Shows Like Dietland: Feminist Dark Comedies to Watch

Description: A raw and unflinching exploration of consent, trauma, and identity in contemporary London, blending humor with devastating honesty about sexual violence and its aftermath.

Fact: Michaela Coel wrote, co-directed, and starred in the series, which is loosely based on her own experience of sexual assault. She turned down a $1 million deal from Netflix to maintain creative control.

Description: A psychological thriller that examines trauma, self-destructive behavior, and the dark underbelly of small-town life through the eyes of a troubled female journalist.

Fact: The series was filmed in Barnesville, Georgia, which stood in for the fictional Wind Gap, Missouri. Amy Adams learned to play the piano for her role as Camille Preaker.

Description: Delves into the complexities of female friendships, domestic abuse, and the facades women maintain in affluent societies, blending drama with dark humor.

Fact: Originally planned as a limited series, its success led to a second season. The show's soundtrack features many songs by female artists, emphasizing its feminist themes.

Description: A dark comedy that breaks the fourth wall to explore grief, guilt, and female sexuality with raw honesty and biting humor, centered around a flawed but relatable protagonist.

Fact: Phoebe Waller-Bridge adapted the series from her one-woman play of the same name. The infamous 'Hot Priest' character wasn't originally intended to be a love interest.

Description: Follows a woman breaking societal norms in the 1950s by pursuing stand-up comedy, showcasing her journey of self-discovery and challenging gender roles with wit and style.

Fact: The show's rapid-fire dialogue style was inspired by classic Hollywood comedies. Many of the stand-up routines are performed live in front of actual comedy club audiences.

Description: Explores themes of female oppression, rebellion, and societal control through a dystopian lens, focusing on women's struggles against systemic misogyny.

Fact: The series is based on Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel of the same name. The red cloaks and white bonnets worn by the Handmaids have become iconic symbols of protest in real-life women's rights movements.

Description: Celebrates female empowerment, career ambition, and personal growth in a modern workplace, tackling issues like sexuality, identity, and feminism with a lighthearted yet poignant approach.

Fact: The show was inspired by the life of Joanna Coles, former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine. Many storylines are based on real-life events from the magazine's editorial team.

Description: A cat-and-mouse thriller centered on the obsessive relationship between an intelligence agent and a psychopathic assassin, subverting spy genre tropes with dark humor and complex female leads.

Fact: Phoebe Waller-Bridge served as head writer for the first season. The show was originally developed as a potential movie before being adapted into a television series.

Description: Examines motherhood, class, and racial tensions through the intertwined lives of two families, revealing the destructive power of secrets and societal expectations.

Fact: The series is based on Celeste Ng's bestselling novel. Reese Witherspoon's production company optioned the rights before the book was even published.

Description: A true crime drama that delves into Munchausen syndrome by proxy, exploring the toxic dynamics between a controlling mother and her manipulated daughter.

Fact: The series is based on the real-life case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Dee Dee. Patricia Arquette studied Dee Dee's medical records to prepare for her role.