Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Netflix‘s three most popular shows at the moment — Squid Game, On My Block, and Maid — could not be any more different. From dark sci-fi to coming-of-age to a drama that’s based on a tragic true story, Netflix’s recent line up of series has proven that the streamer really has it all. Maid, featuring mother/daughter duo Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley, is the latest to land on Netflix, and the limited series really packs a punch. Based on Stephanie Land’s memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, the show will surely make a star out of Qualley, who soars in the lead role. And if you’re looking for more shows featuring Qualley or that focus on the subject motherhood in general, there’s plenty more to watch.
Maid follows single mother Alex (Qualley), who escapes an abusive relationship and homelessness by taking up housecleaning as a profession. An unflinching look at poverty and mothers, Maid is certainly not an easy watch. Still, it’s a worthwhile watch for the performances alone. With two sets of mothers and daughters leading the story, this woman-led show will blow you away.
From The Letdown to Ginny & Georgia, here are a few shows to watch after Netflix’s new limited series Maid.
'The Letdown'
After becoming a new mother, Audrey (Alison Bell) struggles to adapt to a new lifestyle. With little help coming in from her parents, Audrey decides to join a group of parents who discuss their troubles — and although it’s not a huge help, the new quirks of her friends delight her. Outside of the group, all Audrey has is her work-stressed partner. Folks who loved seeing a hard-working mother on screen in Maid will equally enjoy Bell’s performance in Netflix’s The Letdown.
'Jane the Virgin'
If you’re looking for a show like Maid with a touch more humor to keep things lighthearted, look no further than Jane the Virgin. Based somewhat on traditional telenovelas, The CW’s hit dramedy follows Jane (Gina Rodriguez), who becomes a modern Virgin Mary when she’s accidentally impregnated by her OB/GYN. As the series goes on, Jane faces the issues of motherhood, being lower class, and trying to uphold her family’s legacy. Thanks to groundbreaking performances across the board, Jane the Virgin is an exciting new look at motherhood and family.
'Gilmore Girls'
Gilmore Girls may seem like an easy breezy series to enjoy this fall, but at its core, there’s also a brilliant story about a young mother and the relationship she shares with her quick-witted daughter. The classic series follows the close-knit relationship between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel) in a quaint Connecticut town. As Rory sets her sights high on the Ivies for college, Lorelai will stop at nothing to help her daughter achieve her wildest dreams.
'Better Things'
Following single mother and working actor Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon), Better Things is a touching comedy about parenting daughters. Living in the outlandishly expensive Los Angeles, Sam works hard to get by, achieve her career goals, and keep her girls steady as they grow up. Along with keeping track of her wild daughters, Sam also has to check up on her mother, friends, coworkers, and more. Motherhood is tough, and it takes a fierce lady like Sam to do the trick.
'One Day at a Time'
There’s more family involved in One Day at a Time, but a hardworking mom is still at the core of the story just like in Maid. A revival of Norman Lear’s classic 1975 sitcom, Netflix’s pick-up series follows the life of Penelope (Justina Machado), a single mom who works on parenting her kids after serving in the Army. Now a nurse, Penelope navigates the twists and turns of life with her Cuban-American family, ready to take on whatever life has in store for her. Looking for assistance, Penelope turns to her own loud-mouthed mother (Rita Moreno).
'The Leftovers'
If you watched Maid and are willing to go even darker with your streaming, check out The Leftovers on HBO. The series stars lead Margaret Qualley in a younger role and follows the fall-out around the world after 140 million people disappear suddenly and without a trace. Three years later, the residents of a small New York town attempt to put the pieces together as they manage to survive in the wake of the major tragedy. Folks are left to cynicism, paranoia, and madness, and some even join the cultlike group Guilty Remnant.
'Ginny & Georgia'
Netflix has all the mother/daughter content you need. Recently, the streamer dropped Ginny & Georgia, which is the perfect follow-up series to Maid. The dramedy follows the free-spirited mother Georgia (Brianne Howery) as she leads her two children, Georgia (Antonia Gentry) and Austin (Diesel La Torraca) into a new life. Trying to set permanent roots in a small New England town, Georgia finds herself relying on daughter Ginny to set things straight. But new beginnings are always a little rough around the edges, as the mother-daughter duo soon find.
