These 10 series will immediately put you in an autumn mood
When September begins and it gets a bit colder, I start to feel a tingle... autumn. Yes, it's back. The season of wearing warm sweaters, lying on the couch with a cup of tea and a soft blanket, and watching autumn series. As soon as the first of the month has passed, it's time: I want series that feel like Life Goes On by The Sundays. Can't you wait for all those orange leaves either? Then you need to watch these series – they will definitely put you in the mood.
1. Gilmore Girls (Netflix)
Yes... How can I make a list about autumn series and not mention Gilmore Girls? If autumn were a series, it would be Gilmore Girls. This breathes autumn. Is it September 1st? Then we move to Stars Hollow. The textbook example of the season. It's filled with twinkling lights, pumpkins, orange leaves, and just everything you think of when you think of autumn.
Walking with Rory and Lorelai feels like you're strolling past the stalls of an autumn market, with a pumpkin spice latte in your hand. Can you picture it? Walking through the village past the gazebo, Luke's, and Miss Patty's? I would love to walk there. From the amazing autumn outfits to drinking hot coffee at Luke's: this is autumn. It's literally “A lovely little town where there's nothing more than pumpkins and hayrides where everyone knows each other,” as series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino told Rolling Stone. The ideal ‘small town life’ where people pick apples, have town meetings, and only eat pancakes with cinnamon butter. Perfect for getting into the autumn mood.
2. Charmed (Prime Video)
When you see the house where Charmed takes place, you understand why we want to watch this series in the autumn. This red Victorian house is already amazing, but so is the series. It's about three sisters who discover they are descended from a line of good witches. And not just any witches, the Charmed Ones are three witches who protect innocent people from evil, generation after generation. Witches and magic are, of course, already an autumn (and Halloween!) topic, but especially the set makes this a real atmosphere creator. Witchcraft, candles, mysterious spells, and stormy nights: October in a nutshell. There's a spooky vibe with all the darkness, and it really takes place in this season. There's even a storyline about a witch hunt that takes place during the autumn equinox, the astronomical starting point of autumn. Grab your softest blanket and light some candles. This is where you want to sit down.
3. Ghost Whisperer (Disney+)
Since she was a child, Melinda Gordon has been able to see ghosts and even talk to them. Wherever she is, she sees spirits stuck on earth who can't move on to the afterlife. Despite her ‘gift’, she tries to lead a normal life. She's married and has an antique shop. As you can guess, this is not easy. Her powers cause a lot of problems in her personal life. This is definitely full of autumn vibes due to the supernatural aspect, but where this series excels is in the set. Misty streets, old buildings, dark clothing, and the soft glow of all the candlelight that for some reason is always burning: this is pure autumn energy. Perfect for those who love a touch of spooky and drama.
4. This Is Us (Disney+)
The first promotional photo you see of this series when you look it up is in the autumn. Doesn't that say enough? This Is Us tells the heartwarming story of three thirty-somethings: Kate, Randall, and Kevin. Kevin and Kate are twins who were actually supposed to be triplets. When their brother Kyle is stillborn, their parents decide to adopt Randall. He was brought to the hospital on the same day after being left by his father at a fire station. We follow the three as they navigate through adult life. It's anything but boring. It's a warm blanket that falls over you on a bad day. That feeling comes to life in the dinner scenes, family gatherings, and walks under trees full of red leaves. Comfort television has never been so comforting. When you curl up on the couch with a warm chocolate milk while the rain gently taps on the windows outside.
5. Anne with an E (Netflix)
This is a series you need to get into, but once you're in, it stays in your heart and never comes out. I speak from experience: it's one of my favorites and autumn means rewatching it. It's about Anne, an orphan girl who is accidentally adopted by siblings Matthew and Marilla. They were looking for a boy to help on their farm, but Anne steals their hearts and starts her life in Avonlea. It takes place in the autumn and winter, which is evident from the amazing locations and clothing, as it is set in 1890. This is a series that deals with more than just girl problems. It addresses Anne's past where she was abused, bullying, misogyny, and racism. Especially seasons two and three highlight racism: in season two when the dark-skinned Sebastian moves to Avonlea, and in season three with the Indigenous Canadian population. Seasons one, two, and three consist of heartwarming and beautiful stories that you prefer to watch curled up under a blanket in your bed.
6. Felicity (Prime Video)
Do you love One Tree Hill and The OC? Then this is for you. Felicity is about the shy Felicity who has graduated. She follows her crush, Ben, to the University of New York and ends up in a love triangle. And then she also studies medicine. Talk about a difficult life. Especially how the series is filmed could just be a postcard for autumn. The orange colors, the thick sweaters, and real autumn fashion that the characters wear, the holidays – everything you want in autumn is in here. In the mood for some drama? You know where to find it.
7. A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix)
From the vintage costumes to all the moody lighting: the dark humor drama is truly autumn. Enjoying adventure and a bit of suspense is what you want in autumn. Especially in October, when you've seen the other series on this list. It's about Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire. When their parents die, they go to live with a relative: Count Olaf. He is a terrible man who only wants to steal the children's inheritance.
8. The Chair (Netflix)
When you say autumn, you say dark academia. That is, for those who have been living under a rock, the aesthetic surrounding boarding schools and study groups in a dark autumn setting. It's even a genre. In The Chair, Professor Ji-Yoon Kim is chosen as the new chair of the English literature department at Pembroke University. She is the first woman to ever hold this position and must fight to keep it. The comedy series really feels like New England, with its trees and nature in great autumn vibes and school buildings filled with wooden tables, bookshelves, fireplaces, and leather books. If that's not autumn, then I don't know what is.
9. Virgin River (Netflix)
Another series where the characters spend hours in some diner and never seem to eat too much. Mel Monroe moves from Los Angeles to the small town of Virgin River in Northern California. A town with diners and forests full of falling leaves. She starts working as a midwife in the cozy town, but she doesn't agree with how they work here. And that lovely autumn vibe? That doesn't come from California, you know. That's because it was filmed in British Columbia, where many autumn films and series have been shot. Think of babbling rivers, beautiful forests, and mist. Exactly the place where you would want to live in September.
10. The Good Witch (Netflix)
Number ten, the last one then. I think you can sense a theme coming... witches. Yes, in autumn we just want some spooky dark vibes. Dark light, dark colors, autumn clothing, and magic. How else are you going to prepare for Halloween? It's a bit of a mood booster that will help you through the coming winter. That's exactly The Good Witch. The fantasy comedy-drama is about Catherine Bell, a good witch. The story begins with Dr. Sam Radford, who moves to Middleton with his son. Here he is welcomed by Catherine and her daughter. Soon, of course, feelings come into play, and Sam has to deal with the magical Catherine. This is truly an autumn series due to the cozy autumn atmosphere. You can see that in the warm color palette of the set and clothing, autumn scenes with orange trees, and especially the focus on Halloween and the magic surrounding it. This is yet another example that Hallmark can indeed make better series than just the standard and often ‘B-romantic film’ they are known for.
So, have you already gotten some inspiration? At least I know what I'm going to do this coming season: spend the whole weekend on the couch under my pumpkin blanket, with my pumpkin mug AND hot chocolate binging these series. I'm starting that right now because if there's one thing I love, it's getting into the autumn mood.
