12 TV Families We Loved in 2016

TV families have a way of making us grateful for our own crazy and sometimes intrusive, yet endearing families.

We love the universality that family dramas and comedies bring. Relationships are hard enough as it is, but add the element of permanence, and you have no choice but to make it work.

But dealing with family isn’t all bad — sometimes they’re pretty wonderful.

Here is a list of TV families we have loved in 2016.

1. The Villanuevas (Jane The Virgin)

The three Villanueva women have always been the embodiment of female support, encouragement, and love. Played with a perfect mix of humor and heart, Jane, Xo, and Alba argue with each other, cry together, and rejoice in each other (maybe doing all three in one scene!)

But the family would not be complete without their male counterparts. Who can resist Jane and Rogelio’s dance number at Jane’s wedding, or the sweet bromance between Rogelio and now son-in-law, Michael? And newlyweds Jane and Michael have been nothing short of magical.

No show depicts pure joy between loved ones quite like this one does.

2. The Johnsons (Black-ish)

The dynamic between the Johnsons is incredible, and the way Black-ish balances storylines for the individual family members and the family as a whole is done brilliantly. The love Dre and Bow have for each other is clear even through their disagreements.

We love how the kids are not rendered into stereotypes, but rather get to be much more than they seem at first glance.

Dre’s parents are a sure-fire source of laughs, and season 3 has introduced us to Bow’s hilarious brother Johan, who has a tendency to get on Dre’s nerves.

3. The Starks (Game of Thrones)

After spending years apart — scattered across Westeros and beyond — the remaining Stark siblings are finally inching closer to each other.

Season 6 of Game of Thrones saw major developments between a reunited Sansa and Jon, who, despite their miscommunication and brewing sibling rivalry, managed to take back their home, Winterfell.

Now with Bran back inside the walls, and Arya headed back to Westeros, hopefully a Stark homecoming is in the works. After all the pain and suffering the Starks have endured, they deserve a family reunion. We all do.

4. The Pearsons (This Is Us)

The breakout show of the season features one beautiful, messy family.

This Is Us follows the intricate history of the Pearsons, spanning different decades and featuring dual timelines, offering us the perspectives of two different generations.

The best part about watching the show, other than the stellar performances that give the characters an amazing amount of depth, is seeing how the past influences the present.  It makes us realize that no matter how well-intentioned our family members may be, they unwittingly contribute to our insecurities, our fears, and to the shaping of our identities, for better or for worse. (Sometimes, for worse).

5. The Bordelons (Queen Sugar)

Queen Sugar, a show about a Louisiana family that owns a sugarcane farm, is a stunning production.

After the death of their father, the Bordelon siblings are brought back together to continue his legacy, and in the process, connect with their family roots. The three siblings  are thoughtfully characterized, and are fascinating and complex.

The quiet, emotional drama offers a look into a black family that is nuanced, contemporary, and elegantly beautiful.

6. The DiMeos (Speechless)

Speechless is about the DiMeo family who move to a new school district so that the eldest son, JJ, who has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair, can go to an inclusive school.

Maya, is the mother who will do anything for her kids but has a sharp tongue. Jimmy is the parent doling out advice but he’s always up for a prank. JJ is witty and has a wicked sense of humor. The quintessential middle child, Ray, is sometimes the only sensible one in the family and Dylan is ultra-competitive and has a penchant for torturing Ray.

The DiMeos are a family who we cannot only relate to, but want to be a part of. They handle sensitive topics with honesty and hilarity.

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