If you were a fan of the hilarious, heartfelt, and uniquely charming world of The Mindy Project, chances are you’ve been searching for something to fill the void left by Mindy Lahiri and her quirky crew. The show struck a perfect balance between laugh-out-loud workplace comedy, genuinely sweet romantic comedy, and the relatable chaos of navigating modern life, career, and relationships in New York City. Finding that specific blend can be a challenge, but don’t worry – there are fantastic shows like The Mindy Project out there waiting for you to discover them. This guide is dedicated to helping you find your next binge-worthy obsession among the many great shows like The Mindy Project that share its spirit, humor, and heart.
The Mindy Project wasn’t just a show; it was a vibe. Created by and starring the brilliant Mindy Kaling, it offered a refreshing look at a successful, yet hopelessly romantic, obstetrician-gynecologist who was just trying to figure things out. We fell in love with her pop culture references, her often-disastrous dating life, her evolving career, and the eccentric group of colleagues and friends surrounding her at Shulman & Associates. The show masterfully blended sharp writing, physical comedy, and genuine emotional stakes, making it more than just a simple sitcom. It’s precisely this unique recipe that makes finding comparable shows like The Mindy Project a specific quest for many viewers.
What exactly made The Mindy Project so beloved and why are we looking for shows like The Mindy Project? It was the combination of Mindy Lahiri’s strong, albeit flawed, female protagonist; the dynamic and often hilarious ensemble cast at the workplace; the central focus on modern dating and romantic storylines that weren’t always conventional; the witty, rapid-fire dialogue; and the show’s ability to be both incredibly silly and surprisingly heartfelt. Fans often look for series that capture one or more of these elements when searching for shows like The Mindy Project.
Discover Your Next Favorite Series
For those mourning the end of Mindy’s adventures and wondering what to watch next, here are some top recommendations. While no show is an exact clone, these series capture various aspects that fans cherished in shows like The Mindy Project, from the quirky humor and romantic plots to the strong ensemble casts and workplace antics.
New Girl
Often topping lists of shows like The Mindy Project, New Girl centers around Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel), a similarly quirky, optimistic, and sometimes endearingly awkward woman who moves into a loft apartment with three single men after a bad breakup. Like Mindy, Jess is navigating her late twenties and early thirties, dealing with career challenges (she’s a teacher), friendship dynamics, and a rollercoaster love life. The show excels in ensemble comedy, built on the hilarious chemistry between the loftmates. It features a strong will-they-won’t-they romantic plotline that evolves satisfyingly over the seasons, much like the central relationship in The Mindy Project. If you enjoyed the blend of quirky humor and genuine romantic progression, New Girl is a must-watch among shows like The Mindy Project.
Parks and Recreation
While perhaps more purely a workplace comedy than a rom-com, Parks and Recreation shares The Mindy Project‘s optimistic tone, heartwarming ensemble cast, and character-driven humor. Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) is a relentlessly enthusiastic mid-level bureaucrat in Pawnee, Indiana, whose unwavering belief in public service is both her greatest strength and the source of much comedy. The show features a brilliant supporting cast with incredible chemistry. Like shows like The Mindy Project, Parks and Rec develops its characters beautifully over time, and while romance isn’t always the central plot, it features some incredibly sweet and well-earned relationship storylines. If you loved the found-family feel and the consistently funny writing of The Mindy Project‘s workplace, you’ll likely fall in love with Pawnee’s Parks Department.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
From the creators of Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is another prime example of a workplace comedy with a huge heart and a fantastic ensemble. Set in a New York City police precinct, it follows the eccentric but talented Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and his diverse colleagues. While a police procedural on the surface, the show prioritizes character relationships, witty banter, and hilariously absurd scenarios over gritty realism. It features strong female characters in leadership roles (Amy Santiago, Rosa Diaz, Captain Holt) and includes a central, slow-burn romantic relationship that is genuinely adored by fans. The dynamic between the characters, the blend of humor and heartwarming moments, and the focus on a found-family within the workplace make Brooklyn Nine-Nine a worthy addition to your watchlist if you appreciate shows like The Mindy Project.
Younger
Set in New York City, Younger follows Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a 40-year-old woman who pretends to be 26 to get a job in the competitive publishing industry. This premise provides fertile ground for both comedic mishaps and insightful commentary on ageism, career, and identity. The show features a prominent workplace setting, a strong focus on female friendships (especially between Liza and her younger colleague Kelsey, and her best friend Maggie), and multiple compelling romantic storylines. It captures some of the fast-paced energy and romantic entanglements seen in shows like The Mindy Project, but with a slightly different lens on navigating life and relationships in the city. The fashion is great, the dialogue is sharp, and the characters are easy to root for.
Insecure
Created by and starring Issa Rae, Insecure offers a smart, funny, and incredibly real look at the experiences of a modern Black woman navigating career, friendship, and romance in Los Angeles. While it has a distinct voice and focuses on specific cultural nuances, it shares The Mindy Project‘s commitment to exploring the complexities of dating in your late twenties/early thirties, the evolution of friendships, and the challenges of building a fulfilling career. Issa’s journey of self-discovery, much like Mindy’s, is at the heart of the show. If you appreciated the focus on a strong female lead’s personal and romantic growth in shows like The Mindy Project, Insecure provides a critically acclaimed and highly relatable alternative perspective.
Catastrophe
For a show that tackles modern relationships with incredibly sharp wit and bracing honesty, look no further than Catastrophe. Created by and starring Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney, the series follows an American man and an Irish woman who have a whirlwind weekend stand and find themselves expecting a baby. The show is less of a traditional sitcom and more of a realistic, albeit hilarious, look at the messy realities of love, marriage, and parenthood. While its humor is drier and often more adult than The Mindy Project, its strength lies in the believable, often awkward, romantic relationship at its core. If you enjoyed the relationship-focused storylines and witty banter in shows like The Mindy Project but are ready for something a bit more grounded and biting, Catastrophe is exceptional.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
From the brilliant mind of Tina Fey, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a highly optimistic and absurd comedy about a woman rescued after 15 years in an underground bunker who decides to start her life over in New York City. Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) is an incredibly resilient and quirky protagonist who navigates the challenges of the modern world with wide-eyed wonder. While romance isn’t the primary focus, the show features strong friendships, workplace antics (at various bizarre jobs), and a truly unique comedic voice. If you enjoyed the quirky lead, the NYC setting, and the often surreal but ultimately hopeful humor of shows like The Mindy Project, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt offers a different but equally delightful flavor of comedy.
Never Have I Ever
It would be impossible to talk about shows like The Mindy Project without mentioning Mindy Kaling’s other hit series, Never Have I Ever. This coming-of-age comedy follows Devi Vishwakumar, a first-generation Indian-American teenager navigating high school, grief, identity, and, of course, romance in Los Angeles. The show features Kaling’s signature voice, blending relatable teen awkwardness with sharp humor and genuine emotional depth. It includes a fantastic ensemble cast, focuses on friendship and family dynamics, and features compelling romantic triangles that will keep you hooked. If you are specifically looking for the unique writing style and perspective of Mindy Kaling that you loved in shows like The Mindy Project, Never Have I Ever is the most direct spiritual successor, albeit set in a different life stage.
Love
Co-created by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust, and Lesley Arfin, Love offers a more grounded and sometimes uncomfortable look at the development of a modern relationship. The series follows Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust) as they navigate the ups and downs of dating in Los Angeles, flaws and all. While it leans more into mumblecore and realistic cringe comedy than the broader humor of The Mindy Project, it is deeply focused on the complexities of romantic connections and personal growth within a relationship. If you appreciated the relationship-centric plots and character development in shows like The Mindy Project and are interested in a series that delves into the messier, less fairytale aspects of love, Love provides a compelling and authentic portrayal.
Beyond the Laughs: Finding Connection in These Series
What connects all of these recommended series to shows like The Mindy Project is their fundamental focus on characters navigating the messy, often funny, and sometimes challenging journey of life, love, and career in the modern world. They feature strong, distinct voices, whether through a singular protagonist or a vibrant ensemble. They understand that humor often comes from relatable struggles and awkward moments, and they balance the comedy with genuine emotional arcs that make you care about the characters. Searching for shows like The Mindy Project isn’t just about finding another rom-com; it’s about finding series that capture that blend of witty writing, memorable characters, and hopeful exploration of what it means to find your place and your people.
Ready to Start Watching?
Hopefully, this list has given you plenty of exciting new possibilities for shows like The Mindy Project to add to your streaming queue. Whether you’re craving another quirky female lead, a hilarious workplace environment, a captivating slow-burn romance, or simply smart and funny writing, these shows offer something special. While nothing can perfectly replicate the magic of The Mindy Project, these series certainly capture elements that fans adored. So grab your favorite snack, settle in, and discover your next beloved show among these fantastic shows like The Mindy Project.
What are *your* favorite shows like The Mindy Project? Did we miss any hidden gems? Let us know in the comments below – we’d love to hear your recommendations!
