Netflix's latest romantic drama series From Scratch has become a huge hit for the streaming service with viewers and critics praising its honest look at modern love, avoiding all the sappy clichés that have dominated the genre. Zoe Saldana stars as an American student who falls in love with an Italian chef played by Eugenio Mastrandrea. However, when health issues affect the latter, the fate of their relationship becomes uncertain.
Audiences are bound to connect with the central conflicts of the protagonists with the show balancing light0hearted wholesome moments along with the tragic ones that would make you reach out for the tissues.
Normal People (2020)
Stream On Hulu
Based on Sally Rooney's novel of the same name, Normal People chronicles the journey of young love, capturing their innocence as well as the descent into adulthood. With terrific lead performances by Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal, Normal People is a must-watch for all romantic drama aficionados.
Much like From Scratch, the Hulu original TV miniseries doesn't attempt to preach any tenets of romance. It just leaves enough room for its leads to exploring the nuances of love. They even get moments to mess up, showing that two lovers cannot be always perfect no matter how perfect their relationship might seem to be.
Life & Beth (2022-)
Stream On HBO Max
Amy Schumer's latest creative project finds her writing and starring as Beth, a woman on the brink of a midlife crisis until she decides to revisit her sleepy hometown. There she not only gets a chance to reconnect with her dysfunctional family but also find new love.
While subverting familiar rom-com tropes, shows like Life & Beth address realities while also retaining a slight dash of cinematic romance. Even though real life doesn't play out like the movies, sometimes, miracles can happen no matter how big or small they are. Beth rediscovering her life in hopeless times and Amy meeting Lino in From Scratch are such miracles. While Life & Beth has more comic elements, the emotional depth is still comparable.
Master Of None (2015-2021)
Stream On Netflix
On the surface, Master of None is virtually plot-less. Every episode deals with the everyday lives of the protagonist and his friends as they go through new personal and professional experiences. And it is this celebration of the mundane that makes Master of None all the more relatable and entertaining.
The sophomore season will be of particular interest to fans of From Scratch given that it also focuses on an Italian romance. Wishing to pursue a former lover and to find a new purpose in life, the protagonist Dev Shah travels all the way to Italy to restart the relationship and to learn pasta-making! The results are tragicomic, to say the least. Maybe, there is something alluring about an Italian backdrop for a thoughtful love story to blossom be it in one Netflix show or the other.
Something In The Rain (2018)
Stream On Netflix
A classic to get viewers started on their K-Drama journey, Something In The Rain deals with a middle-aged woman struggling with failed relationships and the general monotony of life. All of these changes when she crosses paths with her friend's younger brother, a much-younger individual at the cusp of manhood. Despite their generational gap, they soon develop a liking for each other which turns into a deeper bond.
No matter how cute the lead couple turns out to be, Something In The Rain explores the possibilities of societal fears marring a relationship. The age gap lingers in the minds of both characters, causing some real-world introspection over an otherwise effortless relationship. Similarly, in From Scratch, the characters know that their love might meet a tragic fate, but it's their conviction to have each other's book that helps them in overcoming their fears of the future.
After Life (2019-2022)
Stream On Netflix
Depressed after the death of his wife, Tony decides to spend his life doing whatever he feels like, regardless of the consequences. With Ricky Gervais dabbling in some dark existentialist comedy based on his personal tragedy, After Life makes for a heartwarming watch.
Even in From Scratch, one of the lovers has to prepare for the imminent death of the other. After Life can be a good continuation watch in this sense as they touch upon the aftermath of such a tragic love story. It is hard to move on after sharing such a deep romance, but After Life succeeds at effortlessly capturing the journey of self-recovery that follows.
Modern Love (2019-)
Stream On Prime Video
A romantic anthology based on the famous New York Times column, Modern Love brings out love stories for various demographics, covering several moods ranging from teary tenderness to mere hopelessness.
The vast diversity that Modern Love's episode catalog brings out will suit fans of From Scratch as the Netflix drama itself cannot be categorized into one specific category. While it is a romantic drama in its entirety, it incorporates elements of family drama and the slice-of-life genre and even a touch of warm-hearted comedy bringing out the different conditions surrounding a deeply-rooted affection between its characters.
Lovesick (2014-2018)
Stream On Netflix
When a womanizer develops a sexually transmitted disease, he takes it upon himself to break the news to each and every person he has slept with in the recent past. This leads to a hilarious set of episodes with each featuring awkward encounters with the hero's partners.
Lovesick's absurd humor is far removed from the more mature themes of From Scratch. But still, it adds an interesting dimension to romances that kick off with medical issues. In Lino's case, Amy is always there to support him in From Scratch. But in the case of Lovesick's Dylan, he gets no sympathy from his former lovers leading to awkward situations. All in all, it is a light-hearted contrast that would provide some relief after the introspective depth of From Scratch.
Emily In Paris (2020-)
Stream On Netflix
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It might seem too "bourgeoisie" for some audiences. But overall, the light-hearted ambiance around Emily's journey of self-discovery in the city of love does make for binge-worthy content. Lily Collins stars as Emily, a social media strategist who must make quite a cultural leap as the girl with a Midwestern upbringing struggles to fit in Parisian society.
Her new job and new city don't just lead to hilarious cross-cultural experiences but also equally adorable romantic pursuits. From Scratch is obviously way deeper and more emotional in its context but regardless Emily in Paris would impress the show's fans for its own take on finding love abroad.
Somebody Somewhere (2022-)
Stream On HBO Max
Somebody Somewhere finds its lead protagonist feeling like an outsider in her own town, more so after her sister passes away. But when she unexpectedly encounters a bunch of misfits like her, she finds new ways to get over her midlife crisis.
The HBO Max original series celebrates friendships more than romance but its lead's determination in restarting her life after the death of her sister would be reminiscent of the struggles of characters in From Scratch. The Netflix romance not only celebrates its central cross-border love story but also incorporates healing as a major theme. Both protagonists and their families have their own share of emotional burdens which eventually leads them to their own ways to cope.
Fleabag (2016-2019)
Stream On Prime Video
Phoebe Waller Bridge's magnum opus Fleabag is one of the most meta satires on streaming right now. With two easily bingeable seasons, the show deals with the trials and tribulations of its troubled protagonist who deals with the death of a close friend, strained family relations, and a love affair that was never meant to be in the first place.
Fleabag's romantic life goes through new highs (and eventually lows) in the second season. While the two lovers still hit it off in From Scratch despite their cultural differences and personal difficulties, Fleabag shows that not all chance encounters can be so romantic. It doubles as both a companion watch and an interesting contrast to the themes of From Scratch.
Source:gamerant.com