From Netflix to AppleTV, 2023 has been a golden era for television, marking an unparalleled convergence of innovation, creativity, and diversity in the world of entertainment. Streaming platforms, traditional networks, and international collaborations have collectively contributed to an extraordinary lineup of original series that have captivated global audiences.
Shows That Ended in 2023 and Similar Content to Stream
However, even good things can come to an end, and this year, audiences said goodbye to hit series like Succession, Doom Patrol, Barry, and A League of Their Own. We compiled some of the best shows that ended in 2023 and similar binge-worthy shows for audiences to explore.
Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol, the story of underdog superheroes, was a welcomed addition to the DC Universe. The memorable and eccentric series stands apart from conventional adaptations and is a great example of how to write a comic book series for television. The show revolves around a group of misfit superheroes, each grappling with their own personal traumas and unique abilities. The Doom Patrol members, including an all-star cast with Matt Bomer, Diane Guerrero, Riley Shanahan, and the lovable Brendan Fraser, embark on surreal and often bizarre adventures that challenge the boundaries of reality. The series combines a dark sense of humor, emotional depth, and a willingness to embrace the unconventional, creating a narrative that explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the resilience of the human spirit.
The series earned praise for its refreshing departure from traditional superhero tropes, offering a thought-provoking and entertaining experience for viewers seeking something beyond the ordinary in the superhero genre. Anyone who misses Doom Patrol can find the same modern approach to storytelling through hit series such as Moon Knight, directed by NYFA Screenwriting alum Mohammed Diab, The Boys on Amazon Prime (mature content), and the hilarious show SheHulk, available for streaming on Disney Plus – and featuring another NYFA alum, Michel Curiel!
Succession
After four critically acclaimed seasons, HBO’s Succession has held its last board meeting. The show’s locations should feel familiar to NYFA students, as the show is set in New York and often filmed in the Financial District, right around NYFA’s New York campus in Battery Place. Succession started as a sleeper hit from creator Jesse Armstrong and executive producers Adam McKay and Will Ferrell and grew exponentially throughout the show’s run, with the show breaking its record for the most-watched episode with the series finale. It racked up a massive 47 Emmy nominations, winning 13 for its first three seasons, and is the heavy favorite for many categories going into the 2023 Emmys in September.
After a shocking cliffhanger at the end of season 3, Succession dove right back into the unpredictability it handles so well in season 4 by killing the show’s patriarch, played by Brian Cox, in the third episode. This unexpected move cleared the way for the talks of who is to succeed Logan Roy as CEO of the company to become the primary focus of the end of the show. After the show pulled off its biggest twist, it still continued to focus on unpredictability, handling each episode as its own event and keeping the audience unaware of any of its next moves. With some choices ending up with little ramifications and others changing the course of the entire world, like in the final season’s tense and shocking election episode, it created a conversation around it, unlike any show since Game of Thrones ended.
Although Succession leaves a big void in the prestige television world, there are a few shows still airing that are able to partially fill the space—Billions, on Showtime, also revolves around rich New Yorkers looking to gain even more power. Peacock’s Yellowstone, which also ended in 2023, has a similar family dynamic as Succession but is set on a cattle ranch. HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones follows successful churchgoers whose private lives are full of greed and corruption. Succession ends its show in Battery Park, just a few steps from NYFA’s New York campus, with the final scene overlooking the New York Harbor, and we’re happy to share in that final moment with Kendall and the rest of the Roy’s.
Image via Buzzfeed News.
A League of Their Own
Based on the hit film A League of Their Own, the Amazon Prime series by the same name tackled the same subject matter while exploring other important topics, such as LGBTQIA+ rights, race, and gender equality. Featuring D’Arcy Carden, Abbi Jacobson, Chanté Adams, Roberta Colindrez, Kelly McCormack, and many more, the show followed the Rockford Peaches through their all-female baseball team during WWII before its cancellation during the recent strikes.
“This is a story about women’s sports that acknowledges queer women, women with varied gender expression, trans people, and the fact that policing of femininity often includes the risk of violence, both state-sanctioned and not,” wrote Linda Holmes of NPR. “This doesn’t come in the form of a single queer storyline, but in the stories of a lot of these women, who have different attitudes about sexuality and gender, and who make different choices about it.”
Unfortunately, the show did not extend beyond two seasons, but viewers can find comfort in shows such as First Kill, Gentleman Jack, Betty, Dickinson, and GLOW.
Gossip Girl
The Gossip Girl reboot was canceled in 2023, leaving many fans disappointed. Based on the hit 2007 series, the new Gossip Girl modernized the infamous gossip queen, voiced by Kristen Bell. The show was forced to answer for a second time who Gossip Girl is (anyone watching the 2021 series knew from the beginning). Following New York’s elite, the show gave a glimpse into the “glamourous” lives of the 1%, although the series branched out into the boroughs, going beyond the Humphrey’s Brooklyn Heights loft.
For those looking for the same soapy vibe, teen dramas such as The OC and One Tree Hill are streaming and fit the bill. Additionally, for audiences wanting something based in NYC, Girls, NYFA alum Tracy Oliver’s Harlem and Broad City were shot throughout the city. Harlem, for instance, follows the formula of four best friends juggling work, finances, and relationships in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in New York.
Barry
New York Film Academy filmmaking alum Bill Hader’s HBO show Barry, which he created, wrote on, directed, and starred as the title character, has come to an end after four seasons. Nominated for 43 Emmys and winning nine over its first three seasons, including Hader’s Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series win in 2019, the Los Angeles-set show explored what happens when an ex-hitman joins a local acting class.
The hitman-turned-actor comedy has gotten more dark and dramatic over the course of its run, but with that turn, the show has gotten better—and Bill Hader’s directing has a lot to do with it. Throughout the final season, in which Hader directed every episode, you can tell how comfortable he has become behind the camera. Hader applies a lot of long takes this season, where the action unfolds in real-time, whether it be spinning a camera in the center of a circular table or a tense scene tracking Barry through his midwestern house after he hears a knock on his door late at night. Speaking of tense scenes, Barry showcases some of the scariest sequences of the whole show in the last season, thanks to clever editing and Hader knowing exactly what to hide outside of the frame and the perfect moments to reveal them. You can tell from Barry that Hader will be extremely successful in directing his next projects, which he has hinted at will be horror-related.
Barry is a unique show in that it featured many different tones across its run, and became darker and darker as the show continued. The thriller-comedy tone is hard to come by, but there are a lot of shows that will keep you on the edge of your seat and offer comedy relief depending on the scene—but most importantly, feature characters doing bad things you’re not necessarily supposed to be rooting for. The best examples of the anti-hero show are Breaking Bad and its spin-off, Better Call Saul. Bob Odenkirk, like Bill Hader, came from a comedy background and focused their shows on a dramatic level that featured comedy. Both those shows have ended, but have a wealth of episodes to get into if you haven’t.
If you’re into the dark nature of Barry, look no further than You on Netflix, about an obsessive man who fixates on women. A loveable lead in Penn Badgley makes him a difficult character to root against, just as Bill Hader portrays in Barry. For more Barry content, check out our guest speaker event with Hader.
Image via Men’s Health.
Love and Death
Love and Death delves into the dark, true-life death of housewife Betty Gore at the hands of the infamous Candy Montgomery. A gripping limited series streaming on Max, Love and Death is set against the backdrop of a small, close-knit community. The show explores the intricate web of relationships and secrets leading up to Betty’s untimely death, skillfully navigating the complexities of human emotions. With a stellar cast that includes NYFA Guest Speaker Elizabeth Olsen, Love and Death is a haunting exploration of the fragility of existence and the profound impact that love, in its most intense and destructive forms, can have on individuals and a community.
If you’re intrigued by the premise of Love and Death, similar shows include Candy, telling the same story with Jessica Biel in the role of Candy Montgomery, The Undoing, Big Little Lies; the popular Showtime series Yellowjackets, and Bad Sisters, starring NYFA alum Eve Hewson.
Cobra Kai
In Cobra Kai, NYFA Guest Speaker Robert Mark Kamen’s beloved The Karate Kid characters return to the screen. The series rekindles the age-old rivalry between Johnny Lawrence, the original film’s antagonist, and Daniel LaRusso, the underdog hero. Set decades after their high school karate tournament, Cobra Kai explores Johnny reopening the Cobra Kai dojo and reigniting the martial arts rivalry. The show masterfully blends humor, drama, and action, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of adulthood, parenthood, and the enduring impact of past choices. With a mix of well-choreographed fight scenes and nuanced character development, the show pays homage to the beloved ’80s franchise and stands on its own as a compelling series that appeals to both longtime fans and new audiences alike.
Anyone craving another series like Cobra Kai can experience childhood nostalgia through reboots like Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return, One Day at a Time, starring the original Anita from West Side Story, Rita Moreno, and Doctor Who. Image via UPI.
Reboot
Speaking of reboots, the short-lived but beloved Hulu series Reboot was an innovative take on a common TV trope – taking something old and making it new again. Starring Keegan-Michael Key, Johnny Knoxville, everyone’s best friend Judy Greer, Paul Reiser, and NYFA Guest Speaker Rachel Bloom, creator of cult hit Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Reboot followed the same show within show structure of comedies like 30 Rock.
Despite only having eight episodes, audiences loved the chemistry between the cast and the fresh approach. A few other less-known shows that follow the same format include Episodes, starring Matt LeBlanc, the British series Extras, The Comeback, starring Lisa Kudrow; and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, starring Bradley Whitford and the late Matthew Perry.
The Chair
Netflix’s The Chair, starring Sandra Oh, was a joy for anyone working in academia. Following Oh, playing the newly appointed chair of a University English department, the series delves into the complexities of leadership, identity, and the pursuit of inclusivity in higher education.
It also cleverly addresses issues such as diversity, cancel culture, and the evolving landscape of academia with a mix of humor and sincerity. Canceled after only one season, The Chair will be missed. Viewers can check out streaming shows based at colleges, including Dear White People, Felicity, and How to Get Away with Murder, starring the EGOT winner Viola Davis. Image via Los Angeles Times.
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