Fate: The Winx Saga
Parents say
Based on 12 reviews
Kids say
Based on 37 reviews
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Fate: The Winx Saga
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Fate: The Winx Saga is a live-action reimagining of the 2004 animated fantasy series Winx Club. While the original was a tween-targeted cartoon, this take is a much darker teen drama. Conflict is created by magical powers and dangerous creatures, resulting in scary images of monsters and bloody corpses. Knives, swords, and other weapons are visible both in training sessions and in fight scenes. There's lots of romantic tension and sexuality, ranging from flirtation and talk of "shagging" (aka hooking up) to couples sleeping in bed together. Language includes "hell," "bitch," "bollocks," "a--hole," and "s--t." Teens drink and smoke pot. Despite the iffy content, the show also has a strong theme of camaraderie, especially between main character Bloom (Abigail Cowen) and her roommates.
Community Reviews
Great show but a bit too much smoking and drinking
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What's the Story?
The young adult fantasy series FATE: THE WINX SAGA is a live-action reimagining of the 2004 animated series Winx Club. When 16-year-old Bloom (Abigail Cowen) discovers that she has fiery powers, she is summoned by headmistress Farah Dowling (Eve Best) to Alfea, a magical boarding school in the Otherworld of Solaria to study among other fairies. There she meets water fairy Aisha (Precious Mustapha), earth fairy Terra (Eliot Salt), mind fairy Musa (Elisha Applebaum), and Stella (Hannah van der Westhuysen), a light fairy who comes from a legacy of magical royalty. She also meets specialists like Sky (Danny Griffin) who are training with warrior Saul Silva (Robert James-Collier) to serve as the first line of defense against the powerful enemies in their realm. While Bloom learns more about her powers and where she comes from, the dangers lurking around the school continue to grow.
Is It Any Good?
This loose adaptation of the kids' fantasy series offers the wizarding-type boarding school fun of the Harry Potter franchise with the darker teen themes featured on shows like Riverdale. Bloom's story is both interesting and complicated, and the interactions between the young women, though occasionally melodramatic, often show the girls empowered and strong.
Fans of the original animated series might be disappointed by all the adolescent angst. Some may also take issue with the fact that this version isn't as diverse as the original. But despite these issues, Fate: The Winx Saga offers a story world that is easy to escape into, and easy to get caught up in, if you're looking for a fantastical universe to explore.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Bloom and her roommates. They each have magical powers, but what really makes them strong young women? How do they support each other when things get tough?
Why do you think the cast of Fate: The Winx Saga looks so different from the characters in the original series? What message does this send about diversity on TV? What do you think would make it more inclusive?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 22, 2021
- Cast: Abigail Cowen, Eve Best, Robert James-Collier
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Friendship, High School, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: June 7, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Three witchy women flirt and fight evil; teens OK.
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The Vampire Diaries
Blood, violence are the real draw in angsty vampire drama.
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Legacies
Vampire spin-off has new characters, violence, sexiness.
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