Nothing feels quite like settling into autumn with a cozy blanket, a hot drink and the perfect TV show to go with it. From crispy fall sceneries to chilly evenings, some series are made for this season.
Whether you’re starting your annual rewatch or looking for unexpected fall favourites, these essential autumn-coded TV shows are worth tuning in to as soon as the first leaf falls.
10. Downton Abbey (2010-2015)
Grand English estates, crackling fireplaces, and heavy woollen period wardrobes, ‘Downton Abbey’ is very uniquely autumnal. Set in the titular fictional estate and beginning in 1912, the series follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants as they navigate the changing British social hierarchy.
It is gorgeous and cinematic, the costumes are perfect and the stakes are relatively low. Moreover, there is a comforting familiarity about this show that makes it endlessly bingeable, especially on chilly autumn evenings.
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9. One Tree Hill (2003-2012)
There is something about old-school teen dramas set in small towns that simply screams autumn, and ‘One Tree Hill’ is no exception. Set in the fictional North Carolina town, the series initially follows estranged half-brothers Lucas and Nathan and their rivalry.
It very soon expands into romances, friendships and the challenges of growing up. ‘One Tree Hill’ is one of those dramas that still holds up because of its cinematic vibes and, of course, the pure nostalgia of the 2000s.
8. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
A true oldie but goodie, ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ blends spooky supernatural adventures with the cozy teenage high-school life. We follow Buffy Summers, a teenager who is destined to hunt vampires.
Though all she really wants is to maintain a normal teenage life. It is the show’s gloomy atmosphere, along with the spooky monsters, that pairs perfectly with the heartwarming coming-of-age stories and small-town charms to make it great for annual fall rewatch.
7. Sabrina The Teenage Witch (1996-2003)
Another true classic, ‘Sabrina The Teenage Witch’ is practically made for autumn. Based on the Archie Comics character, the series follows Sabrina, who discovers on her 16th birthday that she comes from a long line of witches.
With the help of her aunts, she learns to control her powers. What can be better than a series filled with magic spells, teenage adventures and a talking black cat whose name is Salem?
6. Charmed (1998-2006)
Three sisters, a magical lineage and a gorgeous Victorian manor makes ‘Charmed’ pure autumn nostalgia. Prue, Piper and Phoebe are three sisters who discover that they are witches and join forces to become the Charmed Ones to battle demons and other evil beings.
Beneath it all, they are just trying to live a normal life in modern-day San Francisco. The series is filled with comforting themes of sisterhood, romance and warm, ordinary life and it calls for annual rewatches every single year.
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5. The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
Few shows have left quite a mark on pop culture like ‘The Vampire Diaries’. Set in Mystic Falls, it follows Elena Gilbert as she gets caught between vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore.
All around her and her friends, supernatural chaos starts to unfold soon after that. Whether it is foggy graveyards, dark forests or plenty of vampire drama, this one is messy and mysterious but in all the best ways.
4. Over The Garden Walls (2014)
Few animated series have become so perfectly suited for chilly autumn evenings as ‘Over The Garden Walls’. This ten-episode mini-series follows half-brothers Wirt and Gregory after they get lost in a mysterious forest filled with strange creatures and fantastical things.
It is the eerie woodland atmosphere, whimsical storytelling and the gentle warmth of the show that makes it so comforting. It is also perfect for a one-sitting binge, making it a true autumn-coded watch.
3. Twin Peaks (1990-2017)
Surreal and unmistakably atmospheric, ‘Twin Peaks’ is truly one of a kind. FBI agent Dale Cooper heads to the small town of Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer.
Soon, her tragic death starts to uncover secrets lurking beneath this picturesque town. Dark mysteries, supernatural elements and especially those striking autumn tones bring out all the seasonal charm of ‘Twin Peaks’.
2. Anne With An E (2017-2019)
Few shows have held a special place in our hearts quite like ‘Anne With An E’. Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novels, the series follows orphan Anne Shirley as she begins a new life in Avonlea after being adopted by elderly siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.
Whether it is those sprawling farmlands drenched in the Golden-hour, dirt roads, knitted layers, woodstoves or a steaming cup of tea, ‘Anne With An E’ captures that cozy fall feeling perfectly. On top of that, it is wonderfully whimsical and heartwarming, and it only gets better with every rewatch.
1. Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
What’s the verdict? ‘Gilmore Girls’ is the epitome of autumn on television. The small town of Stars Hollow is quite literally synonymous with fall. Single mother Lorelai and her teenage daughter Rory lead their cozy life in this quirky and endlessly lovable series.
It is those coffee-fuelled days and that warm, fuzzy feeling you get whenever you hear that iconic soundtrack that lets your soul know that autumn is here. Its red and orange foliage and back-to-school storyline truly captures what we want during the fall. It is simply not autumn until you pay a visit to Stars Hollow.
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