12 Shows Like Platonic You Must See

Apple TV+’s ‘Platonic’ is a comedy-drama series that explores the deep friendship between Will (Seth Rogen) and Sylvia (Rose Byrne), two former best friends who reunite after a long time. As both the lead characters undergo their own midlife crises, their unique friendship is tested by social norms, gender roles, familial ties, and their own insecurities. The show navigates the themes of bonding, loyalty, mental health, family, insecurity, and love. The nucleus of the show features the trials and tribulations of a close friendship between a man and a woman, which is made more complex by society. The Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller creation is a poignant reflection of human experiences that manages to be lighthearted while also delving into more serious ideas. If you enjoyed watching the engaging teleplay, acting, plot, and the vibe of the series, these shows, similar to ‘Platonic,’ will entertain you in meaningful ways.

12. Scenes from a Marriage (2021)

HBO’s drama series ‘Scenes from a Marriage’ revolves around Mira (Jessica Chastain) and Jonathan (Oscar Isaac), a couple who are in a complex marriage. A remake of the eponymous Swedish series by Ingmar Bergman, the Hagai Levi creation navigates the difficulties of marriage, love, and trust through the eyes of the lead characters. It also tackles intricate themes such as hatred, lust, separation, and the idea of monogamy in the modern world. Despite being a more serious narrative, it shares similarities with ‘Platonic,’ as both shows take a look at the deeply entrenched complexities of the male and female psyche, and the ways they differ and intertwine. While the Seth Rogen starrer is a comedic take on friendship, the other is a nuanced and grounded take on the reality of marriage.

11. Easy (2016-2019)

Created by Joe Swanberg, Netflix’s ‘Easy’ follows a group of friends in Chicago who go through the difficulties and questions of sex, love, relationships, and culture. The comedy-drama series features an ensemble cast, including Jane Adams as Annabelle Jones, Zazie Beetz as Noelle, and Aya Cash as Sherri. The anthology drama explores various scenarios, such as a married couple aiming to rekindle their intimacy, a couple seeking excitement with another woman, and the complexities of middle-aged dating in the modern world. Akin to ‘Platonic,’ it delves into the territory of unconventional relationships, multilayered characters, and the clash between personal and social factors. Both shows have a lighthearted approach in examining serious issues, which makes them complementary.

10. Togetherness (2015-2016)

Created by Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, and Steve Zissis, HBO’s drama series ‘Togetherness’ explores the lives of two couples who live together, but struggle to maintain stability while chasing their own ambitions. Brett (Mark Duplass) and Michelle Pierson (Melanie Lynskey), a middle-aged couple, face a dwindling spark in their relationship. Seeking to reignite their passion for life and rediscover themselves, they open their Los Angeles home to Michelle’s sister, Tina, and Brett’s best friend, Alex. While ‘Platonic’ mainly deals with two people in a complex friendship, ‘Togetherness’ deals with the myriad views on marriage. Both shows feature intricate and nuanced dynamics between male and female characters, examining deeply rooted gender relations, while also being lighthearted. The thematic connections between the two narratives, based on love, family, friendship, and loyalty, connect them on a spiritual level.

9. High Fidelity (2020)

Based on the eponymous 1995 novel by Nick Hornby, Hulu’s ‘High Fidelity’ is a romantic comedy series that explores the life of Robyn Brooks (Zoë Kravitz), the owner of a record store in Brooklyn’s swiftly transforming Crown Heights neighborhood. While navigating her past relationships through the lens of music and pop culture, she strives to overcome her complications with feelings of love. The Veronica West and Sarah Kucserka creation moves through the vast and vivid world of urban minds, dealing with the turbulence of love, friendship, and a sense of belonging. In ways similar to ‘Platonic,’ it examines the value of bonds based on understanding and the process of communication that strengthens them. Though the Zoë Kravitz starrer is a more grounded and serious take on the mental state of a young woman, it intertwines with the Seth Rogen starrer in terms of characters undergoing psychological stress and the ways in which they navigate it.

8. The Kominsky Method (2018-2021)

Netflix’s ‘Kominsky Method’ is a comedy-drama series that deals with the lives of Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas), an aging acting coach, and his friend Norman Newlander (Alan Arkin), who is also his agent. Created by Chuck Lorre, the show follows Kominsky, who develops strong feelings for a woman but lacks the relationship skills to pursue them. Meanwhile, his agent grapples with the loss of his wife and a daughter struggling with drug addiction. Despite being a poignant exploration of the emotional dynamics between two old men, the show, akin to ‘Platonic,’ navigates the complexities of friendship, relationships, trust, loyalty, and ambition. Both shows feature characters who are unsure of what they want in life, and also struggle to communicate their ideas to their close ones. Ultimately, both shows are about a deep understanding between friends.

7. Forever (2018)

In Prime Video’s comedy series ‘Forever,’ June (Maya Rudolph) and Oscar Hoffman (Fred Armisen), a married couple residing in suburban California, lead a monotonous life. However, a ski trip, initiated by June to break the dullness of their lives, thrusts them into a strange emotional zone, prompting them to re-evaluate their love, commitment, and marriage. The Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard creation, akin to ‘Platonic,’ looks at the various issues related to a relationship between a man and a woman, though one deals with friendship, and the other deals with marriage. Both shows explore misunderstandings, loyalty, the idea of communication, and the importance of being there for your loved ones.

6. Fleabag (2016-2019)

Created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also plays the protagonist, ‘Fleabag’ is a British comedy-drama series that follows the dynamic and strange life of a woman who is only referred to by the title of the show. Based on the eponymous one-woman show by the creator, it is known for breaking the fourth wall and its unhinged narration. The show is a poignant tale of love, identity, belonging, family, and chaos. The narrative follows the protagonist as she explores her life with a false stoic attitude, but later becomes emotionally invested. One of the most meaningful parts of the show is her emotionally complicated relationship with a priest, which moves from friendship to love, and eventually to heartbreak. The idea of male-female friendship, just like ‘Platonic,’ becomes the emotional nucleus of the show in its second season. Both shows focus on familial ties, friendships, and the idea of social factors playing a role in personal issues. Despite tonal differences, the narratives are connected at a spiritual level.

5. Lovesick (2014-2018)

Netflix’s comedy-drama series ‘Lovesick’ follows a hilarious scenario wherein, after being diagnosed with an STD, Dylan (Johnny Flynn), with the assistance of his best friend Luke (Daniel Ings), embarks on a mission to contact every past sexual partner to let them know that they are in potential danger. As the buddies delve into Dylan’s history, they encounter both new and old heartbreaks. The Tom Edge creation is a lighthearted approach to a serious issue, which also deals with the ideas of sexual stigma, friendship, and trust. In ways similar to ‘Platonic,’ it narrates the complexities of friendship and the emotional complications that either make or break a bond. Both shows feature witty moments of comedy, while also placing their characters in awkward scenarios where communication is scarce and embarrassment follows. Despite subtle tonal contrasts, the shows remain connected.

4. Friends from College (2017-2019)

Created by Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller, Netflix’s comedy-drama series ‘Friends from College’ follows the lives of Ethan (Keegan-Michael Key), Lisa (Cobie Smulders), Sam (Annie Parisse), Nick (Nat Faxon), Max (Fred Savage), and Marianne (Jae Suh Park) as they approach their mid-lives. The chaotic group of friends, akin to Will and Sylvia in ‘Platonic,’ experience the complexities of relationships, past lovers, and their own mutual misunderstandings that lead to unexpected scenarios. Both shows contain elements of humor, emotional bonds, nostalgia, and the difficulties in maintaining a good rapport with past friends. While the group-based drama has multiple characters, the Rose Byrne starrer only focuses on two main characters, despite thematic overlaps that connect the shows on a deeper level.

3. Still Up (2023)

Apple TV+’s ‘Still Up’ is a drama series created by Steve Burge and Natalie Walter. It portrays the late-night connection between insomniac best friends Lisa (Antonia Thomas) and Danny (Craig Roberts). As they navigate a world full of delightful oddities, their bond grows stronger. The show dives deep into the human psyche, especially in the context of male-female friendship. The idea of sleeplessness plays a major role in the narrative, as it leads to emotional turbulence and unexpected outcomes for the lead characters. Akin to the multilayered narrative of ‘Platonic,’ it meaningfully portrays the medical condition of insomnia, as well as the various ways in which it affects thoughts. However, the nucleus of both shows lies in their exploration of the absurdities, complications, and emotional stakes of a friendship between a man and a woman.

2. You’re the Worst (2014-2019)

Created by Stephen Falk, ‘You’re the Worst’ is a comedy-drama series that explores the lives of two toxic individuals named Jimmy (Chris Geere) and Gretchen (Aya Cash), who try to build a relationship. The show deals with romance, friendship, and loyalty in all its layers. It is known for its intense sequences, which are major building blocks for relationships between the characters. Despite its tonal contrast with ‘Platonic,’ it shares similarities, including the nuanced take on relationships between men and women, as well as the difficulties faced by individuals when they meet unexpected challenges. Both shows feature clashes between strong personalities, which threaten to either redeem or destroy the core of their ties.

1. Catastrophe (2015-2019)

Prime Video’s ‘Catastrophe’ is a comedy-drama series that narrates the story of Rob Norris (Rob Delaney) and Sharon Morris (Sharon Horgan), whose sexual intimacy leads to an unexpected pregnancy. The two lead actors also served as co-creators of the show. The protagonists deal with a chaotic mess of a relationship as they try to navigate the troubled waters of modern-day hookups, and the possibility of a more meaningful connection that takes them beyond the societal expectations imposed by pregnancy. Despite involving a romantic angle between the main characters, the show shares similarities with ‘Platonic’ in terms of its commentary on the differences in male and female psychology, and the possibilities that arise when a deeper bond develops between strong individuals. Both shows are connected on a philosophical level because of their take on modern-day relationships and the difficulty in defining them based on human limitations.