If you’re going through an emotionally stressful period and you’re looking for a TV series that could ease your burdens, commonly known as feel-good series, then you’ve come to the right article. How many times do we find ourselves in a bad mood and retreat to the sofa to immerse ourselves in a story that distracts us from our thoughts? Sometimes, though, we’re looking for something more, titles that not only help us distract but also comfort us, offering us a different perspective on how to handle certain situations. We thought to suggest three TV series that can celebrate the value of kindness, emotional healing, and the beauty of human connections, capable of giving a kind of emotional hug to anyone listening.
Emotional hugs on the small screen: 3 TV series perfect for feeling good
Shrinking
Streaming on Apple TV+, Shrinking instantly introduces the audience to the troubled story of Jimmy Laird, a therapist whose life has fallen apart after the tragic incident that took his wife. Since then, Jimmy tries to get back on his feet as best as he can, juggling helping others and his daughter while admitting that he too needs help. Played by Jason Segel, well known as Marshall from How I Met Your Mother, Jimmy surrounds himself with positive people who help him overcome the pain step by step. In the meantime, tired of following the rules of the profession, Jimmy decides to suggest a different approach with his patients, acting without filters, a reckless choice that will have consequences, some more positive than others. This TV series tackles complex themes like loss, trauma, loneliness, but does so without ever feeling bleak; it seeks to find beauty and humor in the imperfections of its characters, reminding the audience that there’s nothing wrong with admitting you’re not okay, that healing takes time, and that no one should face their pain alone.
Heartstopper
Based on the beloved graphic novel by Alice Oseman, who also serves as the series’ creator, Heartstopper has accompanied Netflix viewers with three seasons and a concluding sequel film released on the platform in 2026. The protagonist is Charlie, a dreamy teenager who falls for Nick, a popular rugby player who attends the same school. What began as a friendship becomes something more, with natural ease and delicacy, offering both the chance to explore their feelings without judgment. A coming-of-age story, it uses a bright tone that wraps its characters, conveying a sense of protection where love, friendship, and self-discovery are treated with respect and understanding. Heartstopper offers the audience a safe and non-judgmental space.
Ted Lasso
And last but not least is Ted Lasso, the American football coach portrayed as an eternal dreamer, with a sunny spirit and strong altruism who always manages to say the right thing at the right moment. Streaming on Apple TV with four seasons to date, it tells the story of Ted grappling with a major life change: the first time he arrives in the United Kingdom to coach AFC Richmond’s men’s soccer team, aware that he doesn’t know the sport at all; the second time, he returns with greater awareness and a desire to do more by taking on a women’s soccer team. Ted faces every obstacle with contagious optimism and puts people first rather than sports results, teaching us that vulnerability is never a weakness and that forgiveness is possible. Following his motto “Believe,” Ted reminds us that empathy can truly change the world around us.
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