TV for Theatre Kids (other than Glee!)
Sick of every watch list for theatre-lovers starting with Glee and ending with Smash? There’s got to be more out there!
If you love backstage drama, egos, and the strange magic of putting on a show, this is the list for you… The kind of shows your parents ask, oh is that what it’s like working on a show? And you can’t say no.
So if you’re an actor or theatre-lover looking for something new to stream, here are some of the best shows I’ve seen that celebrate (and accurately roast) the world of acting and the business of theatre.
Slings & Arrows (2003-06)
TV-MA • Acorn TV, Apple TV
Set at the fictional New Burbage Shakespeare Festival (read: Stratford, Ontario), the show follows director (Paul Gross) thrust on the job after the sudden death of his predecessor. Seasons unfold as he navigates old rivals, a shifting industry, and the work of putting up Shakespeare amid personal drama. Each season revolves around staging a different play (Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear); Slings & Arrows is a workplace comedy that captures the world of working theatre folks while mediating on Shakespeare’s relevance.
The Kominsky Method (2018–21)
TV-MA • Netflix
The Kominsky Method stars Michael Douglas as an aging actor who now runs an acting studio in Hollywood… with scenes a little too familiar to my own MFA classwork. With sharp writing from Chuck Lorre, the series explores aging, friendship, and the bittersweet reality of a life in entertainment.
The Goes Wrong Show (2019–21)
TV-PG • BritBox, Amazon Prime
The Goes Wrong Show takes theatrical catastrophe and turns it into a darn good time! Created by Mischief Theatre (the team behind the stage hit The Play That Goes Wrong), each episode presents a fictional amateur dramatic society attempting a different genre. Naturally, sets malfunction, actors miss cues, props break, and lines go amuck. Brilliant physical comedy, that will have your abs exercised.
Barry (2018–23)
TV-MA • HBO Max
Speaking of “going wrong,” Barry is a drama-comedy series that follows a hitman… who accidentally discovers the Los Angeles acting scene and decides he might want to become an actor instead. And like anyone starting off, he’s not very good. Starring Bill Hader, the show brilliantly satirizes both acting class and organized crime: two world full of strange intensity, ego, and longing for belonging. The show really explores the pursuit of authenticity and just how many casualties there can be on the road to “being a good person.” It pivots from hilarious to devastating on a dime.
Vicious (2013–16)
TV-MA• BritBox, Amazon Prime
Vicious stars legendary stage actors Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as a long-time couple who met decades ago while working in the theatre. Their apartment becomes the stage for razor-sharp insults (ouch!), theatrical storytelling, and the kind of dramatic energy only veteran actors can sustain. A stage farce disguised as a sitcom and a playground for showing off masterful verbal banter.
Upstart Crow (2016–20)
TV-PG • BritBox, Apple TV
Upstart Crow imagines the daily life of William Shakespeare as a studio audience sitcom. Laugh along as William (David Mitchell) struggles to write plays while navigating critics, rival playwrights, theatrical egos, and a household that isn’t impressed by his genius. Written by Ben Elton, the show mixes historical jokes with contemporary humor about gender roles, artistic pretension, and show business.
Happiness (2026–)
TV-MA • PBS Masterpiece, Apple TV
This Kiwi comedy follows ex-Broadway director Charlie, forced by circumstance to return to his home town of Tauranga, New Zealand where his mum (Rebecca Gibney) makes him join her amateur theatre society. Easy binge — a story about why theatre and community matter, how talent can thrive anywhere, and how great storytelling happens when people work together.
Funny Woman (2022–)
TV-MA • PBS Masterpiece
Funny Woman follows a beauty queen from northern England who becomes a groundbreaking television comedian in 1960s London. Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, the series captures the early days of television comedy and the struggle for women to be taken seriously as performers. A feel good drama/comedy with a little grit and a whole lotta heart!
Wonder Man (2026 Miniseries)
TV-14 • Disney+
I just started this one! Wonder Man is a new Marvel series that follows a struggling actor (who secretly has superpowers) as he forms an unlikely friendship with Trevor Slattery (Mandarin in Iron Man 3) as the pair attempt to land roles in a remake of the in-universe superhero film “Wonder Man.” Sure to be full of Marvel insider twists, the chemistry between the stars is worth watching even if you know nothing about the universe.
Honorable Mentions
These shows don’t center on theater directly but still capture the spirit of performance and ensemble comedy.
Only Murders in the Building – Season 3 is allllll about the theatre, but the whole show is full of theatre energy & a love of New York stories. How can you resist the Short + Martin + Gomez trio?
Schitt’s Creek – Massive theatre kid energy from the whole family. See particularly the unforgettable community theater production of Cabaret.
Community – The brilliantly ridiculous musical episode “Regional Holiday Music.” The closest to Glee I’ll list, as it’s definitely a jab at the musical series.
Kim’s Convenience – Not about theatre or acting directly, but the sitcom got it’s start as a stage play that premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival!
Whether you’re a working actor or just someone who enjoys stories about creative ambition, these shows offer a fun window into the performing arts world. Hope you find something to enjoy!
Know another great TV show about theatre, acting, or performance that deserves a spot on this list? Let me know!
