12 Best Shows Like High Maintenance to Watch Next (2026)
Craving smart, character-driven TV? Discover picks similar to High Maintenance, from Fleabag and Insecure to Better Things and The Deuce.
If you're searching for shows like High Maintenance, the best matches tend to mix comedy and drama with sharp, character-driven stories. This list leans into that same easy-to-dip-into feeling, with picks like Better Things, Insecure, and Fleabag, plus offbeat options such as Crashing and Bupkis. You’ll also find series that widen the lens a bit, from the New York grit of The Deuce to the relationship twists in You Me Her and Catastrophe. Whether you want something funny, messy, romantic, or just rooted in everyday life, these titles give you plenty to queue up next.
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01
Better Things
2 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
comedy · drama
Sam Fox is a single, working actor with no filter trying to raise her three daughters – Max, Frankie and Duke – in Los Angeles. She is mom, dad, referee and the cops.
Why watch: If you enjoy stories built around a complicated but grounded adult life, this is a strong match. Its comedy-drama tone and family focus make it a good fit for viewers who want character-first television.
Directed by Pamela Adlon, Nisha Ganatra, Lance Bangs, Louis C.K.Cast Pamela Adlon, Mikey Madison, Hannah Riley, Olivia Edward, Celia ImrieHuluMore details on IMDb → -
02
Crashing
comedy · drama
A standup comic discovers that his wife is unfaithful, leading him to reevaluate his life amidst the New York City comedy scene.
Why watch: If you like comedy-drama with a New York backdrop and a more personal, introspective setup, this one is worth a look. It should appeal to viewers who want humor mixed with a life reassessment story.
Directed by Ryan McFaul, Gillian Robespierre, Judd Apatow, Chris Kelly, Jeff SchafferCast Pete Holmes, George Basil, Jamie Lee, Artie Lange, Lauren LapkusMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
Escort Boys
comedy · drama
In Camargue, four guys in dire straits turn to escorting to save their childhood beekeeping estate. Coached by the group's little sister who manages this unique 'business' in the region, they will have to service women and, through their desires... learn to be men of today.
Why watch: If you’re open to a lighter, stranger premise with comedy and drama in equal measure, this could be a fun change of pace. The odd-business setup and regional setting give it a distinctive angle.
Directed by Ruben AlvesCast Guillaume Labbé, Thibaut Evrard, Corentin Fila, Simon Ehrlacher, Marysole FertardAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
04
The Deuce
crime · drama · mystery
The story of the legalization and subsequent rise of the porn industry in New York’s Times Square from the early ’70s through the mid ’80s, exploring the rough-and-tumble world that existed there until the rise of HIV, the violence of the cocaine epidemic and the renewed real estate market ended the bawdy turbulence of the area.
Why watch: If you prefer darker, more adult material set in New York, this is a strong option. Its crime-drama-mystery blend makes it feel broader and rougher than a straightforward comedy-drama.
Directed by Alex Hall, James Franco, Roxann Dawson, Uta Briesewitz, Michelle MacLarenCast James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Margarita Levieva, Emily MeadeMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
You Me Her
comedy · drama · romance
An unusual, real-world romance involving relatable people, with one catch - there are three of them! You Me Her infuses the sensibilities of a smart, grounded indie rom-com with a distinctive twist: one of the two parties just happens to be a suburban married couple.
Why watch: If relationship stories with a twist appeal to you, this one may be a good fit. The comedy-drama-romance mix and unusual setup make it best for viewers who like messy personal dynamics.
Directed by Sara St. Onge, Nisha Ganatra, Jem Garrard, Gail HarveyCast Greg Poehler, Rachel Blanchard, Priscilla Faia, Melanie Papalia, Jennifer SpenceAmazon Prime VideoTubiFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
06
Sexify
comedy · drama
To build an innovative sex app and win a tech competition, a sexually inexperienced student and her friends must explore the daunting world of intimacy.
Why watch: If you want a newer comedy-drama centered on young adults navigating sex and ambition, give this a try. Its tech-competition premise adds a specific hook to the coming-of-age angle.
Directed by Kalina Alabrudzinska, Piotr DomalewskiCast Aleksandra Skraba, Maria Sobocinska, Sandra Drzymalska, Jan Wieteska, Alex Rose WieselNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
07
I Love Dick
comedy
Adapted from the lauded feminist novel and set in a colorful academic community in Marfa, Texas, this is the story of a struggling married couple, Chris and Sylvere, and their obsession with a charismatic professor named Dick. Told in Rashomon-style shifts of POV, the series charts the unraveling of a marriage, the awakening of an artist and the deification of a reluctant messiah.
Why watch: If you like smart, compact comedy with a more experimental feel, this may stand out. It leans into obsession, identity, and shifting perspectives, so it suits viewers who want something a bit offbeat.
Directed by Andrea Arnold, Joey Soloway, Jim Frohna, Kimberly PeirceCast Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Hahn, Griffin Dunne, Roberta Colindrez, Bobbi Salvör MenuezAmazon Prime VideoFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
08
Insecure
Won 1 Emmy 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series · 14 nominations
comedy · drama · romance
Follows the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern-day African-American woman.
Why watch: If you want a sharp comedy-drama-romance about modern relationships, this is a natural pick. It should especially work for viewers who enjoy emotionally messy, very contemporary storytelling.
Directed by Melina Matsoukas, Kevin Bray, Prentice Penny, Maurice Marable, Stella MeghieCast Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda SealesMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
Fleabag
Won 6 Emmys Outstanding Comedy Series (2019) · 11 nominations
comedy · drama
A portrait into the mind of a dry-witted, sexual, angry, porn-watching, grief-riddled woman, trying to make sense of the world. As she hurls herself headlong at modern living, Fleabag is thrown roughly up against the walls of contemporary London, with all its frenetic energy, late nights, and bright lights.
Why watch: If you’re after the funniest and most acclaimed option on this list, start here. Its dry, angry, and grief-struck perspective makes it ideal for viewers who like comedy with real emotional bite.
Directed by Harry Bradbeer, Tim KirkbyCast Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman, Jenny Rainsford, Bill PatersonAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
10
Catastrophe
2 Emmy nominations Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (2016)
comedy
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan write and star in a comedy that follows an American man and an Irish woman who make a bloody mess as they struggle to fall in love in London.
Why watch: If you prefer a relationship comedy with a leaner format and a strong adult-relationship focus, this is a smart choice. Its simple premise and comic tone make it easy to recommend to fans of awkward romance stories.
Directed by Ben Taylor, Jim O'HanlonCast Sharon Horgan, Rob Delaney, Mark Bonnar, Ashley Jensen, Daniel LapaineAmazon Prime VideoMore details on IMDb → -
11
Mr. Bigstuff
Won 1 BAFTA TV Award
comedy
Glen and his fiancée share a perfect, perfectly mundane life together. Sure, Glen's got crippling erectile dysfunction and Kirsty has a secret shoplifting habit, but they're happy. That is until his brother Lee comes crashing into their lives, whilst on the run from a past that's quickly catching up with him. The trio are forced together: a perfectionist, a fantasist and an anarchist all living under the same roof in an Essex cul-de-sac. It's not long before their 'perfect' lives start to unravel faster than a cheap carpet.
Why watch: If you like family chaos and comic tension inside a cramped domestic setup, this could be a good fit. The premise suggests a messy, character-driven comedy built around clashing personalities.
Directed by Matt LipseyCast Danny Dyer, Ryan Sampson, Harriet Webb, Victoria Alcock, Adrian ScarboroughHuluMore details on IMDb → -
12
Bupkis
comedy
Pete Davidson attempts to work through unique family dynamics and the complexities of fame to form meaningful relationships.
Why watch: If you enjoy comedy centered on fame, family, and trying to make sense of messy relationships, this is a solid pick. It may suit viewers who want something personal and contemporary rather than high-concept.
Directed by Jason Orley, Oz RodriguezCast Pete Davidson, Edie Falco, Joe Pesci, Philip Ettinger, James A DeSimonePeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
The strongest recommendations here share what makes High Maintenance so watchable: lived-in characters, a mix of humor and heart, and stories that stay close to real-life complications. Start with the titles that fit your mood, whether that means the smart family focus of Better Things, the emotional bite of Fleabag, or the New York energy of Insecure and Crashing. If you want something a little different, the broader mix includes romance, crime, and mystery without losing that character-first feel. Bookmark this page and come back anytime you want another smart pick; it’s updated regularly with fresh suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these shows similar to High Maintenance?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.