The Bold Type impresses on Freeform in a post-Pretty Little Liars world

Freeform's "The Bold Type" stars Matt Ward as Alex Crawford, Katie Stevens as Jane Sloan, Aisha Dee as Kat Edison, Meghann Fahy as Sutton Brady, Sam Page as Richard Hunter, and Melora Hardin as Jacqueline Carlyle. (Freeform/Justin Coit)

The Bold Type impressed with a bang when the dramedy aired its two hour premiere on Tuesday night.

Created by Sarah Watson, the Freeform series stars Katie Stevens, Aisha Dee, Meghann Fahy, Sam Page, Matt Ward, and Melora Hardin.  Watson executive produces along side David Bernad, Joanna Coles and Ruben Fleischer while Holly Whidden serves as a co-executive producer.

A highly anticipated series from Universal Television and The District, The Bold Type is based on the life of Joanna Coles, chief content officer, Hearst and former EIC of Cosmopolitan Magazine.  The series follows the lives of three Scarlet employees: Jane Sloan (Stevens), Kat Edison (Dee), and Sutton (Fahy).  Jacqueline (Hardin), who serves as the editor in chief of Scarlet Magazine, is based on Cosmopolitan‘s Joanna Coles.  She is their boss and will serve as their mentor.  She wants to get the best writing out of Jane and doesn’t shy away from challenging the newly promoted writer.
In the first episode, Jane is assigned to write about why her ex-boyfriend broke up with her while social media director Kat chases down Adena, a photographer, and feels a strong bond to her.  Meanwhile, Sutton is still serving as an assistant and doesn’t want to feel left behind.  Jane and Kat eventually find out that Sutton is dating Richard (Page), a lawyer and member of the board.
During the second hour, Kat stars to question her sexuality given her connection to Adena.  This would not be the first LGBTQ character to appear as a series regular on Freeform as Emily was a lesbian on Pretty Little Liars.  Jane isn’t too pleased about having to write the sex column.  It’s a personal story for her.  The opportunity is there for Sutton to advance at the company but she starts to question what she wants out of life.
Throughout the series, should it survives the first season, The Bold Type will see the trio navigate their way through their career, sexuality, and identity.  It’s a workplace drama as the Scarlet Magazine offices will drive the series.  It’s modern feminism at its finest and Freeform is leading the way as the series will tackle both social and political issues, not just love and fashion.

I don’t know if The Bold Type will replace Pretty Little Liars as the main Freeform series to watch but it’s not a series that people are turning to for mystery and suspense.  One comparison has been Sex and the City meets Girls.  I wouldn’t be opposed to that one given my limited viewing of both series.  Still, my first viewing of the dramedy left me wanting more.

For viewers who missed the two hour premiere, the show can be watched on the Freeform app, Hulu, and online.  The Bold Type airs Tuesday nights on Freeform at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.

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