10 Teen Dramas That Are Actually Good Television Shows

3. Veronica Mars

It's next to impossible to make the concept of a teen girl detective not feel like a gimmick (our first thought is Mary Kate and Ashley's "We'll solve any crime by dinnertime!"), but Veronica Mars manages to pull it off. It's the story of a young woman whose life is turned upside down after her best friend is murdered and she is raped. Her father loses his job as the town's sheriff after accusing a prominent businessman of the murder, and together they start a private investigation agency. And as dark and gloomy as the show sounds, it's actually incredibly entertaining. The writers have a smart sense of humor, and there is an ensemble of characters that the audience quickly grows attached to. But the real reason to watch Veronica Mars is the show's title character, played by Kristen Bell -- she turns in a phenomenal performance full of intelligence and charm, one that effectively acted as her breakout role in Hollywood.