Parents' Guide to

Alexa & Katie

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Relatable teen dramedy centers on a solid female friendship.

TV Netflix Comedy 2018
Alexa & Katie TV Poster

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 8+

Based on 33 parent reviews

Jamie810
Jamie810 Adult
June 30, 2021
age 10+

The Snark will Bite

Yes, it is a sweet premise, but like many Disney Channel shows, the banter is so quick and snarky it will impact your kid.
3 people found this helpful.
Kld4413
Kld4413 Adult
September 7, 2020
age 9+

Finally, something the whole family can watch!

I am hesitant to watch "Netflix originals," as they all seem to have some sort of progressive agenda. I started watching this with my almost 10 year old and we are both loving it! I'm cautious with shows where the main characters are teenagers because they often end up boy-crazy or overly obsessed with their appearance, but this show focuses on family and how to be a good friend, while giving a realistic view of life. No "teen" issues like drinking, drugs, or sex are ever discussed (note that the parents are seen drinking wine often, but I didn't think it was a big deal-- and my family doesn't drink at all). Alexa and Kate are good role models for my daughter and their parents and brothers are entertaining to the rest of our household.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
2 people found this helpful.
See all 33 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's hard enough starting out as a freshman in high school. But to make things even scarier, ALEXA & KATIE have secrets: Alexa (Paris Berelc) has cancer, and Katie (Isabel May) isn't sure how to be there for her longtime best friend and is terrified she's going to lose her. But time waits for no girl, and so these two teens have to face what comes -- together. Tiffani Thiessen stars as Alexa's scared-but-supportive mom.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (33):
Kids say (142):

With a sweet teen-soap tone that lightens up the heaviness of a main character in cancer treatment, this dramedy goes down easier than you'd expect. Supportive (and believable!) female friendships are rare on TV; more often than not, female characters are in competition or just co-existing on the same screen. So when Alexa and Katie show their friendship in tangible ways, like when Katie shaves her head in solidarity with Alexa's chemo hair loss, or when Alexa tags a sign "Alexa + K8tie 4ever," viewers with their own real-life sisterly friendships will feel a tingle of recognition -- and the thrill of seeing part of themselves represented.

When other characters show up on the screen, things are a little less fresh. Alexa has a mean-girls rivalry with classmate Gwenny Thompson (Kerri Medders); Alexa's brother Lucas (Emery Kelly) is a textbook big-brother hunk who Katie predictably pines over; the girls' parents are more types than people and they don't speak, they quip. The show's visuals, too, have a bright and artificial look that may remind some viewers of Disney Channel sitcoms -- fittingly, since creator Heather Wordham worked on Hannah Montana. Alexa & Katie, like Montana, is a sanitized but better-than-it-has-to-be series for tweens -- if you have some at your house, see what they think.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Alexa's fear that her peers will react differently to her when they find out she has cancer. How can we be true to ourselves and also feel like we're fitting in and part of a peer group? What would you do in Alexa's shoes? Would you feel the same urgency to keep your illness secret?

  • Families can talk about how friends relate to each other. Kids: Do you think the characters' relationships in Alexa & Katie are realistic? If you have a best friend or a group of friends, how are the show's characters similar to you and friend? How are they different?

  • How do the characters on Alexa & Katie demonstrate compassion and empathy? Why are those important character strengths?

  • Kids: What do Alexa and Katie do to model compassion or to show kindness and caring? What are some ways that you show your kindness and caring? How can you grow or better show your compassion -- can you think of more people you can show concern for or more ways that you can help out? For example, are there any kids in your school who could use a good friend? What kindness could you show them?

TV Details

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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