Russian Doll and 4 Other TV Series With 30-Minute Episodes to Binge-Watch
These series, each with half-hour episodes, are worth your attention.
The thirty-minute episode length is primarily associated with sitcoms. However, this format has long been used in many genres. Short episodes allow you to watch a series in one sitting and experience a wide range of emotions over a short period of time.
1. The Sex Lives of College Girls, 2021-2025
The Sex Lives of College Girls follows four college freshmen in Vermont as they navigate the joys and sorrows of adulthood.
From whirlwind romances to wild parties, the series features all the elements that make these stories so appealing. Created by Mindy Kaling, the show focuses on each of the main characters, who, despite their different personalities and backgrounds, become close friends.
Despite its name, The Sex Lives of College Girls is less a show about sex than it is a charming dramedy about college and the power of friendship.
2. Russian Doll, 2019-2022
The story follows Nadia, a woman who dies on her birthday and becomes trapped in a time loop. She experiences the same events over and over again, only to be resurrected and start over.
She soon meets a man who has faced the same fate. Together, they try to figure out what is happening and how to stop it.
The show takes the concept of Groundhog Day and adds psychological elements, reminding viewers that it's never too late to work through traumas and correct past mistakes.
3. Fleabag, 2016-2019
Phoebe Waller-Bridge's one-woman comedy show, Fleabag, has become a television treasure. Fleabag captivated audiences and remains wildly popular even after the finale.
The plot revolves around a young woman who tries to save a café from closing, quarrels with her family, experiences loss, and falls in love with a priest.
A notable feature of the series is that the protagonist breaks the fourth wall and engages in dialogue with the viewer. Fleabag offers an extremely honest portrayal of a modern woman whose charm is hard to resist.
4. The Chair, 2021
Kim Ji-yoon is the first woman of Asian descent to head the English department. Along with her new position come new problems: students expect her to change the structure of the university; young teachers hope she will give them a chance to prove themselves; and more experienced employees are holding on tightly to their positions.
To make matters worse, the department head must resolve a scandal involving her friend, lecturer Bill.
5. Never Have I Ever, 2020-2023
The story takes place in school hallways. The main character is a fifteen-year-old girl of Indian descent trying to improve her social status among her peers.
With each season, the writers raise the bar, making the story funnier and more touching. It's not an exaggeration to call Never Have I Ever one of the best teen series on Netflix today.