Kerr Smith as Jack McPhee pioneered one of TVs early nuanced portrayals of a gay teen.

Nathan and Lucas are forced to face each other, being in the same grade and both pursuing basketball.

Their lives become more entangled as Lucas and Nathans inner circles collide.

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Image by Federico Napoli

One Tree Hillstands out for its authentic character development and wildly entertaining plotlines.

It portrays relatable, albeit melodramatic, teenage strugglesacademics, relationships, and family dynamics in a small town.

Brookes character development in particular is incredible, making her a fan favorite.

Joey and Dawson from Dawson’s Creek staring at each other

Throughout its fourteen-season run,Degrassiintroduced new characters, and it brought back familiar faces from pastDegrassiseries.

Degrassi: The Next Generationset itself apartby confronting the complexities of adolescence with honesty.

In contrast, other teen shows, especially of the time, tend to cast adults to play teens.

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Veronica Marsis unique among teen shows for its blend of noir-inspired mystery with sharp social commentaryand emotion.

Clever and resilient, the teen detective Veronica is shaped by trauma yet unyielding in her pursuit of justice.

Langer), complicated by her romantic interest in Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto).

Sophia Bush as Brooke and Hilarie Burton as Peyton smiling in One Tree Hill

Image via The WB/CW

Theshort-lived but powerful seriesexplored therawness of being a teenager without preachy lessonswrung from the plots.

The show marked a transition from soapy teen shows into ones grounded in the angsty reality of adolescence.

Its brilliance lies in portraying high school life as a journey of small, meaningful struggles.

One Tree Hill Movie Poster

3’The O.C.'

The O.C.is the ultimate summer show, set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Newport Beach.

But the seriesstands out for its understated comedywitty and self-aware.

Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins and Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen wearing football jerseys in Friday Night Lights.

Image via NBC

90210launched a new eraof teen television by weaving togetherglossy escapism and serious, socially relevant storytelling.

Tackling everything from substance use disorders to racism, it aimed to strike a balance between entertainment and reflection.

Buffy the Vampire Slayerrevolutionized teen televisionwith its unique supernatural elements combined with relatable teen and general human struggles.

Friday Night Lights TV Poster

Unlike several teen shows ofBuffys time, it holds up remarkably well and is as relevant as ever.

NEXT:Teen Movies That Are Almost Perfect

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Kristen Bell as ‘Veronica Mars’.

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Angela Chase looking at the camera while standing next to the school lockers in My So-Called Life

Image via ABC

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The cast of Freaks and Geeks

Image via NBC

Freaks and Geeks TV Poster

Seth (Adam Brody), Summer (Rachel Bilson), Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Marissa (Mischa Barton) graduate on ‘The O.C.'

Image via Fox

The OC TV Poster

Four members of the cast sit on the ground and eat a meal together in Beverly Hills 90210.

Image via Fox

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The cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer pose for a photo in front of a Gothic building set.

Image via The WB

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Poster

Buffy the Vampire Slayer