6 Shows to Stream When You’re Missing “Harlem”

The first season of “Harlem” debuted on Amazon Prime in Dec. 2021, and if you’re all caught up, you might be missing the ladies — Meagan Good as Camille, Grace Byers as Quinn, Shoniqua Shandai as Angie, and Jerrie Johnson as Tye — as they try to get over ex-loves, deal with health struggles, and a whole lot of gentrification in Harlem. As you start watching, you quickly realize: what’s not to love about this show?

If you’re already missing “Harlem,” consider binge-watching one (or all) of these TV shows.

The ladies of “Harlem” met while at NYU, so why not lose yourself in another hilarious series focused on friends from college called, well, “Friends from College.” The series follows the misadventures of a close-knit group of Harvard alumni in their forties including Ethan Turner (Keegan-Michael Key), a popular but financially struggling writer, who’s married to hedge fund lawyer Lisa Turner (Cobie Smulders) while having an on-and-off affair with another member of the gang. There’s also literary agent Max Adler (Fred Savage), interior designer Sam Delmonico (Annie Parisse), party boy Nick Ames (Nat Faxon), and yoga instructor Marianne (Jae Suh Park).

Available to watch on Netflix.

If you enjoyed the city views in “Harlem,” then you’ll love “Run The World.” The series follows another group of four incredible Black women (Amber Stevens West, Andrea Bordeaux, Bresha Webb, and Corbin Reid) navigating life and love in New York City. Like “Harlem,” “Run The World” highlights the importance of having strong friendships during the good moments and especially during the lows.

Available to watch on Hulu.

In the remake of Spike Lee’s classic film, viewers are introduced to Nola Darling, played by DeWanda Wise. At the beginning of the series, you learn that Nola is dating multiple people in a polyamorous relationship. It seems like the perfect arrangement for Miss Darling, but things quickly get complicated as she struggles to get out of her own way to find happiness in love and success in her career. 

Available to watch on Netflix.

“Sweet Magnolias” follows three women from South Carolina who have been best friends since childhood, supporting each other through relationship, career, and family issues. The series stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley.

Available to watch on Netflix.

It’s been almost a decade since the OG series wrapped, and now, there’s a new group stirring up drama around New York City. The “Gossip Girl” reboot is everything you loved about the original but on a whole new level. There’s definitely more secrets and drama here than in “Harlem,” but if you need some escapism, this is where you’ll find it. Plus, you’ll get to listen to Kristen Bell as the voice of everyone’s favorite narrator.

Available to watch on HBO Max.

After five amazing seasons, “Insecure” recently wrapped with one of the best series finales ever. The show was inspired by “The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl,” a web series created by Issa Rae. Like “Harlem,” “Insecure” follows four best friends — played by Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Natasha Rothwell, and Amanda Seales — living, loving, working, and playing in LA, and the series is super relatable. While watching the gang, you’ll be reminded that you’re not alone in your struggles, and that you don’t always have to have it all figured out.

Available to watch on HBO Max.