Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Family love and acceptance, lots of romance in sweet series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Everything's Gonna Be Okay
What's the Story?
In EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE OKAY, Nicholas' (Josh Thomas) life is already messy when he learns that his dad (Christopher May) has terminal cancer and agrees to act as guardian for his teen half-sisters, Matilda (Kayla Cromer) and Genevieve (Maeve Press). Willing but inexperienced, Nicholas doesn't know his sisters that well, and their relationships are complicated by Matilda's autism and both sisters' grief over their father's death. It isn't a perfect situation, but the family is stuck with it, so they may as well make the best of it.
Is It Any Good?
Sweet without being saccharine, beautiful without turning pretentious, and charming without leaning cutesy, this found-family series is a treat. Everything's Gonna Be Okay imagines a world in which its characters are far from perfect, but they're accepted and loved anyway, quirks, downsides, and all. With her characteristic bluntness, Matilda is perhaps the most captivating of the show's core sibling trio. When she tells little sis Genevieve that she plans to ask out her crush and is informed that she doesn't know said crush well enough to ask him on a date yet, Matilda's bold enough to march right up to the crush at lunchtime where he's sitting with a crowd of cool-kid male friends and unleash a volley of questions about him. On a nastier, more typical show, this would have been the moment his friends would have sniggered, and he might have mocked Matilda. Instead, he appreciates Matilda, summing her up: "You're awesome." And Matilda's so happy that she dances away.
The show highlights a range of disabilities that make characters rich, interesting, and complex. It also leans into representing a variety of LGBTQ+ identities and romantic relationships. Serious topics like suicide and rape are addressed in thoughtful ways, with hard conversations shaped by gentle humor through family members who truly love one another. A world in which limitations are recognized and faced honestly and where characters work together to figure out—and then get—what they need? Sign us up, we're all in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why parents are often absent in stories about teens and young children like Everything's Gonna Be Okay. What types of storytelling would the presence of parents inhibit? What types of dilemmas do children and teens find themselves in when they must act as their own authority? Does this show make its situation look challenging? Glamorous? Both?
This show was created by Josh Thomas, who plays Nicholas. Is it common for actors to write shows they can star in? Why would creators want to create roles for themselves? Are these roles generally central? Sympathetic? Why?
How do Nicholas, Genevieve, and Matilda show teamwork and self-control? Why do you think these are important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 16, 2020
- Cast : Adam Faison , Maeve Press , Kayla Cromer , Josh Thomas
- Network : Freeform
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Self-control , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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