and wonders if her new boyfriend Nick (Tunji Kasim) is who he seems. There’s plenty of mystery to go around, and it’s awesome.
Riverdale
It’s hard to deny the cultural impact that Riverdale has had. Season one started airing in 2017 and it’s currently on its fourth season. Fans of Archie comics can find a lot of familiar things here, especially since the characters really do look like their comic book selves, and the series has done a nice job of making the story much darker.
Although this is a solid teen drama, it’s ranked at number eight because the overall melodramatic tone might be a bit much for some TV fans. It can also feel like some of these elements (love triangles, first love, etc.) have been done a million times before (like on Dawson’s Creek or Beverly Hills, 90210) and sometimes much better, too.
Switched At Birth
Switched At Birth also makes this list as it’s a blend of juicy yet serious storylines. Teenagers Daphne Vasquez (Katie Leclerc) and Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano) realize that they went home with the wrong families after being born. Once they find each other again, they become a part of each other’s lives while wondering what could have been.
This show has gotten praise for its nuanced and compassionate portrayal of what it’s like to be deaf, but it’s ranked at number seven because some episodes might be too soap opera-like for some viewers. Overall, though, it’s a charming and sweet series about discovering a new family and learning who you are in the process.
Euphoria
HBO’s Euphoria has had one season so far and thankfully for its fans, a second season is definitely coming. Rue Bennett (Zendaya) is trying to live her life after a drug-filled past and everyone that she knows is dealing with some super tough, serious issues, too.
It’s always important for teen dramas to get into important subjects without being afraid of upsetting anyone. High schoolers go through a lot and many struggle just as much as people who are years older. Euphoria deserves credit for not shying away from dark and difficult moments. It’s ranked number six on this list because it might be a little disturbing for some viewers, but it’s a well-done and popular show.
The Society
Netflix has really created some incredible content in the past decade and it’s fun to think about what we’re going to see in the next ten years. The teen drama The Society aired its first season in 2019 and a second one is coming, which is great news because it’s a mysterious watch full of cliffhangers.
The premise is all about what would happen if teens were the only people left in the town or city where they reside. Well, of course, the answer is that it would be total mayhem and chaos, and that is what happens. This is a fun show that also talks about being popular vs. being who you are.
The Fosters
At first, a TV show about foster kids who have been through a lot sounds like a bummer, but that’s what makes The Fosters so special. Over five seasons, which aired from 2013 to 2018, the show sees Callie (Maia Mitchell) and her little brother Jude (Hayden Byerly) start living with people who could end up being their forever family.
The Fosters is number four on this list since it gets right in there and talks about issues like the broken foster care system, but there are still love stories and sibling fights and all of the other entertaining aspects of any teen drama.
Pretty Little Liars
It would be impossible to talk about the best teen dramas of the 2010s without mentioning the mega-hit Pretty Little Liars. Airing for seven seasons from 2010 to 2017, the show began as a mystery about four friends and their Queen who disappeared and ended up being about the transition from teenagehood to adulthood.
Ranked number three on this list, Pretty Little Liars has fashion, love, friendship, and twists that really never stop coming. The show couldn’t have been more loved and the actresses who played the main characters all became famous because of these parts.
Finding Carter
Often the best TV shows are the underrated ones that no one really talks about. That’s definitely the case with the MTV teen drama Finding Carter. Over two seasons that aired from 2014 to 2015, the episodes followed Carter Wilson (Kathryn Prescott) as she learns that the woman who she thought was her mom had actually stolen her from her real family.
This show has a compelling concept and a fun execution, which isn’t always the case with this genre of TV shows. As Carter gets to know her actual relatives, she brings her best friend Max Wagner (Alex Saxon) along for the ride. Max and Carter’s sister Taylor’s (Anna Jacoby-Heron) relationship is adorable and one of the best parts of the show. This is ranked number two as it deserves a lot more viewers. It had the perfect mix of a mystery (why did Lori take her away? And did anyone know the truth?) and realistic, everyday storylines.
Sweet/Vicious
While MTV may be known for music videos and reality shows, the channel has put out some really incredible teen dramas. Besides Finding Carter, there was Sweet/Viscious, which should be considered the best teen drama of the 2010s.
Canceled before it got a chance to get a season two, the show is about students Ophelia Mayer (Taylor Dearden ) and Jules Thomas (Eliza Bennett) who become friends after teaming up to teach sexual assaulters a lesson. Jules has a personal connection as she was raped. The show treats this difficult subject with respect and it’s a shame that it didn’t get more time. Perhaps it was a bit too early as the “Me Too” movement really picked up speed after October 2017.
