While holding out hope for a ninth season ofGilmore Girls, Netflix has the perfect TV show that will fill the Stars Hollow-shaped hole in fans' hearts. Amy Sherman-Palladino’s teen comedy-drama series ran for seven seasons on The WB and The CW (for its final season) before ending in 2007. Almost ten years later, though,Netflix revivedGilmore Girlsfor a four-episode miniseries—Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life— which served as the show’s unofficial eighth season.After it ended on a cliffhanger, many believe and hope season 9 is inevitable, but as of 2024, it hasn’t happened (yet).
Amy Sherman-Palladino and almost the entire original cast ofGilmore Girls(including Lauren Graham as Lorelai, Alexis Bledel as Rory, Scott Patterson as Luke, and Kelly Bishop as Emily) returned forGilmore Girls: A Year in the Lifeon Netflix in 2016.
The good news is that many moreTV series similar toGilmore Girlsexist. The world might never run out of comedy-drama shows to watch, after all (with some being much better than others). And many can be found on Netflix (the home ofGilmore GirlsandGilmore Girls: A Year in the Life). So, while waiting for the possibility of a ninth season of Sherman-Palladino’s cult classic,fans can satisfy their need for moreGilmore Girls-like stories by checking out other Netflix series,such as one original that will have at least seven seasons.
Virgin River Is A Great TV Show Like Gilmore Girls To Watch On Netflix
Netflix Released Virgin River Season 6 In December 2024
Those looking for aGilmore Girlsfix can look no further than Netflix’sVirgin River. The romantic drama TV show, developed by Sue Tenney, is based onRobyn Carr’sVirgin Riverbook series, which follows Mel Monroe, a nurse practitioner and midwife who decides tostart her life anew by moving from Los Angeles to the fictional small town of Virgin Riverin Northern California. However, once she arrives, Mel realizes that her life is about to get much more complicated rather than simpler.
Kandyse McClure
Kaia Bryant
One of the most obvious similarities betweenGilmore GirlsandVirgin Riveris that they are defined by their respective cozy small-town feels.However, they also both contain romances to root for, love triangles to argue about, heartwarming and heartbreaking stories, quirky townspeople, and strong female characters (who can sometimes frustrate the audience). Ultimately,Virgin Riveris a more grown-up version ofGilmore Girls. It’s perfect for those who grew up watching the2000s teen showand are in need of a new comfort show while waitingforGilmore Girlsseason 9.
Virgin River’s Season 7 Renewal Now Rivals Gilmore Girls' Long-Running Series
Gilmore Girls Originally Ran For 7 Seasons
According toVariety,Netflix renewedVirgin Riverfor a seventh seasontwo months before releasing season 6 on June 10, 2025. Patrick Sean Smith is set to return as the showrunner for the upcoming 10-episode season, with Alexandra Breckenridge and Martin Henderson reprising their leading roles as Mel and Jack, respectively. SinceVirgin Riveris getting a seventh season,the Netflix original series will run at least as long as the originalGilmore GirlsdidbeforeGilmore Girls: A Year in the Lifepremiered.
15 Major Ways Netflix’s Virgin River Changes The Original Books’ Story
Netflix’s Virgin River is an adaptation of Robyn Carr’s romance book series of the same name, but the show changes the story in some big ways.
IfVirgin Riverreaches an eighth season, it will officially matchGilmore Girls' success(when factoring inA Year in the Life). UnlessGilmore Girlssomehow gets renewed for season 9 beforehand, of course. Whatever the case,Virgin River’s season 7 renewal makes it Netflix’s longest-running current scripted series, an impressive feat proving its quality and ability to capture the attention of many, especially those who loveGilmore Girls.
Will Netflix Ever Give Gilmore Girls Another Season After A Year In The Life?
Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life Premiered In 2016
AlthoughVirgin Rivershould be able to entertain those waiting forGilmore Girlsseason 9, it won’t ever be able to completely replace the 2000s teen series. However, it’s unclear whether there will ever be moreGilmore Girls.Amy Sherman-Palladino has been open about her willingness to returnto the world of Stars Hollow. When asked about what other stories she would like to explore in another season, the creator toldRolling Stonein 2023:
“There were a couple of things [I wanted to explore] but we just didn’t have the time. I really never liked the way Lane’s life shook out. I would have liked to have spent more time on her, especially since she’s patterned after my best friend. Sorry, Helen [Pai]. And I think it would be interesting to see a baby and a kid and what that next Gilmore Girl round would be.”
A handful ofGilmore Girlscast membersare also willing to reprise their roles in another season, including Kelly Bishop and Lauren Graham (perWhat’s on Netflix). Unfortunately,Netflix hasn’t announced any plans to continue the show.The company’s license to streamGilmore Girlsis also expiring in 2026, meaning it might leave Netflix if it doesn’t renew its contract, further decreasing the possibility of a ninth season on the streaming service (but it could happen elsewhere if it finds a new home).
Gilmore Girls
Cast
In the fictional town of Star’s Hollow, single mother Lorelai Gilmore raises her high-achieving teenage daughter Rory. Mother and daughter rely on each other throughout their own life changes, romantic entanglements, and friendships.
