10 TV Shows That Atypical Fans Will Love as Much as Sam Loves Penguins
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Diversity in the media is more important than ever, which is why Atypical is seriously one of the best Netflix shows out there. The series follows Sam Gardner, a high school senior on the autism spectrum who decides that he's ready to shake off his doting parents and gain some independence — especially in his love life. Experiencing everything from his first girlfriend, to his first job, to increasing tension at home and with his younger sister, Atypical is both heartwarming and hilarious, and we can't wait for the third season to premiere. Until then, check out the gallery for 10 shows fans of Atypical will love.
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The Good Doctor
Freddie Highmore stars in this ABC medical drama as Shaun Murphy, a young autistic surgical whose savant syndrome helps him land a prestigious residency at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. With his near-photographic recall and single-minded passion for medicine, The Good Doctor's Shaun is just as quirky and lovable as Atypical's Sam.
Where to watch: Hulu
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The End of the F***ing World
Based on the comic book series of the same name by Charles Forsman, this dark comedy follows two misanthropic outsiders — one who is convinced he is a psychopath, and one who is simply desperate for excitement — as they embark on an increasingly dangerous road trip. Though James and Alyssa couldn't be more different than Sam and Paige, you'll still love watching two outcasts come together in a strangely endearing way.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Switched at Birth
This long-running Freeform drama follows two teen girls who realize they were raised by the wrong set of parents, a revelation that forces the two polar-opposite families to bond and learn how to live together for the sake of the girls. As well as being a compelling domestic drama like Atypical, Switched at Birth also accurately portrays the struggle of attempting to communicate with those who don't always understand you, as Daphne lost her hearing at an early age.
Where to watch: Netflix
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The A Word
This BBC miniseries follows the Hughes family in the aftermath of learning that five-year-old Joe's struggles to communicate (and his penchant for constantly listening to pop music on an oversize pair of headphone) are actually due to autism. Like the Gardner family, the Hughes must learn new ways to cope with their son's differences while also juggling their own personal dramas.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
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United States of Tara
Starring Atypical's Keir Gilchrist alongside Toni Colette and Brie Larson, United States of Tara tells the story of a suburban housewife and mom living with dissociative identity disorder, a condition that causes her to shift between multiple identities without warning. This Showtime series manages to balance the humor and drama to approach DID with insight and sensitivity, just as Atypical does with autism.
Where to watch: Hulu
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Parenthood
Based on the 1989 film by the same name, this NBC drama follows four adult siblings (played by Lauren Graham, Peter Krause, Dax Shepard, and Erika Christensen) as they share the pains and joys of raising families of their own, especially after one of their children is diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Though this one has more tears than laughs, you can't help but fall in love with the Braverman family.
Where to watch: Netflix
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The Fosters
This Freeform family drama follows an interracial lesbian couple and all of the ups-and-downs of raising a multiethnic clan of biological, adopted, and foster children under one roof. Though Stef and Lena's family is certainly larger and more colorful than the Gardners, The Fosters has all of the same heart and humor that Atypical delivers.
Where to watch: Netflix
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Young Sheldon
This The Big Bang Theory spinoff features Iain Armitage as a nine-year-old Sheldon Cooper, a child genius who struggles to find common ground with his intellectually inferior high school classmates. Like Sam, Sheldon is academically gifted, but doesn't quite have a grasp on social cues, making for plenty of humorous misunderstandings.
Where to watch: CBS
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For Peete's Sake
Though this one is a reality show rather than a sitcom, For Peete's Sake is just as heartwarming, following actress and NFL quarterback Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete as they raise their four children — one of whom has autism. This show depicts the very real struggle of balancing the lives of children with different needs, which becomes complicated when some of those needs are more obvious than others.
Where to watch: OWN
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The Guild
This long-running and totally underrated YouTube web series (which features Atypical's Amy Okuda) revolves around a crew of outcasts who spend countless hours playing an online fantasy video game, which is changed forever after two of the guild-mates actually meet in real life. This series is a hilarious and heartfelt celebration of geek culture, and Zaboo will remind you of Zahid, no doubt.
Where to watch: YouTube