10 Forgotten CW Shows That Are Actually Worth Your Time

Love them or hate them, at some point in our lives, there’s always that one CW show that ends up becoming our guilty pleasure. Whether it’s classics like Gilmore Girls and One Tree Hill, or modern takes like Riverdale and Jane the Virgin, these shows lure us in with their simple premise and immediately snowball into a binge-watching session with their never-ending episodes. Famous for shows primarily aimed at teens and young adults, the CW is no stranger to formulaic and predictable storytelling. Cliched characters, over-the-top drama, and countless plot holes have become the hallmarks of many of its series.

Despite that, some CW gems were actually worth watching. Sadly, they were cut off way too soon and quickly faded into obscurity. In honor of these hidden treasures, here are 10 forgotten CW shows that are actually worth your time.

10

‘Privileged’ (2008–2009)

Starring: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Lucy Hale, Ashley Newbrough

In Privileged, 23-year-old, Yale graduate Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia) thought she had it all by the time she graduated. But her road to a prestigious career in journalism is far ahead of her. It doesn’t help that she got fired out of the blue, Luckily, the uber-rich cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges (Anne Archer) offers her employment: a tutoring job for her twin teen granddaughters, Rose (Lucy Hale) and Sage (Ashley Newbrough).

Sharing a similar vein with Gilmore Girls, Privileged revolves around the “poor girl meets rich world” trope. It’s entertaining to see Megan get used to her job perks like a private suite, stunning convertible, and the fabulous Palm Beach. But what’s more hilarious is watching Megan, a full-fledge adult, get herself into knots dealing with two bratty, headstrong teens.

9

‘Hellcats’ (2010–2011)

Starring: Aly Michalka, Ashley Tisdale, Robbie Jones

Hellcats revolves around Marti Perkins (Aly Michalka), a pre-law college student at Lancer University who only cares about books and her future career. But with her scholarship pulled away from her, Marti’s turning to the one thing she despises the most: college cheerleading. Joining the Hellcats squad isn’t easy. With an ambitious coach, jealous members, and her studies at stake, Marti’s got to prove her worth by winning nationals.

In spite of the drama, Hellcats shows the hard work and dedication it takes to become an athletic cheerleader. Although the techniques may be questionable, it’s not a surface-level portrayal of the sport. Instead of leaning towards a Bring It On trope, it has the momentum of fellow teen drama One Tree Hill.

8

‘Reaper’ (2007–2009)

Starring: Bret Harrison, Tyler Labine, Rick Gonzalez

Work is about to get a little complicated for Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison) in Reaper. Following his 21st birthday, Sam shockingly discovers that his parents sold his soul to none other than the Devil (Ray Wise). Instead of enjoying his years as a young adolescent, he’s making a living as Hell’s reluctant bounty hunter, playing detective and tracking down escaped souls with the help of his best friends.

Normally, the concept of Hell is dark and sinister, but Reaper puts a fresh spin on it by making it fun and light-hearted. Instead of the spiritual hoo-ha that’s attached to the supernatural, the show is essentially about a guy who just can’t get his life together in sunny suburbia. It’s equal parts Friends, and equal parts Buffy.

7

‘Emily Owens, M.D.’ (2012–2013)

Starring: Mamie Gummer, Justin Hartley, Aja Naomi King

Med school graduate Emily Owens (Mamie Gummer) is officially leaving her nerdy days behind as she starts her prestigious internship at Denver Memorial Hospital. Apparently, there are a couple of familiar faces on the staff as well. From her med-school crush Will Collins (Justin Hartley) to her former nemesis, slash popular girl Cassandra Kopelson (Aja Naomi King), high school never ends in Emily Owens, M.D.

The series gives off obvious Mean Girls vibes. The hospital is (bed) ridden with cliques, with orthopedic surgeons as the jocks, ER as the rebels, and anesthesiologists as stoners, just to name a few. Despite being highly educated folks, these adults have a lot to learn about how to operate as proper human beings with cutthroat, personal agendas.

6

‘The Carrie Diaries’ (2013–2014)

Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Austin Butler, Ellen Wong

It’s the early 1980s, and high school junior Carrie Bradshaw (AnnaSophia Robb) is getting a taste of New York City. On the cusp of young adolescence, Carrie’s exploring everything about family, friendship, love, and sex. Apart from her studies, she’s holding a serious internship spot at a law firm’s office. But between her and fans of The Carrie Diaries, Carrie’s working at a magazine company.

Although it alludes to the Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City, this prequel-like interpretation is not based on the HBO show. However, it is still based on the novels. The Carrie Diaries is as free-spirited and adventurous as it gets, featuring a small-town girl harboring big-city dreams, all while maintaining a killer fashion sense.

5

‘The Secret Circle’ (2011–2012)

Starring: Britt Robertson, Thomas Dekker, Phoebe Tonkin

In The Secret Circle, 16-year-old Cassie Blake (Britt Robertson) relocates to Chance Harbor, Washington, after her mother’s mysterious death. However, this small town is far from boring. Underneath its serenity is a long-kept history of magic. Sure enough, Cassie discovers she’s a powerful witch, and is the final piece of a six-member coven. As Cassie gets in touch with her true powers, dark secrets, and deadly enemies begin to lurk.

Giving off Vampire Diaries vibes, The Secret Circle has all the elements of a classic CW supernatural series. The show leers audiences in with a simple, straightforward story. But the slow burn eventually pays off when the characters start to work (or develop rivalries) against each other. Unfortunately, with the show cut off so early, it has yet to reach its full potential.

4

‘No Tomorrow’ (2016–2017)

Starring: Joshua Sasse, Tori Anderson, Jonathan Langdon

Evie (Tori Anderson) has never broken a single rule in No Tomorrow. Cautious and by the book, she’s lived her life in prim accordance until her unexpected encounter with the free-spirited Xavier (Joshua Sasse). He’s a bit peculiar — Xavier wholeheartedly believes that the world will end in eight months. Instead of escaping into a panic room or an underground bunker, Evie crafts an “apocalypticist” of things to do before this presumed doomsday.

This oddball of a show sounds like it’s trying too hard to be quirky. But thanks to Anderson’s endearing performance as the awkward yet friendly Evie, her chemistry with the eclectic Xavier comes off as genuine. Although the show met its apocalypse on broadcast, the legacy of No Tomorrow lives on the sincerity of its memorable characters.

3

‘Life Unexpected’ (2010–2011)

Starring: Shiri Appleby, Kristoffer Polaha, Britt Robertson

For 15 years, Lux (Britt Robertson) has spent her entire life hopping from one foster care to another. At this point, Lux feels that she may never call any place her home. But following one emancipation attempt, she’s instead placed in the custody of her biological parents. Much to Lux’s surprise, her mother, Cate (Shiri Appleby), is a major but emotionally complex radio host, while her father, Baze (Kristoffer Polaha), is an immature bar owner.

Life Unexpected truly lives up to its title. It’s a show about discovering and reconnecting with familial roots, no matter how zany they can be. No family is perfect, and the same goes for Lux and her parents. Although the show carries itself with a lighthearted motion, it covers the idea of giving second chances, especially to those who may have abandoned us in the past for whatever reason.

2

‘Nikita’ (2010–2013)

Starring: Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca

Rogue assassin Nikita (Maggie Q) had a childhood beyond anyone’s imagination. As a troubled teenager, she was on the verge of death row before the mysterious U.S. agency division gave her a second chance at life. In return, she has to give up her freedom and be transformed into an assassin. Having gone rogue, she’s taking revenge on the Division for murdering her fiancé, and more importantly, turning her into a killer.

Following the same vein as the French film La Femme Nikita, Nikita takes pride in its high-intensity action and espionage moments. Although it may not be the most intellectual spy series on streaming, one of the show’s strengths is the emotional depth that arises from the main character herself, driven by this incessant need to take down the corrupt agency that destroyed her happiness.

1

‘The Winchesters’ (2022–2023)

Starring: Meg Donnelly, Drake Rodger, Nida Khurshid

Before Supernatural’s Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester battled the unseen, there was another iconic pair who did their job, arguably even better. Set in the 1970s, The Winchesters tells the story of their monster-hunting parents, John (Drake Rodger) and Mary (Meg Donnelly). Having both lost their respective fathers, the two work together to uncover the ghoulish truth, all while falling head over heels for each other.

Paying homage to the original series, The Winchesters might not be as perfect as Sam and Dean’s adventures. However, it still has a heart. Nostalgic and colorful, The Winchesters makes its own mark with its own story and an ensemble of new personalities who’ve handled their roles as if they’ve already long been part of the Supernatural family.

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