Record-breaking heat waves aside, summer in Canada is a glorious, short-lived thing. So as the season comes to a close, it’s understandable if you want to bury your head in the sand and completely immerse yourself in an uplifting series that takes you away from the real world – and the dropping temperatures.
The problem is, you’ve probably already watched beloved feel-good series such as Ted Lasso, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, Superstore and Being Erica. You’ve gone through sisterhood with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin on Grace and Frankie, you’ve visited Schitt’s Creek and Kim’s Convenience, and you’ve learned more about baking than you thought possible with The Great British Bake Off. Now, you need something else to spark those endorphins.
If you’re looking for a mood-boosting show that offers an escape from the shortening days, here are five other picks.
North of North
Anna Lambe as Siaja in North of North.jasper savage/CBC/netflix
There are several reasons to check out this Netflix, CBC and APTN co-production, including the fact that it was the streaming service’s first scripted Canadian series and sparked an entire production ecosystem in Nunavut. More importantly, it’s a sweet, funny and earnest watch.
The award-nominated show stars Anna Lambe as a young Inuk woman and mother going through a journey of self-discovery in her small town. There are many uplifting moments and honest conversations about female relationships, community and trauma, all told through an authentic lens. North of North educates and empowers, and it’s also a hilarious series that makes you laugh out loud; it’s available for streaming on CBC Gem or Netflix.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
When this K-drama made its debut on Netflix in 2022, it spent several weeks on the platform’s top 10 list, and for good reason: It’s impossible not to feel uplifted after watching an episode. The series stars Park Eun-bin as a brilliant rookie attorney who also happens to be on the autism spectrum.
The character is resilient and the show itself is peppered with hope and lighthearted moments. It’s honest and vulnerable, which makes it universally relatable, but it also raises awareness of the societal barriers faced by those with autism. The 16-episode first season is available on Netflix.
Miracle Workers
Geraldine Viswanathan and Daniel Radcliffe in Miracle Workers.TBS/Supplied
When this anthology series made its debut on TBS in 2019, it didn’t gain traction in Canada, which is a real shame. The initial season stars Steve Buscemi as a beer-guzzling iteration of God who has given up all hope for humanity under the weight of current headlines. But then two low-level angels, or miracle workers, played by Daniel Radcliffe and Geraldine Viswanathan, bet him that some prayers are worth answering.
It’s silly but smart, and full of recognizable faces and committed performances. Subsequent seasons feature the same cast and equally fun premises – but it’s the first season, which currently streams on Prime Video, that still feels incredibly uplifting and relevant six years later.
Love on the Spectrum
Connor and Georgie in Love on the Spectrum.Netflix/Supplied
There is no shortage of dating series out there, many of which feature the same hot twentysomethings who say they’re ready for big life decisions but ultimately fall for the same old showmances and toxic traits they claim to be avoiding. That’s not the case with this incredibly sweet and authentic series that stars people on the autism spectrum.
There are genuine beats to look forward to in every episode, and the show as a whole encourages human connection in a way that some of those other dating series never could. Love on the Spectrum is also one of the most positive representations of neurodiversity out there, making space for those often excluded from mainstream narratives. The first three seasons are streaming on Netflix.
Derry Girls
A scene from Derry Girls, a three-season series about five Irish teens in the 1990s.Courtesy of Netflix
There are coming-of-age stories, and then there’s Derry Girls, the three-season series revolving around five Irish teens in the 1990s, including one played by Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan. The show is set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, a 30-year civil conflict, yet the stories are presented in heartwarming and optimistic ways.
This show is one of the most celebratory takes on female friendships out there, and that alone is a darned good reason to watch. Whip through all three, six-episode seasons on Netflix.
