Based on the Firefly Lanebook by Kristin Hannah, Netflix‘s Firefly Lane focuses on this novel as it navigates the viewer through the lives of two best friends, played by Sarah Chalke and Katherine Heigl, as they make their way through life. We have compiled a list of several other TV shows similar to Firefly Lane.
Firefly Lane is a hit Netflix series that is based on Kristin Hannah’s novel by the same name and was turned into a series by creator Maggie Friedman, also known as showrunner Maggie Friedman. Its storyline focuses on two best friends, played by Sarah Chalke and Katherine Heigl, who experience the sorrows and joys that life brings. In late May, Netflix announced that Firefly Lane has been renewed for a second season but what TV shows will you watch in the meantime until the new Firefly Lane season is available?
From messy breakups and drug binges to multiple weddings, bad husbands, and sleazy bosses, many people love to indulge in some episodes of Firefly Lane but what other TV shows similar to Firefly Lane are there to watch during the show’s summertime hiatus? Never fear because we have compiled a detailed list below for you so you will know what other shows there are to watch and be entertained by.
Sweet Magnolias
Many people are addicted to watching Firefly Lane because it covers all of the things you want in a drama TV show that is very similar to a daytime soap opera, including issues in the workplace, tons of family drama, and bad romances. If you tone things down a bit well duplicating this TV show formula, you end up with Netflix is Sweet Magnolias. The series, also featured on the Netflix streaming channel, is based on the eleven-book series written by highly successful author, Sherryl Woods, just like Firefly Lane is based on Kristin Hannah’s book.
The Sweet Magnolias series was developed by showrunner and producer, Sheryl J. Anderson, and is produced in conjunction with Dan Paulson of Daniel L. Paulson Production, who has produced several other TV shows. The hit series is set in the small southern town of Serenity, South Carolina, and centers around three women who have been best friends, much like the Firefly Lane girls, since they were kids as they navigate through their lives.
Chris Klein’s character, Bill Townsend, is a doctor who was married to JoAnna Garcia Swisher’s character Maddie Townsend, one of the three best friends that form the friend group, the Sweet Magnolias, with her best friends, Dana Sue and Helen, played by Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley, respectively.
It has more of a Hallmark Channel movie feel to it as it follows the three lifelong friends in their journeys in life as they deal with their exes, romantic relationships, start a business together, and work together to overthrow misogyny in all areas of their lives. it’s a sweet show that you can catch on Netflix and it also was recently renewed for a second season so you can enjoy it even longer.
Ginny and Georgia
Ginny and Georgia seems tailor-made for Firefly Lane fans as this TV series follows Brianne Howey as a mother moving her two children, Ginny, played by Antonia Gentry, and Austin, played by Diesel La Torraca, who are from Texas but head to a small town in Massachusetts to begin a new, and hopefully better, life.
Ginny and Georgia are a mother-daughter team but act more like best friends from the same peer group as they navigate life and learn things from each other, much like Firefly Lane’s Tully and Kate. They navigate tough relationships, work, and huge obstacles in their lives and bring the drama while doing it. Like Firefly Lane, the show offers some time jumps as there are flashbacks to Georgia’s turbulent childhood. This show can also be viewed on Netflix.
Dead to Me
I love the Netflix series Dead to Me that stars Christina Applegate as Jen and Linda Cardellini as Judy and I think Firefly fans will also. Similar to Tully’s lie, Judy lies to Jen as she has hidden the fact that she killed her husband in a hit-and-run accident when she met Jen at a grief support meeting. The two women end up with unbreakable bonds as more things happen that cement them to each other. This show has many twists and turns which is the element that makes it so much fun to watch.
Virgin River
Virgin River is currently in first place on Netflix as the reigning soap-style drama while Firefly Lane is on hiatus and people need their fix. It is a melodrama that is comforting and relaxing as you take in life’s dramas such as heartbreak, taking a risk, and pulling yourself back up by your bootstraps.
It stars Alexandra Breckenridge who plays the character of Mel who is a nurse practitioner and a recent widow who abandoned Los Angeles to head up north in California to a small town where she meets a very good-looking bartender. The role of the former marine that she begins to build a relationship with is played by Martin Henderson but can now let go of the past to create a future with him. There is also some criminal activity going on which will result in a cliffhanger that will make you wanting more.
Rizzoli & Isles
If you are looking for a TV show that focuses on female best friends with some crime drama sprinkled in, Rizzoli and Isles is the show you should be watching. It was a 2010 TNT series that stars Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander as Rizzoli and Isles. Harmon plays a homicide detective and Alexander plays the role of the chief medical examiner and best friend to Angie Harmon’s character.
The storyline is set in Boston MA in follows the two women as they solve crimes and have intense conversations along with fun ones as they have a glass of wine after fighting crime. These two BFFs have each other’s backs much like Tully and Kate one Firefly Lane. You can catch this show on The streaming channel Hulu.
Playing House
Playing House is a series that a fan of Firefly Lane can catch on Amazon by purchasing it to get their Firefly Lane fix. Much like the way Tully and Kate are pals through all of the best and worst life has to offer, besties Emma, played by Jessica St. Clair, and Maggie, played by Lennon Parham, also help each other through life’s struggles in their lifelong friendship.
Emma is even helping Maggie, who recently separated from her husband, to raise her child and to make her way through her current pregnancy. This show is touted as depicting a female friendship in a very accurate way and it may very well be because the two main actresses are actually best friends in real life.
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is the type of all-time classic TV show when it comes to the way women and girls interact with each other. It’s a lighter series than Firefly Lane and stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as mother and daughter who resign in a very small town called Stars Hollow.
From the messiness of a love triangle to the telling of a storyline from the female perspective, this show is excellent to watch while you are waiting on the second season of Firefly Lane to begin and can also be found on Netflix.
A Million Little Things
This family drama television series can be found on ABC and was recently renewed for a fourth season. It was created by DJ Nash and is produced by ABC Signature and Kapital Entertainment. The ensemble cast features David Giuntoli, Romany Malco, Allison Miller, Christina Moses, Grace Park, James Roday Rodriguez, Christina Ochoa, Stéphanie Szostak, Tristan Byon, and Lizzy Greene. The series began in 2017 so you can binge-watch this Firefly Lane replacement this summer before the new seasons of both shows being.