Let’s be real. Finishing the series finale of Jane the Virgin feels like a genuine breakup. You’ve spent five seasons with the Villanueva women, navigated the surreal twists of Sin Rostro, and probably debated Team Michael vs. Team Rafael more than you’d care to admit. It’s a specific vibe. Finding shows like Jane the Virgin isn't just about finding another romantic comedy; it’s about finding that rare alchemy of magical realism, high-stakes family drama, and a narrator who feels like your best friend.
The struggle is that most "recommendation engines" just point you toward any show with a Latinx cast or a love triangle. But Jane was smarter than that. It was a meta-commentary on storytelling itself. If you’re looking for that same hit of dopamine, you need shows that understand the "telenovela" trope while still keeping their feet on the ground.
Why the Telenovela Format is So Hard to Mimic
Most American TV is scared of being "too much." Jane the Virgin leaned into the "too much." It took the structure of Venezuelan soaps—specifically Juana la virgen—and gave it a self-aware, Wes Anderson-esque coat of paint. To find something similar, we have to look for series that embrace the "more is more" philosophy.
Honestly, the heartbeat of the show wasn't the accidental insemination. It was the multi-generational bond between Jane, Xiomara, and Alba. That’s the "secret sauce." If a show has the drama but lacks the warmth, it’s going to feel empty. If it has the warmth but no plot twists, it’s just a standard sitcom. You need both.
Ugly Betty: The Spiritual Ancestor
If you haven't watched Ugly Betty, stop what you’re doing. It’s the most obvious successor, even though it actually predates Jane. Based on the Colombian smash hit Yo soy Betty, la fea, it captures that same vibrant, saturated color palette and the struggle of an ambitious woman trying to make it in a world that doesn't quite "get" her.
Betty Suarez and Jane Villanueva are cut from the same cloth. They’re both writers (or aspiring ones). They’re both fiercely loyal to their families in Queens or Miami. While Ugly Betty leans harder into the fashion world satire, the family dynamics at the Suarez household mirror the Villanueva kitchen table perfectly. Plus, the guest stars are insane. Naomi Campbell? Adele? It’s a fever dream in the best way.
Shows Like Jane the Virgin That Nail the Family Dynamic
Sometimes you don't need a narrator or a long-lost twin to feel like you're watching Jane. Sometimes you just need a family that argues loudly and loves harder.
One Day at a Time is the gold standard here.
It’s a multi-cam sitcom, which usually turns people off, but don't let the laugh track fool you. This show is heavy. It handles PTSD, immigration status, and coming out with more grace than most prestige dramas. Rita Moreno plays the grandmother, Lydia, and she is basically Alba if Alba had a flair for the dramatic and a secret stash of evening gowns. It’s one of those shows like Jane the Virgin that makes you cry and laugh within the same thirty-minute block.
Then there's Gilmore Girls.
Hear me out.
The fast-talking? Check. The mother-daughter relationship that feels more like a friendship? Check. The small-town quirks that feel like their own character? Double check. Lorelai and Rory are the prototype for Xo and Jane. The stakes are lower—nobody is getting kidnapped by an international drug lord—but the emotional stakes regarding Ivy League dreams and romantic indecision feel just as massive.
The Bold Type and the Professional Hustle
A huge part of Jane’s journey was her identity as a writer. She struggled with her memoir, dealt with harsh editors, and tried to find her voice. If that’s the part of the show you miss, The Bold Type on Freeform (and Hulu) is your best bet.
✨ Don't miss: Why 5 Centimeters Per Second Still Hurts Twenty Years Later
It follows three best friends working at a Cosmo-esque magazine. It’s glossy. It’s idealistic. It’s very "New York City magic." But it treats the women’s careers with the same reverence Jane the Virgin did. It’s about the hustle. It’s about finding a way to tell your story when the world wants to edit it down.
Embracing the Weirdness: Magical Realism and Narrators
Jane had the Latin Lover Narrator. He was the MVP. He provided context, shade, and emotional grounding. Finding that specific device is rare, but a few shows come close.
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: This is the most "Jane-adjacent" show in terms of technical ambition. It’s a musical, but it uses those songs to deconstruct tropes about love and mental health. Like Jane, Rebecca Bunch is often an unreliable protagonist who sees her life through a specific cinematic lens.
- Never Have I Ever: Mindy Kaling’s Netflix series uses John McEnroe as a narrator. It sounds weird. It works. It captures that teenage angst and the specific pressure of living up to immigrant parental expectations.
- Pushing Daisies: If the colorful, whimsical aesthetic of the Marbella Hotel was your favorite part, this is a must-watch. It’s a forensic fairy tale about a pie-maker who can bring people back to life with a touch. It’s quirky, romantic, and visually stunning.
The International Gems You’re Probably Overlooking
Because Jane the Virgin is rooted in the telenovela, looking toward international markets is a smart move.
💡 You might also like: How Can I Watch Tulsa King: Why Most People Are Still Paying Too Much
The House of Flowers (La Casa de las Flores) on Netflix is basically the R-rated, darkly comedic cousin of Jane. It’s a Mexican series about a wealthy family that owns a high-end flower shop and a struggling cabaret. It features voiceovers, shocking secrets, and a visual style that makes Jane look muted. It’s campy in a way that feels intentional and sophisticated.
If you want the romantic tension without the camp, try Crash Landing on You.
Korean dramas (K-Dramas) are essentially the cousins of telenovelas. They specialize in high-concept romance, fated lovers, and incredible cliffhangers. This one involves a South Korean heiress who accidentally paraglides into North Korea. It sounds ridiculous. It is. But by episode four, you will be sobbing. It’s that same "grand gesture" energy that Rafael Solano brought to the table.
Why We Still Crave These Stories
The reality is that Jane the Virgin succeeded because it was sincere. We live in an era of "prestige TV" where everything is gritty, dark, and cynical. Jane was the opposite. It was a show that believed in romance, believed in God, and believed that people could change.
Searching for shows like Jane the Virgin is actually a search for optimism. You want a show where the characters actually like each other. You want a show that isn't afraid to be colorful.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Binge Watch
If you’re staring at the Netflix home screen and can't decide, use this "Jane-Style" filter to narrow it down:
- Check the Color Palette: If the thumbnail looks grey or blue, skip it. You want bright pinks, teals, and yellows. This usually indicates a lighter, more rhythmic tone.
- Look for "Dramedy" Tags: Pure comedies lack the heart; pure dramas lack the fun. The "dramedy" sweet spot is where Jane lived.
- Prioritize Female Showrunners: Jennie Snyder Urman (Jane’s creator) brought a specific lens to the show. Look for works by Nahnatchka Khan (Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23) or Tanya Saracho (Vida).
- Start with "Vida": If you want something more grounded and "prestige" but still focused on Latinx sisterhood and family secrets in a changing neighborhood, Vida on Starz is an underrated masterpiece. It’s shorter and grittier, but the emotional DNA is identical.
The "void" left by Jane, Petra, and the rest of the crew is hard to fill. But by looking for shows that value heart over cynicism and family over everything, you'll find your next obsession. Start with One Day at a Time for the laughs, or The House of Flowers if you really miss the "holy crap, did that just happen?" plot twists. Happy watching.