Say hello to your new binge-worthy watch: The Bold Type

We all get those recommendations pop up on our Netflix home page, the emails and even WhatsApp messages these days, but when I saw the poster for The Bold Type one evening, I thought … yes, this gives me Emily in Paris vibes – let’s give it a go.

What is The Bold Type?

The Bold Type is a drama series, following the lives of 3 mid-twenties women working at a top fashion magazine in New York. It sounds like your typical chick-flick vibe of a series, and that’s exactly what it is, but more. The show has both style and substance, but in all honestly more substance than style. Considering the backdrop is a fashion magazine, you’re probably expecting to see countless photoshoots and stories revolving around garments and designers, but that’s not really what you’re going to get. TBT focuses on real issues and topics of conversation for women right now.

Relatable Characters

There isn’t an air of females tearing each other down in a catty culture or toxic work environment which is refreshing. It’s something we’re so used to seeing on TV and in films all the time, but TBT is different from others of its rom-com drama-type genre. The characters and the lives they lead are fully relatable and you can see yourself and your friends in the characters on screen.

Image: The New York Times– Left to right Meghann Fahy plays Sutton, Katie Stevens plays Jane and Aisha Dee who plays Kat.

The protagonists aren’t just thrust into incredible high-power jobs with incredible wardrobes and the pay packets to match, they have varying roles within Scarlett magazine, portraying a more accurate set up compared to other TV shows. Sure, there are some aspects to question like their decent-sized Manhattan apartments, but we can rule that out on the grounds that its ‘just a TV show’ and the quality of the content is more important than aesthetic.

The only real questionable aspect of the show for me is the friendly, Mothering relationship some of the characters have with the Editor in Chief, Jacqueline Carlyle. While some of us may have this real-life friendship with our Manager, based on real-life experience and what we see in film and TV, I do find it hard to believe these women would be almost-besties with the Editor in real life. But again, its something I’m willing to let go of because it’s nice to see not all women in power are portrayed as a Miranda Priestly.

In The Bold Type, we meet Sutton, an assistant, Jane, a writer and Kat, the Head of Social Media, all roles I can identify with and have had experience in too. Maybe it’s one of the reasons I became so hooked on the show from episode one.

Exploring real themes

Diversity, inclusivity and exploring real issues that millennials face today work their way into every episode, with characters exploring their identity, sexuality, race, religion and who they are or want to be. I really don’t want to give one ounce of the show away because I’m sure it’s one you’ll enjoy, but the themes really will resonate with so many viewers.

Watching the series so far, it’s already explored a range of important, current topics proving that it’s not just a show about working at a magazine at all. In TBT you’ll journey with the characters exploring the following:

• Friendships
• Careers & unemployment
• Racism
• Health conditions
• Sexuality
• Abuse
• Open relationships
• Families
• Gun crime
• Fertility
• Social media scandals
• MeToo
• Politics

If you liked…

Maybe it’s because I love a good female-focused show, maybe I see some of myself in some of the characters, or it’s just because it feels like a genuinely relatable set-up, but I’d highly recommend The Bold Type to anyone looking for a new binge-worthy series right now. The fact that these women work at a magazine and one of them is a writer is what made me want to write a blog about it.

If you liked any of the following series or films, you’ll certainly enjoy The Bold Type:

• Emily in Paris
• Gossip Girl
• Sex and the City
• The Carrie Diaries
• Ugly Betty
• Lipstick Jungle
• The Devil Wears Prada
• 27 Dresses
• Crazy Stupid Love
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

The Bold Type is now streaming all 4 series on Netflix.