20 TV Shows to Watch If You’re a Cancer
If you are drawn to stories about home, kinship, memory, and devotion, there are many series that follow families and close-knit groups through everyday challenges and turning points. This list gathers shows that center relationships and personal histories, with plots that trace bonds between parents and children, partners, siblings, and communities.
You will find scripted dramas, limited series, and unscripted stories that focus on care work, coming of age, chosen family, and the ties that hold people together. Each entry includes the premise along with key cast and creators, so you can pick what fits your next watch.
‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)
The series follows the Pearson family across multiple timelines as Rebecca and Jack raise triplets and as their adult children build lives marked by career shifts, relationships, and personal loss. It moves between childhood events and later milestones to show how past choices shape present connections across the family.
Created by Dan Fogelman for NBC, the ensemble includes Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, Justin Hartley, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Chris Sullivan. The show is produced by 20th Television with Rhode Island Ave Productions and features recurring direction by Ken Olin and others.
‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000–2007)
The show centers on single mother Lorelai Gilmore and her daughter Rory in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, following school, work, and family gatherings along with fast paced conversations in diners, living rooms, and town meetings. Storylines track Rory’s education and friendships while reconnecting Lorelai with her parents through weekly dinners.
Created by Amy Sherman Palladino, the cast features Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop, Scott Patterson, and Melissa McCarthy. Produced by Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions and Warner Bros Television, it originally aired on The WB and later The CW with music by Sam Phillips.
‘Friday Night Lights’ (2006–2011)
Set in the Texas town of Dillon, the drama follows Coach Eric Taylor, his family, and student athletes as they navigate school, football seasons, and community expectations. Story arcs include team rebuilds, injuries, and family transitions while spotlighting classroom and locker room dynamics.
Developed for television by Peter Berg and produced by Universal Television, the cast includes Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Taylor Kitsch, Aimee Teegarden, Michael B Jordan, Minka Kelly, and Jesse Plemons. The series aired on NBC with later seasons premiering through a partnership with DirecTV’s Audience Network.
‘Parenthood’ (2010–2015)
The story follows the Braverman family across siblings, spouses, and children as they balance work, school, health concerns, and life events in Berkeley. Episodes weave together classroom scenes, family dinners, and milestones that involve four adult siblings and their parents.
Developed by Jason Katims and produced by Universal Television and Imagine Television, the ensemble includes Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, Erika Christensen, Mae Whitman, Craig T Nelson, and Joy Bryant. The series aired on NBC and expanded on characters first introduced in a film of the same name.
‘The Crown’ (2016–2023)
This historical drama portrays the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II through private and public moments involving the royal family and government leaders. The narrative presents state duties, residences, and international tours alongside family relationships within the royal household.
Created by Peter Morgan for Netflix and produced by Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television, principal roles are played across different periods by Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton with co stars including Matt Smith, Tobias Menzies, Helena Bonham Carter, Jonathan Pryce, Dominic West, and Elizabeth Debicki. Production uses locations and sets across the United Kingdom to represent royal residences.
‘Anne with an E’ (2017–2019)
The series adapts the novel ‘Anne of Green Gables’ and follows Anne Shirley as she arrives at Green Gables to live with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Episodes cover school, friendships, and village life in Avonlea while exploring how Anne’s imagination and resilience shape her place in the community.
Developed by Moira Walley Beckett for CBC and Netflix, the cast includes Amybeth McNulty, Geraldine James, and R H Thomson. The show was produced by Northwood Entertainment and filmed in locations across Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
‘Downton Abbey’ (2010–2015)
This period drama follows the Crawley family and the staff who run their estate, with storylines that include inheritance questions, social change, and household routines. Scenes move between grand rooms upstairs and workspaces downstairs to show how daily life unfolds in a large country house.
Created by Julian Fellowes and produced by Carnival Films, the ensemble features Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Jim Carter, and Phyllis Logan. It aired on ITV in the United Kingdom and on PBS Masterpiece in the United States with production using Highclere Castle and studio sets.
‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017)
The drama begins after a sudden global event in which a small percentage of the population disappears, focusing on the residents of a New York town and later other communities. The story follows families, local leaders, and new movements as they respond to loss and search for meaning.
Created by Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta for HBO and based on Perrotta’s novel, the series stars Justin Theroux, Carrie Coon, Amy Brenneman, Ann Dowd, Liv Tyler, Regina King, and Christopher Eccleston. Production involved HBO Entertainment with filming in multiple locations including New York and Texas.
‘Atypical’ (2017–2021)
The series follows Sam Gardner, a teenager on the autism spectrum, as he pursues independence, relationships, and college life while his parents and sister adjust to new routines. Episodes show therapy sessions, school events, and family moments that chart Sam’s growth.
Created by Robia Rashid for Netflix, the cast includes Keir Gilchrist, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Brigette Lundy Paine, and Michael Rapaport. It is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Netflix with recurring roles for Nik Dodani, Graham Rogers, and Fivel Stewart.
‘Call the Midwife’ (2012–present)
Set in London’s East End, the series follows midwives and nuns who provide prenatal care, home births, and community health services. Storylines cover medical cases, neighborhood life, and the work of a small clinic within a changing city.
Created by Heidi Thomas and inspired by the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, the cast includes Jessica Raine in early seasons along with Jenny Agutter, Helen George, Leonie Elliott, and Stephen McGann. Produced by Neal Street Productions, it airs on BBC One and on PBS in North America.
‘Six Feet Under’ (2001–2005)
The story centers on the Fisher family who operate a funeral home in Los Angeles, presenting their work with clients alongside family dynamics. Each episode opens with a death that connects to the themes explored in the characters’ lives.
Created by Alan Ball for HBO, the ensemble includes Peter Krause, Michael C Hall, Frances Conroy, Lauren Ambrose, Freddy Rodriguez, and Rachel Griffiths. Produced by The Greenblatt Janollari Studio and HBO, the series features music supervision by Gary Calamar and Thomas Golubić.
‘Queer Eye’ (2018–present)
This unscripted series follows experts known as the Fab Five as they help participants with lifestyle, design, grooming, fashion, and culture while sharing practical steps for daily routines and home changes. Episodes take place in homes, workplaces, and community spaces with each participant called a hero.
Developed by Scout Productions for Netflix from a format created by David Collins, the hosts include Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness. The production travels to different cities in the United States and features guest appearances and community collaborators.
‘The Fosters’ (2013–2018)
The drama follows a multiethnic family led by a couple who raise biological, adopted, and foster children in San Diego. Plotlines address school, placements, and legal processes while showing daily life within a busy household.
Created by Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige with executive producer Jennifer Lopez, the cast includes Teri Polo, Sherri Saum, Maia Mitchell, Cierra Ramirez, David Lambert, and Hayden Byerly. Produced by Nuyorican Productions and Prodco, it aired on the network now known as Freeform.
‘Maid’ (2021)
The limited series follows a young mother who leaves an abusive relationship and takes a job cleaning houses while seeking housing, childcare, and legal support. The narrative portrays client visits, social services, and family interactions as she documents her work and expenses.
Created by Molly Smith Metzler for Netflix and inspired by a memoir by Stephanie Land, the cast includes Margaret Qualley, Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose, and Raymond Ablack. The series is produced by John Wells Productions and LuckyChap Entertainment in association with Warner Bros Television.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
This horror drama follows the Crain family as siblings and parents confront events that occurred in a mansion and the lasting effects on their lives. The plot alternates between childhood experiences in the house and later investigations into unexplained occurrences.
Created by Mike Flanagan for Netflix and based on the novel by Shirley Jackson, the cast includes Michiel Huisman, Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson Cohen, Kate Siegel, and Victoria Pedretti. Production involves Intrepid Pictures with additional partners including Paramount Television and Amblin Television.
‘Heartstopper’ (2022–present)
The series follows classmates Nick and Charlie as they build a relationship at a British school, with storylines that include sports teams, exams, and friend groups. Scenes move between classrooms, homes, and local parks while focusing on communication among peers and families.
Created by Alice Oseman from her graphic novels and webcomic, the show is produced by See Saw Films for Netflix. The cast features Kit Connor, Joe Locke, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, and Olivia Colman in a supporting role.
‘Pachinko’ (2022–present)
This multigenerational drama follows a Korean family that migrates to Japan and later across continents, presenting chapters from different eras of the family’s history. The narrative explores work, study, and home life across languages and countries through parallel timelines.
Developed by Soo Hugh for Apple TV Plus and based on the novel by Min Jin Lee, the cast includes Minha Kim and Youn Yuh jung as versions of Sunja along with Lee Min ho and Jin Ha. The series is produced by Media Res and features dialogue in Korean, Japanese, and English.
‘Normal People’ (2020)
The limited series follows Marianne and Connell from their final year of school through university as their relationship changes with shifting circumstances and social settings. Episodes include classroom scenes, student housing, and family visits that reveal how the pair communicate and separate.
Adapted from the novel by Sally Rooney, the series is produced by Element Pictures for BBC Three, Hulu, and RTÉ. The cast features Daisy Edgar Jones and Paul Mescal with direction by Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald and scripts by Rooney with Alice Birch and Mark O Halloran.
‘Virgin River’ (2019–present)
The drama follows nurse practitioner Mel Monroe as she relocates to a small town and works with the local doctor while meeting residents and adjusting to rural life. Storylines include medical cases, community events, and the operations of local businesses.
Developed by Sue Tenney from novels by Robyn Carr, the series stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson, and Annette O Toole. Produced by Reel World Management, it streams on Netflix and uses locations in British Columbia to represent the fictional town.
‘The Bear’ (2022–present)
The series follows Carmen Carmy Berzatto, a chef who returns to run his family’s sandwich shop in Chicago after a personal loss, bringing professional kitchen systems into a small restaurant. Episodes portray menu work, staff training, and daily service under pressure.
Created by Christopher Storer for FX and streaming on Hulu, the cast includes Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón Zayas, and Abby Elliott. The series is produced by FX Productions with executive producers Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo.
Share your favorite picks from this list in the comments and tell everyone which shows you plan to watch next.