Common Sense Media Review
By Polly Conway
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Edgy but heartfelt British coming-of-age tale wows.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My Mad Fat Diary
What's the Story?
MY MAD FAT DIARY emerges with 15-year-old Rae Earl (Sharon Rooney) as she begins her first day out of the psychiatric hospital, where she's spent the better part of a year recovering from a suicide attempt. Coming back to the real world isn't easy—there's her enabling but well-meaning mom (Claire Rushbrook) to deal with, plus a school full of peers who think she's simply been vacationing in France. That includes her beautiful, spoiled best friend, Chloe (Jodie Comer), and a new crew that includes goofball Chop (Jordan Murphy), handsome Archie (Dan Cohen), and aloof but charming Finn (Nico Mirallegro). When readjusting gets tough, Rae has hospital bestie Tix (Sophie Wright) and kind psychologist Kester (Ian Hart) to help her process the challenging world around her.
Is It Any Good?
This outstanding series is a must-watch journey into the teen mind. My Mad Fat Diary, pitch-perfectly played by Rooney, is both hilarious and devastating. Viewers will find themselves sucked into the roller coaster of teenage angst and triumph (notably, her budding romance with Finn is a delight to watch unfold). A soundtrack of mid-1990s Britpop hits (think Oasis) grounds the series in a particular time and place, although the issues addressed are pretty much timeless.
Very few shows deal with mental health and body issues as well as My Mad Fat Diary; in one poignant scene, Rae "unzips" herself and steps out to reveal a smaller body, an image that many teens dealing with the pressure to be thin can relate to. Rae also isn't perfect—as viewers root for her to succeed on her journey to well-being, she makes a lot of cringeworthy missteps. But she always moves forward, despite being surrounded by a community that makes fun of her weight. This show is nearly impossible not to binge-watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Rae's transition from the hospital to her home in My Mad Fat Diary. What kinds of challenges does she face? How does she handle temptation to return to old habits?
Families can talk about friendship. How do Rae's new friends help her? What are the most important qualities in a friend?
Does this show address mental health differently from other shows you've seen? How?
How do the characters in My Mad Fat Diary demonstrate compassion, empathy, and courage? What about perseverance and self-control? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 6, 2015
- Cast : Sharon Rooney , Claire Rushbrook
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Self-control
- TV rating :
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 21, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate