Hallmarkhas long been the go-to channel for feel-good TV, especially known for itsnever-ending array of Christmas movies.Though a Hallmark production isn’t always considered high-quality filmmaking,that doesn’t make it any less good or worthy of praise. It would be bad not to acknowledge some hidden gems stashed away for rainy days, from thebeloved mystery movie seriesSigned, Sealed, Deliveredto the most recentcrown jewel of Hallmark,When Calls the Heart.
Fans of Hallmark movies and shows may struggle to findthe best alternative for the production’s unique feel and emotion. Still, plenty of network shows out there get recognized for being similar; they can provide the feel, the emotion, the clichéd but immersive story, and many other surprises. Though there’s only one Hallmark, there are many shows out there that can match its vibe.
10’Quantum Leap' (2022-2024)
Created by Donald P. Bellisario, Steven Lilien, and Bryan Wynbrandt
ThoughQuantum Leapwas canceled after two seasons, having a charismatic Asian lead in a primetime series was a refreshing addition to network TV. The two seasons of 2022’sQuantum Leapare acontinuation of the highly beloved series of the same name, which ran from 1989 to 1997. The original series follows Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula), a scientist who time-travels and occupies other people’s bodies. Dr. Sam begins helping the people whose bodies he ends up in by resolving their issues; he believesthis is what can help him go back to his original body and return home.
Following this premise, the newQuantum Leapmentions Sam Beckett by name, but only as a pioneer and inventor of the time-traveling machine. Thenew scientist in charge is Dr. Ben Song(Raymond Lee), who leads a team that works on understanding Beckett’s machine. Despite low reviews of the newest installment, both series make for some ofthe best time-travel shows. Though it lasted for only two seasons,the show saw a lot of great moments with Lee as its lead. The series was charming, easy on the eyes, and though not amazing, it worked in its own way. For this reason, Hallmark fans might find similarities with their favorite programs and enjoy Quantum Leap as a sci-fi version of some of their all-time favorites.
Quantum Leap
Watch on Peacock
9’Hart of Dixie' (2011-2015)
Created by Leila Gerstein
Fans of the classic ‘city girl leaves everything and moves to a small town’ trope willloveHart of Dixie. ThisRachel Bilson-led series aired for four seasons and over 70 episodes, in which she played Zoe Hart. She’s a brand-new doctor with her future all figured out, until she loses the opportunity of a lifetime and is forced to rethink her steps. She encounters an older doctor whoinvites her to work at his practice in a town called Bluebell, Alabama, and agrees. However, when she arrives, she learns that the doctor has died and left his entire practice to her. Zoe quickly, but somewhat arrogantly, learns to navigate life in a small town with a big city temper.
Thisarray of characters makes up for a decent small-town dramawith lots of comic relief and exciting twists and turns in the plot.
Beside Rachel Bilson’s Zoe, the cast includesBluebell’s designated meanie, Lemon Breeland (Jaime King), the town’s “daddy’s girl” coming from a wealthy, powerful family; Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams), a (cliche-ish) former NFL player and town mayor; and Wade Kinsella (Wilson Bethel), Zoe’s kind but childish neighbor. Thisarray of characters makes up for a decent small-town dramawith lots of comic relief and exciting twists and turns in the plot.
Watch on Amazon Prime
8’Being Erica' (2009-2011)
Created by Jana Sinyor
Being Ericais a Canadian dramedy series that was incredibly popular during its runtime on the Canadian Broadcast Channel (CBC). StarringErin Karpluck(Upload,Maid,A Million Little Things) as the titular character Erica Strange, theshow intertwines time travel with drama, comedy, and romance. After an accident, Erica meets a man she only knows as Dr. Tom. He promises to help her fix everything wrong with her life, and through conversations with him, Erica realizes that Dr. Tom isoffering her a chance to travel back in time to all the moments she regrets. This doesn’t change what happens, but it only gives Erica the opportunity to change her own behavior and react or act differently.
Everyone in life wishes they reacted or acted differently in at least one situation in the past. Dwelling on mistakes doesn’t fix them, andBeing Ericashows how,even if we were able to fix some, the outcome wouldn’t be too different. The lessons taken from this series could be life-changing for some viewers, encouraging them to embrace mistakes and learn from them. That’s, at least, what the creators ofBeing Ericatried to convey.
Being Erica
7’Wildfire' (2005-2008)
Created by Michael Piller and Christopher Teague
Life on the ranch and second chances are the main themes ofWildfire. The story follows Kris Furillo (Genevieve Padalecki), a former offender, as she’s given another chance at life by the Ritter family that runs and owns Raintree Farm. Kris is given a job as a horse caretaker on Raintree,where she bonds with a horse she saves from slaughter named Wildfire. She becomes entangled with the Ritter family (the family sons, particularly) and navigates her own troubled past, attempting to fix and influence different parts of her life.
AlthoughWildfireis a lesser-known series that aired on ABC Family in 2005, it’s anexceptional story about life lessons, romance, family, truth, and transformation. It remains a great series to this day,despite its worn-out tropeof taking a “troubled” person and transforming them through hard work, or any kind of work, really. Not to say that doesn’t work; it’s just a bit overused and doesn’t always reflect real life. Wildfire could also be classified as adrama revolving around a family business.
6’Virgin River' (2019-)
Created by Sue Tenney
Netflix’smajor drama success,Virgin River, stars thequeen of feel-good, emotional shows (and movies),Alexandra Breckenridge. After spending parts of her career as a minor or supporting character (most notably inThe Walking DeadandThis Is Us), Breckenridge got promoted to the romantic lead in numerous television movies and series, fromChristmas Around the CornertoVirgin River. In this show, she portrays an LA-based midwife, Mel Monroe, who,wishing to start over in life, moves to a small town in Northern Californiacalled Virgin River. There, she’s immediately met with some resistance from the locals, who argue mostly about how she does business. Mel also begins an unusual, chemistry-filled relationship with the local pub owner and veteran, Jack (Martin Henderson). The show also introducesvarious likable (and unlikable) characterswho go through their own plight.
Virgin Rivercurrently has five seasons, andNetflix extended it for season six, bound to come out in 2025. The show has been described as having all the necessary romance, drama, and slice-of-life happenings to satisfy the soul. The chemistry between Breckenridge and Henderson is undeniable,which is why many viewers stuck around after season one. The plot is similar to so many Hallmark movies and shows, including some non-Hallmark ones on this list, but this trope proves time and time again to be the real recipe for success.
Virgin River
5’Sweet Magnolias' (2020-)
Created by Sheryl J. Anderson
Sweet Magnoliashas seen a breathtaking rise in popularity; people still love heartwarming,easygoing stories about friendship, love, and everything in between—and why wouldn’t they? In an increasingly stressful world, forgetting troubles and unwinding with a nice show is a luxury, andSweet Magnoliasis just the perfect show for that. An ideal blend of Hallmark-like charm and Netflix’s generous production value, the show guarantees a good time. The story follows three best friends: Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), a mom of three trying to come back to work after a bad divorce; Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott), a chef and restaurant owner; and Helen (Heather Headley), a successful lawyer. The three call themselves Sweet Magnolias, and together,they go through hardship, support, and advise each otheron everything happening in their lives.
Sweet Magnoliasbecame instantly popular, and it has had three seasons so far, beingrenewed for a fourth last year.Interestingly, JoAnna Garcia Swisher wasready to call it quits on actingbefore she landed this gig; folksgrowing up during the 2000s and 2010s would remember herfrom various feel-good sitcoms, fromFreaks and GeeksandRebatoOnce Upon a TimeandBetter With You.
Sweet Magnolias
Watch on Netflix
4’Sullivan’s Crossing' (2023-)
Created by Roma Roth
Fans ofOne Tree Hillwill rejoice in seeingChad Michael Murrayas the love interest again,this time with luscious hair and wood-chopping abilities, in the newest romantic drama,Sullivan’s Crossing. On the other hand, fans of the grumpy but lovable Luke fromGilmore Girlsalso have a chance to watchScott Pattersonplay a troubled father to the leading character. The showfollows Maggie Sullivan (Morgan Kohan), a successful neurosurgeon who has toreturn to her hometown and take care of her troubled father, Sully (Patterson), after his health declines. Sully is stubborn and strong-willed, much like Maggie; the two have to find the right way to reconnect since Maggie wants to help him. Maggie’s chances of going back to her big city job are lowered after she sees her old flame, Cal (Murray), again.
The shows based on these books featurestrong female leads with lives that look great on the outsidebut have something missing deeply within.
Sullivan’s Crossing is a novel written byRobyn Carr, the author who also penned Virgin River. The shows based on these books featurestrong female leads with lives that look great on the outsidebut have something missing deeply within. Though returning to one’s hometown may not always be the solution, anyone who’s left the crowds and noises of big cities understands how the quiet serenity of small places can be healing.
Watch on The CW
3’Heartland' (2007-)
Created by Murray Shostak
BeforeYellowstone, there wasHeartland. Even afterYellowstone,there will likely beHeartland, as the show marks its 17th year on TV. In May 2024,CBC extended the show for its 18th season, which is set to air near the end of the year. This ranch dramedyfollows multiple generations of the Fleming family on their Alberta-based ranch, focusing on Amy (Amber Marshall) and her sister Lou (Michelle Morgan) and their family dynamic with their estranged father. The series was based on the book series of the same name by Lauren Brooke. Amy also has a likable love interest in Ty (Graham Wardle), who comes to work as a ranch hand as part of his probation service. While the story continues throughout the seasons, thebiggest relationships for Amy are the bonds she creates with the horseson the ranch. In season one, the focus is on love and loss, and Amy navigates that by learning to be understanding and patient through training a beautiful black horse she rescued and named Spartan.
Heartlandisn’t just a show for some;The Guardian journalist Zoya Patelwrote an article about howthe show became an inspiration to move awayfrom the city and start a life on the ranch, surrounded by horses. Patel wrote, “Do yourself a favour and give it a stream—but don’t complain to me if you end up Googling “horse riding for beginners”.”
2’Timeless' (2016-2018)
Created by Eric Kripke and Shawn Ryan
Another brilliant open secret of network TV,Timeless,is a romantic dramedy with sci-fi elements. Its authors capably intertwinedaction, drama, history, science fiction, and romanceinto one of NBC’s best time-traveling series (which NBC canceledtwiceand succeeded the second time).
The story follows a team made up of Lucy Preston (Abigail Spencer), a historian; Wyatt Logan (Matt Lanter), a soldier; and Rufus Carlin (Malcolm Barrett), a programmer. The threeuse a time machine to chase the crew of a notorious villain, Garcia Flynn (Goran Visnjic), to stop them from changing the course of history. Flynn uses the time machine to impact some of the most controversial historical events (like the Hindenburg disaster or the Las Vegas atomic bomb testing). After the cancellation ofTimeless, NBC decided to conclude the series with a two-hour finale that acted as a movie conclusion. Though it was terminated after the first season, this decision was met with outrage, and NBC, thankfully,gave the showrunners a chance to finish the story. While time travel isn’t inherently Hallmark, everything else about Timeless is.Fans of romantic sci-fiwould love this show.
1’Ginny and Georgia' (2021-)
Created by Sarah Lampert
Ginny & Georgiagave Netflix a run for its money. Firstly, the show was intensely popular and globally loved so much thatover50 million people watched itwithin the first month of its release. Then, controversy ensued asTaylor Swift responded to a linemade at her expense in the series, making her fans review-bomb the show into oblivion. This didn’t stop Netflix from renewingGinny & Georgiafor a second season,including the third and fourth later on.The show follows a young mother, Georgia (Brianne Howey), who had her now 15-year-old daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) when she herself was only 15. Georgia also has a younger child, 9-year-old Austin, and the three of them move to a town called Wellsbury. SinceGeorgia is slightly problematic and has trouble staying in one place, Ginny and Austin suffer because of it.
This family dramedy takes conflict and resolves it through mother-daughter bonding moments,making it a nice family watch that doesn’t beat around the bush. Withwonderfully charming charactersand problems that often mimic real life,Ginny & Georgiais more than a wholesomeshow about a teen mom and the child she tries to become closer with. This may not be a Hallmark show, but it still finds heartwarming moments, lessons, and jokes like one.
Ginny and Georgia
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