Parents' Guide to

The Bold Type

By Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Strong, ambitious young women in fun, frothy fashion series.

TV Freeform Drama 2017
The Bold Type Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • The Bold Type TV Show: Scene #1
  • The Bold Type TV Show: Scene #2
  • The Bold Type TV Show: Scene #3
  • The Bold Type TV Show: Scene #4

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 5 parent reviews

SarahMiller008
SarahMiller008 Adult
May 21, 2020
age 18+

Honesty

My guilty pleasure is watching different television dramas shows. I am a sucker for a good tearjerker or a heartfelt romance. I watch everything from drama to action. One show that I got into for a while was called The Bold Type. It takes place in New York and follows three different women as they work for a fashion magazine. The show empowers women and is very pro-feminism. Some of the high points in the show and how they relate to the 7 Catholic key media platforms are, standing up for what is right despite the cost, empowering women, and being friendly to everyone. Some of the cons are the misuse of information. It touches on abortion and how health clinics are terrible places and how Plan Parenthood is fantastic and provides health care to women like mammograms. That information is false and has been proven time and time again https://www.sba-list.org/newsroom/press-releases/undercover-phone-calls…. Knowing what we know about how we should interact on social media and how these shows reach thousands of viewers, TV recorder show provide accurate information to inform their audience on the truth.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Susan K.
Susan K. Adult
September 24, 2017
age 13+

educational and honest

Parents should know that The Bold Type may have a few sexual references but nothing more than teens would normally hear in everyday life. That being said, this show is unique and necessary in the way of educating teens for their futures as independent women in society. I am normally more conservative when it comes to letting my 13 year old daughter watch tv shows on freeform or abc, but this is a much needed coming of age lesson, and I believe it is able to reach my daughter in a way I am not always able to.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the fashion world, Scarlet magazine reigns supreme -- and at Scarlet, editor-in-chief Jacqueline (Melora Hardin) has her own supreme reign, directing her magazine's visuals and editorial content with an iron hand. It takes a lot to impress her, and only THE BOLD TYPE can succeed in this high-pressure, high-fashion milieu. Jane (Katie Stevens), Kat (Aisha Dee), and Sutton (Meghann Fahy) started together at Scarlet as assistants. Now Jane has just been promoted to a writing position, while Kat has risen to the magazine's social media manager; Sutton is still doing time as an assistant. She envies her friends, yet a hot affair with Scarlet legal counsel Dick Mott (Sam Page) is taking up some of the time she might use to impress her bosses. Meanwhile, Jane and Kat have their own problems -- respectively, Jane's need to prove that Jacqueline's promotion wasn't a mistake, and Kat's confusing feelings for a female photographer. Can these friends succeed in life and love while moving ahead at work?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (9):

In a medium where young women are too often gossipy girls or pretty little liars, it's refreshing to see deeper characters in a (still soapy!) workplace drama. Jane, Sutton, and Kat are presented to viewers as a sort of teen-friendly take on the ensemble of female friends most famously typified by the Sex and the City gang, though their characterizations are subtle and skillful enough that the characters don't break down easily into stereotypes ("the smart one," "the sexy one"). Each woman is working her way up the publishing ladder while at the same time dealing with romantic attachments.

But what's notable about The Bold Type is that the romantic entanglements are only part of these women's lives, not the end-all, be-all. There's just as much drama in Jane pitching a story idea at a meeting as in the moment when she runs into her ex. Like real women, these characters lead full, rich, and complicated lives.

It's good stuff -- despite the fact that Hardin's Jacqueline (saddled with the world's worst wig) seems to have been cast as a sort of unrealistically Willy Wonka-esque mentor to her employees. Memo to young women: Your boss may very well assign you work and then check up on your progress. But it's unlikely she'll put off a call from Beyoncé to check in on how your breakup is going. Since this series was inspired by a real-life fashion editor, it's not surprising that the boss is painted in such glowing tones -- but it does detract from the fun. A Miranda Priestly type may be a bit of a cliché, but without an antagonistic boss, the antics of our three she-roes loses a bit of excitement. Nonetheless, teens will enjoy watching -- and parents may like the show enough to watch along.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Jane, Kat, and Sutton show perseverance and teamwork in The Bold Type to succeed in a competitive industry. What qualities does each have that make them keep striving and occasionally scoring? Why are these important character strengths?

  • Families also can talk about how many dramas and comedies are set in a high-fashion milieu. What is attractive or compelling about this setting? Is it the presence of young female characters who hope to succeed in business (while looking stylish and gorgeous)? How is this show like or different from other movies and TV shows about young women who work in fashion, such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Carrie Diaries, or Ugly Betty?

  • What role do friends have in one's life? Do they sometimes take the place of family? Why?

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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