TV

Sweet Magnolias & 9 More Series About Life in a Small Town

Sweet Magnolias & 9 More Series About Life in a Small Town
Image credit: Netflix, CBS, CBC, Freeform, SyFy, The CW, The WB

Small towns, but with stories that loom large.

1. Hart of Dixie

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Dr. Zoe Hart, a New York surgeon, landed, heels first, in Bluebell, Alabama. Why? An inheritance of a local practice from a stranger-turned-father. Facing medical mishaps and culture shocks, Zoe tangled with town belle Lemon and eyed bad-boy Wade.

The annual Planksgiving, Bluebell's quirky traditions, and romantic rendezvous made it a southern sensation. Town mayor Lavon's protective streak added charm, while resident DJ AnnaBeth's insights turned heads. Amidst the Spanish moss and bayous, did Zoe find her heart or just hone her doctor skills?

2. Everwood

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Following his wife's death, Dr. Andy Brown swapped Manhattan for Everwood, Colorado, with kids Ephram and Delia in tow. The change wasn't just scenery, but soul-searching. While Ephram's piano skills struck chords, his teenage angst played a louder tune.

The budding romance with Amy, and rivalry with her brother, formed riveting subplots. The town's folks – from feisty Irv to rebellious Bright – added layers to Everwood's tale. Was it about healing old wounds or discovering new rhythms? In mountain shadows, lives intertwined, creating a symphonic saga.

3. Northern Exposure

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Joel Fleischman, a New York doctor, found himself contractually bound to Cicely, Alaska. He expected frozen tundras, but met vibrant vignettes of life. Maggie, the feisty pilot, had a love-hate equation with Joel, while ex-astronaut Maurice gave business a twist.

Native tales from Ed, radio ramblings by Chris, and Marilyn's silent wisdom colored the canvas. As the aurora borealis painted skies, town eccentricities turned ordinary into extraordinary. Was it about fulfilling a contract or unraveling life's cosmic comedy? Cicely, in all its chilly charm, showcased life's warmth.

4. Schitt's Creek

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When the wealthy Rose family lost everything, there was just one asset left: Schitt's Creek. The Roses, begrudgingly, relocated to this forgotten town. A motel became their home, while its residents became unexpected allies. David's pansexual love stories and Alexis's growth from socialite to career woman took center stage.

Johnny's efforts to rebuild, with Moira's eccentricities, created hilarious scenarios. Town events, from Moira's rendition of The Crows Have Eyes to Café Tropical chats, added flavor. In the end, wasn't it all about finding home in unexpected places?

5. Eureka

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In Eureka, Oregon, IQs soared higher than anywhere else. Why? A town built for geniuses, housing America's brightest. Sheriff Jack Carter, by accident, found himself maintaining law and order amidst scientific chaos. Gadgets gone wild, experiments exploding, and timelines twisting became the norm. Love bloomed between Jack and Global Dynamics' Allison Blake, while the town's prodigies, like Fargo, played with the fabric of reality. The underlying mystery? Can brilliance and small-town sensibilities coexist without combusting?

6. Bunheads

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When Vegas showgirl Michelle married impulsively, she found herself in Paradise, California. Widowhood came quick, leaving her with a dance school and a mother-in-law. Together, they taught ballet to four teenagers, each pirouetting with their own dreams. Town quirks, from fast-food drive-thrus to underground societies, kept Michelle on her toes.

Relationships twirled, friendships formed, and passions played out on stage. Was Paradise truly a haven, or just a backdrop for bigger ballets? In every plié and leap, life's choreography shone through.

7. Picket Fences

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Rome, Wisconsin, wasn't just another American town. Here, cows gave human milk, and the undead walked courtrooms. Sheriff Jimmy Brock tried maintaining peace, while his family grappled with day-to-day drama. From UFO sightings to religious apparitions, Rome was rife with peculiarities. Lawyer Douglas Wambaugh's eccentric defenses became courtroom legends. Beyond bizarre events, moral and ethical dilemmas took center stage. Who said small towns don't have big stories?

8. Jericho

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When nuclear explosions decimated 23 U.S. cities, Jericho, Kansas, stood isolated. Its residents? Unaware of the culprits, but determined to survive. Power struggles ensued, as supplies dwindled and outsiders threatened. Old feuds flared, while mysteries, like the survival of nearby New Bern, unfolded. Jake Green, the prodigal son, rose as an unlikely leader. As civilization crumbled, the question echoed: How does humanity rebuild amidst ruins? In the heartland's haze, Jericho's spirit battled despair.

9. Sweet Magnolias

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Three best friends, Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen, took center stage in picturesque Serenity, South Carolina. Maddie's recent divorce stirred town gossip, but the trio decided to open a spa together, adding rejuvenation to the mix. Football, school dramas, and budding romances thickened the plot. Dana Sue's restaurant was the town's hotspot, while Helen's legal battles brought justice to life. Secrets bubbled, but resilience simmered stronger. The series posed the question: How spicy can life get in a town named Serenity?

10. Gilmore Girls

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Stars Hollow, Connecticut – a town where everybody knows... well, everything. Enter Lorelai and Rory, a dynamic mother-daughter duo who redefined family. Their daily pit stop? Luke's Diner, where coffee flowed faster than their rapid-fire dialogues. Between Yale ambitions and quirky town festivals, love triangles spiced up the narrative. Rory's three beaus kept fans debating, while Lorelai's romantic dance with Luke kept hope alive. From Friday night dinners to life's unpredictability, wasn't Stars Hollow the real star?