Saagar Kote
Created by Rachel Sennott, HBO’s ‘I Love LA’ explores the complexities of relationships and ambitions among a group of friends in LA. The comedy series centers on Maia (Rachel Sennott), who strives for the position of junior manager, promoting online campaigns, while also navigating her relationship with Dylan (Josh Hutcherson). Her life is disrupted by the reappearance of an old friend, Tallulah, whose interference forces Maia to balance her friendships with Charlie (Jordan Firstman) and Alani (True Whitaker), who are dealing with their own challenges. The series offers a nuanced look at the aspirations of urban America, delicately addressing themes of friendship, meaning, ambition, and modern relationships. If you connected to the quirky themes, mysterious characters, and the visual style of the series, these shows, similar to ‘I Love LA,’ will entertain you.
8. Mid-Century Modern (2025)
Hulu’s ‘Mid-Century Modern’ is a wild tale of friendship between three men, set in the Palm Springs area. Bunny Schneiderman (Nathan Lane), Jerry Frank (Matt Bomer), and Arthur Broussard (Nathan Lee Graham), three gay men, navigate the ups and downs in their lives while also supporting each other. Their friendship is complicated by the presence of Sybil Schneiderman (Linda Lavin), who is Bunny’s mother. The heart of the sitcom lies in the exploration of friendship and freedom. Created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, the story resembles ‘I Love LA’ due to its tender portrayal of friendship and sexual liberation. The visual elements and comedic tones of the stories connect them on a greater level.
7. Ensemble (2021-)
‘Ensemble’ is a comedy series that navigates the trials and tribulations in the lives of five aspiring actors, who try to achieve some meaning in their lives amidst the hustle and bustle of LA. Olivia (Jamie Ditzel), Cal (Jamal Ree), and Dean (Lucas Karp), along with their other friends, deal with difficult acting rehearsals while also trying to survive in the pursuit of Hollywood glory. They deal with various issues at the professional and personal levels, living in a garage together. Created by Seamus Coyle, Lucas Karp, and Jamal Reed, the narrative utilizes the backdrop of LA to talk about ambition and chaos, like ‘I Love LA.’ Both shows deal with the complexities of human relationships, while featuring Gen Z themes and characters.
6. DTLA (2012)
Created by Larry Kennar, ‘DTLA’ follows eight diverse friends in downtown LA navigating pivotal life moments and romantic relationships. Lawyer Lenny (Darryl Stephens) reconnects with college friend SJ (Marshelle Fair) amid her failing marriage, while his own relationship with Bryan (Matthew Stephen Herrick) faces challenges. The drama series also focused on the love lives of a teacher named Kai and a lawyer named Stefan, who find themselves in complex romantic situations. Akin to ‘I Love LA,’ it deals with the angst and ambitions of a group of friends, while also involving LGBTQIA+ themes and characters.
5. Pretty Dudes (2016-)
‘Pretty Dudes’ follows a group of millennial friends in Los Angeles who face unique challenges as they go through the chaos of life. Photographer Zario (Bryan Michael Nuñez), law student Ellington (Xavier Avila), gamer Alexander (Kyle Rezzarday), and others go through emotional struggles, pursuing their hopes and aspirations while living together. When the group decides to interfere in the love life of Zario, it leads to unexpected complications in the bonding between the friends. The diversity of the characters, the commentary on sexual identity, and the poignant representation of friendship connect the dramedy series created by Chance Calloway to the world of ‘I Love LA’ and its characters.
4. On My Block (2018-2021)
Netflix’s ‘On My Block’ explores the lives of individuals who navigate complex emotions of loyalty, friendship, freedom, and pain. The comedy-drama series follows the lives of Monse Finnie (Sierra Capri), Ruby Martinez (Jason Genao), Jamal Turner (Brett Gray), and Cesar Diaz (Diego Tinoco) as they pursue life in a tough neighborhood, while also dealing with difficult relationships. Created by Eddie Gonzalez, Jeremy Haft, and Lauren Iungerich, the show, akin to ‘I Love LA,’ explores how bonds are tested under trying circumstances, while also featuring characters striving for liberation. The characters in both shows try to survive the realities of Urban America while trying to find meaning in their lives.
3. Run the World (2021-2023)
‘Run the World’ follows the loyal friendship between four African-American women in Harlem. Whitney Green (Amber Stevens West), Renee Ross (Bresha Webb), Sondi Hill (Corbin Reid), and Ella McFair (Andrea Bordeaux) deal with difficult challenges in their careers and personal lives, while they also go through the ups and downs of friendship. They also navigate their racial identities in modern America, while hoping to achieve greater heights. Like ‘I Love LA,’ the comedy series created by Leigh Davenport, portrays various layers of friendship and also sheds light on urban realities in America. The characters in both shows deal with identity issues and the weight of their own ambitions.
2. Adults (2025-)
Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw, FX’s ‘Adults’ navigates the lives of Samir Rahman (Malik Elassal), Billie Schaeffer (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), and others as they navigate early adulthood. They live in Samir’s house in New York with Issa (Amita Rao) and Anton Evans (Owen Thiele), who also face their own challenges. With their flaws and insecurities making their lives difficult, they must find the strength to transition to adulthood in a meaningful way. On the lines of ‘I Love LA,’ the comedy series deals with the chaos of youth, while also looking at the weight of ambitions in urban America. The visual and tonal elements of the shows also connect them on a greater level.
1. New Girl (2011-2018)
In Fox’s ‘New Girl,’ Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel), a charming and quirky teacher, finds herself without a place to live after breaking up with her boyfriend due to his infidelity. She moves into a house with three male strangers. Schmidt (Max Greenfield), a flamboyant and egotistical businessman, Nick Miller (Jake Johnson), a cynical law-school dropout, and a struggling athlete named Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris) become essential parts of Jess’s life, who is the “new girl” in their lives. The housemates navigate the struggles of life while also trying to balance their complex relationships. The elements of friendship, ambition, and struggles of youth connect the sitcom created by Elizabeth Meriwether to ‘I Love LA’ and its unique characters.
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