Best Romantic Shows on Netflix Right Now (April 2023)

Creator: Kim Je-hyeon (tvN)

Cast: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi

Set in a tranquil little village, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha follows the beautiful and intelligent dentist Yoo Hye-jin (Shin Min-a) after she loses her job in Seoul. After accusing a superior of unethical business practices and blasting her name online, she is effectively shunned by the medical community. Unable to cut it in Seoul, she moves to a seaside village to open her own practice, and there she meets a jack-of-all-trades Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho). Sparks quickly fly between these two young, attractive people, though, of course, they are both quick to deny it. A delightful slice-of-life Korean drama, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is a wholesome story featuring a delightful town full of interesting characters. — Therese Lacson

Creator: Dean Georgaris

Cast: Victor Rasuk, Nathalie Kelley, Dan Bucatinsky

Adapted from a successful Israeli series with the same name and plot, The Baker and the Beauty is an adorable, short-lived romantic drama. Featuring underrated actor Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal), The Baker and the Beauty stars Victor Rasuk (Reasonable Doubt) as Daniel, a blue-collar baker whose path miraculously crosses with international fashion superstar Noa (Nathalie Kelley). Adapted for American television by Dean Georgaris, The Baker and the Beauty provides soapy twists over the course of nine charming episodes, flowing through a river of cliches to build tension for the growing but tragically cut-short romance. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Lauren Iungerich, Jamie Uyeshiro, Jamie Dooner, Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft

Cast: Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Bryana Salaz, Tenzing Norgay Trainor

Spinning off from the Netflix hit series On My Block is a fresh story with a brand-new batch of teens. The new gang, led by the ever-hilarious Keyla Monterroso Mejia (Abbot Elementary), dips their toes into supernatural territory when they potentially unleash a deadly curse. But who has time to worry about that when your sister is trying to ruin you, your crush is finally paying attention, and you’re the only thing keeping your friend group together? In addition to being diverse and full of LGBTQ+ representation, the focus on family and close friendships is what makes Freeridge a standout series that uses these relationships, romantic and platonic, to keep the wild situations relatable and fun. – Tauri Miller

Created by: Mindy Kaling

Cast: Mindy Kaling, Chris Messina, Ed Weeks, Anna Camp

Created by and starring the hilarious Mindy Kaling of The Office fame, The Mindy Project is a refreshing rom-com about Mindy Lahiri – an OB/GYN in New York City. Throughout the show, Mindy attempts to balance her personal and professional life with sometimes disastrous and funny results. Also featuring the quirky co-workers who work with her at her small practice, The Mindy Project makes for an irresistibly charming and witty workplace comedy. – Taylor Gates

Creators: Francesca Delbanco, Nicholas Stoller

Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders, Annie Parisse, Nat Faxon, Fred Savage

Friends from College is two short seasons of hilarity carefully crafted by co-creators Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller. With a stellar cast including Keegan-Michael Key (Reboot), Fred Savage, and Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother), Friends from College was destined to be funny and could have dominated network television, but was canceled too soon. In the vein of Friends, Happy Endings, and New Girl, Friends from College continues the trend of chosen family sitcoms, following these Harvard alum classmates as they navigate adulthood, platonic and romantic relationships, and are forced to confront turning forty. – Yael Tygiel

Creator: Sarah Lampert

Cast: Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, Diesel La Torraca, Jennifer Robertson, Felix Mallard

Ginny and Georgia is a captivatingly messy teen drama about a dysfunctional mother and daughter where fifteen-year-old Ginny Miller is often more mature than her charmingly irresistible and dynamic mother Georgia. Created by Sarah Lampert, Ginny and Georgia merges teen angst, delightful humor, and a hint of mystery, as the first season slowly and deliberately uncovers Georgia’s secrets and dangerous past. Starring Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howey (Batwoman) as the titular mother-daughter duo, the cast of supporting characters in Ginny and Georgia, including Schitt’s Creek alum Jennifer Robertson, are equally as layered and enthralling as the Miller family. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Attica Locke, Tembi Locke

Cast: Zoe Saldaña, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Judith Scott

Based on creator Tembi Locke’s memoir of the same name, From Scratch is a gorgeous romance set against the equally gorgeous backdrop of Italy. The show follows Amy (Zoe Saldaña), a law student with a passion for art who falls in love with a chef named Lino (Eugenio Mastrandrea). The two face obstacles, including familial pressure and other flames. From Scratch shows a passionate relationship over several years, and Saldaña and Mastrandrea have excellent chemistry. Have Postmates open while you watch, though, as the food scenes are sure to make you hungry. – Taylor Gates

Creators: Katharina Eyssen, Lena Stahl

Cast: Philip Froissant, Devrim Lingnau, Svenja Jung,

The Empress is a German romantic period drama about European royalty starring Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and Devrim Lingnau as Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, Princess of Bavaria, sister of his betrothed. Created by Katharina Eyssen and Lena Stahl, The Empress brings to the forefront the journey of a progressive young woman who rebels against the rigid society in which she lives, as well as the layered ruler whose decisions will shape European history. With a narrative deeply rooted in a story of love and politics, The Empress explores the spark that ignited, the dangerous path set forth, and the power struggles that these two families must confront. – Yael Tygiel

Created by: Stacy Rukeyser

Cast: Sarah Shahi, Mike Vogel, Adam Demos

If you’re looking for a steamy drama, look no further than Sex/Life. The series centers around Billie (Sarah Shahi), a suburban mom who’s growing bored in her marriage with her husband Cooper (Mike Vogel). When her ex Brad (Adam Demos) reenters the picture and tries to win her back, Billie’s past and present collide – with sometimes sexy, other times very messy results. This erotic melodrama is sure to please fans of 50 Shades of Grey and the like. – Taylor Gates

Creator: Maggie Friedman

Cast: Katherine Heigl, Sarah Chalke, Ben Lawson, Beau Garrett

Based on the novel of the same name by Kristin Hannah, Firefly Lane spans several decades, following friends Tully and Kate as they meet as teens into adulthood. The two have a plethora of differences – Tully was raised by a drug-addicted mother and is now a popular TV host; Kate is a single mother trying to get back into the workforce – but have remained close throughout the years. However, that’s not to say there isn’t a fair amount of challenges and drama, especially stemming from old flames and new relationships alike. Firefly Lane is comforting and warm, with an interesting edge that sets it apart. – Taylor Gates

Creators: Lisa Ambjörn, Lars Beckung, Camilla Holter

Cast: Edvin Ryding, Omar Rudberg, Malte Gårdinger

Young Royals is a perfectly blended queer young adult drama following an adolescent prince who is learning what it means to represent both his family and his people as he attends a prestigious boarding school for high-status teens. Starring Edvin Ryding as Prince Wilhelm, Young Royals provides Ryding an opportunity to show off his range with a character who must present both strength and vulnerability in nearly every scene. Adding to the angst and drama is the blossoming romance between Prince Wilhelm and Simon, played by Omar Rudberg. The first season of Young Royals is oozing with tension and excitement, ideal for viewers who enjoy high school dramas. – Yael Tygiel

Developed by: Sue Tenney

Cast: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Colin Lawrence, Jenny Cooper

Virgin River centers on Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a midwife and nurse practitioner who moves to the small Northern California town of Virgin River, looking for a fresh start. However, she quickly finds that things aren’t quite as simple as she was expecting: her house is falling apart, the local doctor doesn’t trust her, and she’s still haunted by a disasterous past relationship. But as time goes on, Mel slowly begins to carve out a space for herself in the community and may even open herself up to the idea of love again. Virgin River is a quiet, feel-good watch that’s perfect if you need something soft and sweet to lift your spirits. – Taylor Gates

Creator: V. E. Schwab

Based on the short story by: V.E. Schwab

Cast: Sarah Catherine Hook, Imani Lewis, Aubin Wise, Elizabeth Mitchell

Vampires never get old… and neither do their stories. In Savannah, Georgia, monsters are public knowledge, and staying secret is vastly important, especially for the powerful Fairmont family. But as strange things start to occur, secrets are spilled out into the world, causing monster hunters to arrive. Netflix’s First Kill follows the forbidden and blossoming lesbian love story between legacy vampire Juliette Fairmont (Sarah Catherine Hook) and hunter Calliope “Cal” Burns (Imani Lewis). As their feelings for one another grow, so does the complex nature of their relationship and the two opposing forces their families represent. Can there be a happy ending in this story? – Jay Snow

Creator: Alice Oseman

Cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown

Stories about young love and queer joy are such a delight, and Heartstopper is a wonderful entrant in the romance genre. Based on the webcomic and graphic novel of the same name by show creator Alice Oseman, the show follows Charlie (Joe Locke) as he meets, befriends, and falls in love with his new classmate Nick (Kit Connor). But how does Nick feel about Charlie, and how will this new burgeoning relationship—platonic or not—affect Charlie’s friendships? The show captures the tone and elements of the webcomic, giving it a stylistic feel that’s dreamy yet embodies the very real and confusing feelings of discovering one’s identity as a teenager. The cast and characters are diverse and represent a wide spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities. Heartstopper can be a little intense at times, with tense emotional arcs for several characters, but this show will make you wistful for those heartstopper moments in your life and sweep you off your feet from the very first episode. – Monita Mohan

Creator: Laurie Nunn

Cast: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa, Emma Mackey

Netflix’s hit comedy Sex Education proves that a straightforward premise is sometimes enough when you have compelling characters and an incredible cast. Following the lives of the students, staff, and parents of the fictional Moordale Secondary School as they contend with various personal dilemmas, often related to sexual intimacy, Sex Education is full of laughter but can also bring you to tears in an instant with some fantastic character moments. While seasons one and three were enjoyable, the show found the perfect balance in its second season. It proved that sometimes expanding outside the main character can bring a lot to a show, especially with the episode that the fans have dubbed the “Breakfast Club” episode. Fun and full of jokes, Sex Education doesn’t take itself too seriously, leaning into the silly premise of a teenager giving Sex Ed advice to other teens and hitting it out of the park. – Arianne Binette

Creator: Noémie Saglio, Julien Teisseire, Chris Lang

Cast: Zita Hanrot, Sabrina Ouazani, Joséphine Draï, Marc Ruchmann, Syrus Shahidi

Elsa (Zita Hanrot) is about to turn thirty and her friends are concerned. She’s at a dead-end job and is still hung up over her ex-boyfriend. Whether it’s an inspired or completely chaotic idea, her best friends Charlotte (Sabrina Ouzani) and Milou (Joséphine Draï) decide to hire a male sex worker to romance her and get her out of her rut. They create the perfect meet-cute with Jules (Marc Ruchmann), and soon Elsa takes the bait. But, what was meant to be a one-night-stand to get Elsa’s life “back on track” turns into something more when Jules develops genuine feelings for Elsa. Modeled like a French Friends, The Hook Up Plan centers around a group of friends and the story moves beyond just Jules and Elsa. The show tackles more serious topics like burn out, the pandemic, feelings of apathy, and anxiety about becoming a parent, all while maintaining a lightness and friendship between the characters to keep you coming back to the story. — Therese Lacson

Creator: Sheryl J. Anderson

Cast: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, Heather Headley

Set in the small, cozy, and fictional town of Serenity, North Carolina, best friends Maddie (Joanna Garcia-Swisher), Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott), and Helen (Heather Headley) band together as a unit — known around Serenity as the Sweet Magnolias — to handle whatever is thrown their way. The series is heartwarming and lighthearted, finding the perfect balance between the sweet and bitter moments of life and the Magnolias’ signature margaritas. Everything in Serenity comes down to love: Love of family, friends, coworkers, and especially community. As the Magnolias struggle with their search for the perfect suitors, their focus falls to what they can do to improve their little town for the future and, most of all, for the children. There’s a little something for everyone with this show, as the Magnolias’ teenagers have their fair share of challenges with love in the air in the high school hallways, too. — Jay Snow

Creator: Joe Tracz

Cast: Austin Abrams, Midori Francis, Dante Brown, Troy Iwata

Based on a young adult series by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn, Dash & Lily is definitely a Christmas story but it is also a story about teen romance. Although it unfortunately only has one season, the series, created by Joe Tracz, is surprisingly charming as it follows a Christmas-loving girl named Lily (Midori Francis) and a Scrooge named Dash (Austin Abrams). The two meet each other through the iconic New York bookstore, The Strand, writing letters to each other through a journal that they exchange. Tension builds as the two begin to fall for each other through their letters, until they meet unexpectedly at a party. A sweet rom-com that is perfect for any season, not just the holidays, catch this series if you’ve just finished up Euphoria and you’re stunned by Austin Abrams’ performance on that East Highland stage. — Therese Lacson

Creator: Darren Star

Cast: Lily CollinsPhilippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo

When Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) realizes her life is at a standstill, she jumps at an opportunity to move to France for a year to bring her American perspective to a smaller Parisian marketing firm that the company she works for in Chicago has recently acquired. Emily in Paris is a romanticized take on life in Paris from an American point of view, as Emily struggles to adapt to the new world around her. Collins manages to perfectly encapsulate Emily’s bubbly and carefree personality without making her come across as ditzy, which makes her poor decisions (like slowly wooing her new friend’s boyfriend) all the more impactful… and frustrating. Nothing is too serious in Emily’s life, which gives the series an abundance of charm and makes the messes Emily creates fun — a rare experience on TV nowadays. Plus, could there be a more romantic setting for Emily’s new life to unfold? — Jay Snow

Creator: Mindy Kaling, Lang Fisher

Cast: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani

Growing up isn’t easy and it’s even tougher if you’re Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan). Never Have I Ever opens with tragedy. After witnessing her father Mohan’s (Sendhil Ramamurthy) sudden death during her freshman year and temporarily losing the use of her legs due to trauma, Devi begins her sophomore year ready to turn her life around. Struggling with her grief and also with her complicated relationship with her mother Nalini (Pooma Jagannathan), Devi’s life turns chaotic when she somehow ends up in a romantic relationship with not one but two boys. Caught between her childhood rival, Ben (Jaren Lewison), and one of the hottest guys in school, Paxton (Darren Barnet), Devi has to navigate the waters of high school romance while also dealing with her family and her Indian identity. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan is hilarious and plays the messy Devi to a tee with both comedic and emotional moments. — Therese Lacson