20 Best Shows Like Desperate Housewives

Summary Shows like Desperate Housewives, such as Big Little Lies and Dead to Me, offer similar elements of sex, drama, and murder, with strong female leads.

Bridgerton and Gossip Girl provide the same scandalous and dramatic vibe as Desperate Housewives, with hidden family secrets and juicy scandals.

Grey's Anatomy and Killing Eve may have different genres, but they feature compelling female characters and long-lasting storylines, perfect for Desperate Housewives fans.

Some shows are hard to define, but when it comes to shows like Desperate Housewives, there are many definitions. The show has it all: adultery, blackmail, shocking deaths, plot twists, and every kind of dysfunctional relationship imaginable. Fans of it loved the gorgeous style of the series and the main characters, as well as the shocking secrets in this perfect suburban world. It's no wonder that fans are always looking for shows like Desperate Housewives, and that doesn't mean reality TV shows like The Real Housewives, which came along two years later.

With Desperate Housewives having concluded being available to stream, longtime fans can also forgo another rewatch in favor of checking out something similar. When looking for shows like Desperate Housewives, there is plenty of romance, scandal, and drama to entertain even the most devout fans, and it is easier than ever to find these shows now on various streaming services. From straight romances to mysteries and intense drama, there is something for every Desperate Housewives fan, no matter why they originally watched the show.

Related The Best TV Shows Of All Time, Ranked The best TV shows of all time will be debated forever, but there are clear contenders. These are the very best TV shows of all time, ranked.

20 Big Little Lies (2017-2019)

2 Seasons, 14 Episodes

Stream now on Max

With an A-list cast that includes Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and even Meryl Streep, it's no wonder Big Little Lies became one of HBO's biggest shows, raking in award nominations and wins after its first season. An impressive cast of talent brings the dark comedy of the series to life.

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, the series follows a group of moms who end up entangled in a murder investigation. Just like Desperate Housewives, Big Little Lies is full of sex, drama, and, of course, murder, with great leading ladies at the center. The show wrapped up its run after two seasons, with 16 total Primetime Emmy nominations. While it might not have as many episodes to watch, it's a relatively quick binge compared to Desperate Housewives.

19 Bridgerton (2020- )

2 Seasons, 16 Episodes

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Bridgerton Release Date December 25, 2020 Cast Will Tilston , Rege-Jean Page , Ruth Gemmell , Luke Thompson , Isabella Cortese , Martins Imhangbe , Julie Andrews , Phoebe Dynevor , Ruby Stokes , Ruby Barker , Claudia Jessie , Adjoa Andoh , Nicola Coughlan , Golda Rosheuvel , Charithra Chandran , Ben Miller , Jonathan Bailey , Florence Hunt , Polly Walker , Shelley Conn , Joanna Bobin , Luke Newton , Simone Ashley Seasons 3 Expand

Stream now on Netflix

Netflix's Bridgerton is a hit period piece that employs the female gaze and tells a love story from a young woman's point of view. Those who enjoy the abundance of female protagonists in Desperate Housewives will likely love Bridgerton. This series offers up a ton of drama in the form of developing romances and hidden family secrets in upper-class Regency-era English families, and has a similarly gorgeous style, too.

While Desperate Housewives was about mystery and deceit, Bridgerton prefers to go more with the romance and love aspects of the tales. The series does, however, feature plenty of gossip and scandal thanks to the writings of Lady Whistledown about the goings-on of the ton during the peak of the social season. The women of Regency Era London can be as catty as the housewives in an affluent neighbordhood.

18 Dead To Me (2019-2022)

3 Seasons, 30 Episodes

Dead to Me Release Date March 3, 2019 Cast Linda Cardellini , Christina Applegate , James Marsden Seasons 3

Stream now on Netflix

A Netflix series, Dead To Me centers on two strangers who meet in a grief support group and quickly bond over the dramatics of their peers and their shared loss. However, the show quickly takes a turn when it's revealed that Judy isn't mourning the loss of her boyfriend and instead is the hit-and-run driver who killed Jen's husband. That's the kind of twist an episode of Desperate Housewives would end on to keep fans coming back for more.

Though dramatic and with tons of plot twists, the series is also downright hilarious as these two less-than-perfect women bond and seek revenge, making it perfect for fans of shows like Desperate Housewives. The series has plenty of dramatic moments while effortlessly weaving in its dark humor, much like Desperate Housewives does.

17 Devious Maids (2013-2016)

4 Seasons, 49 Episodes

Stream now on Hulu

Despite airing in the year immediately after Desperate Housewives and following a similar tone, Devious Maids never caught on with fans quite like Desperate Housewives did. Set in luxurious Beverly Hills, the series is centered on the housekeepers of wealthy families who bond over their struggles and dreams for a better life and know the dramatic and juicy secrets their rich employers are keeping.

Part of what kept viewers tuning into Desperate Housewives was the neverending secrets being revealed among the main characters. Devious Maids unveils secrets at the same speed, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. With sex, murder, and lies a core aspect of the plot, Devious Maids is perfect for fans of Desperate Housewives, but from a slightly different point of view. As a bonus, both shows feature Eva Longoria as well.

16 Good Girls (2018-2021)

4 Seasons, 50 Episodes

Stream now on Netflix

Fans of NBC's Good Girls were heartbroken when the series was canceled on some major cliffhangers. As long as new viewers go into the series knowing that some stories will be cut short and they might still have questions after the credits role, the show is still a great option for fans of Desperate Housewives.

After finding themselves financially unstable, two sisters and their best friend decide to rob a local grocery store to get the cash they need to get ahead. It's an easy job until they discover the money they stole belonged to a gang whom they now must work for to pay off their debts. The more they try to get themselves out of trouble, the bigger the trouble is that seems to follow them. There are so many twists and turns in this female-led series that it'll remind any viewer of Desperate Housewives.

15 Gossip Girl (2007-2012)

6 Seasons, 121 Episodes

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Gossip Girl Release Date July 8, 2021 Cast Jordan Alexander , Whitney Peak , Tavi Gevinson , Thomas Doherty , Emily Alyn Lind , Eli Brown Seasons 2

Stream now on Max

Gossip Girl features women at the center of all sorts of scandals. It is Desperate Housewives if the housewives were teenagers and under the watchful eye of an anonymous blogger. Similar to the housewives, the wealthy main characters of Gossip Girl know how to get messy. Things these "best friends" have done to each other include stealing phones, cheating, sleeping with each other's significant other(s), blackmail, and bullying, just to name a few.

The series also has a lot of guest stars who come and go while the core cast of characters remains the same, just like Desperate Housewives. Also, Gabrielle would definitely approve of the fashion and want to be invited to all of the parties. With six seasons streaming on HBO Max, and a reboot available as well, check out Gossip Girl for some very familiar tales with some younger protagonists.

Related 35 Gossip Girl Quotes That Will Stick With Us Forever The original Gossip Girl teens of the Upper East Side have many memorable quotes, from Blair and Chuck's insults to Dan's wise words.

14 Grey's Anatomy (2005- )

20 Seasons, 420+ Episodes

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Grey's Anatomy Release Date March 27, 2005 Cast Kelly McCreary , Patrick Dempsey , Kevin McKidd , Chandra Wilson , Jesse Williams , Jake Borelli , camilla luddington , Ellen Pompeo , Chyler Leigh , Eric Dane , Caterina Scorsone , Giacomo Gianniotti , Anthony Hill , Kate Walsh , Justin Chambers , Sarah Drew , Greg Germann , Martin Henderson , Katherine Heigl , T.R. Knight , Sara Ramirez , Jerrika Hinton , Richard Flood , Sandra Oh , Kim Raver , Jason George , Tessa Ferrer , Isaiah Washington , James Pickens Jr. , Gaius Charles , Chris Carmack , Brooke Smith , Jessica Capshaw Seasons 20 Expand

Stream now on Netflix

Grey's Anatomy is very much a product of the 2000s. As such, it has a distinctive vibe that will feel familiar to Housewives fans, like an ensemble cast, found family dynamics, and plenty of relationship drama. However, Housewives ended its run soon after the turn of the decade, but Grey's kept on going and is one of the longest-running scripted shows in TV history.

For fans looking for something to occupy them for the long run, it's a smart idea to consider investing time in Grey's Anatomy, one of the most popular medical dramas of all time. While the same kind of drama of Housewives is not here, the strong female characters and close-knit friendships are in abundance. If fans find themselves enjoying the procedural aspect of Grey's Anatomy, there are also several spin-offs that connect to the series as well, like Private Practice and Station 19.

13 Killing Eve (2018-2022)

4 Seasons, 32 Episodes

Killing Eve Release Date April 8, 2018 Cast Adrian Scarborough , Sandra Oh , Nina Sosanya , Edward Bluemel , Kirby Howell-Baptiste , Danny Sapani , Fiona Shaw , Kim Bodnia , Harriet Walter , Steve Pemberton , Sean Delaney , Henry Lloyd-Hughes , David Haig , jodie comer , turlough convery , Raj Bajaj , Gemma Whelan , Camille Cottin , Darren Boyd Owen McDonnell Seasons 4 Expand

Stream now on Prime Video

Killing Eve, starring Sandra Oh, shares something of the general tone and black comedy of Desperate Housewives. Like Housewives, Killing Eve involves a lot of murder and danger but does so with a wry sense of humor about it all. The series doesn't focus on quite as large of an ensemble cast, but instead, offers two interesting, multifaceted female protagonists, as fans debate if Eve and Villanelle are meant to be together on Killing Eve. Oh's Eve becomes obsessed with tracking down assassin Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer, and the two develop feelings that complicate their dynamic along the way.

Killing Eve was nominated for a whopping 169 awards at various award shows around the world during its run. Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, and the show as a whole won several. The series snagged Outstanding Drama series at the BAFTAs in 2019, Comer won for Lead Actress in a Drama at the Emmys the same year, and Oh won a Golden Globe.

12 One Tree Hill (2003-2012)

9 Seasons, 187 Episodes

One Tree Hill Release Date September 23, 2003 Cast Chad Michael Murray , James Lafferty , Hilarie Burton , Paul Johansson , Sophia Bush , Barry Corbin , Craig Sheffer , Bethany Joy Lenz , Moira Kelly Seasons 9

Stream now on Max

If the family dynamics and neighborhood drama are the appeal, One Tree Hill has much of the same. This series follows two teenage half-brothers and the people in their lives in the town of Tree Hill. Nathan and Lucas hate each other, but share a father, and said father causes all kinds of trouble for basically everyone in their small town.

A lot of the plot deals with the boys and their mothers, telling stories about these dynamics from the sons' point of view, something of a reversal of how these dynamics are explored on Housewives (think Bree and Andrew). One of the best aspects of One Tree Hill, however, is that the show outgrows its high school roots and has a time jump later in the series, allowing the audience to grow with the characters and see them closer to the ages of some of those central to Desperate Housewives as well.

11 Ozark (2017-2022)

4 Seasons, 44 Episodes

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Ozark Release Date July 21, 2017 Cast Julia Garner , Katrina Lenk , Damian Young , Felix Solis , Joseph Sikora , Sofia Hublitz , John Bedford Lloyd , Charlie Tahan , Jessica Frances Dukes , Ali Stroker , Lisa Emery , Adam Rothenberg , Laura Linney , Skylar Gaertner , CC Castillo , Jason Bateman , Bruno Bichir , Alfonso Herrera Seasons 4 Expand

Stream now on Netflix

Adultery is a common theme in both Desperate Housewives and the lengthy Netflix original drama series Ozark. As Housewives fans know, two out of the four main housewives were unfaithful to their husbands at one point or another, and everyone but Lynette knew what it was like to be cheated on.

The family drama in Ozark begins when Marty finds proof that his wife has been having an affair. They have to stay together for the sake of their family's safety, as the series centers on the trouble they get into when Marty takes a job laundering money for a drug cartel, and his wife and kids get involved. While drug cartels don't play a big role in Desperate Housewives, shady deals and criminal activity still take place in the comedy, so the two shows aren't as far removed from one another as some might think.

10 Pretty Little Liars (2010-2017)

7 Seasons, 160 Episodes

Pretty Little Liars Release Date June 8, 2010 Cast Troian Bellisario , Ashley Benson , Holly Marie Combs , Lucy Hale , Bianca Lawson , Laura Leighton , Chad Lowe , Shay Mitchell , Nia Peeples , Ian Harding Seasons 7

Stream now on Max

The memorable Pretty Little Liars may be one of the few series in existence that can boast more instances of blackmail than Desperate Housewives, which, fans will know, is saying something. Just as the plot of Housewives kicks off with Mary Alice's suicide after she finds out she's being blackmailed, PLL's story kicks off with an anonymous text from "A," who apparently knows all the friends' secrets in the wake of the supposed death of their friend Alison.

Another way that the girls of PLL are like the housewives is their penchant for failed romance, as many PLL relationships are doomed. Part of the fun of both shows is watching those relationships play out though - as well as all of those twists and turns that prove that just when the audience thinks they've figured everything out, there's another secret to uncover.

9 Scream Queens (2015-2016)

2 Seasons, 23 Episodes

Scream Queens Release Date September 22, 2015 Cast Emma Roberts , Abigail Breslin , Jamie Lee Curtis , Skyler Samuels Seasons 2

Stream now on Hulu

Fans who love the murder mystery element of Desperate Housewives will probably love Scream Queens. This show, which only ran for two seasons, is all about a series of murders that the main characters try to both avoid and solve. Season 1 takes place on a college campus, as a sorority house with a dark history is plagued by grisly murders. Season 2 has the characters working in a learning hospital, where yet another murderer is on the loose.

With Jamie Lee Curtis, Emma Roberts, Lea Michele, and Keke Palmer, there are also plenty of strong women involved in this series. The big difference between these two shows, however, is tone. While Desperate Housewives leaned into the soapier aspects of the drama alongside the humor, Scream Queens is more like a satire of slasher flicks, going for the comedy alongside the blood instead.

8 The Americans (2013-2018)

6 Seasons, 75 Episodes

The Americans Release Date January 30, 2013 Cast Keidrich Sellati , Richard Thomas , Holly Taylor , Annet Mahendru , Matthew Rhys , Keri Russell , Noah Emmerich , Maximiliano Hernández Seasons 6

Stream now on Hulu

FX's The Americans focuses a lot on the marriage between Philip and Elizabeth, the two main characters. It's also a full-on, highbrow espionage drama about the Cold War. The Americans had six great seasons, but fans of Desperate Housewives will likely enjoy the relationship drama, danger, and intrigue. With Keri Russell as the show's leading lady, she provides a more grounded approach to the high-stakes drama.

Another thing The Americans has in common with Desperate Housewives is the setting: both series take place largely in the suburbs despite nothing mundane happening around them, bringing drama to small town USA. The shows both demonstrate that it's hard for people to ever truly know their neighbors, and that even when they do, there are still likely plenty of dark secrets lurking just below the surface of any neighborly friendship.

Related Was FX's The Americans Based On A True Story? The Americans TV show was steeped in Cold War-era history, leading audiences to wonder if it was based on a true historical story about real people.

7 Weeds (2005-2012)

8 Seasons, 102 Episodes

Stream now on Hulu

After finding herself widowed and in an unexpected amount of debt, Nancy Botwin turns her backyard into a marijuana-growing operation to support her family. As the business grows, Nancy pulls more people into her scheme while trying to keep her backyard business a secret from her uptight suburban town. Weeds centers its drama on a less-than-perfect female lead who isn't afraid to make mistakes for the sake of drama and plot twists. There is also lying, deceit, and growing criminal activity on both shows.

Nancy Botwin is a character who would have fit right in with the ladies of Wisteria Lane. She's someone desperate to take care of her family who isn't afraid to bend a few rules, but whose lies catch up with her, and she ends up in over her head. It's easy to picture her as someone living near Gabrielle or Lynette with a growhouse in her basement or garage, just trying to keep one step ahead of everyone else.

6 You (2018-Present)

4 Seasons, 40 Episodes

You Release Date September 9, 2018 Cast Elizabeth Lail , Michaela McManus , Ambyr Childers , Victoria Pedretti , Luca Padovan , Scott Speedman , Travis Van Winkle , Penn Badgley , Jenna Ortega , Shay Mitchell Seasons 4

Stream now on Netflix

There's no shortage of stalking or characters spying on either on shows like Desperate Housewives, nor is there on the Netflix original series You, starring Penn Badgley. Badgley also happened to star as Dan Humphrey in Gossip Girl. You centers on serial stalker and murderer Joe, who sees himself as the romantic hero in his twisted story. He preys on women obsessively, and when he feels they inevitably let him down in some way, he kills them.

There's a lot of both murder and romance in this surprisingly fun, but dark, series. Much like Desperate Housewives, fans are asked to follow a pretty despicable character and mostly can't look away. Despite knowing that he's committing horrible acts, there's a need to see his story play out and see just what will eventually be his ending.

5 Manifest (2018-2023)

4 Seasons, 62 Episodes

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Manifest Release Date September 24, 2018 Cast Holly Taylor , Luna Blaise , Matt Long , J.R. Ramirez , Parveen Kaur , Athena Karkanis , josh dallas , Jack Messina , Melissa Roxburgh Seasons 3

Stream now on Netflix

Manifest is very different from the general concept of Desperate Housewives because it doesn't focus on a group of friends who live in the same place or the daily lives of wealthy people who hide things. But the TV drama will still work for fans as it focuses on characters who are slowly learning the truth about what happened when their plane crashed, or more accurately, disappeared for five years before suddenly reappearing with no one on board knowing what happened.

It's that unraveling of the central mysteries that will keep fans coming back for more, just like in Desperate Housewives. Both Manifest and Desperate Housewives are super dramatic and have well-drawn characters to whom viewers grow attached after just a few episodes. They are both just asking to be binge-watched, as they have a fast pace.

4 A Million Little Things (2018-2023)

5 Seasons, 87 Episodes

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A Million Little Things Release Date September 26, 2018 Cast David Giuntoli , Allison Miller Seasons 5

Stream now on Hulu

A Million Little Things has a similar premise to Desperate Housewives, as both shows are about a group of characters who grieve the death of one of their friends. A Million Little Things began airing in 2018 and it lasted for five season. There is a lot of plot threads to follow in this show, but the episodes do focus on the friendships and the romantic lives of the main characters. There are secrets that they don't know about each other and everything comes to the forefront.

While Desperate Housewives is about covering up the truth, A Million Little Things is about digging up hidden secrets. Fans will enjoy watching them come to light just as they did in Desperate Housewives. They will also enjoy watching the friends at the center of the series commit to living their lives. In both shows, the main characters struggle to move on following bouts of grief, but they all find ways to live life fully.

3 Better Things (2016-2022)

5 Seasons, 52 Episodes

Better Things Release Date September 8, 2016 Cast Celia Imrie , Mikey Madison , Olivia Edward , Pamela Adlon , Hannah Alligood Seasons 5

Stream now on Hulu

Better Things follows a single parent, Samantha Fox, who is doing a great job raising two daughters in her honest, real, and funny way, although she feels a lot of intense pressure all the time. Sam used to be a famous actor, and although she still works steadily, she doesn't have the attention and money that she once did. Both Better Things and Desperate Housewives are funny but serious, as Sam dates, thinks about her divorce, helps her ailing mom, and tries her best to steer her children through the pains of growing up.

Better Things might be what Desperate Housewives could have been if it wasn't such a strong ensemble series, and instead, focused on just one of the housewives and her day-to-day life. Because of the focus on one woman's journey in her household instead of four, the show is able to give more detailed stories.

2 The O.C. (2003-2007)

4 Seasons, 92 Episodes

The O.C. Release Date August 5, 2003 Cast Mischa Barton , Ben McKenzie , Peter Gallagher , Melinda Clarke Seasons 4

Stream now on Max

The O.C. tells the story of well-off characters in a beautiful area, which probably sounds familiar for Desperate Housewives fans. Marissa Cooper and Summer Roberts have been best friends for a long time and when Ryan Atwood begins living with the Cohens, everyone comes together, becomes close, and changes each other's lives. The difference is that most of the main ensemble cast are teenagers, but their parents also play large roles.

The O.C. still holds up today though. Fans love the funny and nostalgic storylines of The O.C. along with the teenage and adult characters alike. Watching Summer and Seth Cohen fall in love will always seem sweet, and Ryan's journey is also compelling. Like Desperate Housewives, the show does eventually touch on the effects of grief on a close-knit group, and it also sees plenty of family secrets unveiled.

1 Why Women Kill (2019-2021)

2 Seasons, 20 Episodes

Why Women Kill Release Date August 15, 2019 Cast Jack Davenport , Kirby Howell-Baptiste , Matthew Daddario , Reid Scott , Veronica Falcón , Allison Tolman , Sadie Calvano , Alexandra Daddario , Jordane Christie , Nick Frost , Lana Parrilla , Sam Jaeger , B.K. Cannon , Lucy Liu , Ginnifer Goodwin Seasons 2 Expand

Stream now on Paramount+

Many questions remain after the Why Women Kill season 2 finale, which proves that the show will appeal to fans of Desperate Housewives, as both are juicy and full of episodes with a quick pace. Also created by Marc Cherry, the series focuses on women who are in terrible and painful marriages. The hook in the first season of the show is that all three women have resided in the same house and they each plot to do something about the situations that they are in.

With death and freedom as its basis, this is a show that all fans of shows like Desperate Housewives should fall in love with. It's easy to imagine these women stuck in bad situations on Wisteria Lane and hiding the secrets from their friends in the neighborhood. The tone of the show, despite the subject matter, is a great fit for other shows like Desperate Housewives.