7 Psychological Dramas to Watch While You Wait for the Release of Wayward

Psychological dramas offer audiences deep explorations of complex character development and the human mind. These shows dive into emotional conflicts, mental states, and psychological mysteries that keep viewers engaged.

The genre focuses on internal struggles rather than external action. Psychological dramas create stress through mental processes and character psychology. They examine how people feel, think, and react under pressure. The best psychological dramas leave audiences questioning human nature and reality.

Wayward is Netflix's upcoming psychological thriller that explores the intense side of the troubled teen industry. The show is set in a scenic town called Tall Pines with evil secrets. A small town police suspect that the local school for chaotic teens and its risky charismatic founder may not be all it looks.

The series follows teens who find disturbing truths about their treatment facility. Mae Martin creates the show, which stars Toni Collette as the mysterious headmistress. While waiting for this thrilling psychological drama, here are seven similar shows.

The Sinner, Sharp Objects, Dark, and four other psychological dramas to watch while waiting for Wayward

1) Sharp Objects

A still from the show (Image via Apple TV)

The show follows journalist Camille Preaker, who returns to her hometown to cover a series of murders. She investigates the deaths of two young girls while dealing with her own psychological stress. The series explores themes of family dysfunction, self-harm, and hidden memories. Camille struggles with alcoholism and a history of cutting herself.

His unhealthy relationship with her mother, Adora, adds another layer of psychological complication. The show reveals how childhood behaviour and trauma affect. Amy Adams delivers a compelling performance as the troubled journalist. This psychological drama displays how past wounds never fully heal.

Sharp Objects is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.

2) The Sinner

A still from the movie (Image via Apple TV)

This is an anthology series where every season follows Detective Harry Ambrose investigating unusual crimes. The series focuses on the psychological motivations behind seemingly inexplicable acts of chaos.

Every case reveals suppressed memories and hidden traumas that drive people to commit unexplainable crimes. Detective Ambrose himself struggles with his psychological conflict throughout the show.

The first season features a young mother who suddenly murders at a beach picnic. The investigation unfolds a web of psychological abuse and manipulation. This psychological drama displays how buried trauma can explode unexpectedly.

The show is available on Netflix for viewers to watch.

Also See: 7 crime shows to watch if you loved 'Ballard'

3) Mindhunter

A still from the movie (Image via Netflix)

The show follows FBI agents in the late 1970s who interview imprisoned serial killers to resolve an ongoing case. The show explores criminal psychology and the early days of psychological profiling. Agents Bill Tench and Holden Ford study the minds of infamous killers like Charles Manson and Edmund Kemper.

The series examines how comprehending criminal psychology can help solve murders. The agents struggle with the psychological toll of their work. Their personal lives suffer as they dig deeper into the minds of murderers. This psychological drama reveals the thin line between understanding and being consumed by it.

The show is available on Netflix for viewers to watch.

4) Dark

A still from the show (Image via Netflix)

The show blends psychological complexity and time travel. The series follows four families in a small city where children start to disappear under mysterious circumstances across different time periods.

Every character encounters psychological challenges related to loss, guilt, and destiny. The show explores how trauma echoes across timelines and generations. The character struggles with the weight of knowing their predetermined fate.

Additionally, psychological manipulation and family secrets span multiple decades. The complicated narrative structure mirrors the chaos of the characters. This psychological drama displays how the present, past, and future are psychologically connected.

This show is available on Netflix for viewers to watch.

5) Severance

The premise of this series follows employees who undergo a procedure to separate their personal and work memories. The series explores themes of memory, corporate control, and identity over human psychology. The workers have no memory of their outside life while they are stuck at work, and vice versa. The show examines what happens when consciousness is divided artificially.

The characters struggle with questions about their real identity and purpose. The workplace becomes a psychological prison for employees who cannot access themselves. This psychological drama raises questions about free will, identity, and memory.

Severance is available on Apple TV+ for viewers to watch.

6) Mare of Easttown

The premise of the show follows detective Mare Sheehan investigating a local murder while dealing with personal loss. The show explores how trauma influences individual psychology and an entire community. Mare struggles with guilt over the suicide of her son and the breakdown of her family.

The investigation forces her to confront sad truths about herself and her town. The series examines how loss and grief shape psychological responses to chaos and stress. Small-town secrets and family dysfunction create an additional psychological burden. Kate Winslet delivers a nuanced performance as the psychologically complicated detective.

Mare of Easttown is available for viewers to watch on Amazon Prime.

Also See: What is the connection between Task season 1 and Mare of Easttown series? Details explored

7) True Detective

This anthology series features a unit of detectives solving complicated cases across several timelines. Every season explores the psychological toll of investigating chaotic crimes.

The detective very often becomes psychologically entangled with their cases in toxic ways. The first season follows Rust Cohle, a detective with an eccentric philosophical worldview who goes after a serial killer.

His psychological complications drive the story as much as the mystery itself. The show displays how investigating evil can corrupt the mental condition of investigators. This psychological drama showcases the cost of confronting human darkness.

This show is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.

Also See:7 Mystery Shows to Watch if You Liked Netflix's 'Under a Dark Sun'

These psychological dramas offer complicated character studies and mental mysteries while the viewers wait for Wayward. Every production explores different aspects of trauma and human psychology. They provide depth and complexity similar to what Wayward promises to deliver.

About the author

Mannjari Gupta is a Listicle writer in the entertainment division at Sportskeeda. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and brings four years of experience in digital media, having worked with platforms like Pocket FM, Pepper Content, FilmyFiles, and BookGeeks.

Mannjari's passion for her field is driven by her belief that different genres fuel her imagination, enhancing her writing skills. She prioritizes thorough research and ethical reporting, ensuring that her articles reflect factual information rather than personal opinions.

Fascinated by powerful female-led empires, she admires figures like the Kardashians and Martha Stewart for their ability to redefine influence and build lasting legacies. If given a time machine, she'd delve into the Kardashian universe, not for the drama but to witness their ability to transform criticism into entrepreneurial success.

Outside of writing, Mannjari is a trained classical dancer specializing in Kathak. She also enjoys reading and relaxing during her leisure time.

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Edited by Mannjari Gupta