The Bold Type is back, but it’s bittersweet. The show is on its fifth and final season and consists of only six episodes. Since 2017, The Bold Type has been following best friends Jane Sloan, Sutton Brady, and Kat Edison as they navigate their careers, friendships, and love lives while working for Scarlet Magazine. There’s drama. So much drama. But in the best way possible. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll gasp, you’ll get everything you need from The Bold Type this summer.
The Bold Type is a true gem of a show that covers difficult, yet powerful, situations with grace, while still managing to keep it all lighthearted and inspirational. The show centers on major themes of going after what you want and learning from your mistakes, while also tying in topics surrounding feminism, politics, sexual assault, health issues, and sexual identity. Just about everyone in The Bold Type endures struggles and makes mistakes, but the show makes a point of acknowledging those mistakes by having characters learn, grow, and move on from them. While certain topics may not be easy for some viewers to watch, the show remains rather upbeat and optimistic. Characters bury their fears and take risks, bearing the burdens or reaping the benefits of their actions.
Jane is a strong writer, dedicated to authentic storytelling. She refuses to give up on her leads, pursuing every available avenue while practicing compassion and understanding as she interviews her sources. Jane always strives to get the story right, but if she is unable to for any reason, she owns up to it.
Kat is Scarlet’s head of social media and never shies away from voicing her opinions. Over the course of the show, Kat explores her sexuality and fights for social justice. She stands up for herself and countless others who don’t have the same ability.
Sutton has hopeless dreams of working in fashion and decides to risk it all by taking a low-paying job she has no professional experience in. Sutton is as ambitious as it gets and gradually works her way up in her career, proving that you don’t always need formal qualifications to make it in something you’re passionate about.
Personally, I related most to Sutton and gained some perspective pertaining to my own career goals. Having always adored fashion and writing, I’ve dreamt of working for a magazine like Scarlet and felt inspired by the relentlessly bold ladies on the show. Not to mention their outfits are to die for. While The Bold Type may be somewhat unrealistic in regards to how glamorous working at a women’s magazine may be (hanging out in fashion closets isn’t a real thing, right?), it remains the perfect feel-good show of the summer with some genuine, teachable moments.
The Bold Type is available to stream on Hulu and new episodes air Wednesdays at 7 pm PT/ 10 pm EST on Freeform.