Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Santita’ is a Mexican romantic drama show that follows the life of María José Cano, AKA Santita (Paulina Dávila), whose life changes after a car accident leaves her permanently injured and unable to walk. Following the incident, she abandons Alejandro (Gael García Bernal), the man she loves, on their wedding day. Two decades later, Alejandro unexpectedly returns, forcing a wheelchair-bound and socially active Santita to confront the choices she made in the past. His reappearance challenges the life she has built and pushes her to reconsider her views on love and regret.
As the past and present collide in shocking ways, Santita is pushed to her psychological limits, hoping to come to terms with the gravity of her situation. To truly get over this phase, she may have to make tough decisions that might alter her life forever. Created by Luis Cámara and Gabrielle Galanter, the narrative is a poignant, unique, and puzzling tale of love, longing, and regret. Looking for more shows similar to ‘Santita’ that feature layered stories of human connection? You can check out this list.
7. Chesapeake Shore (2016-2022)
Hallmark Channel’s ‘Chesapeake Shores,’ a romantic drama show, is an adaptation of the Sherryl Woods novel series of the same name. Created by Nancey Silvers and John Tinker, it centers on Abby O’Brien Winters (Meghan Ory), who is drawn back to her Maryland hometown of Chesapeake Shores after her younger sister, Jess O’Brien (Laci J. Mailey), urgently requests her help. Jess needs assistance to save her newly renovated property, the Inn at Eagle Point, from foreclosure. Abby’s demanding career, recent divorce, and motherly duties have kept her away from the town. Her return forces her to face unresolved family tensions and confront her first love, Trace Riley (Jesse Metcalfe), whom she left behind. Abby’s experiences in the show, and her tryst with the past and present, complement Santita’s struggles in ‘Santita.’
6. Sweet Magnolias (2020-)
Netflix’s ‘Sweet Magnolias’ delves into the strong friendship shared by Maddie Townsend (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue Sullivan (Brooke Elliott), and Helen Decatur (Heather Headley). The romantic drama series chronicles Maddie’s actions as she navigates a difficult divorce, with Dana and Helen offering unwavering support. As she begins a new chapter, Maddie seeks happiness, but her life becomes further complicated when she finds love again. Meanwhile, each of the three women confronts personal struggles in their pursuit of a better life. Created by Sheryl J. Anderson and based on Sherryl Woods’ eponymous novel series, the narrative is a heartfelt tale. It complements ‘Santita’ through its focus on the temporal and female experience of love, loss, and redemption.
5. Our Beloved Summer (2021-2022)
Created by Studio N, ‘Our Beloved Summer’ or ‘Geu hae urineun’ follows the complicated relationship between Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi). A decade after a bitter breakup, where they vowed never to cross paths again, fate intervenes. The high school documentary they once filmed together unexpectedly gains massive popularity, compelling the former lovers to reunite professionally. Their time spent together in front of the camera causes old feelings and unresolved issues to resurface. While the seemingly carefree Choi Ung and the determined, adult Kook Yeon-soo navigate their present lives, they must also confront the shared past that may affect them in unexpected ways. The South Korean romantic comedy show is spiritually related to ‘Santita’ as it explores the emotional challenges of regret, the convergence of the past and present, and the power of love.
4. Doctor Cha (2023)
‘Doctor Cha’ or ‘Doctor Cha Jeong Suk’ is a South Korean drama show that revolves around the trials and tribulations of Cha Jeong-Suk (Uhm Jung-Hwa). She restarts her medical resident course after a 20-year hiatus. For two decades, Cha Jeong-Suk had been a full-time housewife, having given up her medical career during her residency. Her return to the field of healthcare comes with its own challenges, as her husband, Seo In-Ho (Kim Byung-Chul), is a chief surgeon at a university hospital and a strict man. Directed by Kim Dae-jin and Kim Jung-wook, the narrative is an intricate portrayal of the past and present of a complex woman who deals with multiple issues and hopes to achieve redemption, akin to ‘Santita.’
3. Go Back Couple (2017)
‘Go Back Couple’ or ‘Gobaekbubu,’ directed by Ha Byung-hoon, is a South Korean drama show about Choi Ban-do (Son Ho-jun) and Ma Jin-joo (Jang Na-ra), a married couple. They are both approaching middle age and are struggling as parents to a young son. Ban-do is a pharmaceutical salesman constantly away for work, while Jin-joo, a housewife, feels abandoned and lonely. Finding it tough to carry on, they decide to divorce. However, the next morning, they wake up to find themselves as 20-year-old university students again.
With no idea how they got there or how to return, they seize the chance to change things. As they navigate this unexpected second chance, their choices affect their families and friends. They are left to question whether they will repair their past relationship or embark on a completely new journey. The show is based on the webtoon series ‘Do it one more time’ by Hong Seung-pyo. The temporal, emotional, and complex journey undertaken by Ban-do and Jin-joo captures the emotions of Santita and Alejandro in ‘Santita.’
2. Virgin River (2019-)
Netflix’s ‘Virgin River,’ created by Sue Tenney, centers on the life of Melinda Monroe, AKA Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner and midwife. Seeking a fresh start and blaming herself for a past event, Mel moves from LA to the picturesque Northern California town of Virgin River. While looking for work among the local doctors, she encounters Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson), a local bar owner.
As Mel and Jack meet more frequently, she develops puzzling feelings for him, even as she tries to leave her past behind. Becoming more integrated into the community, Mel embarks on a life-changing journey that offers a path to healing her soul. The romantic drama series is based on Robyn Carr’s novel series of the same name and is an engaging story of romance. The narrative shares similarities with ‘Santita’ as it explores the emotional challenges of a fresh start, unexpected love, and the role that fate plays in an individual’s life.
1. Sullivan’s Crossing (2023-)
‘Sullivan’s Crossing,’ a Canadian romantic drama show, is adapted from Robyn Carr’s novel series of the same name. It centers on neurosurgeon Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan), who retreats to her estranged father Harry Sullivan’s (Scott Patterson) Nova Scotia campground, known as Sullivan’s Crossing, after facing a medical negligence lawsuit in Boston. Created by Roma Roth, the story explores Maggie’s journey as she confronts her past and strives to repair her relationship with her father.
Complicating her new life, she also develops romantic feelings for a newcomer, California Jones (Chad Michael Murray), whose presence is a source of both confusion and hope. The narrative complements ‘Santita’ with its exploration of the female experience of love, second chances, and redemption. The lead characters in both shows must confront their romantic complexities, even as they come to terms with the choices of their past to build a better future.
Read More: Is Santita Based on a True Story?
