Whether you’re feeling a little lost contemplating your next career move or simply trying to survive the daily grind of adulthood, these five shows offer stories that hit close to home.
At some point in our youths, many of us stopped watching Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, deciding to transition to something more “grown-up.” I remember when that moment happened to me quite vividly. One afternoon, while switching through channels on the television, I landed on the now-defunct Star World channel and caught an episode of the television series 90210. It was my first glimpse into a world of young adults navigating friendships, relationships, careers, and all the drama that comes with figuring out who you are. I was instantly hooked. Since then, I’ve always had a soft spot for young adult-centered shows about characters trying to “make it” in a big city.
Growing up, I wanted to be the characters I watched on screen. Their lives felt exciting, independent, and full of possibility. Now that I’m in my twenties and living in a big city myself, I’m just as drawn to these stories, but for a different reason. I no longer watch them because I want to be them, but because I see parts of myself in them. The uncertainty, the ambition, and the constant feeling of inadequacy through comparison (when it feels like everyone except you has somehow perfected adulthood).
In other words, the representation, as it usually goes, feels validating and comforting. So if you’re seeking that kind of visibility and you’re in your young adult era—or you simply enjoy these types of coming-of-age stories—here are five television series that perfectly capture the experience of navigating life in a big city.
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Not Suitable for Work (2026)
New York City serves as the backdrop for Mindy Kaling’s latest comedy, which follows a group of 20-somethings balancing demanding careers, complicated relationships, and the growing realization that adulthood is a lot less straightforward than they imagined. The series taps into the uncertainty that comes with building a life in a place full of possibilities, making it an easy watch for anyone who has ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or completely unsure of their next move.
Adults (2025)
Adults perfectly captures the awkwardness of your twenties. Following a group of friends sharing a house in New York, the series dives into everything from job frustrations and financial struggles to dating disasters and codependent friendships. It’s funny because it feels familiar; the characters are messy, occasionally selfish, and still figuring things out, much like most people navigating adulthood for the first time.
I Love LA (2025)
Los Angeles has always been a city built on reinvention, and I Love LA leans into that idea. Rachel Sennott’s comedy follows young people trying to carve out space for themselves amid the city’s endless ambition, social circles, and opportunities. Beneath the humor is a story about chasing a version of yourself you hope to become, while learning to accept who you already are. Anyone who has moved to a big city in search of something more will find plenty to relate to here.
Industry (2020)
In London’s high-stakes financial sector, a group of young graduates fight to secure their futures at an elite investment bank. While the world of trading floors and corporate power plays may feel far removed from everyday life, the anxieties at the heart of Industry are universal. That includes the pressure to succeed, outperform your peers, and prove your worth before you’ve found your footing, which makes this one of the most compelling shows about young professionals today.
Survival of the Thickest (2023)
After a devastating breakup upends her life, Mavis Beaumont begins rebuilding from scratch while pursuing her career as a stylist in New York. The city becomes the perfect setting for a story about starting over, finding confidence, and learning to rely on the people who show up when everything falls apart. Equal parts funny and heartfelt, the series reminds viewers that growth is rarely linear, and that’s often where the best stories begin.
Photos via Kinorium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the most compelling recent examples include Not Suitable for Work, Adults, I Love LA, Industry, and Survival of the Thickest. Each explores different aspects of young adulthood, from career ambitions and financial pressures to friendships and relationships.
These series often focus on universal experiences such as building a career, finding community, navigating romance, and figuring out who you are. While the settings may be New York, Los Angeles, or London, the challenges feel familiar to many viewers in their twenties.
It depends on the experience you’re looking for. Industry explores workplace pressure and ambition, Adults highlights the awkwardness of your twenties, while Survival of the Thickest focuses on rebuilding your life after a major setback.
Industry, set in London’s financial sector, follows young graduates competing for permanent positions at an elite investment bank. The series is widely regarded as one of the most accurate depictions of early-career ambition, performance anxiety, and the cost of proving professional worth before finding one’s footing.
Survival of the Thickest follows Mavis Beaumont rebuilding her life in New York after a breakup, while pursuing a career as a stylist. The series, starring Michelle Buteau, balances humor and emotional honesty, and is particularly resonant for viewers navigating major life resets in their twenties or thirties.
