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| Loved The Map of Longing? Here Are 23 Romantic Drama Series You'll Want to Binge Next. (Photo: Netflix) |
Netflix's The Map of Longing (El mapa de los anhelos) has quietly become one of those romantic dramas that catches viewers off guard. At first glance, it looks like another love story wrapped in beautiful scenery, but it quickly reveals itself as something far deeper. Through Greta's painful journey after losing her sister, the six-part Spanish series explores grief, identity, healing and the uncomfortable truth that sometimes life completely ignores the plans we carefully make. Unsurprisingly, plenty of viewers have already finished all six episodes and immediately started searching for another series capable of delivering the same emotional punch without feeling like a carbon copy.
Fans' reactions have been wonderfully divided. Some praise the show's mature approach to grief and personal growth, while others admit they came for the romance but stayed for the emotional healing and beautifully flawed characters.
Many viewers have compared it to other Spanish Netflix dramas, while others believe its emotional journey feels closer to British, Korean or even American coming-of-age romances. One thing almost everyone agrees on is that The Map of Longing leaves an empty space once the credits roll. Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent series ready to fill it.
Shows Like THE MAP OF LONGING
1. A Perfect Story (2023)
Few series capture the same emotional atmosphere as A Perfect Story. Based on the novel by Elísabet Benavent, it follows an heiress who runs away from her wedding and unexpectedly forms a bond with an ordinary man struggling with his own failed relationship.
Their trip through Greece slowly becomes a journey of healing, self-discovery and unexpected romance. Like The Map of Longing, it reminds viewers that sometimes getting completely lost is the quickest route to finding yourself.
2. Valeria (2020–2025)
Inspired by another bestselling novel by Elísabet Benavent, Valeria follows a writer facing both creative burnout and marital problems while relying on her closest friends to rediscover herself.
Rather than focusing purely on romance, the series explores identity, friendships and emotional growth. Fans of Greta's personal journey will appreciate how every character is trying to rebuild their life while pretending everything is perfectly under control. Spoiler: nobody actually is.
3. In Love All Over Again (2023)
Featuring Georgina Amorós, who also appears in The Map of Longing, this nostalgic romantic drama follows two aspiring filmmakers whose relationship evolves across two decades.
Love arrives, disappears and somehow keeps returning when least expected. Both shows understand that emotional timing is often much worse than anyone would like.
4. One Day (2024)
Netflix's adaptation of David Nicholls' beloved novel follows Emma and Dexter, revisiting their lives on the same date every year.
Their evolving friendship and romance unfold alongside career struggles, heartbreak and missed opportunities. Like The Map of Longing, it explores how personal growth often comes through painful experiences rather than grand romantic gestures.
5. Normal People (2020)
This acclaimed Irish drama centres on Connell and Marianne, whose relationship repeatedly changes as they move through adolescence and adulthood.
Every conversation feels emotionally loaded without becoming melodramatic. If you appreciated the quiet emotional honesty of The Map of Longing, this series deserves an immediate place on your watchlist.
6. From Scratch (2022)
Inspired by a true story, From Scratch follows an American artist who falls in love with a Sicilian chef while studying in Italy.
Their beautiful romance gradually transforms into a moving story about family, grief and resilience. Much like Greta's journey, happiness and heartbreak constantly walk hand in hand.
7. The Girl in the Mirror (2022)
This supernatural Spanish thriller follows Alma, the only survivor of a devastating bus crash who wakes with no memory of who she is.
As she uncovers forgotten truths, she also confronts overwhelming grief and identity crises. While considerably darker than The Map of Longing, both series place emotional healing at the heart of their stories.
8. Raising Voices (2024)
Written by Isa Sánchez, who also worked on The Map of Longing, this Spanish drama tackles trauma, recovery and finding strength after devastating experiences.
It approaches emotional healing with honesty rather than easy answers, making it a natural recommendation for viewers seeking another heartfelt Spanish production.
9. Firefly Lane (2021–2023)
Spanning decades, this emotional drama chronicles the lifelong friendship between Kate and Tully through love, family struggles and heartbreaking life changes. Like The Map of Longing, it celebrates the relationships that continue shaping people long after circumstances change.
10. Maid (2021)
Although romance isn't the primary focus, Maid delivers one of television's strongest stories about rebuilding life after emotional hardship.
Watching the protagonist slowly reclaim her independence mirrors the same personal resilience that defines Greta's journey.
11. Sweet Magnolias (2020– )
Friendship, healing and second chances sit at the centre of this comforting drama. It may be lighter than The Map of Longing, but both shows demonstrate how emotional support often comes from unexpected people rather than dramatic speeches.
12. Virgin River (2019– )
When Mel Monroe relocates after experiencing personal tragedy, she discovers that starting over is far harder than changing scenery. Themes of grief, romance and emotional recovery closely resemble the emotional foundation of The Map of Longing.
13. Dash & Lily (2020)
This charming Netflix romance follows two teenagers communicating through a notebook hidden across New York. While far more light-hearted, its treasure-hunt structure echoes the emotional game that Lucy leaves behind for Greta, proving handwritten clues still beat endless text messages.
14. This Is Us (2016–2022)
Across multiple timelines, this celebrated family drama explores love, loss and complicated family relationships with remarkable emotional depth. Fans drawn to sibling relationships and unresolved grief will find plenty to appreciate here.
15. Love & Anarchy (2020–2022)
A Swedish romantic comedy-drama where two colleagues challenge each other through increasingly outrageous dares. Beneath the humour lies an emotional story about escaping expectations and rediscovering happiness, themes that resonate strongly with The Map of Longing.
16. Scenes from a Marriage (2021)
Relationships are rarely simple, and this intimate drama refuses to pretend otherwise. Instead, it carefully examines love, heartbreak and emotional vulnerability in a way that feels brutally honest without becoming cynical.
17. Heartstopper (2022– )
Although centred on younger characters, Heartstopper explores identity, healing and learning to love yourself before expecting someone else to do it. The warmth and emotional sincerity make it surprisingly compatible with The Map of Longing.
18. Welcome to Family (2018)
This Spanish comedy-drama balances family chaos with heartfelt emotion after an unexpected death changes everyone's lives. While considerably funnier, it still explores how grief can reshape families in unpredictable ways.
19. After Life (2019–2022)
Created by Ricky Gervais, this British series examines grief through sharp humour and painfully honest conversations. It proves sadness and laughter can comfortably exist in the same scene, something The Map of Longing also understands remarkably well.
20. Tiny Beautiful Things (2023)
Following a struggling writer forced to confront her unresolved past, this heartfelt drama blends family relationships, regret and emotional healing. Like Greta, the central character gradually discovers that understanding yourself takes considerably longer than anyone promises.
21. My Life with the Walter Boys (2023– )
After experiencing devastating loss, a teenage girl moves to a completely new home where unfamiliar relationships slowly help her rebuild her confidence. Romance naturally develops alongside emotional healing rather than replacing it.
22. The Time It Takes (2021)
This Spanish Netflix miniseries beautifully explores heartbreak through alternating timelines that compare a relationship's happiest moments with its painful ending. The storytelling feels intimate, reflective and emotionally rich, making it an excellent companion piece to The Map of Longing.
23. Looking for Alaska (2019)
Based on John Green's bestselling novel, this coming-of-age drama follows a teenager whose search for meaning changes forever after experiencing profound loss. Questions about identity, grief and moving forward connect closely with Greta's emotional journey, making it one of the strongest recommendations on this list.
Next: Where Was The Map of Longing Filmed?
Whether you loved The Map of Longing because of its heartfelt romance, emotional storytelling, beautiful Spanish setting or honest exploration of grief, these 23 series continue those ideas in fascinating ways. Some will make you smile, others may quietly break your heart before putting it back together, and a few somehow manage both in the same episode.
That's the risk of watching emotionally driven dramas—they're far more exhausting than action shows, yet somehow we always come back for more. Which series would you recommend to fellow The Map of Longing fans? Have we missed your personal favourite?