These TV shows will replace your friends.

There's something so comforting about watching real, complex female relationships play out on the screen. Especially when you're at home, by yourself, no distractions, wearing your comfiest trackies, nursing a pizza or a tub of ice cream.

In a recent episode of The Spill, hosts Laura Brodnik and Charlie Begg opened up an interesting conversation about why female-led shows with strong storylines centred around the intricacies of friendship are so beloved. Borne out of frustration from seeing one too many TV series where female characters are completely two-dimensional or meet a gruesome demise, we're collectively crying out for more shows that tell our stories — warts and all.

Listen to Laura and Charlie talk best-female-friends shows. Post continues below. 

Here are some of our favourite female-led shows about friendships — let's watch them, celebrate them and keep hoping for more like them in the future.

Girls5eva.

The cast of Girls5eva. Image: Netflix.

"It was like this warm hug because it's so rare that you see TV shows that are so centred on not just four female leads but their friendships. The warmth, the humour, the complexities of it. It just made me so happy and it's not something we see very often." — Laura

Sex and the City.

The cast of Sex and the City. Image: HBO.

"It is the show that really, for so many women, is the pinnacle of the female friendship that you want." — Charlie

Watch: And Just Like That... A New Chapter Of Sex And The City. Story continues below.

Broad City.

Broad City has been the show I go to when I need a good laugh... Or to feel like I am not alone in being a complete mess. Image: Stan.

"They go on these absurdist adventures but the heart of it is always that their friendship is at the core." — Laura

Firefly Lane.

Katherine Heigl in Firefly Lane. Image: Netflix. 

"Long-term friendships are complex and move through many seasons. Sometimes they will break your heart but also fill your soul. These two go through it all and always come back to each other." — Claire

Dead to Me.

Image: Netflix.

"I just love that you can find this crazy new friendship in your forties and it is so complex between these women. Obviously this massive secret comes out between them but it doesn't change where their friendship is. They become each other's ride or die. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are so good in it." — Laura

Hacks.

Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in Hacks. Image: HBO.

"There are a lot of things I love about Hacks but I think my favourite part about this show is the friendship between Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder). While their characters will never admit it, they found a really special connection through through their professional relationship — the most unlikely of friends. But it works. Sometimes. Because hey, friendships are complicated and messy and ultimately so enriching." — Lisa

Harlem.

The cast of Harlem. Image: Amazon Prime.

 "I loved watching four ambitious strong women in Harlem supporting one another." — Megan

Everything I Know About Love.

Image: Stan.

"OBSESSED with the female friendships portrayed in that show, and their depiction of 20-something female share house living. So much dance choreography, so much joy." — Pip

Friends.

Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow in Friends. Image: NBC.

"This is really basic but I love the female friendships in Friends. It captures the funny, playful but always has-your-back type of female friendships. Always makes me think of my own friends and think I'm really lucky." — Helena

The Bold Type.

 Aisha Dee as Kat Edison, Katie Stevens as Jane Sloan and Meghann Fahy as Sutton Brady in The Bold Type. Image: Stan. 

"Centred on three besties working in an online women's magazine, it's a feel-good show with lots of life, love and career advice. This is the show I've rewatched more than once." — Diane

Feature Image: HBO/Amazon Prime/NBC/Netflix.