The Ultimate List of Must-Watch Shows Similar to The Bold Type

Content: TV shows like The Bold Type showcase the power of female friendships as they explore the personal and professional challenges faced by their characters. The series first aired on Freeform in 2017, with its final season premiering in 2021. The show revolves around best friends Kat Eidson (played by Aisha Dee), Jane Sloan (played by Katie Stevens), and Sutton Brady (played by Meghann Fahy), who all work at Scarlet magazine. As the series unfolds, these three characters, all early in their careers, undergo personal growth and gain a deeper understanding of their aspirations in life.

The Bold Type garnered positive reviews and a dedicated fanbase throughout its run, thanks to its realistic yet uplifting portrayal of millennial women. Jane, Kat, and Sutton navigate the challenges of dating, health concerns, and setbacks in their careers. Despite delving into heavy themes, the show never compromised its light-hearted tone, making it an enjoyable watch due to the endearing nature of its characters. While The Bold Type had its own distinctive style, there are numerous other remarkable TV shows that also focus on young women navigating the complexities of adulthood.

10 Broad City (2014-2019)

Broad City revolves around the lives of Ilana Wexler (Ilana Glazer) and Abbi Abrams (Abbi Jacobson), two best friends who are highly reliant on each other. Originally a web series created by Glazer and Jacobson, the show was picked up by Comedy Central with Amy Poehler as an executive producer. Broad City garnered praise for its exploration of female friendship and sexuality. Additionally, it presents a more authentic depiction of life in New York City, addressing the challenges of apartment size and navigating the city. In this aspect, Broad City shares similarities with The Bold Type, particularly in the heartfelt bond between Ilana and Abbi, which mirrors the friendship among Sutton, Jane, and Kat. The show is available for streaming on Hulu and Paramount Plus.

9 Never Have I Ever (2020-2023)

Stream the Netflix series "Never Have I Ever," created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. The show follows Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a grieving high school student coping with the sudden loss of her father (Sendhil Ramamurthy). A captivating love triangle unfolds between Devi, her academic rival Ben (Jaren Lewison), and popular student Paxton (Darren Barnet). Despite its high school setting, the series delves into diverse themes such as grief, mental health, sexuality, and complicated parent relationships. Watch now on Netflix.

8 Grown-ish (2018-present)

Grown-ish, a spin-off of the ABC sitcom Black-ish, airs on Freeform. The show follows Zoey and Junior Johnson as they leave home to attend college at different times, navigating the challenges of adulthood. Similar to Sutton in The Bold Type, Zoey aspires to succeed in the fashion industry. Both Grown-ish and The Bold Type, created by Freeform, target the same age group and share similar tones and story arcs. Stream Grown-ish on Hulu and Disney Plus.

7 Sex and the City (1996-2004)

Stream the iconic TV series Sex and the City on Max. Follow the romantic journeys of Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte, four single women in their 30s navigating love and relationships in the bustling city of New York. Despite being criticized for its lack of diversity and outdated themes, Sex and the City still captivates with its glamorous New York backdrop and fashion-forward focus. Much like The Bold Type, this series celebrates the power of female friendship and showcases women with contrasting personalities.

6 Ugly Betty (2006-2010)

The ABC sitcom Ugly Betty brought America Ferrera into the spotlight with her depiction of the main character, Betty Suarez. In the series, Betty is a young professional who secures a position at the fashion magazine called Mode. Due to her lack of fashion sense, Betty often faces hostility from her colleagues. Ugly Betty and The Bold Type share similarities as both shows are set in prestigious magazine offices and revolve around the protagonists' attempts to juggle their professional and personal lives.

Streamable on Hulu.

5 Emily in Paris (2020-present)

Emily in Paris, a Netflix series, follows the story of Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), a marketing professional who relocates to Paris temporarily for work. In the enchanting City of Love, Emily encounters the challenge of adapting to the culture and navigating her love life, including her intricate connection with her neighbor Gabriel (Lucas Bravo). Similar to The Bold Type, Emily in Paris captures the journey of a young professional finding her way in a bustling metropolis. Furthermore, the fashion showcased in Emily's remarkable wardrobe echoes the stylish flair present in The Bold Type. Stream now on Netflix.

4 Younger (2015-2021)

Younger, starring Sutton Foster as Liza and Hilary Duff as Kelsey, was originally created by TV Land and later aired on Hulu and Paramount Plus for its final season. The show follows Liza, a divorced woman in her 40s who seeks to re-enter the workforce. However, she faces ageism in the hiring process and resorts to lying about her age to secure a job at a publishing house, where she meets Kelsey. Like The Bold Type, Younger explores different facets of modern-day writing and publishing, while maintaining a lighthearted and escapist tone. Stream Younger on Hulu and Paramount Plus.

3 Good Trouble (2019-present)

Good Trouble is a spin-off of The Fosters, a popular series on Freeform. The show follows the journey of siblings Callie and Mariana Foster as they relocate to Los Angeles to kickstart their careers. Viewers witness their efforts in building new relationships, navigating the dating world, and facing the typical challenges of adulthood that many individuals in their twenties encounter. Similar to The Bold Type, Good Trouble highlights the significance of friendships as characters endeavor to find their paths in a bustling city. Sreaming now on Hulu.

2 Insecure (2016-2021)

Content:

Issa Rae, known for her web series Awkward Black Girl, is not only one of the creators of Insecure but also stars as the main character, Issa Dee. Alongside her is Yvonne Orji, who plays Issa's best friend Molly Carter. Insecure, an HBO show, follows Issa and Molly as they navigate the challenges of being Black women, including their friendships, romantic relationships, and careers. For those who enjoyed The Bold Type but desired a deeper exploration of certain themes, Insecure is the perfect choice. Similar to The Bold Type, Insecure addresses the difficulties of adulthood, but with a more mature perspective. You can stream Insecure on Netflix and Max.

1 The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021-present)

Stream The Sex Lives of College Girls on Max. This show follows four college students, Kimberly, Bella, Leighton, and Whitney, as they navigate their new lives away from home and delve into various romantic and sexual relationships. Similar to The Bold Type, The Sex Lives of College Girls features a diverse group of friends with different backgrounds, including LGBTQ+ representation through characters like Kat and Leighton.