What we see on TV becomes part of how we see ourselves.

As we grow up and wrestle with questions of identity, many of us look to the characters on our screens as mirrors, mentors, or even lifelines.

These are the shows that helped shape who I am today and the kinds of representation I hope you, as readers, may find resonance in too.

One Day at a Time
One Day at a Time follows a three-generation Cuban-American family navigating life in the United States. The series treats representation with care, offering multiple perspectives and prompting audiences to reflect on their own assumptions.

Connection to your culture
A major theme is the family’s Hispanic roots. Lydia, the grandmother and a first-generation immigrant, is deeply proud of her culture and language, and she tries hard to pass these traditions down to her daughter and grandchildren.

The show thoughtfully deconstructs stereotypes about Hispanic communities and shines a light on the racism immigrants often face.

The importance of found family
As a single parent and caregiver to her own mother, Penelope has a lot to balance by herself, and the show uplifts the power of single working mothers. However, she is given Schneider, a friend who she does not depend on but who is there in moments of trouble to comfort her and in moments of joy to celebrate. Chosen family is lifted up as just as important as blood family.

Glee
For many viewers (myself included), Glee was life-changing. It tackled taboo topics with a boldness that brought visibility to people who often felt like outsiders.

More than just gay
Kurt and Blaine were ground-breaking for queer male representation on mainstream TV.

While their experiences of coming out and bullying were central, the show also gave them full, nuanced storylines beyond their sexuality. They weren’t merely token queer characters, there to tick boxes; they were people trying to navigate life as queer teens.

Female queerness: it’s here, and it’s beautiful
Santana’s coming-out journey was the first time closeted me had ever seen sapphic representation on screen, and it earned Glee a special place in my heart. Female queerness has historically been underrepresented in media.

Santana’s unapologetic character arc — ending with a beautiful wedding celebrating sapphic joy — gives representation to a group of young queer girls who may not know what their future holds.

Atypical
Atypical follows Sam, a teen with autism. The show does an excellent job of showing how Sam’s neurodiversity affects both his own life and the lives of those closest to him. It is worth noting that Sam is played by an autistic actor, ensuring authenticity from script to screen.

Not a burden
The show doesn’t shy away from the challenges that come with raising an autistic child, showing the real, everyday difficulties. But it never portrays Sam as a burden. Ultimately, love and understanding drive the story. It reminds viewers that relationships with autistic individuals may look different, but they are no less meaningful.

Giving light to the glass child
The show also highlights Sam’s sister, Casey, who experiences “glass child syndrome” (feeling unseen because parental attention is so heavily focused on a sibling with additional needs). She struggles with difficult teenage problems such as coming out, bad grades and relationship problems, often alone. Casey’s storyline shows us how isolation can have a large effect on a young person’s mental health.

Honourable Mentions

Grey’s Anatomy
When April — a devout Christian — experienced a crisis of faith, it became a sensitive and powerful storyline, highlighting a very real and painful experience many religious people go through. It emphasised that there is no shame in struggling with faith; it is not something you are experiencing alone. God will help you through.

How I Met Your Mother
My personal favourite sitcom of all time, I enjoy How I Met Your Mother offers a varied representation of women. The two main characters — Lily and Robin — have very different goals for their life, and these are respected by the writers.

It can be annoying for viewers when a female character makes the strong, independent decision that they will never have children, only for the writers to have them change their mind right at the last episode – I’m looking at you, Penny from The Big Bang Theory!

Lily wants marriage, kids, a happy home, and she gets it. Robin, on the other hand, is unsure what she wants but knows she does not want children. Her story speaks to women who fear that staying true to their values might leave them isolated. Together, the characters depict the diverse paths womanhood can take.

Image Credit: Avery Hewitt