17 Comfort Shows to Watch After a Really Bad Breakup

Going through a breakup can feel like absolute hell—and sadly, there’s no magic solution that’ll make you instantly forget about your ex. That said, small pleasures can help take the edge off and temporarily stop the tears from flowing. One of the best distractions when you’re really going through it? Losing yourself in an episode (or an entire season) of a TV show that’s so engaging it makes the lonely days fly by.

Of course, everyone’s idea of the ultimate comfort series varies. “We all need different things to help us feel better during hard times,” Patrice Le Goy, PhD, LMFT, a Los Angeles–based couples therapist, tells SELF. Some people are looking for a complete escape from their sadness and anger, in which case, a mindless reality show might be the ideal pick. Others may find solace in a bittersweet romance that reminds them love is real—and that they’ll find their special person someday.

“There’s a show to fit all sorts of moods, whether you’re hopeful, cynical, or just in need of a temporary distraction,” Dr. Le Goy says. So to help you survive what may seem like the absolute worst time of your life, we asked a bunch of relationship experts—and SELF editors who’ve been there—for the best shows to watch after a breakup, so you can take your mind off an ex you’d rather forget.

1. Jane the Virgin

Maybe you still believe in love or want a relationship—just not with your ex. In that case, Jane the Virgin is the perfect option. Gina Rodriguez stars as Jane Villanueva, a religious, 23-year-old virgin who somehow becomes pregnant. The five-season telenovela has some sweet, sappy moments—but also plenty of outlandish plotlines (including an evil twin and a fake death) to ensure you won’t get too nostalgic about they-who-shall-not-be-named. Plus, as hilarious and messy as Jane can be, she’s also an empowering, badass role model to look up to when you’re at your lowest. “She knows what she wants and never gives in just because someone asks her to,” Surabhi Jagdish, LMFT, tells SELF.

2. Queer Eye

In this feel-good reality series, a food connoisseur, an interior designer, a grooming guru, a relationship expert, and a style maven (collectively known as the Fab Five) join forces to transform lives. Each episode is filled with positive vibes and laughter—which you’ll probably appreciate if all you’ve been doing is crying and wallowing. “The Fab Five’s uplifting energy makes it easy to be hopeful about your own future,” Michelle Herzog, LMFT, tells SELF. “There are also a ton of relatable messages about self-love and rebuilding confidence after setbacks that’ll inspire anyone to believe in their worth and embrace new beginnings.”

3. How I Met Your Mother

If anyone understands the ups and downs of falling in love (then getting your heart broken), it’s Ted Mosby. While How I Met Your Mother is largely about one man’s quirky retelling of how he met his wife, the classic sitcom is also a celebration of the power of long-lasting friendships. One SELF staffer, who recently got out of a two-year relationship, says this was her go-to when she desperately needed something to smile about: “The characters have such different personalities, but they’re all equally hilarious. One of them is bound to have you laughing through every single bite-size episode.”

4. Emily in Paris

Escape the mess of your real-life breakup and adult responsibilities by following Emily Cooper, a free-spirited, happy-go-lucky American who moves to Paris for her dream job. The hit series is filled with over-the-top fashion, a cliché love triangle, and idyllic French scenery—everything you need in “a fun little distraction,” per Dr. Le Goy. (Bonus: There’s a new season out now, so it’s the perfect time to catch up on Emily’s Parisian adventures).

5. Dead to Me

Some people need a little darkness to match their gloomy energy—and Dead to Me might do the trick. In the Emmy-nominated Netflix show, two women with polar-opposite personalities become unlikely friends after meeting at a grief support group. The dark comedy includes a mysterious hit-and-run accident, an unexpected murder, and, oh yeah, the ever-so-talented Christina Applegate. “It does a great job at conveying the weirdly funny sides of loss, grief, and forgiveness,” one SELF editor says. “And it can ease the pain whenever you’re missing your ex.”

6. Great British Baking Show

If you need a calming distraction that has absolutely nothing to do with love, The Great British Baking Show is for you. There’s no high-stakes tension or any upsetting plotlines that might get you in your feels: just fluffy cakes (or “sponges”), the peaceful British countryside, and the comforting sounds of whisks and mixers at work. After all, “Sometimes all you need is to get lost in a warm and fuzzy show where the most drama is your chocolate melting in the tent during a heat wave,” one SELF staffer says.

7. Behind Her Eyes

This underrated miniseries follows a single mom who starts an affair with her boss while also befriending his wife. Yes, it’s as messy and suspenseful as it sounds—and there’s a super shocking, Inception-esque plot twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat and distract you from your own drama. Without giving too much away, “the show chronicles a certain type of relationship that goes off the rails,” Shavon Gaddy, LCSW, tells SELF. “At the very least, it’ll reassure you that your experience isn’t nearly as complicated as the characters in this story.”

8. Love Island

For a true “brain-off” escape, Terri Orbuch, PhD, recommends a guilty pleasure like Love Island. It’s definitely one of the more raunchy (slightly trashy) dating shows out there, and there’s zero deep thinking required. Grab your comfiest sweatpants and late-night snacks and enjoy the chaos that ensues when a bunch of hot singles are thrown into a tropical villa, where they spend most of their days flirting, gossiping, making out, and fighting for a cash prize.

9. Gilmore Girls

The cozy fall vibes, small-town charm, and playful Rory-Lorelai banter will warm your soul any time of year. And one SELF staffer swears it’s gotten her through her worst days, whether she’s lonely, sick, anxious, or, yep, absolutely heartbroken: “There’s nothing too lovey-dovey that’ll make you feel worse about your breakup, and the dialogue is just so fast and witty that I can’t even focus on my own thoughts. It’s the perfect feel-good escape.”

10. The Fall of the House of Usher

Whenever one SELF editor is going through a breakup (or any other super-rough time), she finds it helpful to remind herself that things could be a lot worse: She could be possessed, murdered by violent apes, or bathing in acid rain at a nightclub. Yep, all of this happens in The Fall of the House of Usher. “Screw happy-go-lucky rom-coms and familiar sitcoms,” she says. “If you’re like me and you have a tendency to ruminate, then gruesome gore and horror will get you feeling alive again—and periodically fantasizing about haunting and terrorizing your ex as a poltergeist.”

11. Love is Blind

For some folks, watching other people fall in love might be the last thing they want after ending things. But for others, diving into a stranger’s unpredictable, drama-filled romance can be weirdly…comforting, according to Dr. Le Goy. “I recommend a dating show like Love Is Blind, where couples commit to marriage before they ever see each other,” she says. The unique premise is captivating enough to take your mind off your own heartbreak,while also offering a little hope that there’s a special someone out there for everyone (including you!).

12. The Mindy Project

Leave it to Mindy Kaling to remind us that even the smartest, most put-together people can be total fools when it comes to love. The Mindy Project follows a successful ob-gyn who, like many of us, struggles with her dating life. “There's something validating about seeing this high-achieving woman get lost in a hopeless romantic web and stumble around looking for The One,” Jagdish says. Whether Mindy’s faking a British accent or pretending to be Catholic to impress her boyfriend’s priest, “it’s refreshing to watch this protagonist hilariously make ‘dumb’ choices we so often beat ourselves up about post-breakup,” she adds.

13. Killing Eve

One SELF staffer promises: “If you and your ex-girlfriend or lesbian situationship just ended things, Killing Eve can help you get out of that all-consuming funk.” This gripping thriller follows an MI5 agent (played by Sandra Oh) and a skilled hit woman called Villanelle (Jodie Comer) through an intense, nail-biting game of cat and mouse. “The tension in this show is truly unmatched, and you’ll be so enthralled that you won’t even think about your sadness,” she says. “And if that’s not enough, fantasizing about Villanelle should probably do the trick.”

14. Bridgerton

For anyone who’s fed up with awful dating apps, endless swiping, and wondering where all the real romance has gone, Bridgerton is here to reignite your hope. Of course, there are plenty of steamy sex scenes in this Gossip Girl x Pride and Prejudice x 50 Shades of Grey mashup. But the characters’ swoon-worthy love stories (crafted by the brilliant and prolific Shonda Rhimes) are so captivating that it’s hard to not feel optimistic (and slightly less bitter) after streaming all three seasons. “This show will whisk you away to a different world and time when true love was about more than just quick texts and hookups,” Jagdish says. Plus, empowering leads like Lady Danbury and Penelope Featherington will inspire you to embrace your independence while navigating the single life.

15. Gossip Girl

Elite, gorgeous Manhattan socialites lead extravagant, over-the-top lives in this fan-favorite teen melodrama. It’s pretty unrelatable to most of us—and that’s what makes it such a great distraction. “It won’t mirror your reality at all, which I personally appreciated after my own breakup,” per one SELF staffer. And while there are a few themes you might be able to connect with—like the chaos of crushes and frenemy rivalries—“the relationships are so full of drama (and honestly nothing to aspire to), so it won’t make you want to hit up your ex,” she says.

16. The Good Place

Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) wakes up in the afterlife (a.k.a. The Good Place). But she quickly realizes she’s there by mistake—and scrambles to become a better person to avoid being caught as a fraud. The Emmy-nominated series also stars A-list comedians like Ted Danson, Jameela Jamil, and Adam Scott, so you know it’ll be hilariously entertaining. Beyond making you laugh, though, “The Good Place also includes thought-provoking messages about becoming your best self even after you've made mistakes, which can resonate with anyone wanting to do some reflecting or soul-searching post-breakup,” Herzog says.

17. Sex and the City

One of the best ways to mend a broken heart is surrounding yourself with ride-or-die pals. And when you don’t have the energy to see your closest friends IRL, Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Samantha Jones, and Miranda Hobbes are here to remind you that you’re not alone. Throughout the show’s six seasons, these glamorous New York City gals support each other during challenges big and small—from dating disasters to major health scares. “Anyone going through a breakup can find a bit of themselves in at least one of the show’s characters,” Dr. Orbuch adds, whether you’re cringing at Carrie’s terrible exes, relating to Charlotte’s inner hopeless romantic, or drawing inspiration from Samantha’s unapologetic confidence. “It’s a great and warm reminder that good friends are really there to help through thick and thin.”