10 Wholesome TV Series to Feed Your Inner Sweet Magnolias Fan

1. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007, 2016)

Yes, pretty much everyone have seen Gilmore Girls already, but it's the gold standard of wholesome TV dramas we just can't miss. The show is an amusing chronicle of the life of single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and her daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel), in the eccentric town of Stars Hollow, Connecticut. You'll get a daily dose of fast-paced banter, generational clashes, and, let's be honest, an unhealthy (but totally relatable) obsession with coffee.

Lorelai's relationship with her own blue-blooded, sometimes overly-critical parents forms a critical subplot, adding depth and humor. Did you know the series was inspired by creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's trip to Connecticut? She fell in love with the sense of community and thought, “Voila! I've got my TV show!”

2. Everwood (2002-2006)

Next stop on our list of wholesome dramas is the fictional small town of Everwood, Colorado, courtesy of the show Everwood. Dr. Andy Brown (Treat Williams), a world-renowned neurosurgeon, moves his family to this tight-knit community following the death of his wife. Trading in his scalpel for a more general practice, he attempts to reconnect with his kids (with, let's be honest here, varying results) while adjusting to this new life.

Full of poignant moments and character-driven plots, the series embraces life's ups and downs with grace and warmth. Chris Pratt, yes, Star-Lord himself, made one of his early career appearances in this series as lovable goofball Bright Abbott.

3. Parenthood (2010-2015)

We're staying in the realm of family drama with Parenthood. Focused on the Braverman clan, the series navigates the chaotic, rewarding, and, at times, heart-wrenching journey of parenthood. With a stellar ensemble cast, including Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, and Dax Shepard, the show never shies away from depicting the trials and tribulations of raising children, dealing with aging parents, or maintaining relationships – basically, all the troubles every one of us will find relatable.

The show was inspired by the 1989 film of the same name, and it holds a high 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its emotionally-resonant storytelling.

4. This Is Us (2016-2022)

From the very beginning, the very first couple of scenes, there's no shortage of tear-jerking moments in This Is Us, a series that takes you on a roller coaster ride of the Pearson family's life. Using a non-linear narrative that bounces back and forth in time, the show explores the lives of siblings Kevin, Kate, and Randall, along with their parents Jack and Rebecca.

The series covers everything from body image issues to racial identity to grief in a profound yet miraculously very relatable way. Oh, and make sure you have tissues on hand – you'll need them. A lot. This is not just us saying this, the show boasts a whopping 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

5. Anne with an E (2017-2019)

Anne with an E is a charming reimagining of the classic novel Anne of Green Gables. The show is a vibrant tale of the imaginative and fiery-haired Anne Shirley-Cuthbert (Amybeth McNulty), an orphan who is mistakenly sent to live with two middle-aged siblings on Prince Edward Island. It should be noted that the series doesn't shy away from darker themes, providing a quite realistic and at times even gritty portrayal of life in the late 19th century, while maintaining the story's inherent charm and optimism.

6. Heartland (2007-)

There's no Southern charm per se, but here's a healthy dose of wholesomeness for you. Heartland whisks us off to the idyllic scenery of Alberta, Canada, where we find Amy Fleming (Amber Marshall), a young woman with the uncanny ability to aid injured horses. After the death of her mother, Amy and her sister Lou decide to keep the family's horse ranch afloat.

Cue heartwarming tales of resilience, rural charm, and enough horse therapy to make you want to Google the nearest ranch. Seriously, you'll want to, at some point. Amber Marshall, who plays Amy, is a real-life horse rider and animal lover, making her performance in the show as authentic as it gets.

7. Chesapeake Shores (2016- )

Next up on our list of wholesome, Sweet Magnolias-like TV shows is the O'Brien family in the Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores. When high-powered career woman Abby O'Brien (Meghan Ory) returns to her quaint hometown, she's confronted with the familial knots that need untangling and past loves that are hard to ignore. Amidst the picturesque Maryland town backdrop, you'll find a charming, multifaceted family struggling with old wounds, new romances, and the irresistible pull of home.

The series boasts a fantastic ensemble cast, including Treat Williams and Diane Ladd, which adds a touch of old Hollywood charm to the small-town drama – their performances are a sight to behold.

8. When Calls the Heart (2014- )

When Calls the Heart is a period drama set in the early 1900s. We follow the tale of Elizabeth Thatcher (Erin Krakow), a wealthy, high society teacher who finds herself in Coal Valley, a small coal-mining town in Western Canada, following an assignment. There she learns the ins and outs of frontier life, complete with coal-dusted faces, old-fashioned morals, and a handsome Mountie that makes the remote locale a touch more interesting.

The show is based on the book by Janette Oke and is filmed in the same location as Brokeback Mountain and Legends of the Fall, so expect some beautiful – like, breathtakingly beautiful – views.

9. One Tree Hill (2003-2012)

One Tree Hill takes us back to high school but in a manner that makes your own high school memories seem quite uneventful. The series revolves around two half-brothers, Lucas and Nathan Scott (Chad Michael Murray and James Lafferty), who share a mutual disdain and a talent for basketball (although, as one can expect, there's a lot more than basketball going on in this series.)

Set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, North Carolina, the drama unfolds against a backdrop of love triangles, heartbreaks, and slam-dunk sports moments. The show also served as a launching pad for the careers of Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton, who played pivotal roles in the series.

10. Virgin River (2019- )

Virgin River is a wholesome romantic drama courtesy of Netflix, where big-city nurse practitioner Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) moves to a remote California town to start anew. However, she quickly realizes that leaving her past behind is trickier than she thought. The show serves up a compelling mix of romance, medical emergencies, and small-town gossip. Plus, it's got a rugged, good-looking bar owner who might just be the cure Mel needs.

To spice things up, the show is based on a book series by Robyn Carr and, much like Sweet Magnolias, it leaves you with cliffhangers that'll keep you on the edge of your couch. Season 5 is almost upon us, so it's a great time to finally check this series out.