What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Colonies
Jamie Taylor, Jeanette Morris · Book · 2021
If you loved The Colonies, start with Colony (Carlton Cuse, 2016) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Colonies across media.
What hooked you in The Colonies was the way a medical crisis forces families to confront their most difficult behavior.
Films on the same thread
Terms of Endearment
James L. Brooks · Film · 1983
Explores: Intergenerational Relationships, Finding Love Later in Life, Dealing with Loss.
Like The Colonies, this story centers on the complex, often strained bonds between family members as they navigate the devastating, life-altering reality of a terminal cancer diagnosis.
My Sister's Keeper
Nick Cassavetes · Film · 2009
Shares a thread with The Colonies: Family Drama.
The Colonies explores the intersection of illness and family duty, a theme mirrored here as parents make impossible ethical choices while struggling to save their dying child.
Stepmom
Chris Columbus · Film · 1998
Shares a thread with The Colonies: Family Drama.
This film echoes the emotional weight of The Colonies by examining how a terminal diagnosis forces fractured family members to set aside past grievances and find reconciliation.
A Monster Calls
J. A. Bayona · Film · 2016
Explores: Grief and Loss, Childhood Trauma, Escapism.
If you valued the raw perspective on family illness in The Colonies, this story provides a poignant look at how children cope with the trauma of losing a parent.
Series on the same thread
The Pitt
R. Scott Gemmill · Series · 2025
Explores: Underfunded Healthcare, Emergency Medicine, Trauma.
The intense, high-stakes atmosphere of a medical facility seen in The Colonies is central to this drama, highlighting the immense pressure placed on those working within healthcare.
Call the Midwife
Heidi Thomas · Series · 2012
Explores: Women's Issues, Community, Social Issues.
This period drama shares the focus on women navigating social and medical challenges found in The Colonies, emphasizing the vital role of community support during trying times.
Colony
Carlton Cuse · Series · 2016
Explores: Occupation, Collaboration vs. Resistance, Family Loyalty.
Much like the internal family strain depicted in The Colonies, this series explores how extreme external circumstances force families to make impossible decisions to ensure their survival.
Time
Jimmy McGovern · Series · 2021
Explores: Moral Dilemma, Redemption, Incarceration.
This narrative mirrors the tension of The Colonies by placing characters in a situation where they must reconcile their personal guilt with the reality of their confinement.
Podcasts on the same thread
Scamanda
Lionsgate Sound · Podcast · 2025
This podcast explores the deceptive reality of a cancer diagnosis, capturing the same complex emotional terrain and familial disruption that defines the central conflict of The Colonies.
Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark
Turning Point USA · Podcast · 2026
Explores: spiritual healing, cultural critique, natural remedies.
This show reflects the interest in health and wellness that grounds The Colonies, offering a platform to discuss the physical and emotional healing necessary during personal crises.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Colonies written by a single author?
No, The Colonies is a 2021 book co-authored by Jamie Taylor and Jeanette Morris. The narrative focuses on Dr. Emily McKiernan, the Queen of Gunderic, who is forced to intervene when her niece Frankie is detained at a courthouse.
What is the inciting conflict for Emily in The Colonies?
In The Colonies, Emily McKiernan is summoned to a courthouse to collect her niece Frankie. This situation is particularly stressful for Emily because her sister, Mackenzie, is currently battling a severe illness, leaving Emily to handle the family crisis alone.
How does Mackenzie's health affect the plot of The Colonies?
The illness of Mackenzie is a central concern in The Colonies. Emily is shocked by the speed at which her sister’s health has declined due to cancer, which complicates her ability to manage the unexpected legal trouble involving her niece Frankie.
Who is the protagonist of The Colonies?
The protagonist of The Colonies is Dr. Emily McKiernan, who also holds the title of Queen of Gunderic. The story follows her efforts to manage her niece Frankie's behavior while simultaneously dealing with her sister Mackenzie's rapidly deteriorating health condition.