Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Vladimir’ revolves around the experiences of a married English professor named M (Rachel Weisz). The comedy-drama show follows M as she faces a crisis of the body and the soul when she becomes attracted to Vladimir (Leo Woodall), a new colleague. What begins as desire soon turns into obsession as M has sexual fantasies about Vladimir and tries to get close to him. As Vladimir has intimate conversations with M, he realizes that she is playing an intricate game with him. Along with her feelings for Vladimir, M must also come to terms with her husband John’s (John Slattery) infidelity and her difficult relationship with her daughter, Sid (Ellen Robertson).
As her personal and professional lives intertwine, M faces multiple emotional challenges simultaneously. When she attempts to turn her feelings for Vladimir into reality, unexpected consequences further complicate matters. Created by Julia May Jonas and based on her eponymous novel, the narrative is a puzzling story. These shows, similar to ‘Vladimir,’ delve into the deeper desires of the human soul.
12. The Couple Next Door (2023-2025)
Directed by Dries Vos, ‘The Couple Next Door’ is a British psychological thriller series that delves into the lives of several characters as they navigate love and desire. The first season focuses on a couple, Evie Greenwood (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Pete Thomas (Alfred Enoch), after they move to the Appleby Drive neighborhood in Leeds, England. They become neighbors to Becka Whitwell (Jessica De Gouw) and Danny Whitwell (Sam Heughan), who are in an open marriage.
The two couples develop complex sexual feelings for each other, leading to unforeseen results. The second season introduces a new married couple, Charlotte and Jacob, whose relationship is strained by their demanding professional lives. Their life is disrupted by their new neighbor, nurse Mia, who shakes the foundations of their marriage. Like ‘Vladimir,’ the show comments on lust, intimacy, marriage, and layered relationships.
11. Fatal Attraction (2023)
‘Fatal Attraction’ follows the complicated life of LA deputy district attorney Dan Gallagher (Joshua Jackson). Based on the eponymous film directed by Adrian Lyne, the Paramount+ psychological thriller series centers on Dan’s secret affair with Alex Forrest (Lizzy Caplan), a woman he meets in professional settings. Despite his desire to end the relationship, Alex hopes to keep it going. The situation spirals when Dan is accused of Alex’s murder, leading to a legal battle. With his marriage to Beth Gallagher (Amanda Peet) and his entire future in jeopardy, Dan must fight to prove his innocence before time runs out. Created by Alexandra Cunningham and Kevin J. Hynes, the narrative focuses on the psychological implications of sexual desire and the cost of secrets, which connects it to ‘Vladimir.’
10. Love & Anarchy (2020-2022)
Netflix’s ‘Love & Anarchy’ or ‘Kärlek & anarki’ is the tale of a consultant named Sofie (Ida Engvoll) who meticulously manages life as a married mother of two in Stockholm. However, things take a turn when she starts flirting with Max (Björn Mosten), a young IT specialist she meets during a restructuring job for a publishing house. Their budding connection quickly turns into a secretive game of dares that becomes more intense and unpredictable, leading to consequences. As the two challenge each other psychologically, they must also recognize the insecurities resting within them and their inability to take control of their lives. Created by Lisa Langseth, the Swedish romantic comedy show reflects the essence of ‘Vladimir’ through its portrayal of female desire, sexual equations, and the overwhelming power of obsession.
9. Tell Me Lies (2022-2026)
Created by Meaghan Oppenheimer, ‘Tell Me Lies’ chronicles the eight-year relationship between college freshman Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and college junior Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White), who meet at Baird College in the late 2000s. Their campus romance quickly develops into a compelling yet toxic connection that affects their lives and those around them. Meeting at a crucial age, their seemingly small choices lead to various complications that change the very basis of their relationship. Based on the novel of the same name by Carola Lovering, the show is spiritually related to ‘Vladimir’ in that it portrays romantic addiction in an academic setting, deceptive moments, and complex characters.
8. The Affair (2014-2019)
‘The Affair’ explores the complicated extramarital relationship between Noah Solloway (Dominic West), a teacher, and Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson), a waitress. Though they initially get close under the weight of personal troubles, their intimacy leads to chaos and unexpected crises in their own lives and their social circles. Created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi, the Showtime drama show’s core focus is the impact of the discreet relationship on Noah’s spouse, Helen Solloway (Maura Tierney), and the changing nature of her marriage. Akin to ‘Vladimir,’ it delves into themes of love, loyalty, and sexual intimacy, while also featuring a similar visual flavor.
7. Gypsy (2017)
‘Gypsy’ tells the story of Jean Holloway (Naomi Watts), a psychotherapist in NYC who helps people dealing with obsessive thoughts and other intimate problems. However, Jean’s life becomes chaotic and unpredictable when she starts interfering in the private affairs of her patients and gets involved in extramarital relationships. This leads to a difficult equation between Jean and her husband, Michael Holloway (Billy Crudup). As the psychotherapist attempts to take control of her life, she finds it difficult to cope with the weight of her own desires. Created by Lisa Rubin, the Netflix psychological drama series is a nuanced exploration of human emotions. Jean’s romantic trials and tribulations, and marital complications in the show, are reflected in the inner battles that M fights in ‘Vladimir.’
6. A Teacher (2020)
FX’s ‘A Teacher’ follows Claire Wilson (Kate Mara), a teacher in her early 30s, and Eric Walker (Nick Robinson), one of her young students, as they become involved in an unexpected affair. Created by Hannah Fidell and based on her film of the same name, the narrative focuses on the intricacies of their relationship as Claire abuses her power to manipulate Eric’s vulnerable teenage mind. The drama series explores various aspects of the relationship as it unfolds over the course of a decade, during which both Claire and Eric face challenges. Claire’s efforts to deal with the weight of her sexual and psychological desires connect her to M and her vivid personality in ‘Vladimir.’ Both shows take place in academic settings and focus on secrets, chaos, and complex female characters.
5. Losing Alice (2020)
The Israeli psychological thriller series, ‘Losing Alice,’ explores the complicated life of Alice Ginor (Ayelet Zurer), a middle-aged filmmaker. Created by Sigal Avin, the show picks up when Alice meets a young and attractive writer named Sophie (Lihi Kornowski). Alice develops sexual feelings for Sophie, which sets her on a risky and turbulent course. This new relationship throws Alice’s world into chaos, testing her family life, her sense of morality, and her identity, leading to unexpected and potentially deadly situations. As Alice’s fate converges with Sophie’s secrets, the very basis of her reality changes in unexpected ways. The narrative shares similarities with ‘Vladimir’ as it focuses on a woman who harbors sexual and romantic thoughts for a younger person and the internal chaos and doubt that follows.
4. Dark Desire (2020-2022)
Netflix’s ‘Dark Desire’ or ‘Oscuro deseo’ follows Alma Solares (Maite Perroni), who starts an affair with a younger man named Dario Guerra (Alejandro Speitzer) during a weekend trip to support her close friend getting over a divorce. Alma is a lawyer and professor who ends her relationship with Dario out of guilt and returns home to her husband and daughter. However, her life soon descends into turmoil. She becomes obsessed with Dario and pursues him again, leading to dangerous situations and unlikely revelations. Created by Leticia López Margalli, the Mexican thriller drama series complements ‘Vladimir’ with its navigation of sexual obsession, female liberty, marital issues, and intricate power dynamics.
3. The Chair (2021)
In ‘The Chair,’ Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh), the first woman of color to lead the English department at the esteemed Pembroke University, faces numerous challenges. The Netflix drama series explores Kim’s struggles to gain respect from many colleagues in the traditional academic setting. She also tries to secure tenure for a young Black colleague, while managing her complex relationship with her crush, colleague, and friend, Bill Dobson (Jay Duplass). As she fights against gender-based and racial stereotypes, she must also find the strength to overcome her own insecurities about what defines her. Created by Amanda Peet and Annie Julia Wyman, the show’s depiction of female agency, its commentary on academic settings, and its portrayal of love make it complementary to ‘Vladimir.’
2. Mrs. Fletcher (2019)
HBO’s ‘Mrs. Fletcher’ centers on a mother and son duo, Mrs. Eve Fletcher (Kathryn Hahn) and Brendan (Jackson White). When Brendan starts his freshman year of college, divorcée Eve decides it’s time to shed her former identity as she embarks on a tough journey of rediscovery. Having gone sexually unsatisfied in her younger years, she finds new sexual fulfillment through a connection with a younger man and his circle of friends. Meanwhile, Brendan faces his own challenges as he struggles to adjust to college life and balance it with his own sexual thoughts. Created by Tom Perrotta and based on his eponymous novel, the comedy series, like ‘Vladimir,’ is about a middle-aged woman attempting to take control of her life through sexual adventures and fantasies. Like M, Eve also faces unpredictable and unexpected situations that challenge her.
1. I Love Dick (2016-2017)
Prime Video’s ‘I Love Dick’ explores the fictionalized version of the life of struggling NYC artist and filmmaker Chris Kraus (Kathryn Hahn). She travels to Texas with her husband, Sylvère Lotringer (Griffin Dunne), and develops an intense fixation on Dick (Kevin Bacon), who is Sylvère’s fellowship sponsor. She expresses strong sexual desire by writing intimate letters to Dick, but doesn’t send them due to her doubts. Due to her growing obsession with Dick, she is unable to live her life in a previously established pattern.
As her desires and hesitations converge, Chris struggles to find the balance she needs to live in peace. To find her voice and live according to her own wishes, Chris will have to shed her own inhibitions. Based on the novel of the same name by the real-life Chris Kraus, the comedy-drama series is created by Joey Soloway and Sarah Gubbins. It is closely connected to ‘Vladimir’ as it sheds light on female agency, desire, and sexual fantasy. Chris and M are complementary characters who deal with multiple layers of social and personal challenges.
Read More: Where is Netflix’s Vladimir Filmed?
