Okay, confession time: I used to be obsessed with The Handmaid’s Tale. But when the latest season dropped, I found myself… avoiding it. Not because it isn’t brilliant, but because it hits too close to home. The world already feels dystopian enough so when I crawl into bed at night, it’s not the thing I want seeping into my subconscious. Instead, I find myself rewatching Virgin River (yes, I wrote on the show, so I’m probably biased, but stay with me). Not because I forgot what happened, but because sometimes you need television that feels like a warm hug from your favorite friend. Or in this case, sewing circle gal.
Maybe we’re nostalgic for a past that never existed, but shows like Virgin River have convinced us that small towns are magical places where everyone knows your name. Never mind that most of us have never lived in a small town, or that real small towns have their own issues. These shows tap into our collective fantasy of simpler times. You know, back when your biggest worry was if you were going to be asked to prom, not whether your 401k will survive the latest economic crisis.
So What Is A Cozy Drama?
Picture this: It’s Game of Thrones, but instead of everyone dying horribly, everyone gets therapy and finds love. It’s Breaking Bad, but instead Walter White decides to open a charming bed-and-breakfast instead of a meth lab.
Cozy dramas are the TV equivalent of that friend who always knows exactly what to say to make you feel better. Think of shows like aforementioned Virgin River, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Sweet Magnolias, Emily in Paris, and Heartland (which by the way, has been running for 18 seasons!)
They’re shows where:
- The biggest crisis is whether the town festival will happen on time (I kid… sort of)
- Everyone lives in Nancy Meyers-esque houses, yet somehow feels attainable
- Conflict is resolved through heartfelt conversations, not murder
- The local diner/bar/coffee shop is basically a therapy center
- Second chances aren’t just possible, they’re practically guaranteed
And here’s the genius of cozy dramas: they sell us dreams that feel achievable. Mel’s cabin in Virgin River is beautiful, but it’s not a $10 million Malibu mansion. Every single woman age 30-65 believes there’s a man out there as perfect as Jack Sheridan and it’s possible he’s still single. And you too can have a job you’re passionate about, where you still have time for a long, midday hike and a two-hour lunch break, yet money never seems to be an issue.
The truth is, maybe viewers can’t have this exact life, but they can have the feeling of this life. Deep friendships. Supportive community. The sense that you matter to people and they matter to you. The belief that it’s never too late to start over.
Why We’re All Emotionally Maxed Out
Here’s what I learned from working on Virgin River: the fans aren’t just watching—they’re seeking refuge. When I was Portugal, a fan overheard my conversation with a friend and told me she watches the show every single night before bed. She lost count as to how many times she’s seen the series. The fan Facebook page comments are filled with people saying things like “This is my safe place” and “I watch this when I need to remember that good people exist.”
We live in a world where our phones buzz with terrible news alerts every five minutes. Sometimes we need television that promises us nothing will break. No shocking plot twists or moral ambiguity. We want our television to be the opposite of this. Right now, a lot of us aren’t looking for shows that reflect the chaos of the world; we’re looking for shows that offer an antidote to it.
Why Your Next Pilot Should Be a Cozy Drama
Now, let’s talk shop, because this isn’t just about feelings—this is about sales, streaming numbers and the kind of rabid fanbase that makes network executives very happy. (Ahem, Virgin River is currently Netflix’s longest running series for a reason.) Viewers binge these shows and then they return to watch them all over again. They also translate across cultures more easily so there’s global appeal.
Real talk: you know what’s expensive? CGI dragons. You know what’s cheap? People talking to each other in pretty locations. As much as you need a great script, the budget is just as important to buyers.
So… if you’re a writer staring at a blank page, wondering what to write next, consider this your sign from the universe: write the cozy drama!
The market is hungry for this content. I’m currently pitching two cozy dramas as we speak. Streamers are realizing that not every show needs to be the next Squid Game. Some shows just need to make people feel better about being alive, and that’s valuable too. Cozy dramas have something dark prestige dramas often lack: joy. And in a world that often feels a little short on joy, your script isn’t just entertainment, it’s basically a public service.
Ready to learn how to write the cozy drama? Join our next pilot class to learn the all elements that make up that binge-worthy cozy drama—from story structure, to compelling characters, to choosing that irresistible setting and much more.
Talia Gonzalez